Garden Grove Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

California’s bustling cities and towns are often best experienced on foot. However, distracted drivers and speeding motorists can make the state’s roads a dangerous place for those working on their step count. If you were injured by a motorist, our Garden Grove pedestrian accident attorneys may be able to assist you with your personal injury claim. These collisions tend to result in catastrophic injuries that can have a devastating effect on every aspect of your life. You can trust our legal team to investigate your claim thoroughly and provide tenacious representation at every stage of proceedings. Contact us today at 1-800-GO-HARRIS to pencil in your free case review.

What Are Signs I Have a Strong Personal Injury Case?

From filling out paperwork to gathering evidence to negotiating with the insurance company, filing a claim can be a taxing experience. Before embarking on this challenging journey, you will want to know whether your case has what it takes to go the distance. Unfortunately, as every case is different, the only way to determine whether you have a strong case is to speak to an experienced attorney. However, there are a few elements that most successful claims have in common, such as:

• You Didn’t Discuss the Accident Online: After a traumatic event, it’s only natural to want to seek support and advice from friends and family on social media. However, discussing your claim, your injuries, or the accident online could hurt your chances of recovering a fair settlement. The insurance company or other opposing parties may be screening your posts to find any information that could be used to challenge aspects of your case. For instance, if you published a post discussing your recovery wherein you mistakenly downplay the extent of your injuries, the insurer could use your comments as evidence to dispute damages. At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, our attorneys may advise you to deactivate your accounts until your case is resolved so that you don’t say or do anything that could impact the outcome.
• You Didn’t Delay Your Diagnosis: Whether you only suffered a few scratches or a catastrophic head injury, you should always seek medical treatment as soon as possible after the accident. Many serious conditions can—at least initially—present with minor or latent symptoms. Dragging your heels could cause your condition to deteriorate and lead to additional costs. To make matters worse, if the insurance company discovers that you delayed a medical assessment—or skipped it entirely—they might argue that you were negligent and are therefore liable for some of or all your damages. The best time to visit the doctor is immediately after leaving the accident scene.
• You Didn’t Ignore Your Doctor’s Instructions: A prompt diagnosis is just one part of your duty to take sufficient steps to mitigate damages. You will also need to ensure that you are following your healthcare provider’s orders diligently to avoid doing anything that could put you in the crosshairs of the insurance company. For instance, if you were told to take time off work to rest, but clocked in prematurely, an opposing party could argue that your actions caused your condition to worsen. In such cases, your financial award could be reduced.

How Should I Prepare for My Free Case Assessment?

Your initial consultation is a chance to get answers to your questions, gain insight into the strengths and weaknesses of your case, and find out how your attorney will approach your claim. Understandably, you will want to get as much out of this opportunity as you can. One of the best ways to prepare for your free case assessment is to compile any evidence you’ve managed to collect thus far, ready to share with your attorney when you walk through the door. Here are a few items you may want to bring along:

• Medical Records Documenting Your Condition: A complete set of medical records is a strong asset in a personal injury case. These documents can help rove the injuries you sustained, the procedures you’ve undergone, demonstrate limitations stemming from your injuries, and show how these injuries are connected to the collision.
• A Written Account of the Accident: Even seemingly insignificant details could go on to play a crucial role in your fight for a fair settlement. For instance, if you noticed surveillance cameras near the accident scene, this footage could help prove that the opposing party was responsible for causing the collision. As such, you should write a personal account of the moments preceding and following the accident. What were you doing before you were hit by the motorist? What did the driver say immediately after the accident? Were there any onlookers? Did you take down their contact details? Did police officers arrive at the scene? What types of injuries did you sustain? Your attorney may use your written account to help guide their investigation.
• Financial Documents Detailing Accident-Related Expenses: Losses in a personal injury case aren’t just limited to your medical bills. For instance, if you were unable to work while your injuries were healing, your attorney may use letters from your employer, paystubs, and tax returns to build a case for lost earnings. Other recoverable costs can include alternative transportation, childcare, and home modifications.
• Your Personal Injury Journal: A serious injury can affect you both physically and mentally. For example, if your injuries caused you to experience extreme levels of pain and/or discomfort, you may be able to pursue so-called “non-economic” damages. Such losses represent damages beyond the digits printed on your invoices and can encompass anything from mental anguish to loss of consortium. A personal injury journal will help you keep track of your pain levels, symptoms, limitations, and the other effects of your injuries and could help your attorney prepare your claim.

Contact Us Today to Speak to a Garden Grove Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Whether you were hurt on the road, at work, or on someone else’s property, our personal injury attorneys are here to help. We’re available 24/7 to take your calls. To schedule a free case review, ring 1-800-GO-HARRIS or send us a message via our Contact Page.