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When Is It Too Late to Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident?

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As long as you have not signed a settlement agreement, it is not too late to hire a car accident lawyer.

After a car crash, many accident victims wonder if they’ve missed the boat on getting a lawyer to help them. The good news is, as long as you haven’t agreed to any deal with the insurance company, it’s likely not too late.

St. Louis man looking at medical bills
The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C.
Excellent
4.9
Based on 98 reviews
review us on
I would describe this lawyer as highly educated, sharp, and top of his game. Explains the car accident process and treatment options well. The lawyer said if they don’t pay you, we will have the jury take it from the insurance company. Great lawyer. Dynamic person.
Very good car accident lawyer. Gets the job done.
This lawyer is as good as you will find in st. Louis. Call this lawyer if you are in an auto accident. 100% recommended
Interviewed all the TV car accident lawyers and decided to call this law firm that had great reviews. So happy I did. What a difference!
Response from the owner: TV car accident lawyers are just mass production. This is not a good fit for litigated cases. Paralegals instead of lawyers. Monthly quotas for settlements. Car accident victims end up in a cattle call with the lawyers on TV.
Love my car accident lawyer. This law firm is a step above.
Response from the owner: Our lawyers train and track the best approaches on cases. Whether litigation in cases or the practicalities of certain treatment, the growth of our lawyers over time is paramount. Always staying ahead of and setting practice trends. Thank you.
This auto accident law firm is incredible!! Very accomplished lawyers!
Response from the owner: Being labeled “an incredible lawyer” is quite the compliment. We are only incredible if this client is. Thanks.
Serious family member have a car accident injury? Look no further. This litigator is for real. Always two steps ahead of the other lawyer.
Response from the owner: This is a sad reality for car accident lawyers. The #1 passenger in an auto accident is a relative. Helping a family make it through this and putting the family back together is one of the most rewarding things I do as an automobile accident attorney.
This lawyer handles really big accident cases in St Louis. He is a lawyer, accountant and has his masters in tax so he gets the injury cases for individuals that can never go back to work or individuals own a business and cannot run it due to injury. He specializes in valuations of massive loss. Thank goodness a firm like this exists.
Response from the owner: Thank you. When accident are severe and you lose the ability to work or to continue a business, having an accounting and tax background is key. Valuing large losses are second nature for us.
You are a great lawyer! Thank you.
Response from the owner: That is a great compliment. Thanks.
Asked a trauma surgeon who operates on car accident victims who are the best injury lawyers that have taken his deposition. He said “by far” it was Mr Hoffmann. Interviewed several attorneys and this was a correct assessment. In a league of his own!
Response from the owner: Our attorney have deposed nearly all the trauma surgeons at every Level 1 Trauma Center in Saint Louis. These doctors save lives after a car accident. Whether controlling bleeding or reestablishing blood flow or bone structures, they are life savers.
My aunt was in a major automobile accident. Our family interviewed several lawyers. This one stood out about them all. It was a great choice!
Response from the owner: Clients who call consistently say that no other lawyers explained the process like we do. Educated clients do not make mistakes regarding their claim and more importantly their treatment options after a car accident. Thanks. This takes effort and we do this whether we take the case or not. Victims deserve a helping hand.
Few lawyers in St. Louis can handle the biggest injury cases! This is one of them!
Response from the owner: Our law firm has made great efforts in terms of training to handle life changing injury cases. Whether in depth knowledge of the medical, loss of income and earning capacity, or lifetime medical care plans, our clients feel confident and know their case is in good hands. Thank you for the compliment.
Cannot say enough about this lawyer. Call if in an accident. This attorney handles the biggest car accidents in St Louis.
Response from the owner: Thanks Ash! Our biggest source of cases is our clients. Our second biggest referral source is defense lawyers telling their relatives to call us. Few lawyers can handle the largest cases. Our law firm welcomes and has trained for this. We don’t do mass production settlement like the lawyers on TV. Our clients can never go back to work. Their cases need massive focus and effort and often long fought litigation.
So glad I called attorney Hoffmann. This time I got it right! So glad I hired the Hoffmann Law Firm - professional, reliable and available.
Response from the owner: Thanks Taylor. Our lawyers answer the phone day, night, weekends and even during lunch. Being professional means training to beat the best defense lawyers. Client rely on us to get results and we do.
Great lawyer. Cares about his clients, knows his stuff and goes the extra mile. I recommend this lawyer for car wreck injury claim. Every other lawyer on TV would not even help with my property claim. This attorney did.
Response from the owner: Thank you for the kind words. Every case starts with a great client. You are correct the car accident lawyers on TV are mass production settlement mills. When injury clients fire them, we get their files and the cases are not worked up at all. Appreciate your confidence in us!
Major car accident injury in St Louis area for a family member. Four different lawyers we know said the same thing - call Chris Hoffmann. On another level.
Response from the owner: This is such a great compliment. Most of our cases come from prior client or lawyers that also do car accidents cases but the particular case is too large or too difficult. Being a lawyer and an accountant, we specialize in cases with total lost of income, earning capacity and/or often the inability to continue a family business. Evaluations such as these are second nature for our lawyers. Thanks.
Best in St Louis for auto accident cases. Nobody else is even close.
Response from the owner: So kind of you to leave this review. Whether our lawyers are going after big insurance or their lawyers, skill and experience are essential and win the day for our auto accident clients. Thanks!
This attorney is very smart, very experienced, returns phone calls and knows the answers when asked. One call and I knew this was a great law firm for auto accidents.
Response from the owner: Our law firm appreciates this. This is a comment we get from so many people who call…”none of the lawyers we called told me all the things that you did.” Whether we take a car accident case or not, helping people is a good thing.
5 Star Lawyer for sure! Best you will find in Saint Louis.
Response from the owner: Thanks for the 5 Star Rating. Reviews like this are great. Injury victims quickly figure out the TV advertisers are not good. We work hard at being the best we can be and it reflects in our representation of car accident victims.
Watch this lawyer in action. Was way better than all the others. Get this lawyer for an automobile accident for sure.
Response from the owner: Thanks for the recommendation. Besides doing cases, our attorneys train for this. Hard work, case knowledge and technique is key to success in car accident litigation.
Very pleased with The Hoffmann Law Firm. Lawyers are attentive, friendly and go the distance to force the settlement you want. The TV lawyers recommend low offers. This law firm gets the maximum.
Response from the owner: We get calls from car accident victims that had to fire the TV lawyers that they hired. They give the same two reasons: 1) they never spoke to a lawyer at the Big TV law firms, only a paralegal, and 2) the paralegal recommended they accept a low offer. At our law firm, you only talk to the lawyer and if an offer is low we tell you to sue. Thanks!
You will love this car accident lawyer.
Response from the owner: You are the best! Thanks for the review. Our attorneys work hard but it all starts with a great client.
Several lawyers said to call this lawyer because he is the best. You will appreciate this law firm. Helped with the injury and property claims. Attentive and knowledgeable. Great reputation in St Louis.
Response from the owner: Thanks Lexi. Our #1 source of cases is other lawyers referring us cases that are too big for them to handle.
Would use this accident law firm. Best in Saint Louis. Highly rated and it shows. After one phone call, you just know this attorney is better. 5 Stars!!
Response from the owner: Thanks for recommending our lawyers in St Louis. There is a major difference in lawyers as you well know.
Great law firm thanks Leah for the referral
Response from the owner: Appreciate you recommending our law firm. Car accident litigation is all we do and specializing allows us to focus.
Car accident lawyers on tv are not good . Get this attorney ! He is a pro !!
Response from the owner: Thanks Nathan. TV lawyers market for car accidents, use paralegals instead of lawyers and give their employees settlement quotas hence forcing cheap settlements. At our law firm, you get a lawyer who keeps pushing forward for more.
A+ attorney. Smart. Helpful. Great for automobile accident cases. Located in saint louis, missouri. Use him!
Response from the owner: Thanks. Car accident cases are difficult without the right attorney and great clients. Much appreciated.
Quality lawyer. Best law firm for a car accident. Advice was way better than other lawyers I called in St. Louis. Helped with property and injury.
Response from the owner: Thanks. The TV lawyer advertisers are just car accident settlement mills. As soon as people call a real attorney, they always tell us how much better and more helpful we were. Appreciate this.
Get this lawyer if you have an automobile accident. Simply the best!
Response from the owner: Thanks Lizzy. Recommendations from other is the best way to find a car accident attorney.
This lawyer is big time. Smooth. The other lawyers on the other side were not nearly as good as this attorney. I recommend friends in St Louis to him for accident injuries and they all say the same thing…”that lawyer is great.”
Response from the owner: Very nice of you to say. Our lawyers work hard on auto accident cases.
Family used this car accident attorney after a crash. Located in St Louis. This lawyer answers the phone and will walk you through the process. Knows his stuff!
Response from the owner: Taking calls, going over the car accident injury and property process is important. Clients that call always say we are the only lawyers that explained everything. Much appreciated.
Tried the lawyers on TV. They were not good. Hired this car accident lawyer instead because he had great reviews. The reviews are correct. This attorney is as good as they get. He does big injury cases that need to be litigated.
Response from the owner: Car accident lawyers on TV do not litigate cases. It is mass production. They have quotas. Local attorneys are best on auto accidents.
Very very good at injury claims for car wrecks. Use this St Louis attorney. Two thumbs up!
Response from the owner: Thanks for the review! All we do is accidents. When you specialize, your knowledge base and practice skills grow. Thanks!
Used this attorney for an auto accident. Highly recommend this lawyer in St. Louis. Communicates well.
Response from the owner: Communicating with clients is essential. Taking the client though the car accident claims process is important otherwise major mistakes can occur. It is an effort that we make. Thanks!
Best for car accidents in St Louis. Use this attorney.
Response from the owner: Thanks. Great clients make for great cases!
This lawyer is great for car accident injury claims. Did an uninsured motorist case. Very good attorney.
Response from the owner: Car accidents can be insured or uninsured. The claims are much different. Thanks for the review.
Great lawyer if you are in an auto accident. I recommend this attorneys office.
Response from the owner: Thanks J. Glad we got your auto accident case completed and that for telling others about our lawyers.
Very good car accident attorney. Did my and my relatives claims and paperwork. Highly recommend.
Response from the owner: Thanks for recommending our law firm on car accident cases.
Fantastic law firm, I would recommend! Received free consultation related to an auto accident when my parked car was damaged by a baseball. Very supportive advice, these guys are good!
Response from the owner: Thank you!
Recommend this attorney for auto accidents.
Response from the owner: Thanks for recommending our attorneys for an automobile accident.
Best St Louis lawyer for car accidents.
Response from the owner: Thanks Tana. Appreciate this!
Great Lawyer!!
Response from the owner: Thank you
I was in a car accident in St.Louis and hired Chris as my lawyer. He was amazing!!! He helped me every step of the way and was able to get me a great settlement!!!Highly, highly, highly recommend him!
Response from the owner: Each step is important in a car accident. Thanks for recommending us for car accidents injury claims.
If you have an auto accident and need an attorney in St Louis, I recommend Mr Hoffmann.
Response from the owner: Appreciate this James and you did great as well. Car accident claims always start with a good client.
Great car accident lawyer. Did a very good job on my injury case. Thanks!
Response from the owner: Thanks. Appreciate the compliment. All we do is car accident litigation.
Very accomplished accident attorney in Saint Louis. 5 stars for sure!
Response from the owner: Thanks
A car accident lawyer I would recommend to anyone.
Response from the owner: Thanks. That is great of you to say about our lawyers.
Great car accident attorney!!
Response from the owner: Thanks
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The time after a car crash can be really confusing and stressful, with so many decisions to make. One important decision is when to get a lawyer to help you out. The common misconception that there exists a point of no return in seeking legal aid is debunked by the simple truth that as long as a settlement agreement remains unsigned, the door to professional legal counsel remains wide open. However, it is crucial to understand that the sooner you speak with a car accident lawyer, the better. 

Why Do People Wait to Get a Lawyer?

Navigating insurance claims can initially seem straightforward, leading some to manage the process independently. However, the complexity of dealing with insurance companies with years of experience in minimizing payouts often becomes apparent. When the offers from insurance don’t align with your expectations, the value of having a skilled car accident lawyer becomes clear. A seasoned legal advocate can ensure your rights are protected and you receive a fair settlement, leveling the playing field against the insurance company’s expertise.

Having a lawyer isn’t just about arguing in court. They know about the damages you can claim—not just for medical bills but also for the pain and suffering the accident caused you. This knowledge ensures you don’t settle for less than you deserve.

The Problem with Quick Settlements

Insurance companies often try to settle fast. This might seem great, but there’s a catch. Accepting a quick settlement locks you into an agreement that typically prohibits any future claims related to the accident, regardless of whether new expenses arise. Initially, the settlement amount might seem sufficient, but it may not fully account for ongoing medical treatments, rehabilitation costs, or unforeseen complications that could surface later. For instance, injuries that appear minor initially can develop into chronic conditions requiring extensive, costly care.

Moreover, there’s the impact on your income to consider. An injury might lead to prolonged time off work or, in severe cases, diminish your capacity to earn at the same level as before the accident. A quick settlement is unlikely to reflect these long-term economic losses fully.

Additionally, there are non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering or a decrease in life quality, which are harder to quantify and often overlooked in early settlement offers. As these aspects of your claim become more apparent over time, having the flexibility to adjust your compensation demands is crucial.

While the immediate certainty of a quick settlement can be appealing, it’s important to weigh this against the potential for future expenses and losses. Engaging a knowledgeable lawyer can help assess the full scope of your claim, ensuring that any settlement considers current and future needs and safeguards your financial and personal well-being in the long run.

Is it too Late to Get a Car Accident Lawyer?

It generally isn’t too late to consider getting a lawyer for your car accident case, as long as you haven’t signed any settlement agreement. The decision to hire legal representation is less about how much time has passed and more about ensuring you’re treated fairly throughout the process.

Immediately following an accident, it’s crucial to act swiftly to collect evidence, such as witness accounts and accident scene photos, which are essential for strengthening your case. An experienced car lawyer knows how to secure this evidence to ensure nothing vital is overlooked.

Navigating dealings with insurance companies can be particularly challenging, as their main goal is often to minimize payout amounts. An experienced lawyer can effectively communicate with insurers, preventing any missteps that might compromise your case.

Moreover, a lawyer has the knowledge and experience to comprehensively assess the accident’s full impact on your life, including potential future medical expenses and lost earnings due to injuries. This thorough evaluation is vital to avoid settling for less than what is truly needed to cover both current and future accident-related costs.

Opting for legal assistance early in the process ensures you have a steadfast advocate from the outset, dedicated to protecting your rights and making your voice heard. Legal support in the aftermath of an accident is more than just about navigating legal complexities; it’s about having a trusted ally by your side every step of the way.

FAQs:

Can I hire a lawyer after accepting a settlement offer?

Once a settlement agreement is signed, it typically releases the involved parties from further claims related to the accident, making it challenging to seek additional legal recourse.

How long do I have to decide on hiring a lawyer after an accident?

While there’s no universal deadline, it’s crucial to consider statutory limitations and the importance of timely evidence collection.

What if I’ve already started negotiations with the insurance company?

It’s still possible to involve a lawyer, even if negotiations have begun. A lawyer can provide invaluable guidance and take over the negotiations to ensure a fair outcome.

Do I need a lawyer for a minor car accident?

Even in minor accidents, a lawyer can help navigate potential complexities and ensure you receive fair compensation, including for injuries that might manifest later.

How does a lawyer determine what my case is worth?

To determine a fair settlement value, a lawyer will assess various factors, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any long-term impacts of the accident.

What should I do if the insurance company offers a quick settlement?

It’s advisable to consult with a lawyer before accepting any settlement, as early offers may not fully compensate for all damages and future needs.

After a car accident, figuring out when it’s too late to get a lawyer can be confusing. But here’s the bottom line: as long as you haven’t agreed to a final settlement, you can still get a lawyer to help you. This means there’s always a chance for you to get the fair deal you deserve with the help of a car accident lawyer near you.

Free Consultation with a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer

Don’t talk to an insurance claims adjuster before speaking with The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. We can help you avoid making statements that may affect the outcome of your case. The consultation is free; you don’t pay unless we get you money!

Updated: September 23, 2024