
Being involved in any kind of car accident can be overwhelming, but some are objectively more serious than others. As such, you may be relieved when you realize the damage to your vehicle is minimal. When the other party asks you to handle these matters without insurance or attorney involvement, you may be tempted, as it could save time. However, this isn’t recommended, as forgoing legal representation can have drastic impacts. The following blog explores why it’s in your best interest to connect with a Baltimore County auto accident attorney if you’re involved in a minor accident.
What Does a Car Accident Attorney Do?
When you are involved in a car accident due to the negligent actions of another person, connecting with an experienced attorney is in your best interest. Your attorney will provide an array of services with the ultimate goal of helping you recover the compensation you are entitled to for the damages you suffered.
For example, your attorney can help investigate the accident to determine how the collision occurred by gathering and examining evidence. Additionally, they can look at the damages sustained and determine the value of your compensation.
Once your attorney has examined your circumstances, they will begin negotiating with the insurance company of the negligent party on your behalf. This is imperative, as unfortunately, you may find that trying to negotiate with the insurance company on your own can have a negative outcome. In many instances, the insurance company will lowball those without representation, taking advantage of the fact they are unfamiliar with what their claim is worth. Additionally, if you cannot settle, your attorney can represent you in a court trial.
Your attorney can not only help you collect evidence, but they can assist you in the filing process. Pursuing a claim can be complicated, as there are many deadlines that must be met, and the paperwork you file must be submitted correctly and on time. Additionally, you’ll need to ensure you file before the three-year statute of limitations in Maryland expires.
Do I Need an Attorney for a Minor Accident?
Though the accident you are involved in may seem minor at the time, it may be more serious than you originally anticipated in reality. In some instances, you may not know that the damage to your vehicle is more severe than cosmetic damage, and as a result, you could be stuck paying out of pocket for a pricey mechanical repair.
Unfortunately, you may find that though you feel okay in the immediate aftermath of the accident, some injuries take time to present themselves. As such, you can sustain damages from a concussion or other injury, resulting in medical bills and lost wages.
Finally, if you do not take this accident seriously, you’ll find that if the other party hires an attorney, they may try to blame you for the collision. In Maryland, if you are found even 1% at fault for an accident, you are barred from collecting compensation as per their contributory negligence statute. As such, you’ll find that without legal representation, you may be unable to prove that you are not at fault.
Though the accident you’re involved in may not seem serious, it can have drastic impacts on your life later down the line. As such, it’s in your best interest to work with an experienced attorney as soon as possible if you’ve been involved in a collision due to the negligent actions of another person. At the Law Offices of Markey & Orsi, we understand how difficult these matters can be, which is why our firm will do everything possible to guide you through these challenging times. Connect with us today to learn how we can assist you during your fight for justice.