Accidents are weird. One minute you’re cruising down the road on Monday in your business at work, and the next you’re dealing with forms, follow-ups and what feels like a mountain of questions. Somewhere in that pile, there’s always the big one of whether or not you need legal advice. It’s a question that’s usually on the lips of anybody who’s been in an accident before, because knowing what to do next is not always easy.
It’s a fair question to ask, and one that many people will brush off with a confident no thank you. But before you decide to DIY your post accident game plan, let’s talk about why calling in the pros like the friendly folks at PHP Law Firm might actually be one of the smartest moves that you can make. Is legal advice really necessary after an accident? Let’s read on and find out.
You don’t know what you don’t know.
If there’s one thing that accidents can do very quickly, it’s trigger a domino effect of paperwork and processing. You have insurance claims, medical bills, time off work, maybe even long term recovery issues. It’s very easy to think you’ve got a handle on it all, only to find out later that you missed a deadline, forgot to file a form, or said something to an insurance adjuster that accidentally hurt your claim. A good legal team isn’t just about showing up in court, they are your road map and they will guide you through the process.
Insurance companies only have one job.
Insurance is supposed to help you, but the people handling your claim are not very interested in helping you as much as they are interested in keeping their costs down for them. If you’ve ever tried to negotiate with an insurance company before, you already know how confusing and frustrating the process can be. Legal advice will help you to level the playing field, and you’re no longer the lone amateur up against a team of trained professionals. You’re backed up, you’re informed, and you’re way less likely to be lowballed or ignored.
The Peace of Mind is so worth it.
After an accident, your To Do List is already long enough. You need to see the doctor, get some rest, figure out your car or job situation, and maybe even keep up the kids or other responsibilities with the help of others. Getting legal advice early on can give you some help, Peace of Mind and a chance to feel calm about the situation ahead.
The little things can become big things.
What feels like a minor accident today could lead to unexpected medical bills that are a lot bigger than you expected. You could also end up looking at missed wages or complications down the road. With the help of legal professionals, they’ll help you to look beyond the immediate and plan for long term outcomes. It’s not about overreacting, but it’s about becoming prepared.
You don’t need to get a lawyer every time you have an accident, but it’s never a bad idea to get started with one.