You are not alone if you are asking whether you should get a car accident lawyer after a crash that was not your fault. Even when the other driver clearly caused the collision, insurance companies can argue about fault, question your injuries, or try to close the claim before you know what you are really facing.
For more than 20 years, the Law Offices Of Adrianos Facchetti has provided legal representation in hundreds of car accident cases, so we know the patterns and the pressure points. A free consultation with a car accident lawyer makes it easier to understand your rights, compare the insurance offer to what the law allows, and decide if you should consult a personal injury lawyer for a car accident to protect your future.
How Fault and Insurance Really Work After a Crash That Wasn’t Your Fault
After a collision, fault is about liability, and insurance companies look for ways to limit what they pay, even when their driver clearly caused the crash. Adjusters may sound friendly, but their job is to protect the company, not to make sure you are fully taken care of.
On top of that, rules about shared fault and comparative negligence can cut down what you recover if they say you were even a little bit to blame. Conflicting police reports, different stories from each driver, or missing details in the paperwork can turn what seemed like a simple claim into something far more complicated.
When You Should Definitely Get a Lawyer
There are some situations where trying to handle everything on your own can put a lot at risk, especially when the injuries or the money involved are more serious. In these moments, having legal representation can help you feel more secure about the choices you make.
- Serious or Long-Term Injuries: If you are dealing with big treatment decisions, lasting pain, or limits on what you can do, you should not have to guess what your case is worth.
- Disputed Liability or Blame-Shifting: When the other driver or the insurance company insists you were partly at fault, a lawyer can push back against claims that do not match what really happened.
- Complex or High-Stakes Cases: Crashes involving several vehicles, trucks, rideshare drivers, or uninsured and underinsured drivers often have more than one insurance policy and many moving parts.
- Lowball or Quick Settlement Offers: If an adjuster is pushing you to accept money before you understand your injuries or time off work, you may be signing away far more than you realize.
- Delays, Denials, or Unfair Treatment: When you run into repeated delays, confusing explanations, or constant requests for more paperwork and statements, it is a sign you should get legal advice.
If any of these sound familiar, talking with a car accident lawyer can help you decide whether to move forward on your own or consult a personal injury lawyer for a car accident so your rights are protected.
Benefits of Legal Representation After a Car Accident
When the situation involves serious injuries, pain and suffering, and time away from work, having someone who understands the legal process can help you feel more in control. A lawyer looks at the whole picture so accident victims are not pushed into a quick result that ignores how the crash may affect their future.
- Maximizing Your Compensation: A lawyer helps you account for more than just immediate bills, including future care, Lost wages, reduced earning potential, and how the injury has affected your daily life and relationships.
- Dealing With Insurance Companies for You: Your lawyer handles the calls, letters, and negotiations so you are not pressured into saying something that hurts your claim or accepting less than the claim is worth.
- Collecting and Protecting Evidence: Key details like reports, photos, video, and witness statements are gathered and preserved so your side of the story is supported by proof.
- Avoiding Costly Mistakes and Missed Deadlines: A lawyer keeps track of important dates, reviews any forms or releases, and helps you avoid signing away your rights too early.
With legal representation, the focus is on putting you in the best position possible instead of just closing the claim quickly.
When You Might Not Need a Lawyer
There are times when accident victims may be able to handle a claim alone, such as when there is only very minor property damage, no physical injuries, clear fault, and a fair offer that genuinely covers your losses and any short break from work.
Even in situations that look simple, symptoms like whiplash, concussion, or back pain can appear later, so it is still wise to take advantage of a free consultation to check whether the offer matches what the law allows and to be sure the legal process is not closing the door on future problems.
Typical Cost Structure for a Car Accident Lawyer
It is normal to worry about cost when you are already dealing with the fallout of a crash. You should know exactly how fees work so you can decide what feels right for you.
- How Do Car Accident Lawyers Usually Get Paid?
Most injury lawyers use a contingency fee, which means their pay is a percentage of the recovery, not an hourly rate, and there are usually no upfront fees. - What Costs Are Deducted From My Settlement?
Court filing fees, expert fees, records, and deposition costs are often paid from the settlement, and a good lawyer will explain when these costs are taken out and how they are handled. - What Happens if My Case Doesn’t Settle or We Lose?
In many injury cases, there is no attorney fee if there is no recovery, and you should ask exactly what happens with case costs if the result is not in your favor. - Questions to Ask About Fees During Your Free Consultation
It is smart to ask what percentage the lawyer will charge, how case costs are handled, whether the fee changes if the case goes to trial, and how much experience they have with car accident cases like yours in Los Angeles.
Understanding the fee structure helps you feel more comfortable moving forward, because you know how the legal representation is paid for before you sign anything.
What to Do After a Car Accident That Wasn’t Your Fault
Right after a crash, it can be hard to know what to do first, especially if you are shaken up or in pain. A simple checklist can help you protect your health, your claim, and your peace of mind.
Step 1: Get Medical Care and Document Symptoms
Even if you feel okay at first, get checked out and write down or photograph any symptoms that appear later so there is a record.
Step 2: Report the Crash and Gather Evidence
Call the police to create a report, then take photos or videos at the scene and collect names, phone numbers, and insurance details from everyone involved and any witnesses.
Step 3: Be Careful With Insurance Adjusters
You do not have to give a detailed recorded statement right away, and you should be cautious about accepting the first offer if you are still in treatment or unsure how you will feel in the future.
Step 4: Consider Talking With a Lawyer Before You Sign Anything
Before you sign any release or settlement paperwork, it is wise to get a free consultation so you know what you might be giving up and whether the offer is fair.
Taking these steps can make a big difference later, both for your recovery and for any claim you decide to make after the accident.
Talk to a Los Angeles Car Accident Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you are dealing with serious or long term injuries, an argument about who caused the crash, or insurance offers that feel too low or keep getting delayed, you do not have to sort it out alone. Contact the Law Offices Of Adrianos Facchetti today to talk with a Los Angeles car accident injury lawyer and get clear, honest answers about your rights and options in California.
During your free consultation, we review what happened, listen to your concerns, and explain whether it makes sense to hire a lawyer or handle the claim yourself. Call (626) 793-8607 or fill out the online form for a quick case review, and if you prefer, you can reach out to us any time for a free consultation.
