Many accidents are simple fender benders, so you exchange information with the other driver and then let the insurance companies pay any claim that is necessary. If the claims are small, the fault of the accident is clear, and the accident does not involve any injuries, there may be no need to involve an attorney. However, the following are a few situations when you need to contact a lawyer.

You were denied your claim

If you have filed a claim with the other driver's insurance company and it was denied, then you need to pick up the phone and call an attorney. Do not bother negotiating with the insurance company. If you attempt this, at best, they may give you a small amount of money, but you are not likely getting this. An attorney has experience negotiating with insurance companies, and they also have the ability to take an insurance company to court. This is a type of pressure that you cannot bring to bear on an insurance company.

You are being told the accident was your fault

It can make a big financial difference if an auto accident is your fault or not. Even if you have full coverage, a large claim against your policy can mean a large increase in ;your premiums. And if you don't have full coverage, you may be stuck with the repair bill for your car's damage, even when it was the other driver's fault. If you believe the accident was not your fault, you need to contact an attorney. You should also get a copy of the police report. Sometimes a driver is blamed for an accident because of the police report, but this report may contain significant mistakes that cast the blame on you.

You were injured

This comes as close to an automatic call to an attorney as you will find. If you have suffered injuries in an auto accident, whether you are the driver or a passenger, you need to consult with an attorney as soon as possible. The chances of getting the compensation you are entitled to is slim. Naturally, payouts for insurance claims due to injuries have the propensity to be much higher than for damage to a vehicle. It is for this reason that an insurance company will use various tactics to settle for the least amount possible. However, these techniques do not work with an attorney, so you will have a much better chance at getting the best settlement possible.

The situations above are good examples of when you should call an auto accident attorney. However, any time you are confused about any legal aspect of an accident or simply are not sure if a settlement offer is fair, always consult with a professional such as Helfand, David PA.