# When to Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident? | Postman Law

**Table of Contents***[*Expand*]*

1. Hire an Attorney if You Suffered Injuries or Property Damage in a Car Crash
2. Attorneys Can Help You Recover Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
3. Consult a Lawyer if You are Partially At Fault for an Accident
4. A Lawyer Can Help You Deal With Uncooperative Insurance Companies
5. Talk to an Attorney Today to See if You Need to Hire a Lawyer

When to get an attorney for a car accident? You should get an attorney after a car accident as soon as possible if you sustained injuries or property damage, need to recover lost wages, are partially at fault for the accident, or are having difficulty recovering compensation because of insurance company pushback. 

When you hire a [Chicago car accident lawyer](https://www.postmanlaw.com/chicago-il/car-accident-lawyer/) from Postman Law, we can help you get results.  

## Hire an Attorney if You Suffered Injuries or Property Damage in a Car Crash

If you suffered injuries or damage to your vehicle, it can be helpful to get an attorney for a car accident. Not only can these losses be costly, but they can end up costing you more than you initially realize. Insurance companies often start by offering you a fast or lower settlement, hoping you will accept and close your case. However, you may not know the full value of your case at this point. 

Injuries can be delayed after an accident, and vehicle repairs can be more involved than they seem at first. Accepting a settlement too early, without legal review, can severely limit your options as you move forward. Once a settlement has been accepted, you waive your rights to further action and can’t go back later if you discover you need more compensation.  

The value of [Chicago car accident settlements](https://www.postmanlaw.com/faqs/what-is-the-average-car-accident-settlement-in-chicago/) is generally influenced by how severe your losses are. Recovery can also be limited by the at-fault driver’s policy limits and by cases involving shared fault. To ensure your compensation is not reduced beyond what is necessary, Postman Law calculates how much all of your losses are worth separately and together, and fearlessly fights for favorable results.

For a free legal consultation, call [844-767-8626](tel:+18447678626)

## Attorneys Can Help You Recover Lost Wages and Earning Capacity

Similar to sustaining injuries and property damage, the value of lost income is not a loss you want to go uncompensated. Injuries can keep you from getting to work or performing your job duties. Lost income can not only make it difficult to pay for everyday expenses, but it can also make it harder to get the medical care you need. A lawyer can help you pursue the full value of your lost income through a claim.

To recover your lost income, you need to show that you could not work because of the accident another party caused. You can provide evidence of your lost wages in your claim by providing documentation such as pay stubs, tax documents, salary letters, and more. Postman Law can review these documents and use them to calculate the total value of your lost income for your settlement. 

If you sustained severe injuries that left you unable to work or working in a limited capacity, our team can also help you determine your overall lost earning capacity so you can offset these future costs. Getting an attorney to help you recover lost income is highly beneficial to ensure you’re not left without the financial resources you need to live and get medical care. 

## Consult a Lawyer if You are Partially At Fault for an Accident

Another instance when to get an attorney is when you may have contributed to the accident. While it’s natural to fear you are out of options, you may actually still be able to recover your losses as long as your fault stays below a certain threshold. Before writing off your case or taking action, reach out to Postman Law to first see what actions are available to you. 

According to [735 ILCS 5/2-1116](https://www.ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/073500050K2-1116.htm), parties involved in a car accident can pursue compensation as long as they are**50**%**or less at fault for the accident**. Compensation is then reduced by the percentage of fault that you were assigned. However, insurance companies often leverage this law to their advantage and try to reduce your settlement further by claiming you caused more of the accident than you did.

They can also use shared fault as a reason to disqualify you from recovering compensation. By getting an attorney, you have an ally who can advocate for you. A lawyer can also gather and provide solid evidence to back up your claim and contribution so you don’t lose additional money. Strategies and effective negotiation tactics can optimize your case for success.  

[Click to contact](/contact/) our personal injury lawyers today

## A Lawyer Can Help You Deal With Uncooperative Insurance Companies

Difficult insurance companies are one of the reasons [why your car accident settlement is taking so long in Chicago](https://www.postmanlaw.com/faqs/why-is-my-car-accident-settlement-taking-so-long-in-chicago/). They are focused on protecting their company’s profits and can cause intentional delays or take advantage of shared fault to lower the value of your settlement. They can even use other tactics to make it harder for you to recover compensation. 

Postman Law can step in and get insurance companies to take your claim seriously. Our team is not only made up of attorneys who are highly skilled in communication and negotiation tactics and strategies, but many of them also have insider knowledge of how these companies operate. This means you can be confident that you have strong advocates who know how to secure a fair settlement from the insurance company.

Among the many benefits of having a lawyer on your side when dealing with the insurance company is that they can draft a demand letter to outline the details of your request for compensation and provide evidence of how the other party caused your injuries. Additionally, if insurance companies continue to be uncooperative, your lawyer is trial-ready and can help you navigate litigation to get results. 

## Talk to an Attorney Today to See if You Need to Hire a Lawyer

Postman Law is ready to meet with you when you schedule a free consultation with our firm. Even if you’re unsure whether you have a case, consult **a car accident attorney** from our team to identify your options. 

Our team is committed to helping clients get the results they deserve and ensuring they don’t walk away with less than they are entitled to under the law.

---

Source: https://www.postmanlaw.com/faqs/when-to-get-an-attorney-for-a-car-accident/