If you are not actually sued by the other party or by an insurer seeking reimbursement of what it's paid out for the accident, you don't need an attorney--it does not matter what the potential damages are unless and until someone brings a legal action to try to collect from you.At whatever time you sued, you would clearly need an attorney. If you have already by then exceed your policy limits, your insurer will not pay for or provide the lawyer--you'll need to get your own attorney. You could hire the lawyer in advance, but then you will also start paying him or her in advance.