Do you have to file an insurance claim after an accident?

You’re driving home after a long day at work. A squirrel runs across the street and you swerve to avoid hitting the little guy. Unfortunately, in the process of avoiding the critter, you side-swipe a streetlight. The light itself seems to be fine, but your car has sustained an ugly scrape along the passenger side. So what do you do now? Do you have to file an insurance claim after an accident? It can be a tricky question. Luckily, Los Angeles car accident attorneys are here to give you an answer. 

If the accident was your fault 

If the accident was entirely your fault, like in the above scenario involving the street-crossing squirrel, you need to weigh the cost of repairs to your car versus the increase in premium that will surely result. For minor repairs, it’s probably best to just pay out of pocket. However, if you need expensive repairs, it may make sense to report it to your insurance company. You’ll likely be paying more in premiums for the next couple of years, but in the end the math could work out in your favor. 

If the accident was due to someone else’s negligence 

If you’ve been involved in a car accident that resulted from another driver’s negligence, an unsafe road construction site, a reckless pedestrian, or faulty road signs, you should definitely contact a personal injury lawyer and then file an insurance claim. Even if it seems like a minor fender bender and the other driver offers you cash on the spot for repairs, you’d be smart to exchange information and then schedule a consultation. You may not notice injuries like whiplash or bruises right away, but these things could lead to costly medical bills down the road. Also, your car may have suffered serious damage that isn’t readily apparent. The liable party’s insurance company may offer you a small settlement, but you can’t be certain you’re getting all that you deserve without a talented legal team on your side. 

Schedule a free and confidential consultation right away 

You may think that hiring an attorney just isn’t affordable. At Ellis Law, we believe everyone should have access to legal representation in their hour of need. We offer free consultations with Los Angeles personal injury lawyers from our firm. Meeting with an expert won’t cost you a dime and is 100% confidential. If we decide you have a case, we’ll get to work right away on your behalf. We’ll help you establish fault and figure out how much compensation you should seek. We can lead you to trusted doctors to help evaluate your medical needs, and deal with your insurance company. Our payment is contingent on you winning damages or reaching a settlement. Put simply, we don’t get paid unless you get justice. 

Get back on your feet after an accident 

In an instant, your future can go from bright to uncertain. A serious car accident is not something most people can afford to plan for. Emergency medical bills can be exceptionally expensive, as can ongoing treatment. You may miss days or even weeks at work, resulting in missed paychecks or even termination. Rent or mortgage payments, tuition, utility bills and other living expenses might go unpaid, and you could find yourself relying on credit cards to pay for food and car repairs. Putting your life back together after an accident can be a challenge, but the good news is, you don’t have to go it alone. With a personal injury attorney in your corner, you’ll have a powerful advocate who will fight tirelessly to win compensation for all of these expenses. You may even be entitled to additional cash for the pain and suffering you’ve endured. 

We’ve won over $350 million for our clients 

Founded by Loyola Law alumnus, Andrew Ellis, over 20 years ago, Ellis Law has earned a reputation as one of the top personal injury firms in California. In two decades of service, we’ve secured over $350 million in damages for our clients, and it’s a number that continues to grow. Every case is different and every outcome is different, but we treat every client with dedication and care. Whether you’re in common rear-ender involving a distracted driver, or a serious highway accident caused by a commercial trucker, we can help you seek the compensation you deserve.