# Why You Need a Lawyer Even for a Minor Car Accident: Crucial Insights If you look at car accident records, you will realize that most fatal collisions usually occur in high-speed areas in San Diego. Many accidents can also be linked to phone use. It does not mean that you cannot experience a crash elsewhere; these risks are always present. Even minor mishaps can lead to complications. Generally, people avoid talking to an attorney, especially if they suffer minor injuries. It is a mistake because you may be overlooking the possibility of lost wages, expensive medical bills, and other damages. What seems like a mild headache or a neck strain could develop into a serious medical situation days or weeks later. You may not immediately feel the effects due to an adrenaline rush. Hence, consult a [San Diego car accident lawyer](https://hhjtrialattorneys.com/san-diego-car-accident-lawyer/) before ignoring this fender bender, as it may prove costly for you. Otherwise, you leave yourself open to many unwanted scenarios. ## Risks of overlooking minor car accidents Let's start with the injuries first. Whiplash or any other injury affecting soft tissues usually manifests its symptoms one to three days after the accident. If you don't report the accident and your injuries within that time, you increase your chances of losing your compensation claim. People tend to ignore such injuries because they don't appear fully immediately. These injuries can involve the spinal cord, shoulder/ knee, brain, internal organs, and more. Without seeking timely medical treatment and filing an accident report, you cannot pursue legal representation for a fair insurance settlement. Then, the longer you wait, the more critical evidence you may lose. Witnesses may not remember exactly what happened at a specific time, surveillance footage may become unavailable, and skid marks could disappear. If you have an attorney, they will gather all relevant evidence: police reports, witness testimonies, photos of the accident site, vehicle damage reports, medical treatment records, traffic footage, and more. Otherwise, you give the insurance company the upper hand in this situation. They may sound friendly, but their primary focus is on minimizing their financial liability. In this effort, they may adopt various strategies — for example, asking for repeated testimonies, delaying claim processing, questioning your injuries, or trying to convince you that you don't need a lawyer. Once you fall into their trap, you may lose your chance to obtain compensation due to missed deadlines or incomplete information submissions. Hence, it's essential to follow the correct procedure from the start, even if it seems to be a minor crash. ## Process to follow after a minor car accident You should park your vehicle safely and switch on the hazard lights. Check yourself and others with you for injuries. If you notice fluid leakage in the car or an injury, contact emergency services. Record everything from the driver's license number to the plate number. Note down the insurance company's details. Make a quick note of the weather, road conditions, timing, location, and other relevant information about the accident. Typically, you don't wait for the police to arrive at the accident scene if there is minor damage or no injury. However, filing an accident report online or at a local station is always safe. Go for a medical checkup and consult a lawyer. Once you get in touch with an attorney, you can simply relax. You merely need to provide them with the necessary details, and they will manage the rest. For an idea, you can go to [hhjtrialattorneys.com](https://hhjtrialattorneys.com/).