Lawyer for a car accident: Do you need one?
Car accidents can change your entire life. A split second can mean an injured leg, twelve months off work, or even worse, a life lost. However, with the vast amount of information available on the internet, one might feel that a lawyer for a car accident is completely unnecessary.
Dealing with car accident insurance claims, doctors, treatments, and car repairs can feel very overwhelming, especially in the aftermath of an accident. Grieving and recovering whilst trying to get a fair settlement can also be a big challenge, especially when one has to deal with multiple offices and entities. One must be well informed and knowledgeable if one expects to get the best settlement possible.
What if it’s just a simple car accident? You might wonder if getting a good car accident lawyer is necessary if it’s just a minor incident. Below we address these concerns so you can make an informed decision on whether or not you can benefit from hiring an auto accident lawyer.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident?
In the vast majority of cases, it’s always recommended to get a lawyer after you get into a vehicle accident. Your attorney can help you get the insurance company to cover the full value of your claim. Without the help of an auto accident attorney, the insurance claims adjusters can pressure you to settle for less than you deserve. A car accident lawyer will help you prove your case and ensure that all the damages you have suffered will be covered, whether an economic loss or a non-economic one, so you can get your life back on track.
How Long Do You Have to Report a Car Accident in California?
According to the California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) § 335.1, the statute of limitations to file a claim for injuries caused by a car accident in California is two years. Two years is the time limit for filing a wrongful death claim if the accident involves fatalities.
According to CCP § 338, you have three years to file if you’re only seeking damages related to vehicle repair. After an accident, reach out to a car crash lawyer as soon as possible to start working on your case.
When Should I Get a Lawyer After a Car Accident?
The best time to contact a lawyer is immediately after your accident takes place. However, if some time has passed, don’t worry — it’s not too late. Here at Jacoby and Meyers, you can find a good lawyer for your car accident case.
The sooner you reach out to an attorney, the better. Your witness’s memories might fade if you wait too long after the accident. This can affect your settlement.
What Is the Normal Settlement for a Car Accident?
Every case is unique. There is no “normal” or “average” settlement because it can greatly depend on your case.
For instance, your settlement can be limited to the maximum limits of the at-fault driver’s policy. According to the California DMV, drivers are required to have coverage of at least $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident. They must also carry this amount of uninsured motorist insurance. In addition to this, they must carry a minimum of $5,000 for property damage.
Learn more about car insurance here: https://www.jacobyandmeyers.com/blog/car-accident-insurance-101/
What Is a Good Settlement Offer?
When you are injured, missing work, and your bills are piling up; any offer might seem reasonable. However, the insurers already know those accident victims can be desperate and in a rush to get any amount of money. Their job includes protecting their company’s profits, so they will try to make you agree to a minimal settlement.
On the other hand, a good settlement will cover the full value of your present and future expenses. Whether it’s loss of companionship, projected loss in income earning capacity, grief, and a lot more, depending on your circumstance and how effectively your car accident lawyer has built up your case. This is where a good car accident lawyer can help.
What Can a Car Accident Lawyer Do About a Settlement Offer?
Experienced auto accident lawyers can help you determine how much is fair and, more so, how much you truly deserve. Lay people like us tend to focus on the physical damage that a car accident brings forth, whether that’s a physical injury or property damage. However, what we fail to count on, is the “value” of life that is lost and can never be recovered because of an accident. Likewise, a good accident lawyer will have resources to experts, studies, and support that can stretch your claim beyond the physical damage that a car accident has brought about.
Should I Get a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident?
The answer to this question is yes. There is no way to know that your accident was minor unless you receive clearance from a doctor. Injuries can take hours, days, or even weeks to reach their full severity. No matter how minor your injuries are, you can always consult a lawyer.
A car accident attorney can make sure you get enough compensation for a full recovery, no matter what your injuries are. A good car accident lawyer will not only make sure that you are compensated for your current treatments but will also ensure that you have enough for your future medical bills and possible maintenance.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident Settlement?
It’s recommended to get a lawyer’s help for a car accident settlement. After an accident, your auto accident lawyer acts as a liaison between you and the other party’s insurance company during your car accident case. This way, not only are you being represented by an expert, but you are also getting enough time to heal and recover.
Patience is key to getting your rightful settlement. Before you agree to an insurer’s offer, make sure you have completed treatment for your injuries first. This can also ensure that you receive compensation to cover all your costs. If you settle too soon, it might not be enough to cover your future expenses. An attorney can help ensure that you receive the correct settlement amount.
How Do You Prove Liability in a Car Crash?
In any car accident claim against an at-fault party, you need to establish three things to prove liability. These include:
- The liable party owed you a duty of care.
- They breached that duty of care.
- Their breach of duty caused your economic or non-economic damages.
To show these three components, you and your lawyer both need to gather evidence. This can include witness testimonies and pictures of the accident. By building a strong case against the at-fault party, you can also prove that they were liable for your damages from the accident.
Can I Afford a Car Accident Lawyer?
You can get a traffic accident attorney, even if you don’t have the funds to pay a retainer fee. For instance, Jacoby and Meyers work on a contingency basis. This means you won’t pay unless we successfully settle your claim or win an award in court. If we don’t win, you don’t pay. It’s that simple.
Take a look at Jacoby and Meyers’ Esteemed Roster of Lawyers.
In addition to offering services without upfront costs, we also offer a free car accident consultation, no strings attached. Our goal is to get you the help you need, regardless of your financial situation.
Hire a Car Accident Lawyer With Minimal to No Risks
Getting a good lawyer for your car accident is a low-to-zero risk decision. Imagine not paying anything upfront while getting an entire legal team doing the legwork for you even before you pay them. Jacoby & Meyers not only assists clients in getting the money they deserve, but we also hold their hands from the moment they get into the accident, get out of the emergency room, and get to the doctors they need until they fully recover. We even have a lien negotiation team that can then help negotiate and reduce your bills. This way, you can take home more money from your settlement even after paying your bills.
All this support comes with no upfront costs at all. The percentage that Jacoby & Meyers share is the same as almost all personal injury law firms. If you compute it, the amount of settlement you will be able to get with an attorney by your side cannot be compared to how little you can get if you file a claim on your own. Experienced attorneys and legal teams also know the ins and outs of the system and can help you process your claim in line with the statute of limitations in California.
How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help You?
An accident attorney can advocate and give you a strategic advantage against insurers. As an example, here are ways how Jacoby and Meyers can help you:
- We’ve recovered more than $2 billion for our clients.
- Our team won’t collect any fees until you’ve won your case.
- We have been protecting the rights of Californians since 1972.
- Our diverse staff will handle every aspect of your claim from beginning to end.
- We’ll deal with your doctors and other healthcare providers directly.
- Your peace of mind will always be our top priority.
What Kind of Accidents Do Our Auto Accident Attorneys Handle?
If you need a lawyer for a car accident, it’s important to work with a firm with extensive different vehicle accident types. For example, Jacoby and Meyers can represent the following type of claims:
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Here’s a full list of our practice areas.
Common Injuries in a Car Accident
A car accident can affect you in many ways. In some cases, injuries can be minor. However, some injuries can affect you for months or years, making you miss work. Here are some common injuries you can get from a car accident:
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord injury
- Broken Bones
- Burns
- Major lacerations
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Wrongful death
If you have suffered from any of these injuries due to someone else’s negligence, you can receive compensation. A car accident lawyer can help tally your damages.
California Auto Accident Laws
California has at-fault negligence laws. This means drivers are responsible for your damages when they were at-fault in your crash. You can still receive compensation even if you shared some percentage of fault.
Compensation for Car Accident Victims in California
In cases where there is more than one potential defendant, your lawyer will identify all at-fault parties to increase your potential for compensation. Here are some of the damages you can recover after your accident:
- Your current and future medical expenses
- The cost of rehabilitation
- Treatment for mental health symptoms
- Reimbursement for lost wages
- Pain and suffering
During this difficult time, you must focus on relaxing and recovering. Getting a car accident lawyer can help you do that.
Do You Need a Good Lawyer for a Car Accident Case?
If you need a car accident lawyer, look no further than Jacoby and Meyers. We have a team of the best personal injury and car accident lawyers in California, including Los Angeles, Bakersfield, Fresno, and Sacramento. Hire one of our car accident lawyers to help you get justice. Also, they can give you insight about complicated topics, including car accident settlements and more. In addition, they can help you:
- Prove negligence
- Define the Cost of Damages
- Build a strong claim
- Negotiate a Settlement
- Proceed with important deadlines in mind
Give us a call today at 888-960-0480 for a free consultation. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you.
Call or text 888-522-6291 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
