Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer for a Minor Accident?

Even minor car accidents can be major sources of stress. Seeking fair compensation from an insurance company in your personal injury claim may turn into a marathon of back-and-forth communication and negotiations. It may be in your best interest to hire an experienced car accident attorney to handle your accident claim.

At Ktenas Injury Lawyers, our legal team has a track record of success in getting a fair settlement for our clients. Call us today at (312) 300-2515 or schedule an appointment online for a free initial consultation to see how we can help you. 

Why Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer?

There is no obligation to call an auto accident attorney if you're involved in a minor auto collision; however, it never hurts to be prepared.

For a minor car crash, you may consider exchanging contact and insurance information with the other driver at the accident scene and continuing on with your day. Even a minor fender bender can result in medical costs and emotional trauma, and you may benefit from hiring an experienced lawyer. 

An experienced attorney can help you get a quick settlement from the insurance provider of the at-fault party, to include compensation for minor damage to your vehicle and medical costs for physical injury. Consider contacting our knowledgeable car accident attorneys at Ktenas Injury Lawyers for even a minor car accident case. 

The Damage Could Be More Severe Than You First Think

You may think that when you are involved in a relatively minor motor vehicle accident you will simply file a claim with the insurance company, get compensation for damages to your vehicle, and move on. This is not always the case, and you may face a difficult time throughout the claims process while having to manage out-of-pocket costs for vehicle damage that was not your fault. 

A skilled attorney will know the hurdles you can face when negotiating financial compensation with an insurance agency and can help you avoid them altogether. This is particularly true for any hidden injuries you may have sustained in the accident that didn't surface until some time passed. You may find yourself paying for the additional cost these can bring. At Ktenas Injury Lawyers our experienced car accident injury attorneys can help you through the auto accident claims process and will fight for the monetary compensation you deserve. We have experience managing accident lawsuits that you will need to get a fair resolution. 

Learn More: Why You Should Hire a Lawyer For a Car Accident

Possible Injuries

Motor vehicle accidents result in over 2.3 million visits to emergency rooms around the country every year. Particularly after a minor collision, you may have adrenaline in your system masking injuries. Even if you believe you are unharmed, you should still visit a doctor as soon as possible to verify and have proof of a possible injury in your medical records.

It is common to suffer an injury in a car accident that does not present for days or even weeks after the initial accident. These sorts of injuries can leave you with chronic pain and may require expensive long-term treatment. It can be particularly difficult to get automobile insurance companies to offer fair compensation for these types of bodily injuries. If you already accepted an accident settlement, you will likely be stuck paying for these out-of-pocket expenses with no additional compensation to come. 

Contact an experienced car accident lawyer at Ktenas Injury Lawyers for help recovering from your financial losses. We have experience in helping injured clients file a claim for compensation and will provide you with the legal counsel you need to get the proper settlement to help pay for your medical treatment.

Soft Tissue Injuries

A soft tissue injury usually involves torn or stretched ligaments, muscles, or tendons. Low-speed collisions may not be fatal but they can cause serious injuries. If drivers hit their brakes too hard they can experience jerking movements throughout their neck. This can cause a condition known as whiplash, and symptoms may not manifest for several days. They can include:

• Neck stiffness and/or swelling
• Neck pain
• Headaches
• Muscle spasms
• Shoulder pain
• Numbness or tingling in the arms
• Memory loss
• Fatigue

Head Injuries

You might not even remember hitting your head on the steering wheel when you get out of your car after the accident. An impact like that may result in a concussion. Concussions can be major injuries, but you may not experience symptoms right away. They can include: 

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Ringing in the ears
• Fatigue or drowsiness
• Blurred Vision
• Confusion

Visit a Doctor After Your Accident

Concussions and soft tissue injuries are both very common after even minor car accidents, and both can require hospital or doctor visits, diagnostic imaging, prescription medication, and rehabilitation. 

These sorts of medical expenses can add up very quickly. Getting checked out by a medical professional after your accident is critical, whether you think you sustained an injury or not. If you think you are alright, settle your insurance claim, and go about your everyday life only to have symptoms appear later, you may find that you have waived your right to seek further compensation for your injuries. 

Having a doctor evaluate your condition soon after your accident can help you get maximum compensation for your case. A skilled auto accident lawyer can use your medical records, the crash report, and other evidence, to build a strong case throughout your insurance claims process.

Economic and Noneconomic Damages

In case someone else was responsible for causing your injuries or damages, you shouldn't pay out any costs yourself. If you're injured due to someone else's actions, you might be able to recover damages from them in the form of an insurance claim or lawsuit. You may seek compensation for economic damages, which include:

• Medical bills
• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity

You may also seek compensation for noneconomic damages, which include:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Loss of lifestyle
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of enjoyment of activities

Work With an Experienced Accident Attorney

You might not realize you've been hurt until days or even weeks after your accident when the pain starts setting in. Injuries don't always heal up well and sometimes they even get worse.

Accident victims have a right to seek compensation for the damages they suffered. An experienced auto accident attorney can bring the knowledge and skill you will need for your settlement negotiations or lawsuit. Contact one of our personal injury lawyers at Ktenas Injury Lawyers for a free, no-obligation consultation.