what to do after a car accident

Is My Car Accident Serious Enough to Call a Personal Injury Lawyer?

We see the following situation repeatedly at our Firm: a prospective client calls us 6 months after what seemed like a minor car accident. The client explains that the accident was relatively low impact, with only minor damage to the vehicle and no apparent injury at the time.

Fast-forward 6 months, and what seemed like a “minor” accident is not so minor. Now, the client explains that they have been dealing with nagging injuries for the past several months, have missed time from work, and/or their personal life has been significantly disrupted.    

If this sounds like you or someone you know, we suggest contacting our team of experienced personal injury lawyers for a cost and risk-free consultation. When your health or the health of your loved ones is at stake, it is best not to wait. Our lawyers are happy to discuss all car accident claims from catastrophic to “minor.”

Please consider why it may be a good idea to contact a personal injury lawyer soon after a minor accident.

The Team at James H. Brown and Associates Provide Cost and Risk-Free Personal Injury Consultations

Our initial advice is free, and our team of lawyers is happy and willing to devote a few minutes of our time to provide initial phone consultation. As we work on contingency (no upfront payment, and you don’t pay unless we win), we have no incentive to exaggerate your need for a lawyer or steer you in the wrong direction. We will be upfront and honest if your claim is unlikely to succeed. We will likely suggest an in-person consultation if we feel your car accident claim has merit.  

Muscular or Soft-Tissue Injuries May Take Weeks or Months to Become Apparent

A minor car accident may have caused significant injury, and you may not even know it. Soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash and muscle strains, can last for months or even years. The issue is that pain associated with these injuries can take several weeks to manifest into physical symptoms. What you think is nothing but a kink in your neck may become a significant injury causing impairment for several years.

Due to the unpredictable nature of soft tissue injuries and the potential for long-lasting impairment, we recommend reaching out to an injury lawyer soon after your car accident for a cost-free consultation. Failing to do so may significantly impact the value of your claim, as the longer you wait to get diagnosed, the more challenging it is for your lawyer to prove that your injuries were caused by the accident.

Minimal Damage to Your Vehicle DOES NOT Mean Minimal Damage to Your Body

It is an unfortunate reality that our bodies, and not our vehicles, sustain the brunt of a car accident trauma. Speed is but one factor contributing to car accident injuries. The location of the impact on your vehicle, your body positioning, and your pre-existing medical issues also contribute to injury.    

As it is well established that damage to your vehicle may not reflect damage to your body, we suggest contacting our team of injury lawyers even though your vehicle suffered only minor damage. 

“He Said, She Said” Scenarios Are All Too Common

People can and often change their stories between an accident scene and the police station. The other driver may admit fault to your face but tell a different story on the police report. And if the accident is minor, at-fault drivers feel like they can more easily get away with this dishonesty.     

If you contact a personal injury lawyer, we can act to limit the damage done by dishonest motorists.

James H. Brown and Associates is Here To Help

If you have been involved in a minor car accident in Alberta, please do not wait; contact our team of experienced personal injury lawyers for a free injury claim evaluation today.