Some car accidents can cause devastating injuries and significant financial losses. However, others might seem minor. There could be some property damage, and you might be slightly sore and have some bruising.

You might wonder whether it is worth calling a lawyer after a car accident. Unfortunately, a minor car accident can quickly become a nightmare. 

If you are unsure about whether you need to hire a lawyer after a minor car accident in Vista, it is better to err on the side of caution. Most law firms offer free consultations, so obtaining legal advice after a car crash does not cost you anything.

A Minor Car Accident in Vista Could Be Costly

Car accidents can become very costly. In addition to the property damage to your vehicle, you could incur other economic damages. Damages might include:

You could have more costs than expected, even if you sustain a minor injury. However, a minor injury might not be minor.

Even if you feel okay after a car crash, you could have injuries that have not presented symptoms. For example, you might have delayed symptoms because of a concussion, whiplash, or back injury

Injuries could cause significant pain and other symptoms, which might be costly to treat. In addition, you could be out of work or miss time from work for treatment and therapy. 

In addition to your expenses, you are also entitled to non-economic damages caused by a car accident. The other driver should reimburse you for your pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other damages.

You do not want to be responsible for expenses from a car accident that was not your fault. Talking with a Vista car accident lawyer can help ensure that you take the steps necessary to protect your right to receive compensation from the driver who caused the accident. 

You Could Be Blamed for Causing the Accident

All California drivers are required to maintain financial responsibility for a car accident. Most drivers choose to purchase car insurance to satisfy the requirement. 

The insurance adjuster for the other driver might appear to be helping you get the money you deserve for damages. However, insurance adjusters protect the insurance company from liability. One way to do that is to blame the car accident on you.

By shifting all or some of the blame to you for the cause of the car wreck, the insurance company avoids paying you the full value of your damages. California’s comparative fault standard states that a victim’s compensation for damages is reduced by their percentage of fault for the cause of their injuries.

In other words, if you are 50% to blame for causing a car accident, you only receive compensation for one-half of the value of your damages. For example, if your damages total $100,000, you could only recover $50,000.

Car insurance companies understand comparative negligence laws. Unfortunately, some companies unjustly blame the accident victim in order to lower the value of a personal injury claim

It is best not to discuss the car crash with an insurance adjuster until you talk with a car accident attorney. The statements you make to the adjuster could be twisted and misinterpreted to imply you contributed to the cause of the crash.

Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer After a Minor Car Accident in Vista

Recovering from a car accident can be overwhelming, even when the accident did not cause catastrophic injuries. It could take some time to recover from a minor car crash. Also, you could be entitled to compensation from the other driver.

The benefits of hiring a car accident lawyer to help with a minor car accident include:

  • Your attorney handles all communications with the insurance company, including filing claims and negotiating settlements
  • The attorney investigates the accident to determine the cause of the crash and gather evidence proving the other driver caused the collision
  • Lawyers assist with documenting damages to ensure that all damages are included in your claim
  • Your lawyer calculates the value of your claim to maximize your settlement amount (the insurance company consistently undervalues damages)
  • If the insurance company refuses to negotiate a fair settlement, a lawyer assesses your legal options and provides counsel to help you decide how to proceed

You might not need to hire a lawyer for a minor car accident. However, you do not want to find out that you need a lawyer when it is too late for an attorney to help. 

For that reason, it is always in your best interest to obtain legal advice for any type of car accident.

Contact the North County Car Accident Lawyers at Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today

For more information, please contact the Vista car accident law firm of Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.

We serve in North County, CA and its surrounding areas:

Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers – Vista, CA Office
380 S Melrose Dr. Ste. 201
Vista, CA 92081

(619) 344-0360

Petrov Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers – Oceanside, CA Office
702 Civic Center Drive Ste. 105
Oceanside, CA, 92054

(619) 678-1016