Injured In A Car Accident? Learn How A Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
Being involved in a car accident can have a devastating impact on your life, affecting your financial, physical, and emotional well-being. It can be overwhelming to navigate the legalities of a car accident while nursing injuries or building up your confidence to drive again — and that’s where a car accident lawyer makes a powerful difference.
Unfortunately, car accidents happen daily. Rather than avoid going out and living in fear, it’s best to be empowered by knowledge about what to do in the aftermath of a car accident. The first step to navigating car accident-related injuries is to learn what to do and how a car accident lawyer can help with fair compensation.
The Reality Of Car Accidents In California
Road accidents have been described as a preventable epidemic around the world, causing up to 50 million injuries globally each year (and claiming more than one million lives).
An estimated 250,000 injury-causing accidents occur in California alone, but how many of these victims know what to do in the overwhelming moment?
What To Do In A Car Accident
Being involved in a car accident is a jarring experience, made even more stressful when you are injured. However, knowing the steps to take can impact your safety, legal standing, and recovery process.
Whether you’re the driver at fault, a passenger, or another driver who happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, the steps are the same.
- Remain at the scene, especially if you are responsible for the accident. Pull your vehicle out of the roadway and activate your emergency lights if possible.
- Check for injuries and address them by administering first aid or seeking medical attention.
- Contact 911 to report the accident and get help for any injuries.
- Contact the police department to report the accident (and receive a police report).
- Exchange information with all involved in the accident, and make a note of license plate numbers and insurance details.
- Document the scene by taking photographs of any damage and visible injuries.
- File your police report, and be careful not to admit or place blame.
- Follow up on medical care at the hospital or a specialized clinic.
- Notify your insurance company of the accident and provide all necessary information and documentation.
- Consult an attorney experienced in car accidents.
If you’re seriously injured in a car accident, it is important to seek immediate medical attention and get someone you trust to assist with other administrative tasks, such as documenting the scene, exchanging information, and notifying your insurance company.
Consulting legal advice is especially important if there are significant injuries. You can focus on healing by trusting a professional to protect your rights, receive compensation, and navigate complex legal matters.
Benefits Of Hiring An Attorney
Managing the aftermath of a car accident is stressful enough without an injury. Dealing with medical repercussions adds to the pressure, and a car accident attorney can reduce this pressure while improving the chances of receiving fair compensation.
Consider the following benefits of hiring a car accident lawyer.
- Offering specialized knowledge of the law, including the statute of limitations on personal injury claims and comparative fault.
- Legal backing while dealing with insurance companies ensures you are offered fair compensation for pain, injuries, and emotional repercussions.
- Determining a fair and realistic compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, car repairs, and other expenses due to the accident.
- Proving liability in court by addressing fault and/or negligence.
- Ensuring that your claim is supported with sufficient evidence that connects your injuries to the accident. For example, cell phone photos, accident reports, witness statements, and medical records .
- Translating settlement options into basic terms, ensuring that you know and understand your choices to settle out of court, with guidance on whether to accept or reject the offer.
- Assistance in filing a court case if the negotiations don’t work out, and confidence to resist the pressure to drop the claim.
Having a legal expert on your side will ensure that you are not settling too soon by rushing the legal process, which is often marked by scare tactics to get claims withdrawn. Instead, an attorney will fight for you in your corner and ensure you are compensated for your injuries, lost wages, therapy, and other related losses.
Steps That An Attorney Will Take
Car accident attorneys relieve much pressure from the claims process by helping to prove fault, gather evidence, and offer their expertise. While you shift your focus to overcoming your injury, your trusted attorney will work through the following process.
Initial Consultation
The first meeting with the attorney ensures that they understand the specifics of the accident and how the injury has impacted you. The consultation will cover the options available while the lawyer assesses the viability of your case.
Conduct A Thorough Investigation
The attorney will collect and review all evidence from the car accident, such as photographs, witness statements, medical reports, and the police report. All documentation will be gathered and organized to support your claim.
Offer Legal Advice
Based on the evidence, the lawyer will determine the best legal option and provide expert advice on how to proceed. It is a great opportunity to ask about the legal process, your chance of success, and any risks involved.
Communicate With Other Parties
The attorney will alleviate the pressure and responsibility of liaising with other parties involved, such as the insurance company and other attorneys. This reduces the amount of stress and time spent on the process and protects you from making any incriminating statements that can be used against you.
Negotiate Your Case
An experienced attorney will have excellent negotiation skills to secure a fair settlement. If relevant, they will consider all the ways the accident has impacted you, from medical expenses and lost income to pain and suffering and physiotherapy.
Prepare For Litigation
While the goal is to avoid a trial, there are times when a settlement can’t be reached. In this instance, the attorney will prepare a lawsuit on your behalf and ensure it reaches the court. They will take over the responsibility of drafting legal documents, filing them with the court, and representing you during the court proceedings.
Determine Settlement Or Trial
As your legal representative, the attorney will work to achieve a favorable result, whether a settlement outside the court or a verdict based on litigation.
Ensure Compensation Is Distributed
After a settlement is reached or a court verdict is given, the attorney will continue to work to ensure that compensation is properly issued. The process involves paperwork and legal resolutions that are best left to the professionals.
Choose A Car Accident Lawyer Today
At Real Deal Attorneys, we are committed to connecting you with qualified legal counsel for your car accident claim. Our top-rated attorneys are experienced in Southern California law and dedicated to achieving optimal results. Call (424) 367-1271 to discover our network of skilled and reputable legal professionals today.