Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers | April 12, 2024 | Car Accident
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you will have questions about what to do next. One of those questions will be, “Do I need a car accident lawyer to get fair compensation for my injuries?” The answer is almost always “Yes”.
Knowing what a California car accident lawyer does will help you take your next step and make the right call. Overall, a car accident attorney will do a lot of work on your case and make the process less complicated and stressful for you. Some of the most important steps include investigating the crash, negotiating with insurance companies, filing a lawsuit, and taking a case to trial when needed.
The Role of a Car Accident Lawyer in California
The state of California, and San Diego County itself, sees thousands of car accidents each year. Sadly, over 3,000 Californians are killed in car crashes each year, with over 250,000 injured from motor vehicle accidents annually. San Diego’s death rates from car crashes are somewhat lower than state and national averages but have still increased in recent years. Whether a car accident is fatal or not, the blame usually rests with an at-fault driver, who should be held responsible for the injured person’s injuries.
Investigate the Crash
An experienced San Diego area car accident lawyer will have a team of professionals working alongside them. This team often includes paralegals, case managers, investigators, experts, and other valuable resources. The team-oriented approach works far better than investigating on your own or relying solely on a police report.
Personal injury lawyers in a car accident case will thoroughly investigate the facts of the crash and take steps including:
- Viewing the crash site and collecting evidence
- Reviewing police reports
- Analyzing medical records related to the accident
- Reviewing physical evidence and photographs from the scene
- Locating witnesses and making them available for depositions and trial
- Discuss crash evidence with experts in the field
- Locate and obtain video evidence from the crash
Your lawyer will use all available evidence to negotiate your case and take it to trial.
Negotiate with Insurance Companies
Unfortunately, insurers for the at-fault parties earn their money by avoiding or minimizing payouts to accident victims. Experienced car accident lawyers know the tricks and games played by insurance companies and will aggressively negotiate a fair settlement for you whenever possible.
Having a lawyer to communicate with insurance companies also prevents you from being tricked into statements that can hurt your case later or at trial. Your lawyer will make sure you present a strong claim from the very beginning.
File a Lawsuit and Take Your Case to Trial
If the at-fault driver’s insurer will not give you a fair settlement or pay for your full damages, your lawyer will then file a lawsuit. The next steps after filing a car accident lawsuit involve exchanging information with the other side and negotiating with the attorney for the defendant.
- Preparing a case for trial can include, but isn’t limited to, any of the following:
- Collecting and presenting evidence
- Obtaining medical records to track your damages
- Locating and interviewing witnesses
- Filing motions to advance your case
- Hiring expert witnesses to testify in your favor
- Preparing for and selecting a jury
- Presenting oral arguments and evidence at your trial
At any point during this process, it may be possible to obtain a favorable settlement on your behalf. In fact, 95% of personal injury cases settle before trial.
Recovering Damages in a California Car Accident Case
The most important thing a car accident lawyer will do for you is to evaluate your damages and fight for fair payment for those damages. Damages in a car accident case can include economic damages such as medical bills, property repairs, lost wages, and other items that can be categorized by numbers.
Non-economic damages can include pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of companionship, and other costs that are less tangible but sometimes most devastating. A skilled car accident lawyer will be able to evaluate your case and get a strong sense of what it is worth. With that in mind, the lawyer will fight aggressively to obtain the best payment possible for you.
A California Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You Throughout the Personal Injury Claims Process
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in the North County San Diego area, there is no time to waste. Contact a skilled and compassionate legal team to discuss your case and learn more about what a car accident attorney can do for you.
Contact the North County Personal Injury Lawyers at Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact the Vista personal injury law firm of Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve in North County, CA and its surrounding areas:
Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers – Vista, CA Office
380 S Melrose Dr Ste. 201
Vista, CA 92081
(619) 344-0360
Petrov Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers – Oceanside, CA Office
702 Civic Center Drive Ste. 105
Oceanside, CA, 92054
(619) 678-1016