If you’ve been in a car accident in Austin, Texas, you may be wondering whether it’s worth hiring a lawyer or if you should handle the claim on your own. You likely have preconceptions about what it means to hire an attorney and may have concerns about things like timeline or cost (more on that to come).

While minor rear-end collisions with no injuries can sometimes be settled directly with the insurance company, many car accident cases benefit significantly from hiring an experienced accident attorney, especially if you’ve suffered injuries, vehicle damage, or lost wages.

In this blog, we’ll break down when hiring an attorney may make sense for your case, how a skilled lawyer can help maximize your settlement, and what to expect during the process.

When Should You Consider Hiring a Car Accident Attorney?

While not every car accident in Texas requires legal representation, you should strongly consider hiring an attorney if:

• You suffered injuries – Even minor injuries can lead to mounting medical expenses, lost wages, and ongoing pain. A lawyer fights to ensure you are compensated for all damages.

• The insurance company is offering a low settlement or giving you the run-around in some other way – Insurers often try to minimize payouts or act in other frustrating ways for car accident victims. A mistake we often see clients make is accepting a lowball offer without negotiating a fair settlement. Don’t! Work with an experienced Austin attorney who will do the hard work for you and negotiate on your behalf. Even better, attorneys can take over from day 1, so you don’t have to worry about any of the hassle when dealing with the insurance company.

• Accident fault is disputed – Texas is an “at-fault” state. That means the “at-fault” driver (and by extension, their insurance company) pays for the car accident injury claim. If there is a dispute over who is at fault or if the other driver denies responsibility, a lawyer can gather evidence and prove liability.

You lost wages or have long-term medical costs – If injuries from the car accident prevent you from working, you may be entitled to future lost earnings and ongoing medical care as part of the settlement. An experienced attorney understands the full scope of what you are entitled to under Texas personal injury law.

How an Accident Attorney Can Help You Get a Higher Settlement

Insurance companies are for-profit businesses that prioritize their bottom line. They have a team of attorneys working on their behalf. How about you? Without legal representation to level the playing field, it will be tough to stand a chance of receiving a full and fair settlement.

Hiring an attorney is often the best way you can maximize your settlement and ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve. Personal injury lawyers fight on your behalf by investigating the accident and gathering evidence, handling insurance negotiations, calculating the full cost of damages (including future medical costs, pain and suffering, and lost income), and taking your case to court if needed. What’s more, they do this all on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe nothing unless they win your case.

What to Expect During a Car Accident Claim in Texas

Several factors can speed up or delay a car accident settlement timeline in Austin, including the severity of injuries, disputes over who’s at fault, the number of parties involved, insurance company tactics and negotiations, and whether the case goes to court. Your attorney will keep you informed of your timeline and manage all the heavy lifting so you can focus on recovering.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Texas car accident, consulting an attorney can help maximize your compensation all without paying upfront costs. Our experienced attorneys at McKinney Vos are here to fight for you. Call our Austin office at 512-457-8991 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.