Lawyers Answer: When Do You Need To Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

Ryan Findlay | May 23, 2024 | Car Accidents

You don’t need to hire a lawyer for just any car accident. For a minor fender bender, for example, you might even have trouble finding a lawyer who is willing to take your case. 

Under certain circumstances, however, it’s important to at least seek the advice of a lawyer. Almost any Hamilton car accident lawyer will offer you a free initial case consultation.

Red Flags That Indicate You Probably Need a Lawyer

If any of the following factors apply to your case, you may want to consider hiring a lawyer:

• You expect to suffer long-term disability: If you or someone else sustained significant injuries that will never heal or that will take years to heal, a lawyer can help you seek maximum compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You might need an expert witness to help you prove anticipated future damages.
• Liability is in dispute: If the other party denies liability or if there are multiple parties involved, a lawyer can investigate the accident, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies.
• The at-fault motorist is uninsured or underinsured, and your insurance is insufficient to make up the difference: If the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your damages, a lawyer can help you navigate your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
• Your claim is complex: A product liability claim, for example, can get quite complex. Insurance claims can be confusing and time-consuming. A lawyer understands the intricacies of the process and can handle all negotiation and paperwork for you.
• The insurance company is playing games with you: If you have hired a lawyer, an insurance company is more likely to fear that you might file an insurance bad faith claim against them. This fear will encourage them to improve their behavior. Insurance companies often issue low initial settlement offers. A lawyer can assess the true value of your claim and negotiate a generous settlement.
• Someone died in the accident: If your close relative died in a car accident, you might be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit to seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and emotional distress.
• The at-fault driver fled the scene of the accident: If the at-fault driver fled the scene, a lawyer can help you find the driver and explore alternative sources of compensation.
• You’re suing the government: If the accident was caused by the government, special rules and procedures apply. You almost certainly need a lawyer to file a claim against the government.
• The at-fault driver was operating a commercial vehicle: Accidents caused by trucks or other commercial vehicles often involve complex liability issues. The good news is that the driver will probably be well-insured.
• You’re seeking non-pecuniary damages, such as pain and suffering. The subjective nature of these damages means that you could walk away with a little bit of money or a lot. A good lawyer can make a huge difference. 
• Your case requires filing a lawsuit. It is extremely difficult to bring a lawsuit without legal representation. You’ll almost certainly need a lawyer to help you through the process.
• You feel overwhelmed or stressed: Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be emotionally taxing. A lawyer can relieve some of the stress and provide peace of mind. That way, you can focus on recovering your health.

These are just a few considerations that might indicate you should hire a lawyer. Ultimately, it’s almost always in your best interest to set up a free consultation and learn about your legal options.

How Contingency Fees Work

You’ve probably heard of ‘billable hours’, where clients pay lawyers hundreds of dollars an hour to handle their legal work. This system puts lawyers and clients in an adversarial financial relationship. The more you lose, the more the lawyer makes. But with personal injury lawyers, it’s different.

Almost no Hamilton car accident lawyer uses the billable hour system. Instead, they use the contingency fee system. Under this system, your legal fees amount to a percentage of the amount that your lawyer wins for you. This percentage typically ranges from 30% to 40%. 

If you win $100,000, for example, your legal fee will be $30,000 to $40,000. If you win nothing, your legal fee will be zero. This arrangement drastically reduces your legal risk.

Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Ontario, Canada

If you need legal help with a personal injury case, contact the team at Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today.

Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers – Hamilton, ON
20 Hughson St S #510, Hamilton, ON L8N 2A1
(905) 522-9799

Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers – Brantford, ON
325 West St #102a, Brantford, ON N3R 3V6
(226) 401-5433

Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers – Burlington, ON
2349 Fairview St, Burlington, ON L7R 2E3
(289) 512-0829

Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers – St Catharines, ON
55 King St Suite 207, St. Catharines, ON L2R 3H5
(289) 301-9496