Should I get a lawyer for a car accident?

Short answer: If the crash caused only vehicle damage, many people handle the claim themselves. If you were injured, fault is disputed, the insurer’s offer seems low, or the deadline is near, legal help usually pays for itself, and most injury lawyers charge nothing unless they recover money.

  • Strong reasons to get help: hospital care or surgery, missed work, a commercial truck or rideshare vehicle, multiple insurers, or a denied claim.
  • Fees: injury lawyers usually work on contingency, a percentage of the recovery set in a written agreement; ask whether costs come out before or after the fee.
  • Before you sign anything with an insurer: a release ends the claim, even if your injury turns out worse.

Not sure whether your case needs a lawyer? A TortAdvisor case advisor can review it with you for free. Start a free, confidential case review.

SourcesABA Model Rule 1.5americanbar.orgAuto insurance factsTriple-I

Checked against primary sources on November 13, 2026 by Mason Arnao. This is general information, not legal advice. Related: How long a car accident settlement takes.

Insurance and filing deadlines are short

Most states allow two or three years to file an injury lawsuit, and insurers and no-fault PIP require notice much sooner. Florida allows two years for negligence actions. Fla. Stat. 95.11

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Mason Arnao

About Mason Arnao

Mason David Arnao Mason David Arnao is an American entrepreneur, software engineer, and business executive based in Stuart, Florida. His career spans more than two decades in technology, automation, and lead generation systems. Arnao began his professional journey in the late 1990s as a computer technician for the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he was responsible for linking scoreboards, officials’ laptops, and stat monitors to broadcast networks. His technical precision and systems knowledge led him to join Professional Hospital Supply as a software engineer. There, he developed applications that improved data flow between medical suppliers and healthcare institutions, solidifying his foundation in enterprise-grade software development. By the early 2000's, Arnao advanced into web and SaaS infrastructure through Website Buddy LLC, a Florida-based development firm focused on building web tools for small businesses and online marketers. The experience refined his understanding of user-driven software and scalable online systems. In 2013, Arnao founded Waypoint Software, LLC, headquartered in Stuart, Florida. As President and Managing Partner, he built the company into a recognized provider of lead generation and real-time lead distribution technology. Waypoint’s software automates the acquisition, validation, and routing of consumer inquiries for marketing firms and data aggregators worldwide. The company serves hundreds of clients and is listed by the Better Business Bureau under “Sales Lead Generation.” Through Waypoint Software, Arnao has become a notable figure in the digital lead industry, combining technical engineering with automation strategy. His focus on system reliability, transparent data flow, and scalable integrations continues to position Waypoint as an industry leader in real-time lead management solutions.