Best Auto Accident Lawyers

Statistics say that if you're reading this article, that you will be in at least one auto accident in your lifetime. Auto accidents are THE leading cause of death for Americans under the age of 34 and each year, nearly 40,000 people are killed in auto accidents in the US alone.

If you are involved in an accident, the FIRST thing you should do is call the police. Even if you don't think there are any injuries as a result of the accident - you should still make sure there is a police report filed. If there is damage to either auto - the insurance companies involved will want a police report.

Even if you don't think you're injured - call the police. File a police report.

Exchange insurance information with the other driver.  Don't get emotional - and do NOT say that the accident was "your fault".  The police will collect all the evidence to determine who was at fault.  It's not YOUR job to determine who was at fault so don't try.

Statistically - 57% of all auto accidents result in injury.  The thing is, when you're in a car accident - your body will enter a state of "fight or flight".  That same primitive function that allowed our caveman ancestors to run back to the cave after a Mastedon broke an arm or a leg is also hard at work in your modern body.

While you may not THINK you were injured in the accident - it's sometimes possible that those injuries won't show for a few hours or in some cases - a few days. 

Some injuries - like paralysis are evident immediately.  However, soft tissue injuries like whiplash can take up to 36 hours to "show up".  Brain injuries can take even longer.

If you SUSPECT you are injured - go to the hospital to get checked out!  There are some internal injuries such as a ruptured spleen which - if not treated promptly - can kill you!

The longer the lapse in time between TREATING the injury and the auto accident, the harder it will be to PROVE the two are linked. 

If you haven't suffered any injuries as the result of the auto accident, then the answer is probably no - you don't need an auto accident lawyer.

However, if you have suffered injuries - then you should probably contact a lawyer who speciializes in auto accident cases.

Lawyers - like doctors - will specialize in certain types of cases. A lawyer who specializes in auto accident cases is a SPECIALIST in this field. Often, these lawyers can advise you of your legal rights.

I don't want to sound like a television ad, but it's true - the insurance companies goal is NOT to arrive at a fair settlement for you. The insurance company's goal is to get you to settle for as little as possible.

Your initial consultation with an auto accident lawyer is usually free - and most are more than willing to give you an honest evaluation of your case. Since many auto accident attorneys work on a "we don't get paid unless you win" type of payment arrangement,. you can rest assured that the lawyer is not filling your head with empty promises. Since he/she doesn't get paid unless you win - they are usually more than candid about whether or not they believe your case has any merit.

It never "hurts" to contact a lawyer - and often, you'll leave with a sense of relief and peace of mind.

Sometimes, what seemed like minor injuries at the time can actually turn into life altering injuries. 

A seemingly "minor" case of whiplash caused one woman and her family to move from the upper midwest to the south western part of the US - because even five years after her auto accident, she was still suffering from chronic neck pain.  After years of chiropractic visits - the move to a drier - more temperate climate was the only solution available without drugs.  However, since she had settled years earlier, none of her moving costs were covered.  She incurred thousands of dollars of expense - at her family's expense. 

While the insurance company may count such a story as a "win" - a lawyer who specializes in auto accident cases might have been able to help.

Please, if you've got an auto accident story to tell - where either your lawyer helped - or hurt - your case - share it below.