When to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in California?
Hurt in a California auto accident? If so, you may feel uncertain about whether to hire a car accident lawyer to pursue compensation for you. Many people assume that an attorney is unnecessary if they were not at fault for the crash. After all, shouldn’t the at-fault party cover all of your costs and losses? In an ideal world, yes. But car accident cases are not always as straightforward as they seem.
Insurance companies are notorious for denying or minimizing payouts to injured claimants after a wreck. And without legal training, it’s difficult to know the full value of your case.
If you’re still wondering about when to hire a car accident attorney, the time is now.
A skilled California car accident lawyer can determine your legal options following a wreck caused by a negligent driver. To learn more about when and why you should hire an attorney, continue reading or contact Demas Law Group, P.C. We can answer your questions and help you understand what to expect from the accident claims process in a free consultation.
Why Should You Hire a Car Accident Attorney?
You should consider working with a California car accident lawyer because:
- You’re more likely to get the compensation you deserve. Some studies suggest accident victims who work with attorneys receive settlements up to 3.5 times larger than those without legal assistance. A good attorney knows how much your case is worth and will not rest until you get fair compensation.
- An attorney can handle evidence, paperwork, and filing deadlines. Your lawyer can identify and preserve compelling evidence to support every aspect of your claim. A car accident lawyer can also ensure your paperwork is error-free and file your case documents before the relevant legal deadlines expire.
- Your attorney can work on your claim while you focus on healing. It takes time to recover after a car accident. A lawyer can manage the time-consuming and challenging aspects of your claim so you can rest, recuperate, and avoid jeopardizing your health.
What Types of Accidents Require a Car Accident Lawyer?
An experienced auto accident attorney may represent you in any of the following types of crashes:
- Car accidents – Car accidents can take the form of head-on collisions, T-bone crashes, sideswipe accidents, rear-end collisions, or rollover accidents.
- Truck accidents – When colossal tractor-trailers strike other cars, the smaller vehicle occupants are significantly more likely to suffer severe or fatal injuries.
- Motorcycle accidents – Many motorcycle crashes occur because motorists fail to recognize or react appropriately to motorcycles on the road. Transportation data from a recent year shows motorcyclists were 29 times more likely to be killed and 4 times as likely to be injured in accidents with other vehicles.
- Bicycle and pedestrian accidents – Cyclists or pedestrians are especially vulnerable in traffic accidents. When a car collides with a bike or person on foot, cyclists and pedestrians often suffer life-altering injuries.
- Single-vehicle accidents – In some cases, single-vehicle wrecks occur when one driver’s reckless behavior causes another driver to lose control or veer off the road. Single-vehicle wrecks could also be the result of inadequate road maintenance or defective auto parts.
- Hit-and-run accidents – If a hit-and-run driver injured you, an attorney can help you investigate and attempt to track them down. If locating the other driver proves impossible, your lawyer can help you seek compensation from your own insurance provider.
When Should You Hire a Car Accident Attorney?
Legal help is not strictly necessary in all cases. A general rule of thumb for knowing when to hire an attorney after a car accident is by assessing the damages. If you were injured, lost a loved one, or suffered significant property damage, it’s usually best to consult with an attorney. If the accident was a minor fender bender with no injuries, you can probably go it alone.
Always consider hiring a car accident lawyer if:
- You suffered significant physical or emotional injuries.
- Your vehicle was totaled or sustained extensive damage.
- The other driver denies responsibility or blames you for the wreck.
- The insurance adjuster says you are at fault.
- The insurance company asks you to provide a statement.
- The collision involved two or more other vehicles or road users.
- The crash occurred in a school zone or work zone.
- You have to negotiate with an insurance company at any point.
- You suspect you may need to take your case to court.
- You have questions about your legal rights or options for recovery.
How to Find the Right Attorney
You’ve decided to hire a car accident lawyer. Now, how do you find the one who’s right for you?
Get started by:
- Asking friends and family – Talk to the people you trust. Ask family, co-workers, and trusted friends who they recommend and why.
- Doing your research – Once you narrow down your field of candidates, do some independent research. Visit each prospective attorney’s website to look for testimonials, case results, and any specific experience they have with cases similar to yours.
- Requesting a consultation – Most personal injury lawyers, including Demas Law Group, P.C., offer free initial consultations to prospective clients. You can learn more about how a lawyer will protect your rights, communicate with you, and handle your case during your consultation.
- Going with your gut – At the end of the day, you should feel good about the attorney you choose to hire. You deserve a lawyer who will listen attentively to your concerns and develop innovative, effective legal solutions to achieve your goals.
How Can Demas Law Group Help Me?
When you hire Demas Law Group, P.C., after a California car accident, we can help you by:
- Explaining your legal options for financial recovery
- Investigating the accident to determine who was at fault
- Uncovering helpful evidence to support your claim for compensation
- Communicating with insurance providers and other attorneys on your behalf
- Managing important documents and deadlines for you
- Negotiating aggressively for maximum compensation
- Taking your case to court, if the insurance company will not agree to a fair settlement
We provide initial case reviews at no cost or obligation to you. Contact us today to discuss the details of your case with a dedicated Sacramento car accident lawyer.