In Biloxi, the last thing you should be thinking about is how quickly you can hire a car accident attorney. Home of delicious Gulf Coast food, beautiful sandy beaches, and rich history, Biloxi is a popular destination for tourists.
Unfortunately, mix in a little bit of tropical weather or too many martinis at the beachside resort and you might have a car accident waiting to happen. The narrow, sandy roads that are familiar to Biloxi natives might be hazardous for tourists who are new to the area, and one ill-timed swerve can send both drivers tumbling into a ditch on the side of the road.
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In this article, you will find the answers to all of the legal questions that come after a car accident, such as when you should hire a car accident lawyer in Biloxi, as well as how long you can expect your suit to take, and how long you have to hire a lawyer after the incident.

When Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Biloxi, MS?

After a car accident, weeks can go by in the blink of an eye. It can be easy to lose track of time, especially if you have been hospitalized by injuries caused by the negligence of another driver.
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You deserve to make a speedy recovery, but that can be difficult when you are faced with thousands of dollars of medical debt. Fortunately, you are entitled to compensation for your losses after an accident, but the insurance company will try to pay out as little as possible.

Forget the legal battlefield. You should be focusing on recovering so you can get back to living your best life in Biloxi. If you want to start making a speedy recovery, it is highly recommended that you book a consultation with a lawyer as soon as possible. (1) The less of a head start the insurance company has to build an argument for the at-fault driver, the easier your case will be to prove.

“Because you may need to pay for medical bills and/or cover lost wages, the sooner you contact an attorney the better.”

• Find Law

​Hiring a lawyer as soon as possible will also help you gather more evidence as they can visit the scene of the crash, speak with the police officer who made the report, and get to work requesting evidence from medical offices to show that your injuries are the result of the car accident and not a pre-existing injury.

How Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help?

As you might expect, a car accident lawyer can help you by helping you file the necessary paperwork and provide legal counsel after a severe car accident. A competent personal injury lawyer can also help you in other ways that might surprise you:
 
Conduct Negotiations with the Insurer
Nobody likes dealing with the insurance company and their sometimes-abusive tactics to try to convince you to take the first settlement offer. Fortunately, your lawyer is skilled in the art of negotiations and comes with their own legal power.
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Your lawyer will open a line of communication with the insurance company and conduct negotiations directly with the insurance adjuster, so you do not have to sit through any more tense conversations. While the insurance adjuster holds the insurance company’s wallet, they have their lawyers on staff who are always looking for ways to lower the amount they have to pay you. Your lawyer will be able to spot these tactics and continue building a case in your defense and will bring the case to court should they need to.

Your lawyer will also get in touch with any other insurance providers that have been involved in the accident, such as your health insurance provider if you have used their services to help you pay for any up-front costs after the accident.

These insurance providers will place a lien on the case, as they have a right to be paid back out of the settlement, but your lawyer can help negotiate these liens down and help put more money into your pocket.  
 
Request Paperwork and Other Evidence
If you have ever handled a car accident case on your own, you know that medical offices and private insurance agencies are not the fastest at providing the information you need for a case, if the request goes through at all. (2)
When you hire a personal injury lawyer to handle your case, you can rest assured knowing they will handle all requests for documentation and other pieces of evidence required in your case. Not only is it their job to follow up on these agencies, but the additional legal power will help expedite any requests.  

“Any lawyer’s secretary or paralegal will tell you that they often have to request the same records more than once and that they have to follow up endlessly with the provider’s office.”

• Nolo

​Getting the cooperation of medical staff, insurance providers, and other parties involved in the accident is a skill that all lawyers must develop, especially in personal injury law. That is why the Wetzel Law Firm is considered the top choice for residents in Biloxi, MS.

What Lawyer Do I Need to Hire in a Car Accident?

If you were injured in a car accident, then you will need to hire a personal injury lawyer who is experienced in handling car accident cases. Car accidents require very specific knowledge of how insurance handles injuries and settlements, which means your lawyer must specialize in this area of law.

General practice lawyers who handle everything from divorce cases to wills and criminal law will not be the best fit, even if their rates are lower. By working with a lawyer who does not specialize in this type of law and may not have experience with previous clients injured in car accidents, you open your case up to several mistakes.
A general practice lawyer may not know about the intricacies in how certain notices must be filed with insurance companies, and they will not be focused on getting you the maximum settlement over getting a reasonable settlement faster.
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If you were at fault in an accident with a drunk driver or caused severe injuries or fatalities in the accident, then you may need additional assistance from a criminal lawyer. A criminal lawyer will be able to guide you through the proceedings and provide legal advice regarding any fines or jail time imposed over the accident. 

How Long After a Car Crash Can You File a Claim?

The length of time you have to file a claim against another driver’s insurance policy is regulated on a state basis. Most states across the nation have a two-year window where claims and lawsuits may be filed, but what about right in the heart of Biloxi?

In the state of Mississippi, you may file a claim for personal injury or property damage within three years from the date of the accident. This is the same statute of limitations that governs how long either party can file a suit against the other.

After the three-year mark on the date of the accident, both parties are barred from taking further legal action over the accident. There is no limit to when you may hire a lawyer for legal advice and counsel, however.
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When filing a claim, you should consider any long-term costs associated with the injuries from the accident, such as lost wages due to a new disability, or lifetime medication costs. Once you accepted the settlement from the insurance company, you will be required to sign a release form which removes them from any further liability, preventing you from being able to file a second claim over the same accident. 

How Long Does a Car Accident Lawsuit Take?

According to Mississippi state laws, either driver may file a lawsuit against the other driver within three years after the date of the accident. Even if the other driver is at fault, they may still sue you for damages, however, the amount they recover will be diminished according to the percentage they are considered at fault.

This also applies to the victims of a car accident, which is why you mustn't accept any blame when speaking to the insurance company, as they will use it to lower the settlement amount. Considering there is no average car crash, even circumstances around how old each vehicle is and how many people were involved in the accident can change the duration of a case.

The goal in any trial is to reach a jury verdict in the victim’s favor. This can be difficult to determine in some cases, especially if both drivers are considered equally at fault for the accident. 
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Most cases range from a few weeks to settle, to a few years. Depending on the case details, the defendant can choose to draw out the trial by presenting new evidence and refusing new offers, even in small case trials. A good lawyer will be able to find holes in the defense’s arguments and present counterarguments that strengthen your case. 

Do I Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident?

​If you were involved in a car accident that resulted in moderate to severe injuries or death, you will need an attorney on your side to help you navigate the confusing mass of calls and investigative paperwork. (3) Other times, especially if the car accident was minor or there were no injuries inflicted on anyone involved in the crash, you do no need a lawyer to help you, even if you are making an insurance claim.

“There are definitely situations where you'd want an attorney to be involved, but there are also times when obtaining counsel is simply overkill.”

• Enjuris

​If personal injuries or fatalities are involved in a case, insurance companies will try to place as much blame on you they can. Many insurance companies do this by making their case as complex as possible, so you feel confused about the details and accept partial blame for the accident. If you accept partial blame for the accident, the insurance company is not liable to pay the full amount in the settlement sum. 

Should I Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident in Biloxi That Was Not My Fault?

If you were involved in a car accident that was not your fault, that makes you the victim. As the victim, you are entitled to a settlement to compensate for your pain and suffering in an accident. This is a legal term defined as any costs related to a physical injury, lost wages, and any emotional or mental trauma endured because of the accident.
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The insurance company will try to settle your claim as fast as possible, but they will not give you the maximum amount owed to you, especially if they have reason to believe that you were partially to blame for the accident. If you want to get the maximum amount owed to you in your settlement, it is best to hire a personal injury attorney who is experienced in car accident cases.

While hiring a lawyer is not required, it is highly recommended to get the maximum settlement, or if you plan to take the case to trial.

It is important to note that a personal injury lawyer can take your case to trial if you choose to file a suit, which is common in severe crashes that meet the insurance company’s policy maximum. 

Should I Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident in Biloxi That Was My Fault?

If you were at fault in a car accident that resulted in injuries or death, you will need a lawyer on your side to help you through the legal process.

If you wish to make a claim against the other driver’s insurance, a personal injury lawyer can help take your case to court, otherwise, you may also need the assistance of a criminal defense lawyer if you are taken to court by the other driver.
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You may also need a lawyer if you believe that you are not at fault for the accident, but the insurance company is pinning you for liability, or if there are details in the police report that indicate the other driver’s negligence.  
If you aren’t sure which lawyer you need, consider booking a consultation with a personal injury lawyer, as they will be most familiar with the laws surrounding car accidents, and can give you advice based on your specific situation.

How Much is An Attorney for a Car Accident?

A good personal injury attorney will not charge you upfront if you are the victim of a car accident. Most lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means the lawyer will not get paid until you see your settlement from the insurance company. Only then does the lawyer get paid from a percentage of the settlement sum.

The percentage the car accident attorney receives is dependent on the complexity of the case, how long the negotiations took, and whether the case had to go to trial or not. The severity of the crash may also play role in how much the lawyer asks for, because the more severe the crash, the higher profile it is with the local media, so your lawyer will also have to reject requests for more information from journalists and negotiate for more privacy on your behalf.
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Mississippi law does limit the amount a lawyer can take from any case settlement to no more than 50%, however, since a two-times multiplier is the minimum applied to your costs in many settlements.

Talk to the Top-Rated Biloxi Car Accident Lawyers Today

Have you been injured in a car accident? You are entitled to financial compensation for your pain and suffering, which includes medical costs, lost wages, and any emotional or mental trauma endured as a result of the accident.
Why worry about the negotiating with the insurance company when you could be focusing on the road to recovery?

At Wetzel Law Firm, you can rest assured knowing your case is in good hands. The Wetzel’s have been serving the Biloxi and Gulfport area for over 35 years, exclusively handling personal injury cases. With a success rate of 95% or greater, there is no wonder why many Gulf Coast residents choose this firm to represent their case.
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Born and raised on the Gulf Coast, the Wetzel’s truly care about the community and aim to provide the best service in Mississippi. Book your consultation with Mr. Wetzel today and receive a free case evaluation for any accidents within Biloxi or the surrounding area.

 
References:

1. Find Law
   https://injury.findlaw.com/car-accidents/hire-a-car-accident-lawyer.html
2. Nolo
   https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/how-attorney-can-help-with-your-car-accident-claim.html
3. Enjuris
   https://www.enjuris.com/personal-injury-law/attorney-not-needed-after-accident.html