When to Call a Lawyer After a Car Accident

Did you know that over 5.5 million car accidents were reported in the U.S. in 2020, and more than 38,000 lives were lost as a result. Behind each of those numbers is a real person, someone whose life changed in an instant.

If you’ve just been in a crash, you’re likely overwhelmed. There’s the damage to your car, the shock of the impact, maybe even injuries to recover from. And then come the phone calls from insurance companies, medical providers, maybe even the police. It’s a lot to handle on your own. That’s when you need a lawyer’s help.

There are major moments when calling a lawyer can protect your health, your rights, and your financial future. In this guide, we’ll walk through exactly when that moment is and what a lawyer can do to make things easier.

2) When You Have Serious Injuries or Fatalities

Car accidents are serious. They aren’t just minor bruises. We’re talking about spinal trauma, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and internal damage, injuries that can change the course of your life.

Car accidents are the leading cause of injury in the United States, sending over 2 million people to the emergency room every year. 

(Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

The immediate impact is painful, however, the long-term outcome can be even harder to manage. Ongoing treatment, physical therapy, lost wages, and permanent disability are all very real possibilities. In fatal cases, families are left grieving while also trying to manage funeral costs, loss of income, and deep emotional distress.

This is when having a lawyer is critical. A personal injury attorney doesn’t just file paperwork, they calculate the full value of your economic and non-economic losses. That includes future medical care, reduced earning capacity, and the pain you and your family are experiencing

3) When Liability Is Disputed

Not every car accident has a clear-cut cause. These situations often arise at intersections, in multi-vehicle pileups, or when both drivers claim the other made the wrong move.

Around 25% of all crashes involve disputed liability, meaning the drivers, insurers, or both can't agree on who was at fault. 

(Source: International Institute of Health Science)

When a fault is unclear, the burden of proof becomes everything. The importance of documenting your injuries and treatments is significant. Because the insurance company will look for any reason to shift blame or share it, just enough to reduce what they owe. In Florida, that matters even more because of the state’s comparative negligence rule. If you’re found partially at fault, your compensation could be reduced by your percentage of responsibility.

That’s the moment where an attorney makes a real difference. A lawyer can launch an independent investigation, collect dashcam or surveillance footage, speak to witnesses, review police reports, and even bring in accident reconstruction experts.

4) When Insurance Companies Delay or Deny Your Claim

Delays, lowball offers, and outright denials are common tactics. They may question the severity of your injuries. They might ask for endless documentation, drag out the process, or claim your treatment wasn’t necessary. In some cases, they’ll try to pressure you into accepting a fast payout before you’ve had a chance to calculate the full cost of your injuries.

Nearly 60% of car accident victims report dissatisfaction with insurance settlement offers. (Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau). 

That’s not surprising. Insurers are for-profit businesses. The less they pay you, the more they keep. You don’t have to accept that.

An experienced lawyer knows the playbook. They understand how to challenge bad-faith tactics, present solid evidence, and push back on unfair offers. Your attorney can escalate the matter to litigation if the insurance company refuses to cooperate.

Most importantly, having legal representation shifts the power dynamic. Insurance adjusters take claims more seriously when they know a lawyer is involved, because they know you’re ready to fight for what’s fair.

5) When You Don’t Understand Your Legal Rights

After a car accident, many individuals assume that their insurance will cover all expenses and that they fully understand their rights. However, Florida's legal and insurance systems are complex, and misconceptions can lead to costly mistakes.​

Florida operates under a "no-fault" insurance system, requiring drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. 

This coverage pays for up to $10,000 in medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who caused the accident.

(Source: Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

However, PIP does not cover non-economic damages like pain and suffering. If your injuries are severe, such as permanent disability or significant disfigurement, you may be entitled to step outside the no-fault system and pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver.​

Timing is critical. Florida law requires that you seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident to qualify for PIP benefits. Additionally, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Florida is generally two years from the date of the accident. Missing these deadlines can result in the loss of your right to compensation.​

An experienced attorney can help you navigate these complexities. They can explain your rights, ensure that you meet all necessary deadlines, and advocate on your behalf to secure the compensation you deserve. Without proper legal guidance, you risk settling for less than you are entitled to or missing out on compensation entirely.​

6) When Multiple Parties Are Involved

Accidents involving more than two vehicles or multiple injured individuals get complicated fast. Each driver may have a different version of what happened. Multiple insurance companies get involved. And everyone is trying to protect their own bottom line.

Multi-vehicle accidents account for about 20% of all fatal crashes.

(Source: National Safety Council)

In these cases, determining who is liable and to what extent can turn into a legal maze. Was someone speeding? Did one driver’s action trigger a chain reaction? Did a commercial vehicle fail to brake in time? These questions require careful analysis.

When several parties are involved, insurers often try to shift blame back and forth to reduce their financial exposure. If you’re not represented, you could be caught in the middle or, worse, wrongfully assigned fault.

A lawyer steps in to manage the chaos. They gather evidence, coordinate with multiple insurers, and ensure your version of events is supported with facts. They also protect your rights in the face of finger-pointing and delay tactics. With legal guidance, you don’t have to untangle the complexity on your own or risk getting lost in it.

7) When the Other Driver Was Reckless or Criminal

Some crashes aren’t just careless, they’re criminal. Drunk driving, texting behind the wheel, excessive speeding, and aggressive maneuvers turn an accident into a serious offense. When someone makes a reckless or illegal choice and causes harm, they should be held fully accountable, not just through criminal charges, but in civil court too.

11,654 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, making up 30% of all traffic fatalities in the U.S. 

(Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

That number doesn’t include the thousands more injured due to distracted or reckless driving. Texting while driving, for example, is one of the leading causes of preventable crashes today, yet many still do it daily.

If the driver who hit you was under the influence, fleeing the scene, or breaking the law, it changes the entire nature of your case. These situations may qualify for punitive damages, additional compensation meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.

A lawyer can help you pursue those damages. They’ll work with investigators, gather police and toxicology reports, and build a strong case that shows the full impact of the other driver’s recklessness. While the criminal court handles penalties like fines or jail, your civil case ensures your injuries, trauma, and losses aren’t overlooked.

8) When You Face Criminal Charges After the Accident

If you're the one being blamed, and especially if you're facing criminal charges, everything changes. The stakes are higher. Your freedom, your finances, and your future are all on the line.

Around 1.5 million people are arrested for driving under the influence each year

(Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

And honestly,  many of those cases start with a crash scene. Whether it’s DUI, reckless driving, or even vehicular assault, being charged after an accident brings both criminal and civil consequences.

In these situations, you need more than just guidance, you need defense. A qualified lawyer will assess the evidence, examine how law enforcement conducted the arrest, and ensure your rights weren’t violated. They can negotiate plea deals, challenge field sobriety results, and work to reduce or even dismiss charges when possible.

However, that’s only half the battle. A criminal charge can also lead to a personal injury lawsuit from the other party. That means you could be facing claims for damages while also fighting to stay out of jail. Without legal support, it’s easy to get overwhelmed or say something that ends up hurting your case.

Having an experienced attorney ensures you're protected on both fronts. They’ll help you understand your options, defend your record, and work toward the best possible outcome under the law.

Your Fight Is Our Fight – Robert Johnson on Your Side

After a car accident, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The legal, medical, and insurance challenges can be exhausting to handle on your own. That’s why it’s important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible to ensure the best possible outcome.

Robert Johnson is here to help you navigate these challenges with confidence and compassion. Justice means more than conviction, it means full compensation. Our legal support helps make that possible. Here’s how he can assist you:

• Investigate the accident thoroughly to gather critical evidence and support your case.

• Negotiate with insurance companies to make sure you don’t settle for less than you deserve.

• Pursue full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

• Assist with disputed liability to prove fault when multiple parties are involved.

• Protect your legal rights if criminal charges are brought against you.

• Ensure timely filings so you don’t miss important deadlines that could affect your claim.

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, don’t hesitate, contact Robert Johnson for a free consultation and take the first step toward protecting your future.