In the blink of an eye, shattered glass scatters across the pavement, catching the fading light like broken dreams. A heartbeat quickens, pain surges, and suddenly everything familiar feels uncertain. What to expect when you hire a car accident lawyer isn’t just about handling paperwork; it’s about reclaiming your peace after chaos disrupts your life. Accidents rob car accident victims of more than physical health; they steal security, stability, and the comfort of routine. But knowledge is your strongest ally.
Understanding the steps ahead can transform confusion into confidence. If you’ve been injured, overwhelmed by medical bills, or silenced by an insurance company’s denial, isn’t it time to take back control?
What Happens When You First Reach Out to a Car Accident Lawyer
When you first contact a car accident lawyer, you’re taking an important step toward protecting your rights and future. Some attorneys may offer a free case evaluation during this initial call, but not all do, so it’s essential to ask upfront. These early conversations give you the chance to share key details: how the accident occurred, whether the at-fault driver took responsibility, and what injuries or losses you’ve experienced.
During this consultation, your attorney will:
- Review the details of the crash or collision
- Ask about your injuries and medical treatment
- Evaluate your potential car accident claim
- Determine whether the other party or the negligent driver is liable
- Examine the insurance coverage involved
This first step helps both you and your lawyer understand if you have a strong personal injury case. You don’t need to have all the answers, just be honest and bring what you can, including any medical records, pictures of the vehicle damage, the police report, or your car insurance policy.
Investigating the Accident and Gathering Evidence
Once you hire a car accident attorney, they begin building your case. This includes a detailed investigation into what happened, who was at fault, and how the accident has impacted your life physically, financially, and emotionally.
Your attorney may collect:
- Medical records showing physical injuries, medical procedures, and treatment costs
- Documentation of medical expenses, medical bills, and income loss
- Police reports detailing how the accident occurred
- Witness statements that support your claim
- Car accident scene photos or surveillance footage, if available
They’ll also review the other driver’s insurance company policy to determine the extent of available insurance coverage. If you were hit by a negligent driver who was uninsured or underinsured, your insurance provider may become involved through your UM/UIM (uninsured/underinsured motorist) coverage.
All of this supports your claim and helps your lawyer negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often try to settle claims quickly and for less than what car accident victims deserve. Once you’ve filed your insurance claim, the other driver’s insurance company may reach out with questions, requests for statements, or even lowball offers. This is where having legal counsel makes a big difference.
Your attorney will:
- Handle all communication with the insurance provider
- Prevent you from making statements that could hurt your case
- Negotiate directly with the insurance company to seek compensation that reflects your actual losses
- Push back against attempts to avoid paying your full medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering
If your car accident case involves serious injuries or complex liability issues, the insurance company may try to dispute fault or delay your payout. Your lawyer steps in to protect your rights and speed up the claims process, so you can focus on physical recovery and emotional healing.
Calculating Damages and Losses
One of the most important jobs of your car accident lawyer is accurately calculating your damages — in other words, what the accident has cost you and what you need to move forward.
This includes:
- Medical treatment and medical costs (hospital visits, surgeries, rehab, prescriptions)
- Missed work and lost wages (including future income loss if you’re unable to return to work)
- Property damage (cost to repair or replace your vehicle)
- Pain and suffering (physical pain, mental anguish, emotional distress)
- Ongoing care (future medical procedures or long-term care needs)
By reviewing your medical records, consulting doctors, and using legal knowledge, your attorney will determine the full value of your personal injury claim. This ensures you don’t settle for less than you deserve.
Filing the Car Accident Lawsuit (If Needed)
Not every car accident claim turns into a lawsuit. Many personal injury claims settle during negotiations, especially when the evidence clearly supports the victim’s losses. But if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation or denies liability altogether, your lawyer may recommend filing a lawsuit in court.
Filing a lawsuit involves:
- Submitting your legal claim before the statute of limitations expires
- Preparing legal documents that outline your injuries, damages, and the other party’s fault
- Gathering expert testimony, such as accident reconstructionists or medical professionals
- Representing you in court if your case goes to trial
Statute of limitations:
Each state enforces strict deadlines for filing a car accident lawsuit, known as the statute of limitations. If you wait too long, you could lose your right to compensation. For example,
- California: You must file your personal injury lawsuit within two years from the date of the accident. (California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1)
- Nevada: You also have two years to take legal action against a negligent driver. (Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) § 11.190(4)(e))
- Colorado: You have up to three years to file a personal injury lawsuit related to a car accident.(Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-80-101(1)(n))
Even after filing, most lawsuits settle before trial. Your attorney continues negotiating with more legal weight behind your claim. If the case does go to trial, your lawyer will advocate for you every step of the way.
Understanding Your Legal Rights
Car accident victims often don’t realize the law protects them in powerful ways. Whether you were injured in a minor crash or a major collision, you have the right to seek compensation under personal injury law.
Legal protections include:
- The right to file a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent driver
- The ability to seek fair compensation for physical injuries and financial losses
- Legal remedies, even if you were partially at fault (under comparative fault laws in many states) that still allow you to pursue compensation based on your percentage of fault.
- The right to recover damages for pain, suffering, and emotional trauma
These laws exist to protect your health, your livelihood, and your future. A personal injury attorney understands how to apply these laws to your unique case — and how to help you move from injury to recovery with dignity and justice.
How Long Does the Legal Process Take?
The claims process depends on the complexity of your case. Simple cases with clear liability and minor injuries may resolve in weeks or months. More serious car accident cases — involving significant medical treatment or disputes over fault — may take longer.
Factors that influence your timeline:
- Severity of your injuries and length of recovery
- Willingness of the insurance company to offer a fair settlement
- Whether you file a lawsuit or resolve through negotiation
- Time needed to collect evidence and build a strong case
Your attorney will keep you informed at every point and help you make strategic decisions to protect your rights.
Let Bourassa Law Group Advocate for You
Hiring a car accident lawyer isn’t just about paperwork or legal jargon — it’s about restoring balance after someone else’s negligence turned your life upside down. At Bourassa Law Group, we understand the pain, confusion, and frustration that follow a car accident. That’s why we offer experienced legal representation designed to lighten your load and fight for what’s rightfully yours.
Whether you’re struggling with medical bills, missed work, or insurance claim denials, we stand ready to help. Let us walk beside you through the legal process, so you can focus on your recovery.
Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward justice, peace of mind, and full compensation.
1-800-870-8910