So, you’re out driving as normal, doing your regular errands, when someone rear ends your vehicle. There is some visible damage, but you can still drive your car, and you didn’t suffer any serious injuries. So, you just exchange insurance information with the other driver and move on.

The question to ask in this scenario is, “Is it worth hiring a lawyer?” The answer, in this case, and many similar cases, is yes. That is because you never know what can happen next and so you should be prepared. Hiring a lawyer early on, even for a relatively minor accident, will have you prepared for any eventuality.

When a Lawyer Is Necessary For a Minor Car Accident

In most cases, a minor car accident can be resolved with the two parties exchanging insurance information. That is sufficient if you need money for vehicle repairs or medical expenses; at the worst, you may need to take the other driver to small-claims court if they are uninsured, or if their insurance company refuses to pay. However, there are some scenarios where the presence of an attorney is necessary:

• Resolving disputes over how much money you should pay or receive.
• An injury might be more serious than it initially appears; a lawyer can help you get the money for medical expenses you may not have realized you needed when the accident occurred.
• Similarly, damage to your vehicle may seem minor at first, but end up causing bigger problems down the road. A lawyer can help you get the money for repairs down the road, and they can help to prove that the damage to your vehicle was a result of the initial accident.
• A lawyer can resolve disputes about which driver is at fault for the accident.
• If the other driver decides to take you to court, then you will definitely need a lawyer.
• A lawyer can handle your claim if you feel that you are not up to the task.

The main reasons why you might need a lawyer after even a minor car accident is when issues of liability or compensation come into play. If there are no problems in either case, then a lawyer may not have to be retained.

What To Do After a Car Accident

No matter how minor or how serious a car accident is, there are steps that you should always take to make sure the whole process goes smoothly whether a lawyer gets involved or not.

• Take Pictures of the Accident – Photos are often bulletproof because they can prove causation and are a visual indicator of when the damage took place. Make sure to note the date when you take those pictures.
• Get the Contact and Insurance Information of the Other Driver – Insurance companies recommend you get this information if you want to file a claim.
• File a Police Report – If you don’t think that it is necessary to call the police after a minor accident, then file a police report. This can be done online and can help with your insurance claim.
• Get The Contact Information of Any Witnesses – They can offer additional proof if you end up needing more evidence.
• Call Your Insurance Company – They will need to know the extent of the damage incurred so that they can determine what steps need to be taken.
• Call an Accident Attorney – California has a statute of limitations of two years, so retaining a car accident lawyer in Fresno, or any other California city as soon as possible is imperative.

Call a Lawyer After Any Kind Of Accident

Any kind of accident can have far-reaching consequences that are not immediately knowable in the moment. Hiring a car accident attorney can help you with any kind of future repercussions, or they can make any current problems easier to endure. So, do not hesitate, and make sure to call an attorney even after the most minor accident.