Free self-check
Do I need a lawyer for my car accident?
Answer ten yes/no questions. You'll get a plain-English indication of whether a consultation is worth it, and why.
1.Were you (or a passenger) taken to the hospital, or treated for more than a few weeks?
2.Do you have a fracture, head injury, surgery, or symptoms that haven't gone away?
3.Did someone die as a result of the crash?
4.Is the other side blaming you, or is fault unclear?
5.Was a government vehicle, employee or road defect involved?
6.Was a commercial truck, bus, or rideshare vehicle involved?
7.Was the other driver uninsured, underinsured, or unknown (hit-and-run)?
8.Has an insurer denied the claim, delayed for weeks, or made an offer that doesn't cover your bills?
9.Have you missed more than two weeks of work, or can't do your job the same way?
10.Is your state's filing deadline less than 6 months away?
0 of 10 answered
You may be able to handle this yourself
Minor, clearly documented claims (especially vehicle damage only) are often resolved directly with the insurer. Revisit this if anything changes.
Next: verify a lawyer's license · estimate fees · read the full guide. This checklist is general information, not legal advice.
By Serdar Arslan, editor · Last reviewed · How we research
What this self-check can't tell you
It can't value your claim or predict an outcome. It also can't see policy terms or local rules that might matter. For a fuller picture read do I need a lawyer? and how to choose and verify a lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
›Do I always need a lawyer after a car accident?
No. Minor crashes with clear fault and only vehicle damage are often settled directly with the insurer. Serious injuries, disputed fault, government defendants and commercial vehicles are where people most often benefit from legal help.
›How does this self-check work?
Each 'yes' answer adds weight based on how much that factor usually affects the size, complexity or urgency of a claim. The result is a general indication, not advice about your case.
›Do injury lawyers charge for a consultation?
Many offer free initial consultations and work on contingency, meaning their fee is a percentage of any recovery. Always get the fee agreement in writing.
›Is my answer sent anywhere?
No. The quiz runs in your browser and we don't collect your answers, contact details or anything else.
›How do I check that a lawyer is legitimate?
Search the lawyer's name in your state's official attorney license search, which also shows public discipline in most states. We link every state's search on our verify-a-lawyer page.