Do I always have to hire a lawyer in case of an accident?
May 3, 2022 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Ben Bergmann
Dear lawyer,
My name is Emilia Völker and I recently had a car accident, where I am not sure if I should involve a lawyer. The situation was as follows: I was on my way to work when suddenly another car came from the side and hit me on the side. Fortunately, no one was injured, but my car suffered significant damage. The other party involved in the accident was cooperative and exchanged insurance information with me.
Now I am worried that without legal assistance, I may have difficulty getting my damage replaced. I have heard that traffic law can be very complicated and I want to make sure that I know and enforce all my rights in this case.
Therefore, my questions are: Do I always need to involve a lawyer in the event of an accident to protect my interests? Are there specific cases where the help of a lawyer is particularly important? What steps should I take next to ensure that my claims are made?
Thank you in advance for your support and advice.
Sincerely,
Emilia Völker
Dear Mrs. Völker,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the traffic accident you recently experienced. It is understandable that you are concerned and want to ensure that your rights are protected in this case. In response to your questions regarding hiring a lawyer and the next steps, I would like to provide you with detailed answers.
First of all, it is important to know that in Germany it is not mandatory to hire a lawyer in the event of a traffic accident. Many cases can be resolved without legal assistance, especially if it is a simple property damage case and liability is clear. In your case, where the other party immediately exchanged insurance information with you and was cooperative, it may be that the matter can be resolved relatively simply.
However, in some cases it may be advisable to consult a lawyer to represent your interests to the best of their ability. This is particularly important if the question of liability is unclear, if there were injuries, or if the other party's insurance is having difficulties settling the claim. A lawyer can help you enforce your rights and ensure that you are treated fairly.
Regarding the next steps, I recommend that you first report the accident to your own insurance company. You should also document the damage to your car by taking photos and obtaining cost estimates. It is important to gather all relevant information to support your claim. Additionally, you should report the accident to the police if the damage exceeds a certain amount or if there were injuries.
If you are unsure whether you should hire a lawyer, you can also seek an initial consultation to discuss your situation and get an assessment. In any case, it is important that you educate yourself about your rights and be prepared to enforce them if necessary.
I hope that this information has been helpful to you. If you have any further questions or need legal assistance, I am happy to help.
Best regards,
Ben Bergmann
Traffic law attorney
