If you were involved in a car accident, you might wonder whether you need to hire a lawyer. While you might be able to handle your claim yourself if the collision was minor and you didn’t suffer any injuries, anything more will usually require the assistance of a trained attorney.
Insurance companies are skilled at minimizing the value of claims. Without the assistance of a lawyer who can protect your rights, you are vulnerable to being treated unfairly. personal
Read on to learn when you may need to hire an experienced car accident attorney.
How Do Car Accident Attorneys Help Crash Victims?
Before deciding whether you need a car accident lawyer, it’s important to understand how they can help.
Some of their responsibilities include:
- Investigating the accident and identifying all at-fault parties
- Gathering evidence that shows the other driver was at fault
- Compiling records to show the full extent of how the accident occurred
- Explaining your legal rights and options for financial recovery
- Handling claim paperwork and managing case deadlines
- Negotiating for top-dollar settlements
- Taking your case to trial if a reasonable settlement cannot be obtained
You can learn more about how an attorney can help if you contact us for a free case review.
Situations When You Might Need a Car Accident Attorney
While you are free to hire a car accident lawyer at any time, there are some times when it is especially important, including:
You Suffered Serious Injuries
If you suffered severe injuries in a collision, you should definitely consider hiring a car accident lawyer. The road ahead may be challenging. You may not know how to pay your bills while you are recovering.
Your lawyer will likely recommend waiting to resolve your case until you have reached maximum medical improvement. This is the point at which you have recovered as much as can be expected and when your lawyer can more accurately estimate the value of your claim.
Fault Is in Dispute
One of the most critical roles of a car accident attorney is to help determine fault for the crash. California is an at-fault state for car accidents, so the driver responsible for causing the collision is responsible for paying for the resulting damages. Without proving fault, you will be unable to recover any compensation. Worse, the other driver might try to blame you.
Another reason why it’s important to prove liability is that California uses pure comparative negligence to apportion fault to accident victims who share responsibility for a crash. This means that your award is reduced by your degree of fault. So, if you’re found to be 10% at fault for the accident, you lose 10% of the money you otherwise would have stood to gain.
You Are Permanently Disabled
Another time when you really need to consider hiring a lawyer is if the accident left you permanently disabled. An experienced car accident lawyer can help determine the amount of compensation you need to recover for your crash-related losses.
In the case of permanent disability, this might include:
- Past medical expenses, including surgery, hospitalization, and emergency transportation
- Costs of ongoing medical care, such as visits with your primary care physician and specialists
- Future anticipated medical expenses, including rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Lost wages
- A permanent reduction in your long-term earning capacity
- Daily pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional distress caused by the accident and your disability
Developing a claim of this nature may require extensive evidence, as well as hiring expert witnesses. A car accident lawyer will know how to build your claim.
Evidence Might Be Lost
Another reason why you might need a car accident attorney is if there is a risk that evidence might be lost.
For example, if you suspect the other driver was drunk, it’s essential that they be tested immediately after the accident while the intoxicating substances are still in their body.
Surveillance cameras may have captured the accident, but they can record over this footage if it is not quickly sought. You might want to obtain the other driver’s cell phone records before they get rid of them. A lawyer can take steps to preserve valuable evidence before it is lost or destroyed.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a California Car Accident Lawyer?
There are several benefits to hiring a car accident lawyer to help with your case, including:
They Are Knowledgeable of Relevant Laws
Unlike you, car accident lawyers work on crash claims every day. They know the laws that apply to the case and can use this knowledge to seek a fair resolution of your claim.
They can recommend the best way to obtain the most compensation available for your claim, whether that’s through an insurance settlement or a . They can also ensure you take any necessary legal action before the statute of limitations expires.
They Can Protect You Against Insurance Companies
Insurance companies use various tactics to minimize the value of claims or outright deny claims. This helps protect their profit margins. A car accident lawyer can protect you from these tactics and help level the playing field.
They Handle All the Work
If you’re already suffering from debilitating injuries, the last thing you need to worry about is doing everything necessary to prepare an insurance claim, such as:
- Gathering evidence of the other driver’s negligence
- Requesting, reviewing, and compiling medical records
- Preparing insurance claim forms
- Requesting accident reports, photos, and videos of the accident scene
- Interviewing witnesses
- Communicating with the insurance company
- Preparing demand letters
This takes time, energy, and resources that accident victims often do not have. A lawyer can handle all these tasks for you so you can concentrate on what’s important – your health.
They Can Negotiate a Settlement
The vast majority of car accident claims are resolved through an insurance settlement. Experienced car accident lawyers know how to properly evaluate claims and will argue for the highest amount of compensation available under the circumstances.
They can advise you when a settlement offer is too low and fight for more money that can help you move on with your life with confidence.
Contact Our Encino Car Accident Lawyers To Learn More About Our Legal Services
You can learn more about how an Encino car accident attorney can help by reaching out for a free, no-obligation case review. At JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers we are here to help you prove negligence and recover compensation for your injuries. Contact our office today at 818-907-3230 to schedule a free consultation.
