How Soon Should I Hire an Attorney after a Car Wreck?

While car accidents are a daily occurrence on California’s roads, no one is ever truly prepared for the impact a wreck can have on your everyday life. From repair bills and medical expenses to considerable pain and life changing limitations, the effects of suffering a serious injury can reach far and wide. It’s an event that will raise many questions, most—if not all—a skilled personal injury attorney can answer for you.  

Ultimately, if you were injured through no fault of your own, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries by filing a personal injury lawsuit. Not only can a lawyer help you prepare your claim and negotiate a settlement offer, he or she can also assist with many other aspects of your case. Hiring a lawyer as soon as possible will ensure that you have someone by your side who understands the law and will fight to help you achieve a favorable result.  

Let’s take a look at a few more ways an attorney can assist with your case after a car accident:

Investigate the Accident

To build a convincing case, your attorney will want to conduct an in-depth investigation into the wreck, gathering the necessary proof to demonstrate liability and damages. However, much of the evidence in your case may be time-sensitive. For instance, road markings can fade overnight, property damage may be repaired, and weather conditions can shift drastically from one day to the next. As such, the sooner you contact an attorney, the higher the chances that he or she will be able to gather the necessary evidence to support your claim before it is destroyed, erased, altered, or becomes unavailable for any other reason. 

Guide You through Proceedings

Navigating the claims process can feel like walking a tightrope; one mistake is often all it takes to leave you dangling in a precarious position. Fortunately, a skilled personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the weeks ahead, advising you of common mistakes—and how to avoid them—and explaining your rights at every stage of proceedings.  

Estimate Your Damages

Before initiating settlement negotiations, you will want to have an accurate idea of what your case could be worth. Failing to account for certain damages could result in you accepting a settlement offer that falls short of covering the full range of your losses, leaving you on the hook for the remainder. An attorney can grab the reins, assessing the available evidence and working with your healthcare providers to approximate fair compensation for the damages you incurred. He or she can also evaluate the insurer’s settlement offer to determine whether it is fair or not, and help counter or negotiate on your behalf. 

Discuss Your Case with a California Car Accident Attorney Today 

Were you hurt on the road? Turn to the legal team at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers for assistance. During your initial consultation, we can weigh the strengths and weaknesses of your case, answer your questions, and discuss potential outcomes for your claim. To lock in a free case review with a California car accident attorney, reach out to us at 1-800-GO-HARRIS or by dropping us a message using our online contact page HERE.