If you were recently injured in a car accident that someone else caused, it is natural to wonder how you can hold the at-fault driver accountable for their actions and what sort of compensation you may be owed. A Sacramento car accident attorney can provide guidance in this difficult situation and assist you in navigating the legal proceedings ahead as you seek compensation for your damages.
Benefits of Hiring a Sacramento, CA, Car Accident Attorney
It is technically possible for the victim of a car accident to attempt to handle their own recovery without hiring a lawyer, but this is far more difficult than the average person may expect. Even if you believe that fault for your accident is perfectly clear, the formal legal process of establishing liability for a car accident may be more complex than you expect. You would also be forced to contend with the procedural obligations of your case while struggling with your injuries.
If you managed to succeed in proving fault for your accident, you would still face the risk of unintentionally settling for far less compensation than you rightfully deserve. You could make mistakes in filing a personal injury case with the court that jeopardizes your recovery, or you could encounter problems with an auto insurance carrier you will not know how to resolve by yourself.
Hiring an experienced Sacramento car accident attorney not only eliminates these risks but also significantly increases your chance of maximizing your total compensation. Your legal team can assist you with your recovery efforts in several ways:
- You can rely on your Sacramento car accident attorney to handle evidence gathering, ensuring that you can accurately prove liability for your recent accident and hold all liable parties appropriately accountable for their actions.
- Your attorney can handle court filing deadlines and the other procedural aspects of your case that you must address to succeed with the claim.
- When it comes to dealing with insurance companies, a claim adjuster is far less likely to attempt any bad faith handling of a claim if they see that the claimant is represented by legal counsel. Your Sacramento car accident attorney can ensure that your claim is handled appropriately and that you receive a fair settlement offer from the insurance company.
- If you must file a personal injury claim against an at-fault driver, your attorney can help build a more compelling civil case than you could have managed alone. They can help prove fault for your damages and determine the optimal path for resolving your case as swiftly as possible.
- Your attorney may uncover avenues of compensation you did not realize were available to you, enhancing your final case award significantly. They can also assist with the accurate calculation of projected future damages you can claim, such as lost future earning potential.
- If you intend to claim pain and suffering compensation from the defendant, California law does not limit this aspect of plaintiff recovery in a car accident case. Your attorney can help maximize this aspect of your case award and potentially help you secure far more pain and suffering compensation than you expected.
These are just a few examples of the benefits of hiring a Sacramento car accident attorney to assist with your recovery. You have a limited time after your accident in which to pursue legal recourse, so it’s vital to reach out to an attorney you can trust as soon as possible.
FAQs
Q: Can I File an Auto Insurance Claim Without an Attorney?
A: Yes, you have the right to file an auto insurance claim after an accident without hiring a Sacramento car accident attorney. However, dealing with any insurance company can be more challenging than you may expect, and a seasoned attorney can handle correspondence with an insurance company on your behalf. The insurer will be more likely to handle your claim in good faith once they notice you have legal representation.
Q: Can I File a Personal Injury Claim Without an Attorney?
A: Yes, you are under no legal obligation to hire a lawyer if you plan to file a personal injury claim. However, attempting to file a personal injury claim without an attorney is likely to be far more difficult than you expect. Even if you manage to succeed in proving fault for the accident, you are unlikely to recover as much compensation as an attorney could secure on your behalf. You’re more likely to maximize your recovery with legal representation.
Q: Is California a No-Fault State for Car Accidents?
A: No, it upholds the fault system for car accidents. This means you are required to prove fault for an accident before you can recover any compensation for your damages. You will need to identify the driver who caused your accident, prove the full extent of the resulting damages, and prove that your damages did not result from any other cause if you want to succeed with your recovery efforts.
Q: How Much Is a Car Accident Case Worth?
A: The victim of a car accident that someone else caused can potentially secure various forms of compensation. They can seek repayment of their vehicle repair costs, medical bills, and lost income following the accident, and the defendant is also responsible for their projected future losses and their pain and suffering. A Sacramento car accident lawyer can estimate your claim’s potential value and help maximize your final recovery.
Q: How Much Do Car Accident Lawyers Charge?
A: Most personal injury attorneys accept cases on a contingency fee basis. When you secure legal counsel under a contingency fee agreement, you will pay your attorney a fee only after they win your case, and your fee will be a percentage of the total compensation they secure on your behalf. If your attorney is unable to obtain compensation for your damages, you pay nothing, so there is no financial risk to hiring an attorney on contingency.
The team at Kreeger Law Firm can provide the compassionate and meticulous legal counsel you need after another driver has injured you. We have years of experience handling difficult car accident cases that we are ready to put to work for you in your impending case, and the sooner you reach out to our team, the more time we have to assist you. Contact us today to schedule your consultation with a Sacramento car accident attorney to learn how we can help.
