Brown & Crouppen Law Firm is here to provide trusted support after a collision. We offer free consultations to discuss your legal options and determine whether hiring a lawyer is the right step for your situation.
Situations That May Require Legal Guidance
If you were injured in a car accident, you likely need legal guidance to get the compensation you deserve. Certain situations make it especially critical to hire an attorney for a minor car accident.
Medical Bills or Lost Income
Even a minor crash can lead to significant treatment costs or time away from work. An attorney can help you understand what those losses are worth and prevent the insurer from undervaluing your claim.
Ongoing Pain
Chronic pain may significantly increase the value of your claim, even if your injuries were initially “minor.” Having an attorney on your side can help you pursue the maximum compensation available for pain and suffering.
Delayed Injuries
Many accident victims feel fine at the scene, only to experience symptoms in the days that follow. Without legal guidance, it’s easy to close your claim before you understand the full impact of your injuries.
Disputes About Fault
Insurance companies often question the fault of paying accident victims less than they deserve. This can happen even if your case isn’t worth a significant amount, and unfair fault assignments can leave you with out-of-pocket expenses that the insurer should have covered.
Multiple At-Fault Parties
Crashes involving multiple vehicles often result in conflicting stories and overlapping insurance claims. Untangling who is responsible, and for what, often requires deep legal experience.
Uninsured Driver
A basic crash becomes harder to manage when the other driver lacks proper insurance coverage. Other sources of compensation may be available, and a minor car accident lawyer can help you identify and pursue each one.
When It’s Safe To Handle Your Claim Without a Lawyer
There are very few situations where handling a minor accident claim on your own makes sense. Generally, one might consider moving forward without a St. Louis car accident lawyer only if all of the following are true:
- You were uninjured.
- A medical evaluation confirmed that no hidden injuries were present.
- You have not developed any new symptoms after seeking medical care.
If any one of these factors does not apply, hiring a lawyer is likely in your best interests.
Infographic Feature
What Counts as a Minor Car Accident?
A “minor” car crash typically involves a limited impact and light vehicle damage, such as:
- Low-speed rear-end accidents at intersections
- Parking lot collisions involving backing up or pulling out
- Light contact between vehicles while changing lanes
- Fender benders in stop-and-go traffic
These crashes often look straightforward on the surface. However, they can still cause injuries. The effects of these injuries may not be immediately apparent, but they can develop over time and complicate what first seemed like a simple claim.
Can I Get Compensation Even if the Car Accident Was Minor?
Yes. You can still seek compensation after a minor crash if you suffered damages. The severity of the collision does not determine your claim’s value; the impact it has had on your life does.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for the following forms of compensation after a minor car accident:
- Pain and suffering, including both the initial pain you suffered and any chronic pain resulting from the crash
- Emotional distress from the way the accident has impacted your mental health
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages for the work you missed while recovering
- Lost earning capacity if lingering symptoms limit the type or amount of work you can perform
- Property damage, including vehicle repair or replacement
How a Lawyer Can Help After a Minor Car Accident
What starts as a straightforward case can quickly become more complicated if injuries develop. The right lawyer can guide you through those challenges and pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.
An attorney can review the facts of your crash, determine whether you have a strong claim, and explain your legal options. From there, they can investigate what contributed to the accident and identify who’s at fault. They’ll gather evidence proving liability and calculate the full value of your damages, including those you might have overlooked.
After building your claim, your attorney can handle all communication with the insurance company and protect you from saying anything that hurts your case. If the insurer attempts to undervalue your claim, your lawyer will push back on low offers and negotiate for a fair settlement.
Brown & Crouppen is here to support you through every step of the claims process. We represent clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no out-of-pocket costs to hire our attorneys. When you trust us to advocate for you, we’ll handle the legal details while you focus on your recovery—and we’ll only get paid if you win.
We’re Here To Help After a Minor Car Accident
If a minor crash caused injuries, you may be entitled to more compensation than you realize. Before you accept an insurance offer, let our minor car accident attorneys review your claim at no cost.
Brown & Crouppen Law Firm has helped Missouri families navigate the aftermath of all types of accidents for over 40 years, and we’re ready to put that experience to work for you. Contact us online or call 800-536-4357 to explore your rights and options with a free consultation.
