Is It Necessary To Hire A Lawyer After A Minor Injury In A Car Accident?
Were you in a minor accident and wondering if it’s really necessary to get a lawyer involved? Let’s get one thing straight: when it comes to car accidents, no matter how big or small, they all need to be taken very seriously. Regardless of whether you walk away with a couple of bruises, a dent here or there on the car or absolutely no damage at all – always make sure you’re covered.
It may seem like an inconvenience more than a serious issue, but as soon as an accident occurs, you should get your attorney involved. In this article, we’ll give you several reasons why it’s still necessary to hire a lawyer after a minor accident.
Is it worth hiring a lawyer for a minor car accident?
Absolutely! Car accidents, even minor ones, have the potential to cause damage and inhibit people’s earning potential and quality of life. It’s also possible that a minor car accident can be blown out of proportion by the other party and make unreasonable demands. With a lawyer, you can protect yourself against all the possible outcomes of an accident and ensure you receive fair compensation.
Here are some reasons you should hire a lawyer, even in the event of a minor accident:
- You may have unseen injuries
You might not see it straight after the car accident, but just because your injuries aren’t visible does not mean there aren’t any at all. Adrenaline after an accident also may cause you to ignore any signs of injury.
The issue is that unseen injuries may onset in the days to follow and may cause chronic pain in the future and require long-term rehabilitation and treatment. Not getting medical attention and having a lawyer involved could risk you missing submission deadlines, and your insurance may not cover you.
- You may have a soft tissue injury
A car crash always has the potential to cause soft tissue injuries, even in a minor accident. With the force of the cars colliding or hitting brakes fast, the motion could result in whiplash.
Sometimes, whiplash is a sneaky injury and does not present any symptoms until six to twelve days down the line or any at all, so it’s imperative you have a medical examination done just in case you need to file for a personal injury claim as whiplash can cause nerve damage, or fractures or dislocation to the neck.
- You may have a head injury
Accidents happen so quickly, and in the collision, you may have bumped your head and not noticed. This means you run the risk of a traumatic brain injury, referred to as a concussion. Concussions have the potential to impair your reflexes, muscle coordination, balance, speech, judgment and even your memory.
In worst-case scenarios, concussions can result in bleeding or swelling of the brain, which can be fatal. You might not notice anything straight away, but getting checked out and having a lawyer involved will ensure you’re covered should you need treatment for a concussion.
What is considered a minor injury in a car crash?
Minor injuries sustained in a car crash are typically, but not limited to, soft tissue injuries. Issues like a sore back, strained muscles or whiplash may not seem serious at the time, but when left untreated, they have the potential to develop into major medical problems and could affect your quality of life.
For example, you may sustain a head injury, which could lead to memory loss or inhibited focus, balance or muscle coordination, and this may impact your ability to do your job. It’s also common for minor accidents to affect your state of mind, which can also impair your ability to work, earn a living, and live life to the fullest.
For these reasons, it’s important to realise that even minor accidents can cost you more than money. Hiring a good lawyer can help you claim fair compensation for your injuries and losses; while money can’t buy you everything, it will make recovery and quality of life better than if you were not compensated.
Do you have to go to the doctor after a minor accident?
Before hiring a lawyer, should you ever be involved in a car accident, going to the doctor, even after a minor car accident, should be your priority. Even if you’re not experiencing any symptoms, always go to the doctor for a medical examination.
When making a claim after an accident, you will need evidence to substantiate your claims, including the results of a medical examination. Claiming for injuries is quite time-sensitive, and different policies will have different deadlines, so get your test results and documents in order as quickly as possible after an accident occurs.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to protecting yourself and your livelihood, never underestimate how much having a good lawyer on your side will help you, especially in the case of a minor accident. Always be prepared!
