Do I Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident?

Do I Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident?

By:
Stephen M. Smith
|
Last Updated:
February 22, 2023
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A man holding his neck wondering when to get a lawyer after a car accident.
Hiring an experienced lawyer after surviving a car accident can help you achieve a substantial and timely settlement.

In the aftermath of a car accident, you may be feeling anxious, scared, and unsure of what to do next. You or a passenger may have been injured in the crash and may now require costly medical attention. Sometimes, bringing a lawsuit is the only way to make sure that you receive the financial relief you deserve.

The parties who are responsible for your car accident should be held accountable for your injuries. The lawyers at the Virgina based Smith Law Center will handle your car accident litigation with professionalism and compassion. We have a storied history of achieving incredible results for our clients. Contact us online or by calling (757) 244-7000 to discuss the specific needs of your case.

How Can an Attorney Help Me After a Car Accident?

Hiring a lawyer can give you peace of mind while you heal if you have sustained substantial injuries in a car accident. Those who hire attorneys to manage their cases often receive larger settlements than those who do not. An experienced car accident attorney will be able to efficiently and effectively handle your case while you focus on what is most important.

A car accident attorney can help you by:  

  • Accurately calculating damages: Awarded damages can include economic damages such as loss of wages, and medical bills. Wrongful death damages can also be awarded to help cover the loss of emotional and financial support. Damages may also include punitive damages or damages that are awarded by the court to punish the wrongdoer.
  • Performing a professional investigation: Your car accident lawyer will perform a professional investigation into your car accident and determine which parties can be held responsible. If you have been injured, this is a crucial step that helps your lawyer determine which parties can be sued.
  • Representing you and your interests to opposing counsel: An experienced lawyer will be able to deal with opposing legal counsel, insurance company representatives, and courtroom procedures on your behalf. If you are unfamiliar with courtroom procedure, having a lawyer handle it for you can invaluable.

Your attorney can also help you by filing paperwork, meeting important court deadlines, negotiating settlements with insurance companies and insurance representatives, securing expert testimony, and visiting and investigating the crash site. Once you hire a car accident lawyer, all of this responsibility becomes theirs. Your focus can be solely on your family and your healing.

You deserve to be represented by skilled and proven counsel. Your lawyer’s responsibility is to prepare your case and professionally represent you. Your responsibility is to heal and focus on your health.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident?

Immediately after a car accident, seek medical attention. Common injuries resulting from car accidents include spinal cord injuries, whiplash, and concussions. Even if you don’t feel hurt or don’t think that you have been injured, it is important to be checked by a doctor for any injuries following a car accident. Traumatic brain injuries are not always obvious and may go undiagnosed. Brain injuries are often called “invisible injuries.” Additionally, you may not even know you are injured if you are in a state of medical shock. Seeing a doctor immediately after a car accident can help catch these injuries before they become debilitating and keep you from needlessly suffering.

Seeing a doctor after a car accident is also important in that you begin the process of gathering valuable evidence for your legal team. Once you have received medical treatment, you may want to start the process of hiring a car accident lawyer. You always have the option to represent yourself in any court proceeding. However, the litigation process is complicated and stressful. Oftentimes, people make the mistake of thinking they can handle the legal process themselves only to eventually hire a lawyer. A reputable car accident attorney can make the process much more straightforward for you.

When looking for a car accident attorney make sure to consider the type of cases they have handled in the past, as well as the results that they have managed to achieve. An experienced lawyer will be able to help you achieve the maximum results possible. Damages are awarded based on provable costs that you accumulate. An experienced car accident attorney will be able to help accurately calculate your losses.

When Should I Get a Lawyer After a Car Accident?

The most important thing you should do after a car accident is see a doctor. Your health is invaluable and seeking medical care is the best thing that you can do for yourself and your family. According to the CDC, motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of death in the United States, killing over 100 people every day and sending about 2.1 Million people to the Emergency Room every year. It is important to take care of yourself after an accident.

Once you have received medical care, you should then start to think about hiring legal representation. This is especially important if you have sustained substantial injuries. If you have been injured in a car accident you may require physical therapy, additional visits to the doctor, and visits to medical specialists. A car accident attorney can hold the parties responsible for your injuries accountable and make sure that you get the damages that you deserve.

The team of skilled lawyers at the Smith Law Center has a proven track record of assisting those who have been injured in fender benders and car accidents. Contact us online or by calling (757) 244-7000. We are standing by to ensure that you receive the representation that you deserve.

Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

Unfortunately, catastrophic, life-altering, and even life-ending accidents are all too common. Sometimes, in order to receive the medical care that you need, it is necessary to bring a lawsuit to hold responsible parties accountable.

The Smith Law Center is experienced in achieving the maximum settlement for their clients who have been injured in car accidents These victories include a $7.5 million dollar settlement to a woman who suffered a brain injury in a car accident and a $4.75 million dollar settlement to a school librarian who was injured in a car accident.

At the Smith Law Center, your case and your care are our top priorities. Our lawyers will be with you every step of the way. Contact us regarding your case online or by calling (757) 244-7000. We are standing by to help you achieve justice.

Lawyers at Smith Law Center

About Smith Law Center

Our lawyers are more than lawyers. They are people who understand your injuries and the law that surrounds your options when it comes to holding others accountable.
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What Our Clients Are Saying About Us

Tony Laizure, Principal Laizure Law
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I have had the immense pleasure to work with Stephen M. Smith many times over the years, and every case ends in success for the client. He is so passionate about his clients and cares deeply about them.

Anonymous (Former Client)
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They treat you with respect & compassion every step of the way…

Jonathan Wren
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Great firm. Stephen, David, and their team did a wonderful job representing a brain-injured client I referred to them for hard-fought case against a trucking company in federal court.

Shannon Laymon-Pecoraro
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I have the pleasure of working with the team at the Smith Law Center regularly. They are well rounded, and their commitment to their clients is top notch.

Donna
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… your firm is personally responsible for taking what was a horrible tragedy and transforming it into a legacy…

Joe
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… [Mr. Smith's] style of representation was impeccable, classy, and he cleverly executed every facet of the case …

Nancy
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… I really can’t thank you enough for securing the damages to which I was entitled …

Marybeth
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… I am beyond grateful for their caring manner, their legal prowess, and their attention to detail …

Tom
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Although this card is rather small, the “Thank You” isn’t small at all … You will never know what this money has meant to us. It does not remove the affects of the stroke, but makes things somewhat better …

Tammy & John
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… For such a large firm, we received very personal care. We will always recommend you highly! …

Angelicia S
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I had the pleasure of working with Attorney Gill. He was very professional and made the process worth the while. This law firm cares about their clients and it shows. Thank you all for going over and beyond.

Erin L
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I was very happy with the Smith Law Center. They are professional, attentive and will truly fight for you. The entire office is very nice and communicates throughout the whole process. Mr. Gill is fantastic as well as the paralegals and the other administration team.

Mike S
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David Holt did an excellent job dealing with a largely uncooperative insurance adjuster. He explored all avenues of recovery, their fees were fair and, once settled, payment was prompt. Five stars all the way.

Christin S
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Working with David and Lisa was a wonderful experience. I was overwhelmed by their kindness and efficiency.

Kevin Mottley
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I have had the pleasure of working alongside Stephen Smith, David Holt, and Stewart Gill for several years now, representing traumatic brain injury survivors in fights against insurance companies. These guys are a pleasure to work with and are true trial lawyers who fight for their clients day in and day out in court.

Andy H
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The attorneys and staff at Smith Law Center are great to work with. They care not only about a successful recovery, but ensuring their clients know what options are available for protecting the recovery long-term.

Shaminece H.
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The team and my attorney were so friendly. They were always available to help me or answer my questions, and the process wasn’t long at all. I’m so grateful for the services they gave me and for treating me like family.

Shannon L
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... I have the pleasure of working with the team at the Smith Law Center regularly ... They are well rounded, and their commitment to their clients is top notch.

Andy H
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... The attorneys and staff are great to work with ... They care not only about a successful recovery, but ensuring their clients know what options are available for protecting the recovery long-term.

Jonathan B
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... Mr. Smith helped us get a settlement fast, and things are much better now ...Without Stephen’s help I’d probably be dead and penniless. I am a brain injury survivor. On the 4th of July weekend (in 2004), my life was turned inside out when I was hit on my motorcycle. My brother-in-law was searching for brain injury specialists and happened to find Mr. Smith. And he was a lawyer too! Mr. Smith helped us get a settlement fast, and things are much better now.