Should I Hire a Lawyer After a Minor Car Accident?

• July 29 2025
• |   Car Accidents

Most people believe a minor car accident can be resolved simply by filing an insurance claim. The idea of hiring an attorney often seems like an unnecessary step for what appears to be a straightforward situation.

However, the reality can be far more complex. Issues that are not immediately apparent, such as delayed injuries or disputes with an insurance provider, can transform a minor incident into a significant financial and medical challenge. This raises a critical question: Should you hire a lawyer after a minor car accident?

The Deceptive Nature of “Minor” Accidents

The biggest mistake people make after a seemingly small car wreck is underestimating its potential consequences. The label “minor” can be dangerously misleading for several reasons.

1. The Onset of Delayed Injuries

The adrenaline that floods your system during and after an accident is a powerful painkiller. It can mask serious injuries for hours, days, or even weeks. You might walk away from the scene feeling a little stiff or sore, only to wake up a week later with debilitating pain.

Common delayed-onset injuries include:

• Whiplash and Soft-Tissue Injuries: The rapid back-and-forth motion of the neck, even at low speeds, can cause significant damage to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in your neck and upper back. These injuries often have no immediate visible signs but can lead to chronic pain, headaches, and limited mobility.
• Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): You don’t have to hit your head to suffer a concussion. The force of the impact alone can cause your brain to jolt inside your skull, leading to symptoms like dizziness, confusion, memory problems, and sensitivity to light.
• Back Injuries: A herniated disc or other spinal injuries can result from the twisting motion of an impact. What feels like a dull ache initially can worsen over time, potentially requiring extensive treatment or surgery.

By accepting a quick settlement from an insurance company before you know the full extent of your injuries, you risk being left with a mountain of medical bills for treatment the insurer will no longer cover.

2. Hidden Vehicle Damage

Just as your body can have hidden injuries, your vehicle can have hidden damage. A dented bumper or a cracked taillight might be the only visible problems, but beneath the surface, there could be more serious issues. A modern car is a complex machine with integrated sensors, cameras, and structural components designed to crumple in specific ways to protect you.

A seemingly minor impact could cause:

• Frame or unibody damage
• Alignment issues
• Damage to electronic safety systems
• Cracked engine or transmission mounts

A quick estimate from the insurance company’s preferred body shop may not catch these problems, leaving you with a vehicle that is unsafe to drive or has a significantly diminished value.

The Insurance Process: A Path Fraught with Pitfalls

After an accident, you will likely have to deal with an insurance adjuster. It is crucial to remember who they work for. Whether it’s the other driver’s insurer or, in some cases, your own, the adjuster’s primary responsibility is to protect their company’s financial interests. Their goal is to resolve the matter for the lowest possible cost.

Even in a “minor” accident, you may encounter tactics designed to minimize what the insurance company has to pay:

• The Quick, Lowball Offer: An adjuster may call you within a day or two of the accident, sounding friendly and concerned. They might offer a check for a few thousand dollars to “take care of everything.” This is often a calculated strategy to get you to settle before you’ve seen a doctor, received a full diagnosis, or obtained a thorough estimate for your car repairs. Once you accept, you forfeit your right to seek further compensation.
• The Request for a Recorded Statement: An adjuster will almost always ask for a recorded statement about the accident. While this sounds like a standard procedure, it is a tool used to find inconsistencies in your story or to get you to say something that could be used to downplay your injuries or assign partial fault to you. An innocent comment like, “I’m feeling okay,” can be twisted to mean you weren’t injured at all.
• Downplaying Your Injuries: You may be told that your injuries couldn’t possibly have come from such a low-speed impact. The adjuster is not a medical professional, and they have a vested interest in questioning the severity of your condition.
• Disputing Fault: The other driver may have been apologetic at the scene, but when they speak to their insurance company, their story might change. If fault becomes disputed, the insurance company has a reason to deny your right to a fair settlement or delay the process indefinitely.

When Does a Minor Incident Warrant a Car Accident Lawyer?

So, when should you make the call? While every situation is unique, there are clear signs that you need to speak with an experienced attorney. Consider a consultation if any of the following are true:

• Any Injury is Involved: If you or any of your passengers experienced any pain or discomfort, no matter how minor it seems, it is wise to seek legal advice. A lawyer can help you understand the importance of getting a full medical evaluation and ensure you don’t settle before the true cost of your recovery is known.
• Fault is Disputed: If the other driver is blaming you for the accident, or if their insurance company is refusing to accept liability, an attorney can help investigate the crash and gather the evidence needed to establish the truth.
• The Settlement Offer Seems Too Low: If the offer you receive doesn’t fully cover your medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle repair costs, don’t accept it. An attorney can assess the true value of your losses and negotiate with the insurer for a fair amount.
• You Feel Pressured or Confused: The insurance process can be intimidating. If you feel that the adjuster is pressuring you, rushing you into a decision, or using confusing language, a lawyer can act as your advocate and shield you from these tactics.
• Your Own Insurance Company is Giving You Trouble: Sometimes, the fight isn’t with the other driver’s insurer but with your own. If you need to use your Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage or MedPay benefits and your own provider is delaying, denying, or underpaying, you may be facing an issue of insurance bad faith. This is a serious matter where having a knowledgeable legal professional on your side is essential.

Seeking a legal consultation isn’t about being litigious; it’s about being prudent. It’s an opportunity to have a professional review the facts of your case, explain your rights under Nevada law, and give you an honest assessment of your options. Most reputable law firms offer free initial consultations, so there is no financial risk in learning more about how to protect yourself.

Leverty & Associates Law: Your Advocate in a Difficult Time

What begins as a minor car accident can quickly spiral into a frustrating battle with a powerful insurance company. The Reno car accident lawyers at Leverty & Associates Law understand the immense stress you’re under. Our compassionate team is here to help you navigate these challenges.

While many law firms handle personal injury cases, our deep and extensive proficiency in insurance law is the bedrock of our practice. We know the unfair techniques insurers often use to protect their profits, and we are dedicated to counteracting them. Our focus on how insurance companies operate and their obligations to you under Nevada law gives our clients a distinct advantage. We don’t just see a car accident; we see the complex insurance issues that will determine your ability to recover physically and financially.

With offices in Reno and Las Vegas, our team of dedicated attorneys brings more than 100 years of combined experience to your corner. We have helped clients recover more than $150 million, and we approach every case with the commitment and attention to detail it deserves. If you’ve been in a car accident and feel that an insurance company is treating you unfairly, we are here to help.

Contact Leverty & Associates Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Call us in the Reno area at (775) 322-6636 to let our family help yours.