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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 90 reviews
review us on
You are a great lawyer! Thank you.
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!
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!
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
When I had my accident he was very professional, honest and caring to me and my family it wasn't about the money it was about the care, he made sure me and my kids were took care of and I really appreciate it this is a gexcellant law firm also his secretary is the best,so I would like to say thank you chris for everything melinda .
Response from the owner: Thank you
Great car accident lawyer in St. Louis. This is a very good car accident lawyer in St. Lious. Takes phone calls. Listens. Experienced in injury litigation.
Response from the owner: Thanks Maddie. Our law firm brings experience to the table on car accident cases.
Great people, helped me through a situation over the phone. His words and advice eventually helped me in my case.
Response from the owner: Glad to hear!
Although Mr. Hoffman did not represent me in my case he was willing to take the time to get me in touch with someone who specializes in the type of incident I needed legal representation with. Attorney's such as Mr. Hoffman are difficult to find. He took personal time to keep in touch with me and give me sound legal advice and guidance. I highly recommend speaking with Mr. Hoffman if you require his services. I truly believe he is the type of person who cares and will make sure the job gets done RIGHT. Do not hesitate to contact him
Response from the owner: Anytime!
In an auto accident in St. Louis, the other car pulled out and hit us. The collision was very bad. We were all injured and used this attorney. He is very experienced in handling injury claims and got a great settlement after filing a lawsuit for us. 5 Stars!
Response from the owner: Thanks Ms. Santoni. Side impact car accidents are some of the worst our lawyers see. We have to file lawsuits on nearly every case because insurance companies deny almost every claim, but I am glad we got yours resolved. I appreciate you recommending our lawyers and giving us a 5 Star rating.
My daughter and I were in an car accident. We for both injured badly. After I finally got out of the hospital, I started looking for lawyers in Saint Louis and found this attorney who does accident and injury claims. It said their attorney would answer 24 hours a day. I called their law firm at 10 p.m. and a injury lawyer answered. He was polite, knowledgeable, and advised me of what needed to be done for myself and my daughter regarding the car accident. I hired them to do or auto accident case. They kept me well informed during the car accident case in Saint Louis County Court. I was well prepared for depositions. He help with everything. I got a good settlement as did my daughter for our injuries. Although the car accident was scary, it was bearable having a good helpful attorney on our side. I highly recommend this Saint Louis car accident law firm. Their attorneys and lawyers are great. Highly recommended
Response from the owner: Happy to help.
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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: August 22, 2024