Car accidents create a lot of noise fast—medical appointments, claim forms, repair estimates, missed work. It’s stressful and overwhelming. The right time to hire a car accident lawyer is usually ‘as soon as you can,’ but here’s a clear guide for when legal help is essential, when it’s smart, and when you may not need it.

When You Should Call a Lawyer Right Away

Some situations leave no room for hesitation — legal help isn’t optional, it’s essential. Other times, warning signs suggest your case may become more complicated than it first appears. Here’s how to know the difference:

Situations Where Hiring a Lawyer Is Critical

If your case involves any of these, you should call an attorney immediately:

• Serious injuries or fatalities – High medical costs, long-term care, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering are at stake. Families may also have wrongful death claims that require careful handling.
• Disputed or unclear liability – If the other driver or their insurer blames you, an attorney can secure evidence, interview witnesses, and, if needed, bring in accident reconstruction experts.
• Lowball, delayed, or denied insurance offers – Quick settlements almost never reflect the true cost of treatment, time off work, and long-term recovery.
• Complex circumstances – Claims involving commercial vehicles, multiple cars, hit-and-runs, or uninsured/underinsured drivers get complicated quickly and demand legal expertise.
• Injuries with lasting effects – Concussions, back and neck injuries, and nerve damage often have delayed symptoms that insurers try to minimize.

Red Flags That Mean It’s Time to Get Help

Even if your case doesn’t seem catastrophic at first, these signs signal it’s time to bring in a lawyer before small issues grow into major financial losses:

• You needed ER care, imaging, surgery, injections, or referrals to specialists.
• You’re missing work, or your job duties have changed because of your injuries.
• The adjuster is pressuring you for a recorded statement or quick settlement.
• Medical bills are stacking up, and insurance explanations don’t add up.
• The police report is incomplete or doesn’t tell the full story.
• You were a passenger, pedestrian, or riding with an at-fault friend or family member (where relationships complicate the claim).

Bottom line: If more than bumps and fender damage are involved, calling a lawyer early protects your health, your claim, and your future.

Louisiana Deadlines Matter

Because Louisiana deadlines are shorter than most states, waiting too long is one of the most common mistakes we see. For accidents before July 1, 2024, you generally have one year from the crash date to file a lawsuit. For accidents on or after July 1, 2024, you generally have two years. Miss the deadline and you can lose your right to recover. Starting early also helps us preserve time‑sensitive evidence (videos, vehicle data, 911 records).

What a Car Accident Attorney Actually Does

Many people don’t realize how much ground an attorney covers in an accident case. Beyond just “suing,” our job includes:

• Preserves and gathers evidence: crash report, photos/video, event‑data (“black box”) if available, 911 audio, body‑cam, witness statements, medical records.
• Proves fault under Louisiana’s comparative negligence rules (even if you may be partly at fault, you can still recover—your award is reduced by your percentage of fault).
• Values the full claim: medical bills, future treatment, lost wages/reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and diminished value of your car.
• Handles the insurer: recorded statements, medical authorizations, and “routine” forms that can quietly devalue your claim—those go through us.
• Files suit and litigates if the carrier won’t be fair.

Most people don’t realize just how many moving parts a lawyer manages behind the scenes. Having a team ensures deadlines are met, insurers don’t cut corners, and you can focus on recovery instead of paperwork.

Want deeper help specific to wrecks in the city? See our New Orleans Car Accident Lawyer page.

When You Might Not Need a Lawyer

We’ll always shoot you straight. If all three of these are true, you may not need counsel:

• No injuries (and you’ve been medically cleared);
• Only minor property damage; and
• The insurer is paying promptly and fairly (no strings attached, no recorded statement required).

If you’re unsure, call us, a quick consultation can give you peace of mind before you sign anything. We’ll tell you if DIY makes sense—or if a quick review could prevent an expensive mistake.

Dealing With Insurance Companies

Insurers commonly: (1) ask for recorded statements, (2) request broad medical authorizations, (3) suggest “standard” releases, and (4) push fast, low settlements. Those moves can shrink your claim. We step in so you don’t have to guess what to sign—or what to say.

Insurance companies often complicate even simple crashes. And when unique issues are involved—like uninsured drivers or pedestrian claims—the stakes get even higher. With us handling insurers, you won’t risk saying the wrong thing or signing away rights you didn’t realize you had.

Special Situations That Need Extra Care

• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) claims: Your own policy may owe benefits—even if the other driver is at fault.
• No‑Pay, No‑Play: If you were uninsured at the time of the crash, Louisiana limits certain recoveries—but there are exceptions (for example, drunk drivers). Ask us.
• Crashes with pedestrians: These cases turn on right‑of‑way, visibility, and roadway design—complex, but winnable. (If you were on foot, see our Pedestrian Accident resource for injury basics and next steps.)
• Wrongful death: Families may seek funeral costs, lost support, and emotional damages—see our Wrongful Death guidance (and we’ll walk you through who can file and when).
• Commercial vehicle crashes: Accidents involving delivery vans, work trucks, or rideshare vehicles often bring multiple insurance layers and corporate defendants. An attorney ensures each liable party is held accountable.

“Do I Have to Decide Right Now?”

You don’t have to hire a lawyer the same day—but the sooner we’re involved, the more evidence we can secure and the stronger your claim becomes. Early calls let us lock down videos, scene evidence, and witness info before it’s gone, and keep you from giving the insurer a statement that can be used against you later.

Cost: How Fees Work

We work on contingency. You pay no attorney’s fee unless we recover money for you. We’ll explain fees and case costs in writing up front so there are no surprises. This also means there are no upfront costs—you’ll never owe us out of pocket if we don’t win.

What To Do After a Car Accident (Step‑by‑Step)

Even if you think the accident is minor, these steps protect both your health and your claim. Here’s a simple roadmap to protect your health and your rights after a Louisiana crash.

1. Call 911 and get a police report.
2. Get medical care—same day whenever possible.
3. Document everything: photos/video of vehicles, injuries, roadway, and nearby cameras; keep all bills and visit summaries.
4. Exchange information (driver’s license, insurance, plate).
5. Don’t give a recorded statement or sign broad medical releases.
6. Call a lawyer to protect your rights and deadlines.

Following this checklist helps ensure you don’t miss critical details that insurers may later use against you.

Not Sure If You Need a Lawyer? Start With Answers.

Talk to Brandt & Sherman. We’ll review your situation, tell you what you need, and—if a lawyer won’t add value—we’ll say so. If you do need help, we’ll take over the heavy lifting while you focus on healing.

Don’t guess whether your case is “big enough” for a lawyer. Call Brandt & Sherman today for a free consultation. There’s no fee unless we win—and one conversation could protect your health, your rights, and your financial future.