Should I Hire a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident?

What To Do After A Minor Car Accident 

Taking the proper steps after a car accident is crucial to receive appropriate compensation for damages. These steps will prevent you from being falsely accused and protect your legal rights.

After the car accident, you should do the following:

• Check for injuries: Some injuries, such as lacerations, may be apparent. Internal injuries include bone fractures, organ damage, and soft tissue injuries. These injuries may not be immediately evident. Since it’s common for people involved in car accidents to be in shock after an accident, and since some injuries may not display symptoms for 24 or more, it’s safest to assume potential injuries. You must render aid and call for help if someone is visibly injured.
• Call the police: Nevada law requires those involved in car accidents to report car accidents to the police if they cause injuries or damage. The only time a minor car accident doesn’t require a police report is when there are no injuries or property damage. However, contacting the police and filing a report is beneficial if you file an insurance claim or discover you have injuries that weren’t evident right after the crash.
• Exchange information: Every driver involved in the accident must provide the other drivers with their names, contact information, and insurance information. If any driver refuses to supply this information, you can ask the police to obtain it. 
• Make notes: It’s a good idea to record everything you remember about the crash as soon as possible. Details about what happened before the crash can help determine who was at fault. Making notes will also ensure you remember crucial information.
• Use your smartphone: Pictures and video footage can establish fault for the accident and clarify details. You can also use pictures to identify potential witnesses, confirm details about the weather, and locate security cameras that might have footage of the crash.
• Talk to a lawyer: Car accident lawyers offer free consultations, and you can have a free consultation over the phone from the accident scene. A lawyer will explain your obligations, what information you have to give the police, and what mistakes you should avoid. 
• See a doctor: Even if you feel fine at the accident scene, you may be in shock and unaware of your symptoms. Medical tests can identify internal injuries, and getting a physical exam ensures you identify injuries promptly and receive appropriate medical treatment right away. 

There are also some things you should not do after an accident, including the following:

• Don’t accept blame: You shouldn’t take responsibility for the accident, even if you think you caused the accident. There may be some factors you don’t know about that could mean another party was partially or fully responsible. 
• Don’t leave the scene: You must wait at the scene until the police arrive and conduct their investigation unless it’s a minor accident involving no injuries or damage and the police have not been contacted. You can face charges and penalties if you leave the scene of an accident.

What Is The Average Settlement For A Minor Car Accident?

Car accident settlements vary. Settlements for minor car accidents include economic and non-economic damages. These damages provide compensation for monetary expenses and the personal toll car accident victims ensure. 

Economic damages can include compensation for the following:

• Childcare costs
• Loss of income
• Medical bills
• Property damage
• Transportation costs

Non-economic damages compensate victims for the following:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Grief
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of quality of life
• Pain and suffering
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

The amount awarded depends on the grounds for the claim and the severity of the crash’s impact. While most 2020 car accident claims resulted in settlements ranging from $20,000 to $25,000, many car accident claimants receive $10,000 or less.  

For example, soft tissue injuries like whiplash may not appear for 24 hours or more after the accident. However, these injuries can cause pain and trigger multiple other symptoms, including depression, fatigue, and limited mobility. In some cases, these symptoms last for months. A victim with documentation of a medical issue requiring ongoing care may receive a higher settlement to compensate for their pain, suffering, and medical costs.

When you hire a lawyer, you have a legal advocate who can help you determine how much compensation to seek and establish grounds for that compensation, giving you the best chance of receiving all the compensation you’re entitled to.

How A Car Accident Attorney Can Help

Adam S. Kutner, Injury Attorneys, fights for car accident victims to receive fair compensation. Our Las Vegas personal injury lawyers have years of experience handling car accident claims. We’ll investigate and gather evidence, file your claim, build your case, and negotiate with the defendants to get you justice after a car accident.