If you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by someone else, you could be entitled to compensation. California is an at-fault state for car accidents. This means that the at-fault party is responsible for all damages caused by the accident. Contact Pines Salomon Injury Lawyers at (858) 551-2090 today. Your first consultation is free.
That said, getting the responsible party’s insurance company to pay the full amount of claims can be difficult. This is why it’s a good idea to consult with an experienced car accident lawyer after your accident – whether it’s a minor crash or a serious accident.
Below are attorneys’ answers to when you need to consult with a car accident lawyer and some situations where it’s particularly vital to have a lawyer fighting for you.
Hiring a car accident lawyer helps ensure that the responsible party is held accountable. An experienced accident lawyer will handle all logistics, ensure you get the best result possible, and help you get your life back on track after an accident.
Insurance Companies Have a Team Fighting for Them
After an accident, it’s important to understand that insurance companies are not on your side. Insurance companies want to minimize claims. They have a team of lawyers and adjusters to help them do that.
To minimize payments, insurance companies will attempt to shift blame and minimize damages. They’ll also push injured parties into accepting a low settlement. In some cases, insurance companies engage in bad faith practices to reduce payouts.
Accident victims need someone fighting for them. An experienced personal injury lawyer is used to these tactics and will fight hard to defend victims against them.
A good car accident lawyer will:
- Know the value of your case and keep you from accepting a low settlement
- Defend you against claims of fault
- Negotiate to get a fair settlement
- Be willing to file a lawsuit and represent you in court to get the compensation you deserve
Insurance companies have a team of professionals representing them. Accident victims need someone fighting for them too.
How an Accident Lawyer Helps After a California Car Wreck
If another party caused your accident, they are usually responsible for all of your damages. Most California car accidents are resolved through a settlement. However, even when a case is settled, working with a car accident lawyer helps to maximize your compensation.
An accident lawyer will:
- Investigate your accident to determine who was at fault
- Gather evidence to prove who was responsible
- Calculate your damages and collect documentation to support your damages claim
- File a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company
- Negotiate to ensure a fair settlement
- Advise you about the value of your case and the pros and cons of accepting a settlement offer
- If necessary, file a lawsuit and represent you in court
Experienced car accident attorneys know how to deal with insurance companies and get the best result possible for clients. Contact a law office today to schedule a free consultation.
Common Types of Accidents Personal Injury Lawyers Handle
Personal injury lawyers handle all types of car accidents. While a personal injury lawyer can add value in all types of car accidents, there are some crashes where victims must have legal representation.
Truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, or motorcycle accidents are more complex and usually involve serious injuries. As a result, these are cases where car accident lawyers are essential.
Other types of accidents requiring a personal injury lawyer are:
- Accidents with serious or long-term injuries. Crashes with serious injuries – for example, spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries – result in higher economic damages. In addition, many of these cases involve long-term effects, which make calculating damages complex. Injured parties only have one opportunity to get compensation from the responsible party. A personal injury lawyer can help calculate current and future damages and ensure you get the compensation you need.
- Accidents involving multiple vehicles. Accidents involving multiple parties are complicated. A personal injury lawyer will ensure that your rights are represented and the at-fault party is held accountable.
- Crashes where the injured party is being blamed. Insurance companies are notorious for blaming accident victims. If the insurance company attempts to blame you for the accident, contact a personal injury lawyer immediately.
Regardless of how your car crash occurred, a skilled car accident lawyer can help you throughout the claims process.
Should I Consult With a Lawyer After a Minor Accident?
One question we get a lot is, do I need a lawyer after a minor accident? We advise accident victims to consult with a car accident lawyer after all car accidents.
Personal injury lawyers offer free consultations. There is no obligation to hire an attorney after an initial consultation.
This means it won’t cost you anything to meet with a lawyer. During this consultation, you’ll have an opportunity to discuss your case. Next, the lawyer will ask questions about your accident and discuss your rights.
The lawyer will let you know if an attorney isn’t necessary in your case. If this is the case, the only thing you’ve lost is a little bit of time. However, in these situations, the attorney generally provides tips and advice for handling the case on your own. This is valuable and free advice that can help you maximize your claim.
If, after the consultation, the attorney believes that legal counsel will help in your case, you still won’t have to pay anything. Personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. Your attorney only gets paid if you do.
You and your lawyer will agree on a contingency fee rate – usually between 25% and 40%. If you receive a settlement or jury verdict, that percentage of the fee will go to attorney fees. This means you don’t pay for an attorney out of pocket. It also means that your attorney is invested in your case and maximizing your settlement.
Contact a San Diego Car Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been in a car crash, schedule a free consultation today with an experienced San Diego Car Accident attorney at Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers. We will evaluate your case and give you a personalized plan for getting the best result possible.