A lawyer is not necessary for every crash. The decision depends on the seriousness of the injuries, who was at fault and how the insurance company is treating you.
Situations where a lawyer often helps
- Significant or lasting injuries, surgery or missed work.
- Fault is disputed or the police report blames you.
- The insurer denies the claim, delays or offers an amount that does not cover bills.
- More than one party may be responsible, such as a commercial driver or an employer.
- The other driver is uninsured or underinsured.
- You were partly at fault.
Situations you may handle alone
- Minor property damage with no injuries and clear fault.
- Your own insurer is paying under collision coverage.
- The other insurer accepts responsibility and offers a fair repair or replacement.
How to decide
- Add up medical bills, lost pay and repairs.
- Ask whether the insurer is cooperating.
- Get a free consultation and ask for an honest view of your case.
- Compare the likely net result with and without a lawyer.
- Remember the filing deadline and do not let it pass.
Next steps
See our guides to how much a car accident lawyer costs and to handling a claim without a lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I switch lawyers later?
Often yes, though fees may be shared between lawyers.
Will hiring a lawyer slow things down?
Sometimes, but it can also move a disputed claim forward.