Res, I would hire that lawyer if you can stand the retainer.
Your pictures don't really show the car and its damage. But it doesn't look good I would also find someone to assess the car as it stands. For the judge.
What is all that stuff in the back seat.
I know how you feel because both my son and myself had similar incidents happen to us, on a much smaller level, I always felt regrets that I didn't take it to Small Claims Court.
$12,000 is a new car!