Auto Accident Injury

I was injured in a car accident. What do I do?

If you’ve just been in a car accident, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed. The shock, the questions, the paperwork, the pain… We know it’s a lot to carry, especially when you’re unsure what to do next. You might be worried about your health, your car, your job, or how you’re going to handle expenses.

The good news is, you don’t have to sort it all out on your own. Getting clear answers and the right support early on can make a meaningful difference in how you recover physically, financially, and emotionally. Understanding all your options is the first step toward regaining a sense of control and moving forward.

We’d love to set you up with a free, no-obligation car accident consultation with a local attorney who can answer your questions fast.

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Hurt in a car accident that wasn’t your fault? Complete your free evaluation below to learn how much money you may be owed.

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What Are
Auto Injury Claims?

If you’re driving and get into a minor fender bender, filing an insurance claim through your own policy or another driver’s is the right way to handle your claim. However, if your crash was more severe, consider recruiting a lawyer to your team. People injured in serious car wrecks can get money for pain and suffering or punitive damages when an attorney handles claim negotiations with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider.

How Can an Auto Accident Injury Lawyer Help You?

Let’s look at the best-case scenario: Another driver rear-ended you in front of a police officer and a traffic camera. You’re clearly not at fault for your auto accident injury. Even better, both drivers also have full car insurance coverage! Surely you don’t need a lawyer to get a fair settlement from the insurance company, right? Wrong – here’s why you should always consult a lawyer about your auto accident injury before talking to a claims adjuster:

Insurers typically offer to settle for a little more than half the money your injury deserves (54%, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
When you talk to the claims adjuster, every word you say can count against your claim
Attorneys have special training to assess your injury and know how to get all the money you deserve
Negotiating directly with insurance will never pay you a higher settlement than when an attorney does that for you
Even after legal fees, most auto accident victims with attorney representation receive up to 3.5x more money from insurers according to an Insurance Research Council study
About 95% of auto accident claims settle out of court in no more than one year

Answering Your Car Accident Claim FAQs About Hiring an Attorney

Q: Will I really get more money if an attorney handles my car accident claim instead of going directly through insurance?

Statistically, yes, according to September 2025 data from the Internet Research Council. The IRC found that the amount injured victims received in claims settled with attorney representation averaged $674,000 from 2014-2023. During that same period, claims where injured victims settled directly with insurance providers paid $25,285.50.

Q: Wouldn’t I keep more settlement money if I don’t have to pay a lawyer’s fee?

No. As we mentioned above, insurance industry and NHTSA studies have shown for several decades that lawyers consistently get injured victims a larger car accident payout. Using the $674,000 figure above, after paying the average legal fee in most states (33%), you’d still walk away with $451,580. That’s $423,294.50 more than you’d receive, on average, if you settled directly with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier.

Q: Will I have to go to court and testify if an attorney handles my case?

No. The September 2025 IRC study linked in the first FAQ answer above shows that during that 10-year period, just 7% of claims went to trial.

Q: What is LegalASAP’s role in all this? Are you all attorneys?

No, we are not attorneys ourselves. However, we do work with a large network of legal advocates, law firms, and individual attorneys across the United States. Each attorney in our network offers free, no-obligation claim consultations to recently injured car accident victims who qualify. Here’s what to expect when you request one through our website. Our job is to help victims like yourself easily connect with a local attorney or advocate who can review your situation and give you the help you need, fast.

Q: How can I find out how much money my claim is actually worth?

Unfortunately, no website, online calculator, or app can show you an accurate dollar amount. Besides the legal liabilities involved, it’s impossible to estimate any claim’s true value without seeing your injury in person and reviewing all evidence from your case. The only way to get a true estimate of how much money you may be owed is to speak with an attorney.

Q: I’m broke and don’t think I can afford an attorney. What’s the point of speaking with someone if I can’t hire them?

All car accident lawyers in LegalASAP’s nationwide network offer contingency-based representation. In plain English, that usually translates to “No win, no fee” (i.e., if your case doesn’t win, you owe your attorney $0 in legal fees). You may, however, pay for things like filing the paperwork in court or copies of documents purchased on your behalf. There are no hourly fees to worry about, and the lawyer’s fee typically comes directly out of your settlement check. So, you’ll never write a check to the attorney out of your own pocket, in most cases.

Q: Can I get an offer from the insurance company first and then have the attorney look it over?

It’s actually far better to let the lawyer handle negotiations from the very beginning. This is because every state has its own law called the statute of limitations. This statute of limitations sets the deadline for auto injury claims in the state where you got hurt. If that deadline passes, then no court or insurance company can legally award you any money for your injuries. In some states (like Kentucky, Louisiana, and Tennessee), that deadline is 12 months after your accident. The closer you get to that deadline, the harder it will be to find a car accident lawyer willing to accept you as a client.

Q: Can a lawyer get me a settlement offer if I caused the accident that injured me?

Probably not. It’s possible an attorney can find ways to reduce your share of liability for the accident, which could help your case. Most states have laws that prevent at-fault drivers from receiving money unless they have certain types of car insurance coverage on their vehicles.

Q: I hit a parked car/tree/an animal in the road/spun out on ice and wrecked my car. Do I have to pay for my accident costs, or can an attorney help me out?

If you’re in a single-car accident, then generally, you are liable for the damage you caused, including your medical bills.

Q: I’m not hurt, but my car’s totaled. Should I call a lawyer?

No. Attorneys only handle claims involving people who were physically injured. Insurers estimate the value of your car damage based on whether you need to repair or replace your vehicle. However, the at-fault driver’s insurance policy amount sets the coverage limits on what they can legally offer to pay you. If that person is you and you’re uninsured, for example, then you’re responsible for paying those costs yourself.