New York is a no-fault state. This means you have to turn to your own insurer first, to seek compensation for your damages. There is also the pure comparative negligence rule in NY. There are limited circumstances, when you can file a personal injury lawsuit against the other at-fault driver, even if you have a share of fault.  This brings to the main question – When should you hire a car accident lawyer? Here’s an overview. 

  1. When the accident was partly your fault. Known attorneys from top law firms in NY, such as King Law, recommend seeking legal help when the accident happened because of multiple parties. In such circumstances, insurance companies often try different tactics to avoid paying a claim, and the other party may pin the entire blame on you. Let a car accident lawyer help you with how you deal with the insurance company.  
  2. When your claim has been denied. Like we mentioned, insurance companies are just keen on minimizing their liability. The claim can be denied for reasons that may sound rather flimsy on paper. Without an attorney, you will be dealing with the car accident on your own, especially when these big insurance companies have the best of lawyers and other resources. 
  3. When you are given a mediocre settlement. All insurance companies will do their share of investigation. The claims adjuster may make an offer that’s way loo less than what you deserve. When the offer seems mediocre, talk to a car accident lawyer, so that you don’t settle for less. A good lawyer knows what it takes to assess the true value of an accident claim. 

Also, consider hiring an attorney, if the car accident left you with serious injuries. Serious injuries may mean missing out on work and paying huge in medical bills. Eventually, the accident may leave you with permanent financial troubles. An attorney can protect your rights in such circumstances, working on maximizing the settlement. Most attorneys take up car accident claims and lawsuits on a contingency basis in NY. You don’t need to pay your lawyer, unless they win. This could be a great way to make the most of legal expertise available to you. 

If you are working with a personal injury attorney for the first time, ask them about the specific experience they have with car accident cases. They should be able to consider all options, when needed.