Someone else hit you, and now you face medical bills and calls from an insurance adjuster who wants you to settle fast. You want to know your next move.
Many injured drivers ask the same thing: should I get a lawyer for a car accident that wasn’t my fault? The answer depends on whether you got hurt and how serious the injury is.
Your health drives that decision. See a doctor before you talk to the other driver’s insurance company.
Signs You Should Get a Lawyer After a Car Accident
An injury is the clearest reason to hire a lawyer after a car accident. Pain can start small and grow over the next few days, so watch your body for new symptoms once the shock wears off.
Call a lawyer if you notice any of these warning signs:
- Soreness or stiffness in your neck, back, or shoulders
- Headaches or dizziness
- Numbness or tingling in your arms or legs
- Pain that grows worse over the next few days
Most car accident lawyers offer a free consultation, so the first call costs you nothing. You talk through your options with someone who works for you, instead of the insurance company. Learn more about what a car accident lawyer does for injured clients.
In our experience, clients who hire an attorney recover more than those who handle the claim alone. A lawyer raises the stakes of your case, and the insurance company knows it cannot lowball a professional who tracks what claims are worth.
For a free legal consultation, call (832) 346-9585
See a Doctor After a Car Accident, Even If You Feel Fine
Adrenaline and shock keep you from feeling pain in the first hours after a wreck. You might feel fine at the scene, then wake up two days later sore and stiff. For some people, that pain grows worse over the next week and becomes permanent.
A doctor can find the source of your pain and tell you how long recovery takes. Some injuries heal with physical therapy. Others need pain injections or surgery when therapy falls short.
You cannot know the true value of your claim until a doctor explains your injury. Settling before then means guessing at a number you will live with for years. If money is tight, read about medical care after a car accident and how a letter of protection lets you treat now and pay from your settlement.
Do Not Settle With the Insurance Company First
The other driver’s insurance company will call you within days. The adjuster may offer you two or three thousand dollars to close your claim. That money looks good, because it is cash you did not have yesterday.
The adjuster moves fast on purpose. They want you to sign before you learn how long your pain lasts or what your treatment costs. Once you sign, you give up the right to ask for more, even if you need surgery later.
The insurance company makes money by paying you as little as the law allows. Talk to a lawyer before you accept any offer, and read the Texas auto insurance guide to learn your rights. If an insurer still refuses a fair amount, Texas law can hold it responsible under the Stowers Doctrine.
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Handling a Car Accident Claim Without a Lawyer
Sometimes you walk away with no injury and only a damaged car. Your health has not changed, and the fight is about money for repairs. You can often handle that kind of claim on your own.
The insurer will lowball the value of a totaled car. Get your own estimate from a trusted body shop, then use it to push for a fair payment. If the adjuster will not budge, you can file in small claims court, where Texas lets you sue for up to twenty thousand dollars, one of the highest limits in the country.
A property damage fight often costs more in legal fees than the few thousand dollars in dispute. For a claim that small, file it yourself or accept the gap. The Texas State Law Library explains the Texas small claims court limit and how to file.
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Your Next Steps After a Car Accident That Wasn’t Your Fault
If your body feels different after the crash, or if you have medical bills from the emergency room, call a lawyer before you deal with the insurance company. A good attorney handles the insurer so you do not pay out of pocket for what the other driver caused.
At Lone Star Injury Attorneys, we manage the medical bills and the injury claim against the at-fault driver’s insurer. We push for the full value of your case so the money comes back to you. You also get direct access to your attorney’s calendar, so you can book time with the person handling your case whenever you need it.
Set up a free consultation to find out what your claim is worth.
Call or text (832) 346-9585 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
