When Is It Too Late To Get A Lawyer For A Car Accident?

Getting a lawyer after a car accident can be done anytime if you’re still within the statute of limitations. If that time runs out, you will generally lose your right to pursue compensation for your injuries and other accident-related losses. That said, you may wish to talk to a lawyer soon after an accident. Doing so could give them more time to gather proof, build a case, and negotiate a settlement on your behalf. The earlier you seek legal help, the sooner an attorney may be able to guide you through the claims process, clarify your rights, and, if you have a case, support your claim for damages.

Car accident victims may want to take some time to settle down and think about their options. However, waiting too long could be detrimental to your potential claim. However, just because you did not hire an attorney immediately after an accident, that doesn’t necessarily mean you cannot retain one now. If you were injured in a crash, a California car accident lawyer can review your circumstances during an initial consultation and tell you how much time you may still have to file a valid claim.

The statute of limitations in California is typically two years from the accident date. If this deadline has passed, the law can prevent you from taking legal action against the at-fault party. However, some exceptions may apply. For example, the starting date of the statute is different if there is a fatality. There are some exceptions to these rules. Other common exceptions include public entity involvement and accidents involving minors. To learn how the statute of limitations may apply to your case, you can call an experienced personal injury lawyer in California. Arash Law will review your case with you and discuss your potential legal options.

While you concentrate on your physical and emotional recovery, it can still be important to consider potential legal deadlines for filing a claim, especially if you’re exploring the possibility of seeking compensation for your losses. Doing so early on could help you better understand how to pursue a car accident case. You can reach out to Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free case review.

Get California Car Accident Lawyers On Your Side

There are a few reasons why you may wish to get car accident lawyers involved early on. Evidence can be lost or destroyed following a car accident. For instance, witness statements may fade if too much time has passed. You could receive assistance with obtaining and preserving such evidence with a California personal injury lawyer. In line with the above example, we could get a recorded witness statement when memories are fresh.

Conversely, waiting does not necessarily mean you have no case. A car accident lawyer who reviews your crash may find that you still have options for pursuing compensation, such as in instances where the statute of limitations is tolled. Under such circumstances, you could still have time to pursue legal action.

Potential Risks Of Not Hiring California Car Accident Lawyers

If you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible to seek compensation for injuries and related losses. However, navigating the claims process on your own may be challenging if you aren’t familiar with the steps involved. Pursuing compensation without a California car accident lawyer could potentially come with several risks, including:

• Undervaluing Your Claim — Without legal guidance, you may underestimate the full extent of your losses, including medical costs, lost income, and long-term impacts. This may make it more challenging to review the settlement offers you receive.
• Missing Legal Deadlines — California has strict timelines for filing personal injury claims. Missing these deadlines could affect your ability to pursue compensation.
• Difficulty Proving Liability — Establishing fault often requires evidence, input from experts like accident reconstructionists, and legal strategy. Without a lawyer, it may be more challenging to prove the negligence of the at-fault party, which is a requirement for establishing the validity of your claim.

Consulting with a car accident lawyer doesn’t guarantee a specific outcome, but it can give you a clearer understanding of your legal options and help you make informed decisions.

Filing A Claim Without A California Car Accident Lawyer

You can file a claim without a California personal injury lawyer. However, there are important factors to consider before proceeding without legal representation.

One common situation is when you represent yourself while the other parties have legal counsel. In these cases, you may be navigating the claims process against experienced attorneys who are more knowledgeable about the legal system.

Without knowledge of the practices involved in the claims process, it can be difficult to represent your interests or pursue compensation that reflects the full extent of your losses.

This is just one example. Many other potential outcomes may arise from not having a car accident lawyer in California.

Reasons To Consult California Personal Injury Lawyers After A Car Accident

There are a few reasons to consider consulting California accident lawyers early on. When Arash Law understands the intricacies of your case from the beginning, they may be able to craft more tailored approaches to your claim that consider your unique needs and circumstances following a crash.

Lawyers usually start handling a claim by gathering evidence to build a case. This may be from the scene and the surrounding area. For example, we could look for witnesses and surveillance videos. We may also send out preservation letters so that the evidence does not disappear. Waiting too long could hinder our ability to get as much evidence as possible.

You could also receive early guidance from a California car accident lawyer. The lawyers from Arash Law can discuss your available courses of action following a car accident. If you decide to work with us on a valid claim, we may be able to begin preparing your case earlier. This might help us anticipate and address any potential legal pitfalls that may arise during the claims process. Early preparation may also help us negotiate a settlement and litigate your case if it needs to be taken to court later on.

As we mentioned, many laws, intricacies, and nuances exist when dealing with car accident claims. We can help explain any state provisions that may apply to your case so you can make more informed decisions on how to proceed. If you’d like to schedule a free initial consultation, you can contact Arash Law at (888) 488-1391.

Dealing With The Insurance Company

One reason to consider hiring California car accident lawyers from the beginning is that they can help handle all case-related communications on your behalf. This can include corresponding with the at-fault party’s insurance company. Here’s how:

• Reviewing Settlement Offers — A car accident lawyer could help you review any settlement offers you receive. You may receive one soon after a crash, when you might not yet know the full extent of your losses. If you end up accepting it, you cannot go back and seek more compensation for the same accident, even if you end up incurring more related expenses down the line. Our California car accident lawyers can help you understand the potential value of your claim. We could also negotiate with the insurance company if you choose to counter a settlement offer.
• Handling Recorded Statements — By directing all communications with insurers to your lawyer, you may be able to avoid accidentally making statements that weaken your claim. For instance, a simple apology could be misinterpreted as you admitting fault for a car accident.
• Preventing Avoidable Delays — Sometimes, the claims process may take longer than expected. This may be due to requests for additional documentation or a need for further review. However, delays can become an issue if they cause you to risk missing important deadlines. In some cases, claims may be denied. A car accident attorney can help keep your case on track and address any disputes that may arise during settlement negotiations.

Medical Bills And Lost Wages

Car accident victims may incur medical bills and lost income as a result of their injuries. A lawyer can help estimate the cost of these losses and pursue compensation for them.

Our car accident lawyers can accomplish the following:

• Calculate Your Medical Treatment Costs — We can work with your medical team, review your medical records, and calculate the total cost of your current and future medical needs related to the accident.
• Evaluate Lost Income and Diminished Earning Capacity — Injuries may cause temporary time off work or, in more severe cases, permanent disability that impacts your ability to earn. We can document any lost wages and assess how your injury affects your future earning potential. This information may support your claim.
• Negotiate With Insurance Companies — Once we know your losses, we can send the insurance company a demand letter. We could then negotiate with the insurance company to seek compensation for losses like medical bills and lost income.

Potential Consequences Of Waiting Too Long To Hire A California Car Accident Attorney

Timing can be critical when seeking a car accident lawyer in California. Sometimes, it can be too late to get a lawyer. For example, missing the statute of limitations will generally bar you from seeking compensation through a lawsuit. However, it may also become more challenging for car accident victims to pursue a claim for other reasons, such as:

Loss Of Evidence

Preserving evidence is essential for car accident claims. Crucial evidence can disappear if you wait too long to hire a lawyer. If evidence disappears, procuring and preserving it can be more challenging. For example, CCTV footage can quickly be overwritten. If a local business’s CCTV cameras captured an accident, but the resulting footage isn’t obtained soon after, it may be erased after some time.

Difficulty In Locating Witnesses

Another consequence of waiting too long is losing potential witnesses. Finding where the witnesses are can be challenging. Their memory of the incident can also fade with time. Even if they’re located after a few months, they might have forgotten important details.

Missed Deadlines

There are insurance and state deadlines for personal injury claims in California. Missing a deadline may result in losing your ability to pursue compensation. Our California personal injury lawyers can help keep track of deadlines.

Difficulty During Settlement Negotiations

As time passes, it can be more challenging to build a case. In turn, you may have less leverage to negotiate a settlement. For example, losing the opportunity to gather evidence early on could mean you have less proof to back your claim, which could potentially cause disputes during negotiations. These disputes may cause unnecessary delays that hinder your ability to comply with California’s statute of limitations.

Given the above, consider not waiting too long to call a California car accident lawyer. If you are unsure about whether you have a case, you can schedule a free initial consultation with our legal team. We have decades of experience helping car accident victims pursue compensation after crashes caused by negligence.

What To Discuss With A Car Accident Lawyer In California

Before you proceed with a valid claim, you can discuss several things with your car accident lawyers. One of the significant considerations when working with them is honesty. Hiding any information or facts can hurt your case. Disclosing all relevant information about your crash could help your attorney prepare for any issues ahead of time. The last thing you want is for something to come up during court that you have not shared with your lawyer.

Those in car accidents often do not want to admit wrongdoing. However, even if you may have contributed to the collision, share that with your lawyer. We might be able to help you pursue compensation under California’s comparative negligence system. It allows injured parties to seek damages even if they are up to 99% at fault for a crash. However, the amount you’re able to pursue may be deducted by your share of responsibility.

Throughout the claims process, your lawyer may ask various questions. Answer these questions accurately. You should also inform your local car accident lawyers if you don’t remember something. Witnesses and other evidence can fill in the gaps in your memory.

Contingency Fees And Free Initial Consultations

You may hear two terms addressing legal fees. First is a free initial consultation. During this meeting, your lawyer will not charge you anything to discuss your case. They will receive and review preliminary information. This consultation can help you learn if you have a valid claim and your options. You can also assess whether the law firm is right for you.

Our California car accident lawyers will discuss their fees if you decide to move forward. We work on a contingency fee basis. Here, our clients only pay attorney fees if their case resolves with compensation. They will not have to worry about paying up front. However, some other case-related costs may apply outside of this agreement. We work to clarify these during the onboarding process.

Speak With Our California Car Accident Lawyers

Arash Law, under the guidance of Arash Khorsandi, Esq., has provided legal representation to injured clients throughout California. We have experience handling a wide range of personal injury claims, including car accident cases.

Call us at (888) 488-1391 to arrange a free initial consultation. Our car accident lawyers are ready to assess your case and offer you the guidance and support you may need. We work to pursue compensation for our clients’ injuries and related losses. We can handle the legal matters, including filing a claim on your behalf, so that you can focus on your recovery.