Hawk Law Group | February 17, 2025 | Car Accidents
When you’re involved in a minor car accident, you might wonder if hiring a lawyer is necessary.
After all, many insurance claims are settled without legal representation. But here’s the reality: Even so-called “minor” car accidents can lead to unexpected medical bills, insurance disputes, and long-term complications.
If you’re unsure whether you need legal help, this guide will break down when it makes sense to hire a lawyer—and why doing so could protect your rights and financial future.
You can also take our Quiz below for a personalized result…
What Is a Minor Car Accident?
South Carolina law doesn’t define “minor” accidents specifically.
Instead, it classifies crashes into four categories:
- Property Damage-Only (PDO) – No injuries, just vehicle or property damage.
- Other Injury – Someone reports pain or has visible injuries but doesn’t need an ambulance.
- Serious Injury – Injuries require emergency medical transportation.
- Fatal – The accident results in loss of life.
If your accident falls under the “property damage-only” or “other injury” category, you might think hiring a lawyer isn’t necessary. But even these cases can become complicated if:
- The other driver disputes fault.
- You later discover hidden injuries.
- The insurance company delays or denies your claim.
In these situations, having legal representation can make a significant difference in getting the compensation you deserve.
What a lawyer can do to help you will depend on what you mean by “minor.” If you suffered any injuries at all, you should consider hiring a lawyer. If your crash was a PDO collision, you might also need a lawyer, depending on the value of your property.
When You Should Consider Hiring a Lawyer After an Injury Accident
You should always consider hiring a lawyer after an injury accident. Without compensation from the at-fault driver, you will need to bear the expenses associated with your injuries. This could include your medical bills and the income you lost while recovering.
If you do not pursue and win compensation, you could end up with an unfair result in which you, the accident victim, are left to pay for the damages from the accident. Meanwhile, the at-fault driver gets away without paying anything, including increased insurance premiums, for causing the accident.
Bear in mind that minor injuries can mask serious injuries. Pain from a bruised knee might conceal torn ligaments or cartilage in your knee. Once your bruised knee heals, you may need to deal with a more serious knee injury.
Minor injuries can also worsen with time. Concussions often have symptoms that appear days or even weeks after the initial injury. Concussion symptoms appear as the brain begins to become inflamed and swollen.
This process takes time. Your headache after a car accident could turn out to be a debilitating concussion as your symptoms increase in frequency and severity when your brain swells.
There are some specific situations where winning compensation becomes essential, including:
You Lack Health Insurance
Medical care is expensive, even when your injuries are relatively minor. An emergency room visit for stitches and X-rays will probably cost you a few thousand dollars.
Medical providers in Aiken County have two options for treating you after a minor car accident.
In most cases, you can use your health insurance to get medical treatment, therapy, and medication. You can then pursue a compensation claim to reimburse you for all of the out-of-pocket expenses you face, including copays and deductibles.
Alternatively, the medical providers can take a lien on your injury claim. This means that the medical providers agree to wait until your claim gets settled before receiving payment from your settlement.
Medical liens help accident victims without savings or health insurance to get necessary medical treatment. If you have no health insurance, medical liens might provide the only path to getting the treatment you need. But to get a medical lien, you usually need an injury lawyer to provide documentation of your case.
Your Claim Is Taking Too Long
After you file an injury claim for your minor injuries, the insurer will assign a claims adjuster to it. The adjuster reviews the proof of loss documents you submit with the claim. The adjuster decides whether to accept or deny your claim. If the insurer accepts your claim, you will negotiate with the insurer for a fair settlement.
Adjusters must take good-faith steps to reach a “prompt, fair, and equitable settlement” of your claim. But these words have different meanings to claimants and insurers. If the insurer has dragged out the negotiations, you should consider calling a lawyer.
Insurers tend to avoid playing games with lawyers. They know that a lawyer can prepare and file a lawsuit quickly if the negotiations are bogged down. They also know that a lawyer has the background to tell when the insurer has acted in bad faith. This could expose the insurer to a lawsuit for breaking South Carolina’s Unfair Claim Settlement Practices Act.
The Insurer Denied Your Claim
If you receive a claim denial, you should call a lawyer. Oftentimes, a lawyer can overcome a claim denial by submitting additional documents.
Thus, if the insurer denies the claim because you received unnecessary treatment, the lawyer can submit a letter from your doctor explaining the necessity of the treatment.
You Suffered Mental or Emotional Injuries
Car accidents don’t just cause physical injuries—they can also take a serious emotional toll. If you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or struggling with depression, you’re not alone. Many people experience PTSD, sleep issues, or a fear of driving after a crash.
The law recognizes mental and emotional injuries as real and compensable. If your accident led to anxiety, depression, or PTSD, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Proving emotional distress can be challenging. Unlike physical injuries, it often requires medical records, therapy notes, or expert testimony. Our skilled lawyers can help document your case and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Picking a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident Case
A free consultation is your chance to interview the lawyer—not just the other way around. You want someone who will fight for your best interests, not just push for a quick settlement.
To find the right fit, ask:
- What experience do you have with cases like mine? A lawyer who regularly handles car accident claims will know how to deal with insurance companies and maximize your compensation.
- How do you approach settlements versus trials? Some firms focus on fast payouts, while others are ready to go to court if needed.
- What are your fees? Most personal injury lawyers work on contingency—you only pay if they win.
- How will we communicate? Will you get regular updates, or will you be left in the dark?
Even if your accident seems minor, a quick conversation can prevent costly mistakes. The right lawyer will make sure you understand your options—and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Contact the Car Accident Lawyers In the Central Savannah River Area at Hawk Law Group for Legal Assistance Today
Even for a minor accident, our personal injury lawyers can:
Investigate the accident and collect crucial evidence. Handle all communication with insurance companies. Ensure you receive full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Negotiate a fair settlement—or take your case to court if needed.
For more information, please contact the car accident lawyers at Hawk Law Group at our nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve throughout the Central Savannah River Area and its surrounding areas:
Hawk Law Group – Augusta, GA
338 Telfair St, Augusta, GA 30901, United States
(706) 722-3500
Hawk Law Group – Evans, GA
4384 River Watch Pkwy, Evans, GA 30809, United States
(706) 863-6500
Hawk Law Group – Thomson, GA
146 Railroad St A, Thomson, GA 30824, United States
(706) 361-0350
Hawk Law Group – Waynesboro, GA
827 Liberty St, Waynesboro, GA 30830, United States
(706) 437-9122
Hawk Law Group – Aiken County, SC
156 Laurens St NW, Aiken, SC 29801, United States
(803) 226-9089
We also serve in Edgefield County, SC.