Person texting while driving

Signs You Need a Lawyer After a Accident

Even if you’ve only suffered property damage, there are some instances when you should still consider hiring a lawyer. We have outlined this below:

  • The other driver is uncooperative
    If the other driver is uncooperative either at the scene of the car accident or afterward, this may be an indication that you will have trouble recovering your claim. Signs of uncooperativeness include refusing to provide you with contact and insurance information, or not wanting to call the police after an accident
  • You can’t afford to go to the doctor or you can’t afford your medical bills
    It’s critical to both your health and your case that you see a doctor after your accident if you’ve experienced any kind of pain or injury. We understand that you may be faced with several barriers to getting treatment. Many residents of Austin don’t have health insurance. Others are insured, but can’t afford the deductibles or don’t know whether the treatment they need is covered by insurance. You may also be concerned about taking time off of work to see a doctor. At Briggle & Polan, PLLC, our Austin accident attorneys understand your concerns. We work with a large network of healthcare providers who will take your individual situation into consideration. In some circumstances, we may be able to help you see a doctor at no cost to you. Additionally, you may be entitled to reimbursement from the defendant for the time you have to take off of work to see a doctor and get treatment. If you need help seeing a doctor, or if you’ve incurred medical bills that you can’t pay, call our office at (512) 400-3278 for assistance.
  • The insurance company badgers you
    Insurance companies are looking out for their interests, not for yours. After an accident, they’ll use a team of skilled adjusters and attorneys to try to get you to settle your case for as little as possible. An insurer will probably call you to talk with you. This person may seem friendly enough, but in fact, he is trying to get you to admit something, anything, that will prove that you were responsible for the accident or that you are not really hurt. All of your statements will be recorded and can be used against you. Many initial settlement offers are unfair, but if you sign one it is legally binding. Insurers have been known to use tactics to damage your case include:
    • Providing you with a settlement offer before the extent of your injuries is known
    • Offering you unfair compensation or less than the amount remaining on a car loan
    • Not offering you a rental car while your car is being repaired
    • Telling you they will pay your repair bills as soon as you submit them, and then refusing to do so
    • Telling you that a settlement is “all they can offer” or “more than you’re entitled to”
  • You Feel Uneasy About the way your Claim is Being Handled
    If one or more of the insurance companies is giving you a bad feeling, trust your instincts. Remember that insurance companies are not on your side. If you think something is amiss, you’re probably right. Call our Austin accident attorneys at (512) 400-3278. Over the past twenty years, we’ve learned all the insurance companies’ tricks. We’ll get to the bottom of things.
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