You don’t have to be reckless or negligent to get into a car crash. Accidents are, unfortunately, a day-to-day occurrence in the United States. This is mostly caused because of high traffic roads and highways. In 2020, California saw an additional 3,723 car accident deaths, an increase from 2019.
Car accidents range greatly from minor impacts to fatal calamities. When involved in an accident, victims may choose to represent themselves, which is normal; because not all accidents require the services of a lawyer.
When Should You Get a Car Crash Attorney?
If the car accident was severe, you will definitely need a lawyer, because you may face significant legal and financial ramifications. Therefore, if you suffer substantial injuries, you should hire a car crash attorney to build a compelling case for you.
A lawyer will assist you in establishing the true extent of damage and what your claim and compensation should be, communicate on your behalf with the claims adjuster, and, if necessary, collate all the evidence available and file a motion in court on your behalf. An Orange County Car accident attorney attests to this fact and advises getting legal counsel as the best way to help yourself. Here’s how you should go about it.
1. Choose the Right Lawyer
Find a lawyer as soon as you possibly can from the time of the accident. A lawyer will ensure that details are more correctly recollected, and this will significantly enhance your claims. Do your research to determine which lawyers are the best fit for your particular case. Most car accident attorneys don’t charge for the first consultation. Ideally, it would be best if you are looking for a lawyer who specializes in car accidents.
2. Find a Specialist
General practice lawyers are not bound to any specific area of the Law. Instead, their practice covers all of the basic areas of the law. Therefore, although they are skilled professionals, it may serve you better to retain someone who is specialized.
For example, a car accident attorney will make a more compelling case for you at court or seek more significant compensation from the insurance companies in the event of a car crash. The same way a divorce lawyer would be better equipped to handle marital issues.
3. Go for Experience
Experience is key to attaining the desired results from insurance companies. Look for a personable lawyer who is professional and has a good reputation. A highly-reputable car crash attorney may have many recommendations from your neighbors, friends, or colleagues. Favorable online reviews are also an indication of the success of their practice. The older the reviews, the more established; the newer the reviews, the more in-line with the current state of affairs.
4. Ask Questions
Sometimes the lawyer might be experienced in their specific field of practice but may have mainly represented the insurance companies, not the plaintiffs. Being on the other side may skew their judgment to favor those companies or businesses instead of yours. Find out whether their practice generally involves getting damages and seeking compensation for accident victims before you commit.
5. Go for Great Communication and Settlement Goals
You should find out how your lawyer will keep in contact with you, whether they are accessible and how you can access them. A lawyer’s ability to reasonably walk you through the particulars of your case, while enabling you to understand every aspect of it, will allow you to make good decisions. Good communication creates an ideal working relationship.
After establishing the particulars of your case, the attorney should be able to give you a general figure for compensation for your injury or property damage. Your lawyer should discuss any approaches he may wish to take and how long it may take before attaining your settlement goals. If you have any concerns about the fees involved, address them during this initial consultation.
