If you’ve been injured in a car accident in California, you’re entitled to collect compensation from the responsible parties. When you’re hit in the rear, or the accident was caused by a drunk driver, their insurance company might even be offering you money days after your crash. It’s extremely important to remember that you should never sign any agreement without first consulting an attorney because these early settlements are usually pennies to the dollar and it’s not possible to know how your injuries will heal so soon after the accident. That’s why it’s important to hire the right California car accident lawyer that can explain your rights and help you collect the full amount of compensation you’re entitled to.
Ask The Right Questions
In order to find the right lawyer for your case, you’ve got to ask the right questions. The first thing to ask is whether the attorney specialises in car accident cases. You wouldn’t hire a dermatologist to perform your brain surgery and you don’t want to hire a matrimonial attorney to handle your car accident case. There are also some specialties within car accident law that you might want to seek out for certain types of cases. Collecting the largest amount of compensation for car accident victims requires an understanding of the medical conditions that the injuries have caused. For catastrophic injuries such as spinal cord injuries (SCIs) and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), it is best to choose a California car accident attorney with expertise in these areas. It’s important to know who your contact person will be at the firm — will it be an associate attorney, a paralegal, or will you only be able to leave messages with a receptionist? Lawyers are busy and cannot take phone calls when they’re in court, so firms that have well-trained paralegals and associates to answer client questions promptly. Questions like “when is my next court appearance” or “when should I expect to get the check for my property damage” don’t require legal analysis, and you shouldn’t have to wait weeks to get a response.
Don’t Accept Unsolicited Referrals
You shouldn’t accept unsolicited referrals for car accident lawyers or therapy offices. Unscrupulous attorneys and doctors hire people to listen to police radio broadcasts and arrive at the scene of an accident posing as a good Samaritan offering “helpful” advice about where to get legal assistance and medical treatment. You’re not going to find the right California car accident lawyer through these scams. The best way to find an excellent car accident lawyer is to start with asking your friends and family for referrals and follow up by looking at the attorney’s website and online reviews. You can also post a request on a local social media group you belong to, asking for recommendations. If many people in the area choose a certain attorney, it’s likely that they are worth interviewing.
There’s No Free Lunch
It’s best to stay away from attorneys that make broad promises that sound too good to be true. For example, in most cases, it’s not possible to collect more money than the insurance's policy limits. It’s also not possible to know right away how well your injuries will heal. Sometimes very serious injuries heal completely with very little impact on your life, which means that you’ll receive less compensation than if the outcome had been poor. So, if you're told that your case is worth millions the day after your car accident, look for another attorney. There’s no free lunch and the best California car accident attorneys don’t get clients to sign on the dotted line with promises that are not based on law and fact. You’ll know that you’ve found the right California car accident lawyer when they’ve explained everything fully and your expectations are realistic.
The best way to find the right California car accident lawyer is to follow the same best practices that you would use to find any other type of professional. It’s important to be vigilant about avoiding scams and only consult with reputable law firms. At your consultation, listen carefully to what you’re told and make sure that it doesn’t break the no-free lunch rule. If you’re feeling bullied or talked down to, have the confidence to get up and leave. You deserve an attorney that takes you seriously and treats you with respect. You’ll know you’ve found the attorney when you feel informed about what to expect for your case and supported by your representation.
