Did you know that over 20,000 people lose their lives in traffic crashes every year — and about 2 million more are injured? There?s a number of reasons you may eventually find yourself in need of an auto accident lawyer. You could either be on the receiving end — someone crashed into you while drunk or distracted — or you might be the instigator, perhaps after having one too many drinks at the bar before driving. What exactly do you need to know?
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident?
In some cases, the answer is no. If the accident is relatively minor and you expect to simply have to pay your deductible while the insurance company pays the rest, then you probably don?t need a lawyer. In many cases, though, damage is extensive (worth thousands of dollars) and can involve injuries with lifelong consequences. In cases like these it makes sense to contact a lawyer sooner rather than later. The longer you wait after an accident, the less evidence there is to use in your favor in court. Since you don?t want to lose your case, this is important to keep in mind.
Driving Drunk is a Big Offense, Says Car Accident Lawyers
You may have heard of friends who got caught driving drunk and simply had to pay a fine and be on probation for a while. This might lead you to think that an auto accident lawyer is unnecessary. Be aware that the laws surrounding drunk driving are getting more strict all the time in an effort to curb this behavior. Drunk driving can result in massive fines, license restrictions or getting your license taken away, and even jail time. Unfortunately, 300,000 people choose to drive drunk every single day — and only a small percentage of these individuals are caught. If it happens to you, hiring a lawyer is a good idea. And it goes without saying, but — you need to keep the number of a cab company at hand for future incidents.
How Common are Motorcycle Accidents?
Unfortunately, anyone driving a motorcycle is 35 times more likely to die in an accident than someone in a car when it comes to an accident. This is because most motorcyclists are essentially thrown from their vehicles during the collision, and they also have little protection when it comes to things like head on collisions. Cars are often at fault for these accidents; cars making left hand turns account for an incredible 42% of all car/motorcycle accidents. Motorcycles are smaller and less visible to those in vehicles. In this sort of case you?re going to want an attorney on your side to help prove who is at fault, and get the insurance companies to act accordingly as well.
Have you ever had to use the services of a personal injury lawyer for motorcycle accidents or car accidents? What was your experience like? Let us know.