Car accidents – particularly minor bumps – are a daily occurrence on California’s roadways. From parking lot collisions to minor fender benders, it’s easy to find yourself in an auto accident.
But if you’re not injured, or you only have minor cuts and bruises, do you really need an accident attorney? Or can you just exchange details with the other driver and handle matters yourself? There’s no straightforward answer to this question, unfortunately. Below, our attorneys explore why you might hire a lawyer for a car accident with no injury.
Types of Car Accidents in California
Every single car accident is unique. However, the types of collisions we see most frequently are:
- Side-on collisions
- Rear-end collisions
- Sideswipes
- Vehicle rollovers
And the most common reasons for car accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Driver fatigue
- Careless driving
- Driving under the influence
Every car crash, no matter how minor it may seem, has the potential to cause injury. And at the May Firm, we’re no strangers to the damage that those seemingly minor accidents can cause.
So, whether you need a personal injury lawyer or rear end accident attorney, the May Firm can assist. Contact us now to discuss your case in more detail.
California Car Accident Claims
There are, broadly, three types of car accident claim you might make following a road collision:
- Insurance claim: You can claim the cost of losses, such as medical expenses, from your insurance company.
- Civil personal injury claim: Claiming compensation after someone else’s negligence, or carelessness, caused your injuries. This is the type of lawsuit most associated with auto wreck lawyers.
- Property damage claim: A claim to cover the cost of repairing or replacing damaged property e.g. repairing a car after a fender bender.
So, even if you’re not injured, you may still have a claim for property damage at the very least.
Do You Need a Collision Lawyer if There Are No Injuries?
Do you need an auto accident lawyer with no injury? It’s understandable if you assume that the answer is “no”. However, ultimately, the only way to know if you need a lawyer is to get legal advice!
We can advise if there are grounds for pursuing any type of legal claim. And since every initial consultation is free, there’s no reason not to call us to find out more! In the meantime, though, here are five reasons why you might want to hire an auto accident lawyer with no injury.
1. Some Injuries Take Time to Manifest
Let’s start with the most obvious reason – you may actually be injured.
Some injuries, especially head injuries, take time to reveal themselves. Until you seek medical attention and receive a doctor’s clearance, assume that you may in fact be injured. Otherwise, you risk having an injury but without the legal recourse to pursue compensation for it. And if an injury goes unreported, it’s easy for the at-fault party to deny that responsibility.
Your best option? Contact our attorneys. They will help you access any medical care you may need, should you be injured. And they can walk you through the process of making a personal injury claim if this is appropriate.
2. You May Have a Property Damage Claim
As mentioned, you could still have a claim for property damage even if you don’t have any injuries. Hiring a collision lawyer will ensure that your claim is properly valued. We will make sure that insurance adjusters follow due process and that you’re fully compensated for losses incurred.
3. Attorneys Handle Insurance Negotiations for You
Insurance negotiations are notoriously difficult to manage. Why? Because insurers will do everything possible to avoid paying on a policy. At the very least they’ll try to reduce or mitigate what’s payable.
An attorney will handle your car accident case on your behalf. They will pursue negotiations robustly but fairly, so you stand the best chance at receiving the settlement you deserve.
There’s also the added benefit that you can spend time recovering, rather than worrying about legal procedures.
4. Lawyers Can Protect Your Legal Rights
Your legal rights are priceless. And those rights must be protected by attorneys who understand just how important they are. For example, if you settle without an attorney valuing your claim, you could receive less than you deserve. Or if you negotiate your own settlement, discussions could stall or become protracted.
Hiring a lawyer ensures that your rights are respected at every stage of the claims process. It doesn’t matter whether you have physical injuries. Your rights are sacred.
5. Reporting Requirements Can Be Complex
There’s often ambiguity around whether you need to report a minor car crash in California. However, you must report a crash if there’s property damage worth $1,000 or more, or there are any injuries. It doesn’t matter if it’s just cuts and bruising. Any physical injuries mean that the crash must be documented.
What happens if you don’t get a police report when required? You could face serious consequences if someone later turns out to be injured or there’s serious property damage.
Hiring an auto wreck attorney will ensure you don’t fall short of your legal reporting requirements.
The Risks of Not Hiring an Auto Wreck Lawyer
As we can see, even with no injury, not hiring an auto wreck lawyer carries risk. We can summarize these potential risks as follows:
- You may have a claim for damaged property. Without legal advice, you could miss out on the compensation you deserve.
- There’s a risk that insurance companies will take advantage of your lack of legal representation. They may encourage you to settle quickly for much less than you’re entitled to.
- Injuries can take time – sometimes even months – to reveal themselves. If you don’t hire a lawyer, you may be unable to hold anyone responsible for your injuries later.
- Once you settle a claim, you lose your right to claim further damages for that incident. So, if you settle without hiring a lawyer, you risk undervaluing your claim.
- Even minor fender benders may require an accident report. An attorney can ensure you fulfil all your legal obligations and complete the required paperwork.
Don’t leave anything to chance. Strongly consider hiring a collision lawyer even if there’s no apparent injury.
Statute of Limitations for California Car Accident Claims
It’s crucial to understand that every claim – even a property damage claim – has time limits. This is known as a statute of limitations. In other words, you only have so long to file your claim and pursue a settlement.
The main time limits you should be aware of are:
- Personal injury claim: Within two years of the accident date.
- Property damage claim: Within three years of the accident date.
- Property claims against government agencies or officials: Within six months of the accident date (special, more complex procedures apply).
Although some exceptions apply, you could lose your right to claim if you’re out of time. And the sooner you file your claim, the easier it is to preserve evidence – and prove your case. Contact our team and we’ll explain what time limits apply and how they affect your claim.
What to Do After a Car Accident in California
Even if you suspect an accident is minor, or there’s no injury, you should still protect your legal position. Here are the right steps to follow immediately after a car crash in California.
- Exchange driver details. You may require them to report the crash or to later file a claim.
- Gather evidence. Take pictures and videos and get witness details if possible. Such evidence can support your insurance claim – even if it’s only for property damage.
- Get medical attention. Just because you don’t feel injured doesn’t mean it’s not worth getting checked over. Remember, injuries can be slow to develop. And you can use your attendance records to support a future personal injury claim, if necessary.
Your next step should be contacting a May Firm auto accident lawyer. Even without a personal injury claim, we can still determine whether you have any other legal rights.
Contact Our Auto Wreck Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Have you been in a car accident or rear end collision in California? Don’t hesitate to hire a lawyer to pursue your legal rights. Even with no injury, our auto accident lawyers can still explain whether you have a property damage claim. We can also help you negotiate a fair settlement with your insurance company if you need our support.
We work on a contingency fee basis, so there’s no fee unless we win your case. There’s nothing to lose by simply giving us a call and scheduling a free meeting! Let our collision lawyers determine whether you have grounds to file a lawsuit. Call now or reach out online to explore your options.
