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Lawyers who handle car accidents assist injured clients in pursuing compensation from negligent drivers. Their services typically include gathering evidence and information about the accident, providing legal advice, and coordinating with the insurance company. The primary goal is to pursue compensation while clients recover from their injuries.
Car accidents can result in bruises, lacerations, broken bones, and other serious injuries. Some might require weeks or months of rehab. They could also lead to significant medical expenses. Some car crashes result in the loss of a loved one.
Your health should be your biggest priority after a collision. However, you may also want to consider seeking legal guidance from car accident attorneys. You will likely face financial hurdles due to injuries or property damage, such as medical bills, lost income, vehicle repairs, or replacement costs. Consulting a lawyer can help you learn if you can pursue compensation for these losses.
State and federal laws and programs promote safe driving. Drivers should know relevant laws and safe driving practices, from speeding to distractions. Despite that, crashes are common across California. In the latest reporting year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that 42,795 people died in collisions.
If drivers disobey the laws or drive recklessly, they could be held responsible for their actions. These consequences may include tickets, license suspensions, fees, and jail time. It will depend on the offense, harm inflicted, and prior record. Other times, they may have to compensate victims for their losses.
When the at-fault party is insured, their insurance policy could cover the incidental losses. It might pay for medical bills, property damage, and more. Things can get tricky if they do not have insurance. If injured victims would like some assistance with pursuing compensation from a negligent driver, regardless of whether they’re insured, uninsured, or underinsured, they could consider the possibility of filing a personal injury lawsuit with the help of California car accident lawyers.
How Can A Car Accident Lawyer Help?
Seeking compensation for your losses can be a complex endeavor. Traffic accident lawyers could offer information and legal assistance. If you wish to pursue a claim, you must prove who caused the accident and whether their negligence caused the crash and your losses. To do so, an attorney can help establish a sequence of events outlining all potential factors contributing to the collision. Another task is gathering evidence, such as police reports, repair receipts, and eyewitness statements.
Another significant role for personal injury lawyers is communicating with the insurance company. They are also in charge of communicating with you and other relevant parties. Typically, car accident cases are resolved through a settlement. Other times, it may be necessary to take a claim to court.
California car accident lawyers generally assist clients with the following:
- Investigating the crash.
- Identifying who contributed to the accident and to what degree.
- Showing the sequence of events up to the crash.
- Building a case based on facts.
- Directing strategies to pursue compensation.
- Communicating and negotiating with the insurance company lawyers.
- Providing representation in all legal matters, from negotiations to trial.
- Keeping clients abreast of the situation and addressing their concerns.
While this is a general list, every case is unique. Some are more complex than others, such as those involving commercial vehicles, rideshare companies, sanitation vehicles, or public transportation. You may have several liable parties responsible in these instances. Another complication can involve a government entity. Arash Law can help clarify any complexities with your claim. We could also discuss what to do to move forward in these instances.
Helps You Understand Your Rights
Car accident victims may not be familiar with the legal intricacies of personal injury claims. When an accident happens, you might thus wish to learn more about your rights. Car accident lawyers can help. As a victim, you may have the right to pursue compensation for injuries and other losses resulting from the accident. When you have legal assistance, you have someone who can help you understand the relevant laws that apply to your claim.
We could also help you legally protect yourself. By having a lawyer handle all case-related communications, for example, you could avoid accidentally admitting fault for your accident and potentially weakening your claim. Working with our car accident lawyers may help you understand your rights and how to protect your interests if you’re eligible to file a claim.
Offers Legal Guidance
Without the guidance of California car accident lawyers, you may encounter a range of advice from various sources, such as online information and advice from friends or colleagues, which can be confusing if they involve conflicting recommendations.
You can be left wondering what your next step is. To get clear guidance, consider speaking to a car accident lawyer with local experience. Our team here at Arash Law has assisted clients from across California and can explain how you may be able to pursue compensation given both state laws and other provisions that may apply in your city or county. We can identify specific factors in your case and help you decide on an approach to take, given your situation.
Negotiates For A Fair Settlement
Car accident lawyers also help clients with case preparation. In doing so, they aim to take an evidence-based approach to negotiating a settlement with relevant parties. Some ways a lawyer can help include:
- Investigating the details of the accident.
- Gathering relevant information, evidence, and proof of damages.
- Building and filing a claim with the insurance company.
- Negotiating for a settlement that considers the full extent of a client’s damages.
- Filing a lawsuit when necessary.
- Handling all pretrial processes.
- Representing clients in court.
Statute Of Limitations
All states have prescriptive periods or deadlines where you can file claims. They can vary depending on the case type and the parties involved. In California, for example, you generally have two years to file a lawsuit. However, some exceptions may apply. For example, when a car accident involves a government entity, you may find a shorter deadline, sometimes as little as six months, to file a claim.
The insurance company can have different deadlines for claims than the state. Usually, you’ll have to notify the insurance company of your crash sooner rather than later. Some insurers provide a specific timeframe, like 72 hours following a car accident. This information can often be found in your policy.
It could be challenging to keep track of deadlines for insurance and personal injury claims. That’s where Arash Law comes in. Our team of experienced car accident lawyers can discuss how the statute of limitations may apply to your case and help clarify when you need to report a crash to your insurer. If you have a case, we could also help you file a claim with those time limits in mind.
Losses Associated With Car Accidents
Since car accidents have varying outcomes, losses can vary as well. You may have a totaled vehicle or debilitating physical injuries. There is also the pain and suffering you may endure. Sometimes, mental anguish can involve anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
When pursuing compensation, car accident lawyers will review your circumstances. We can assess whether you can pursue compensation for some of the following:
- Loss of consortium.
- Repair and replacement of damaged property..
- Current and reasonably expected medical bills.
- Lost income due to time away from work.
- Reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous position.
- Emotional pain and anguish.
- Funeral and burial expenses if a loved one passes.
You can schedule a free case assessment with our attorneys at Arash Law to learn which losses may be available for your claim.
Reasons To Work With A Lawyer After A Car Accident
Our car accident lawyers may be able to alleviate some of your concerns, especially after an accident. If you have a valid claim, legal representation could help you navigate the complex process of seeking compensation for your losses.
Here are a few reasons to consider working with a car accident lawyer:
Legal Experience
Car accident lawyers have likely handled cases like yours in the past. They could leverage that knowledge and experience to analyze your case’s details and discuss the courses of action you could take. If you’re eligible to file a claim, legal advice can help you avoid making common mistakes that might hinder your pursuit of a settlement.
Settlement Negotiations
A car accident lawyer can assess your claim, identify your losses, and estimate their potential value. They can use these findings to help you review settlement offers. If you choose to counter them, we can negotiate with the insurance company to pursue compensation.
Additionally, we can handle all communications with the insurance company, so you don’t have to. Our involvement prevents injury victims from making mistakes that can hurt their case. Conversely, if settlement negotiations fail, we can study whether it would be feasible to take the matter to litigation. Doing so involves preparing your case for trial and representing you through the process. The goal is to seek a settlement that considers the extent of your injuries and losses.
Injuries Can Be Hidden
Another reason you may wish to work with car accident lawyers is that some injuries will appear days or weeks after the crash. Even if your injuries are not noticeable at the accident scene or in the following days, they could eventually develop symptoms that have long-term effects on your health.
Car accident lawyers could help in these scenarios. They often connect clients with medical professionals who can provide treatment after a crash. A medical assessment can help document injuries with delayed symptoms and leave a paper trail for your claim, which may help you seek compensation for medical treatments, expenses, and lost income. It could further help address disputes that stem from the fact that you didn’t seek immediate medical attention after an accident.
If a client requires further treatment for previously hidden injuries while pursuing compensation, our car accident lawyers could arrange for them to receive treatment via medical liens. Under this agreement, healthcare professionals essentially agree to get paid out of a settlement that may be awarded to a client. This could help them get treated without incurring further upfront costs.
Meeting Legal Deadlines
You may be inclined to wait to file a car accident claim, but this might not be ideal. Each state has a statute of limitations for filing car accident claims. Once this deadline passes, you may lose your right to seek compensation. Generally, the deadline is two years from the accident date, though some exceptions may apply to your case.
Alternatively, waiting too long can make it challenging to gather evidence, find witnesses, and negotiate a settlement. You can protect your rights by filing a claim soon after an accident. Our car accident lawyers can help clarify the deadlines that apply to your case and, if you have a valid claim, assist with filing the necessary documents on time.
Your Claim Was Denied
Sometimes, the insurance company may deny your initial claim. However, receiving a denial doesn’t necessarily mean that you are out of options. You may still be eligible to seek compensation.
Car accident claims may be denied due to a lack of evidence, disagreement over the value of the claim, or liability disputes, among others. Car accident lawyers can review your case and gather evidence and documentation that could potentially help counter a denial.
You Run Into Liability Disputes
Some car accidents are more complicated than others. For example, a crash may involve multiple potentially at-fault parties. In some instances, you yourself may have contributed to the crash. In these instances, disputes may arise regarding the proportion of liability shared by each party.
When you have a car accident lawyer, they can help investigate and present evidence regarding fault. They can also help you understand your potential right to pursue compensation, even if you are partially to blame for a crash. Our lawyers can review your evidence and find the cause of the accident. They could then show the evidence to the insurance company to negotiate a settlement. Sometimes, this process can require hiring accident reconstruction professionals.
Contingency Fee Agreements
Our car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. That means clients won’t be charged for the services of the attorneys unless they’re awarded a settlement or verdict. However, certain case-related expenses may still apply outside of this agreement.
Through contingency fees, our law firm aims to help clients access legal representation without upfront costs. For a similar reason, we offer car accident victims free initial consultations, so you do not pay anything to speak about your case during your first meeting with our firm. If our lawyers can help you and you decide to move forward, we can further clarify the details of our contingency fee agreement during the onboarding process. Ensure you understand how they work before signing anything.
Potential Car Accident Case Length
It is challenging to estimate how long your claim will take to resolve. Typically, the more complex a case is, the longer it will take to settle. For example, in California, pursuing compensation through a lawsuit generally takes longer than negotiating a settlement out of court, as it requires more case preparation.
Is It Worth Hiring A Car Accident Lawyer For A Minor Accident?
Yes, even if you had a minor accident, it is worth considering hiring a car accident lawyer if you believe your crash was caused by someone else’s negligence. We can help review your case and explain your rights and options. If you have a valid claim, we can help you file it against the potentially negligent party, independently investigate your accident to build your case, negotiate a settlement, and take your case to court if necessary. Seeking assistance with these tasks can be helpful if you’re unfamiliar with the claims process but would like to exercise your potential right to pursue compensation.
Contact A Car Accident Lawyer
If you have been injured in a car accident in California, consider getting in touch with a lawyer. When someone else was reckless, causing you injury, you may be able to seek a financial award for your losses. Arash Law is here to help explain the claims process and potentially guide you through it.
Our car accident attorneys serve residents across California, from the bustling streets of Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco to the dynamic hubs of San Jose, Sacramento, and Oakland, so that no matter where you are in the Golden State, legal assistance is within your reach.
Call our California car accident lawyers at Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 for a free case review.
