Did you know that as soon as you have a car accident, the clock starts ticking? In every state, you have a set amount of time to report your accident and to get a lawyer.

Every year, more than 20 million people are injured in car accidents. If you’ve had a serious accident, you should consider hiring a personal injury lawyer.

In this article, we’ll give you the top five reasons to hire a lawyer after an accident. We’ll also help you find a local attorney who can help you file your claim.

  1. You Sustain Life-Threatening Injuries

One of the top signs you need a personal injury lawyer is being seriously injured in a crash. Whether you were a driver, a bicyclist, or a pedestrian, you need to file a claim right away.

Personal injury lawyers can help you interface with insurance companies and work toward getting you a settlement. Don’t take the first offer from an insurance company! Talk to a lawyer first.

  1. You Have Unpaid Medical Bills

If you’ve been injured in an accident, you probably have outstanding medical bills. When you go to court, the judge will determine how much of a settlement you can receive.

They will base this figure on the length of time you spent in the hospital, the cost of your medical bills, and the amount of liability or fault that you had in causing the accident.

A personal injury lawyer can help you get fully compensated for “pain and suffering” due to an accident.

  1. You Need Help Getting Workers’ Compensation

Another way that a personal injury attorney can help you is to file your workers’ comp claim. If you’ve missed time from work, make sure that you’re keeping track of the exact number of days.

After you have an accident, you have to file for workers’ comp within three years. Once you file a claim and it’s accepted, you may still have to wait a few months to receive benefits.

Personal injury lawyers can intercede on your behalf if the insurance companies are dragging their feet in approving your claim.

  1. You Have a Medical Malpractice Claim

If you have injuries from a car accident that were made worse by a medical professional, you may have a medical malpractice claim. You have the right to access your medical files and gather evidence.

A personal injury lawyer can help you present your case and prove negligence on the part of your hospital.

How to Find a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you need to find a personal injury lawyer, you should make sure that they have a great reputation. Take the time and read client reviews online.

You can also ask for recommendations from your colleagues at work. Most importantly, find a lawyer who returns your phone calls in a timely fashion. Timing is key when it comes to filing an accident claim.

Now that you know about finding a personal injury lawyer, take a look at the rest of our blogs! We’ve got info about everything from health and fitness to entertainment.