Let’s be honest; if you’ve been in an accident, you need someone fighting on your side. And those fighting for you should have your best interests in mind.
There is no such thing as a “typical” accident, and there’s no telling how things will shake out in the end. If you do nothing and an insurance company side with another driver (or claims owner), you could be left exposed to thousands of dollars in medical bills and other expenses – not to mention pain and suffering.
That’s where the services of an Accident attorneys California come in, and it could prove to be time well spent.
The best way to ensure you’ll get the most out of this is by doing your research ahead of time – know what you should expect when meeting with an attorney, how much they should charge (in legal fees), and what to watch out for.
Here are some things you should know before talking to an attorney:
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Prepare for the initial consultation
You should never jump into signing up with an attorney without having a face-to-face meeting. This is when you’ll discuss the accident, what happened before, during, and after – your injuries, medical bills, time missed from work or school, pain and suffering – all to get a better idea of how much it might cost to pursue a claim.
You should also be prepared to discuss your budget and let the lawyer know what you can afford in terms of legal fees. Remember that an attorney is paid only if they win your case – so there’s no guarantee that you’ll receive any money back at all.
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Ask about costs
Insurance companies are extremely thorough in what they do, especially if they suspect an injury case. But unfortunately, this means that even if you’re not at fault for the accident, you could be dragged into the legal fray; and having to take time off from work or school could become another strain on your wallet.
You must find out the total costs if you decide to file a claim with all this in mind. For example, attorney fees, court fees, expert witness fees – all of these should factor into your final decision.
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Prepare for potential delays
Even if you’re prepared to file a claim, remember that there are obstacles in the way of your case. The initial response time can range from three months to just under two years, depending on whether the other party is uncooperative or if their insurance company denies coverage.
Another factor is simply filing your claim in a timely fashion – if you miss the deadline, you lose your right to compensation.
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Meet with several attorneys
Don’t make your decision solely on what one person says. When you’ve found a few who you think would be good candidates, schedule appointments to meet with each of them – and ask as many questions as possible.
Their rates, the amount of time it takes to settle, their experience – all of these things will help you make a decision that’s best for your situation.
While it might be time-consuming to do all of this research, meeting with an accident attorney is the first step toward getting the compensation you deserve.