If you were recently in a car accident, chances are, you have a lot on your plate. Between vehicle damage, physical pain, and paperwork, there is a lot to handle, which is why many people wonder if they should get an attorney for a car accident.

Generally speaking, it is a good idea to hire an attorney because they can deal with the insurance company and handle all the paperwork so you can concentrate on your injuries. At Morris Haynes, we have recovered over $1 billion in damages for accident victims in Alabama because we understand their cases and are ready to fight for them. 

Let’s take a look at several reasons why people hire attorneys when they are in a car accident and why you should consider hiring one. 

Factors to Consider When Deciding Whether to Hire a Lawyer for a Car Accident

There are three main areas to look at when deciding if you should hire a lawyer for a car accident.

• Assess Your Injuries: If you have severe injuries from your accident, such as fractures, internal damage, or injuries requiring physical therapy, you’ll want to hire a lawyer. There will be mounting medical bills that you will want to seek compensation for. Handling this alone can compromise your case.
• Evaluate the Fault & Liability: If the insurance company says it was your fault when you know it wasn’t, you’ll want to hire an attorney. Also, if multiple vehicles are involved, the situation can get complicated, so you will want to have an attorney as well.
• Look at the Insurance Offer: If the insurance adjuster’s initial settlement offer barely covers your current medical bills, leaving nothing for future care, it’s time to consult a professional.
• You Have Missed Work or Suffered Lost Income. If your injuries prevented you from going to work, you are entitled to compensation for lost wages. This includes the time you have already missed, and any future losses due to your injuries. Proving lost earning capacity requires detailed financial records and expert testimony. These are hard to obtain on your own, and it’s nearly impossible to do so successfully.

How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help Your Car Accident Case

The team at Morris Haynes has helped countless individuals involved in car accidents. You can trust our more than 250 years of combined experience to provide these services:

We gather evidence

Rely on us to secure police reports, traffic camera footage, and black box data before it is deleted. All of these can help prove your case, especially if it goes to trial.

We work to ensure all injuries are documented. 

You want medical professionals to document all injuries. This is vital to not only show there were injuries resulting from your crash, but also that you sought medical attention. This is why it is so important not to refuse medical attention at the scene.

Let us calculate the maximum valuation of your case. 

We know how to calculate the true value of your claim. This includes pain and suffering, lost earning capacity, and emotional distress.

We are ready to go to trial 

As much as we attempt to settle cases out of court, there are many times when going to trial is necessary. If your case reaches this stage, our team is ready to fight for you before a judge. 

If you want the best possible outcome for your case, the Morris Haynes team is here for you. Let us give your case the attention it deserves.

How Personal Injury Damages Are Calculated

When you handle a claim yourself, you might think your case value is simply the sum of your medical bills and car repair costs. However, a personal injury attorney calculates the comprehensive value of your claim across different damage categories.

Economic Damages (Tangible Financial Losses)

These are verifiable monetary losses that can be proven with invoices, receipts, and financial statements:

• Past and Future Medical Expenses: ER visits, surgeries, medications, assistive devices, and future physical therapy
• Lost Wages: Income lost from the date of the accident until you can return to work.
• Loss of Earning Capacity: The long-term financial impact if you can no longer work in your previous job or must work fewer hours due to your accident
• Property Damage: The cost to repair your vehicle or replace its contents (like car seats, laptops, or phones destroyed in the crash)

Non-Economic Damages (Intangible Losses)

These are subjective losses that do not have a definitive price tag, but deeply impact your quality of life:

• Pain and Suffering: The actual physical pain and discomfort your injuries caused
• Emotional Distress: Anxiety, depression, insomnia, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) resulting from the trauma of the crash
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: The inability to participate in hobbies, sports, or family activities that you enjoyed before the accident

Attorneys use standard legal methodologies (such as the Multiplier Method or the Per Diem Method) to convert these intangible losses into a fair compensation amount. This ensures you are compensated for the human cost of the accident, not just the financial one.

Why Handling Your Case Alone Can Cost You

Many people try to handle their cases on their own to save money. In the long run, all they get is more headaches. Insurance adjusters are skilled negotiators. Their goal is to close your file as quickly and cheaply as possible. Without legal backing, many accident victims unknowingly fall into common traps:

• Underestimating Future Costs: Accepting a settlement before your doctor fully clears you means you foot the bill for any future medical complications. This can amount to thousands of dollars that you should not have to pay. If you have an attorney by your side, they know how to fight to avoid this from happening.
• The “Recorded Statement” Trap: Adjusters frequently use casual conversations to get you to admit fault or downplay your injuries. Never speak to an insurance adjuster. When you have an attorney representing you, they will do all of the talking so that you avoid this trap.
• The Lowball Settlement: The first offer is almost always a baseline minimum. Adjusters assume that you need cash fast enough to accept it without negotiating. At Morris Haynes, we never settle. We fight for what is right so that you receive the compensation you deserve.

FAQ

Do I still need a lawyer if the accident was minor, or if I don’t feel badly hurt right now?

Adrenaline masks pain, and many serious internal injuries don’t surface until later. Soft-tissue injuries, concussions, and spinal disc misalignments frequently take days or even weeks to manifest fully. If you wait too long to seek medical care or legal advice, the insurance company will argue that the crash didn’t cause your injuries and that they are not serious. It is always safest to get checked by a doctor and speak with a lawyer immediately, even after a minor fender-bender.

Can I handle the claim myself to save money?

You can, but statistics show that accident victims who hire an attorney receive significantly higher payouts, even after legal fees are deducted.

Handling a claim alone means you have to collect police reports, gather medical records, and prove the other driver was at fault, all on your own. You also have to negotiate with aggressive insurance adjusters while recovering from an injury.

How long do I have to decide whether to hire an attorney?

You’ll want to hire an attorney as soon as possible following your accident. Waiting is a mistake that can cost you. Traffic camera footage gets erased, vehicles are repaired or destroyed, and witness memories fade. Hiring an attorney early ensures crucial evidence is preserved before it’s gone forever.

Will hiring a lawyer mean my case has to go to a stressful court trial?

No, it does not. Hiring an attorney does not mean you are automatically headed to a courtroom. Instead, it means a professional is handling the aggressive negotiations, paperwork, and phone calls on your behalf. Insurance companies are actually more likely to offer a fair settlement out of court when they see you have hired a lawyer who is fully prepared to go to trial if necessary.

Contact Morris Haynes Today if You’ve Been in a Car Accident

If you’ve been in a car accident, the team at Morris Haynes is here to help. Our firm has helped car accident victims receive compensation for their injuries. In one specific case, we have won a $4 million lawsuit for one of our clients. Let us show you what we can do for you. Call us today at 205-324-4008 to schedule an appointment, or reach out to us online. Let us get to work for you!