If you were involved in a truly minor car accident and suffered no injury, then you don’t need a lawyer (although depending on your state, you may eventually need one for property damage claims or for traffic court). But was your car accident truly “minor?” Many insurance companies are now using a new playbook to discourage claims by telling people the crash they were in was a minor – even when people have suffered serious injuries! If you or a loved one were truly hurt, and it’s the insurance company who is insisting the car accident was “minor,” then you should get a lawyer to protect your rights. Deliberately mischaracterizing even serious crashes as “minor” is an insurance company tactic increasingly being used to avoid paying legitimate claims.
It’s not uncommon for insurance claims adjusters to tell accident victims that their injuries are not serious and that the car accident settlement value of their case is drastically lower than what it truly is. Understand this for what it is: this “disinformation” campaign usually begins with the claims adjuster trying to make you believe your car accident was “minor” and, thus, not worthy of compensation and certainly not worthy of you talking to a lawyer and bringing a claim or lawsuit for your injuries.
Sadly, the insurance companies are using this tactic because it works. As a car accident lawyer, I see this type of deliberate disinformation campaign being used more and more often when it comes to minor car accidents. One thing that has always surprised me over the past three decades of helping people is how there are some people who have very serious injuries, but they are reluctant, even almost apologetic, for calling a lawyer. Of course, there is some truth to the stereotype out there as well that there are some people who will sue too quickly for clearly minor injuries. But more often than not, it is people who have had fractures, surgeries, brain injuries, disc herniations and surgeries, who often are very reluctant to seek help because they don’t know if their case is serious or not (answer: it is). The insurance companies are using this reluctance as just one of many ways to try to maintain their incredibly high profit margins – by deterring legitimate and honest claims of people who are seriously injured by referring to the crash as minor.
When you are the target of this insurer tactic, getting a lawyer for your minor car accident is the only way to protect yourself. Your lawyer should be willing to hold the insurance company and the at-fault driver who injured you accountable by securing a full and fair car accident settlement that balances all of the harms and losses, pain and suffering, medical bills, and wage loss you are legally entitled to.
To learn more about what the settlement value of your case may be, please check out our “Car Accident Settlement Calculator.”
Is a minor car accident serious enough to justify getting a lawyer?
Calling your car accident “minor” when it is anything but, is just the insurance company’s way of trying to deter claims. They hope to convince people who do not fully understand their legal rights that your injuries are “no big deal,” and that your case “isn’t really worth much” and, thus, you should just be “grateful” that you’re getting the couple hundred or couple thousand dollars that the claims adjuster eventually offers to you.
This is a classic negotiation strategy. In many states, this type of claim handling also clearly constitutes bad faith. It hurts a lot of innocent and truly injured people who really do need help after a serious car accident.
If your auto insurance company is trying to tell you that your car accident was “minor,” then you should at the very least talk to an experienced car accident lawyer to find out what your case might actually be worth. The first consultation is always free, and you will be on a more even playing field knowing what your legal rights actually are if you were hurt through no fault of your own in a serious car accident. Understand that your auto insurer is often trying to trick you out of compensation and benefits that you are entitled to under the law, and only an experienced auto accident lawyer is going to be help you when the insurance company is engaged in deceitful and bad faith dealings with you.
Why should I get a lawyer for a minor car accident?
If your car accident is truly minor, and you are not hurt, then you probably shouldn’t get a lawyer. But if you are hurt, then a lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to get you a full and fair settlement for your injuries and losses. A lawyer will help to protect you by filing a lawsuit if your insurer refuses to negotiate in good faith. Your lawyer will help make sure your insurer pays for your medical care and for your lost wages if your injuries have disabled you from working.
In terms of settling your a car accident case, getting a lawyer will make a huge difference in the amount of your recovery. The insurance industry’s own data shows that an injury victim’s case will settle for on average 3 to 4 times more when they have hired a lawyer. That number is even higher when an injured person hires an experienced car accident lawyer.
How much will it cost to get an atttonrey after a minor car crash?
If your car accident was truly minor and you are not hurt, most reputable lawyers will not take your case. If you are hurt and your car accident was not minor, then hiring an experienced car accident lawyer will not cost you one penny. This is because most reputable auto accident attorneys work on a one-third (1/3) contingency-fee basis which is paid only after your case is won.
If you have questions about whether you need a lawyer for your car accident, you can call us toll free anytime 24/7 at (800) 777-0028 for a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys. We will answer your questions about your legal rights to pain and suffering compensation, economic damages, auto No-Fault insurance PIP benefits, and settlements in cases like yours. There is absolutely no cost or obligation. You can also get help from an experienced injury attorney by visiting our contact page or chat feature on our website.
