Car Accident, How To Know When You Should Contact An Attorney
If you’ve been in a car accident, you might be the victim of someone else’s negligence. While accidents do happen in which no one is considered at fault, many can be related directly to the negligent behavior of the other driver.
In this Litigation Guide article, we will give you tips that will help you know when you should contact a personal injury attorney.
1. The Other Driver Was Ticketed
A ticket given for an accident specifies fault. If the other driver was cited by police as the cause of the accident, it is the best evidence you can have in a liability lawsuit, and a good car accident attorney will know how to use it.
2. You Believe the Other Driver Was At Fault
Even if a ticket wasn’t issued, the other driver might have been at fault and liable for damages. When you discuss the accident with an experienced personal injury lawyer, he or she will evaluate whether you have a good case.
3. You Suffer Significant Financial Loss, Pain or Disability
The financial loss might involve expenses to fix or replace a vehicle, medical expenses incurred for treatment of injuries sustained in the accident or for time missed at work while being treated or recovering. Pain and disability can be harder to quantify, but an experienced litigation attorney will know what constitutes these things in civil litigation.
4. You Suspect Alcohol or Drug Use
Even if the other driver isn’t cited for DUI, you might be able to establish that they were drinking or using drugs prior to the accident, making them negligent. Even using prescription drugs can make them liable if they are forbidden from driving while on the medication. Tell your personal injury attorney that you suspect the other driver was under the influence.
5. The Other Driver Speaks Poor English
If the driver of the other vehicle is an undocumented person, he or she might not know how to drive. Even if they have a driver’s license, it might have been obtained fraudulently. A good car accident attorney will want to know this information.
6. Your Personal Property Is Damaged By a Vehicle
Vehicles driven by negligent drivers don’t just hit other vehicles. They often run into homes, garages, other building or other types of personal property. If you have sustained a loss of any type through the careless driving of another person, call a litigation attorney for a consultation.
Most litigation attorneys will evaluate your case for free. It doesn’t hurt to call a few of them and get their opinion as to whether or not you have a case for a personal injury lawsuit. If you weren’t at fault and you suffered any kind of loss, hiring an attorney might be the right next step.