Car accident lawyers are necessary when pursuing compensation for auto accident-related losses. They can file no-fault claims within 30 days and bring a lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires.
Choose a lawyer with experience fighting insurance companies in and out of court. The best car accident lawyers are ruthless and determined to ensure you get every penny you deserve.
The Initial Consultation
The first step in pursuing compensation for your losses is to sit down with your lawyer. Sharing your story with someone with your best interests is made possible with this.
Your Bakersfield car accident attorney will review all of the relevant information to make a preliminary assessment of your case. This includes police reports, witness contact information, medical documentation of injuries and property damage, and employment and loss of income data.
Your lawyer will also visit the accident scene to make observations that may help prove liability in your claim. They will take photos and may even drive over the crash scene to see skid marks, damaged trees, twisted guardrails, or other evidence of negligence. They will also look at the full extent of your losses, including future treatment costs and lost wages. This may also include non-economic damages for pain and suffering or punitive damages to punish wrongdoers.
The Investigation
Although we often think of car accidents as collisions between two vehicles, a single-vehicle accident can still lead to injuries. When that happens, the victims can still seek compensation from responsible parties.
When you submit a claim, your lawyer will gather evidence by visiting the accident scene, interviewing witnesses, and requesting medical records from healthcare providers. However, the last step can be difficult as providers may not be used to sending medical records straight to a lawyer representing a patient.
Your lawyer will consider your losses when building a claim, including current and future medical treatment costs, lost wages, and emotional suffering. They may also call on expert witnesses like vocational rehabilitation specialists and life care planners to help paint a full picture of your damages. This information will form the basis for your settlement request. This is why contacting a car accident lawyer as soon as possible after your crash is so important.
The Trial
A good car accident lawyer will be able to get you the medical records and bills that you need for your claim. They will also make sure to visit the scene of the accident personally, if necessary, to gather evidence and understand what happened.
When winning a car accident case, it’s usually necessary to establish negligence. Negligence refers to a failure to exercise the level of care a reasonable person would have exercised in the same situation.
A good car accident attorney will know all the tricks insurance companies use and will fight ruthlessly to level the playing field. They will help you decide whether to accept an insurance offer, file a personal injury lawsuit, or go to trial and seek a jury verdict. The money you receive from a successful claim will pay for your monetary losses, including past, present, and future medical care, lost income, and property damage. You may also be eligible for non-economic damages like pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
The Settlement
Car accident lawyers will consider how your injury has affected your life and help you build a compensation claim. This can include your current and future medical treatment costs, your lost income due to your inability to work, and the emotional impacts of your injury.
Typically, an insurance company will offer a settlement. The goal is to reach a settlement that will cover all of your expenses and losses without having to go to trial. Your attorney will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to guarantee that you obtain complete and equitable reimbursement.
Often, it is not just one driver responsible for an accident but multiple factors. In New York, it is not uncommon for a jury to assign apportioned percentages of responsibility and reduce a plaintiff’s damages accordingly. This is why having an experienced attorney fighting for your rights is so important.