We never expect to be involved in a car accident. Unfortunately, most people will experience a crash at least once in their lifetime. Knowing when you should hire a lawyer after a minor car accident in Santa Ana can help you receive the compensation you deserve for injuries and damages.
Whether you need to hire a personal injury lawyer depends on many factors. The insurance company for the other driver might call your accident a “fender bender,” but that doesn’t mean you did not sustain losses. An insurance adjuster may try to convince you to accept a low settlement that is in the insurance company’s best interest.
A Santa Ana car accident lawyer will assess your case and give you an honest opinion regarding its value during a free consultation.
Reasons to Hire a Car Accident Attorney in Santa Ana, CA
It is beneficial to get legal advice whenever you are involved in a car accident.
However, situations that indicate you need to speak with an accident lawyer include, but are not limited to:
- You sustain catastrophic injuries, such as spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, paralysis, loss of limb, internal organ injuries, or severe burns
- Your car accident injuries result in permanent impairments or disabilities
- The insurance company denies your claim or refuses to pay a fair amount
- The accident involves a government entity, commercial truck, or multiple parties
- The other driver does not have the required California car insurance coverage
- Your child is injured in a car crash
- The accident resulted in a wrongful death
- You are being blamed for contributing to the cause of the accident, which could reduce how much your case is worth under California’s comparative negligence law
- The accident involves an Uber or Lyft vehicle
There could be other situations when you need to contact a car accident lawyer. The best way to know whether you need legal representation after a minor accident is to speak with a trusted personal injury lawyer.
The Benefits of Hiring a Santa Ana Car Accident Lawyer After a Minor Collision
Pursuing a car accident claim can be time-consuming and expensive. It can also be stressful to deal with an insurance company. Hiring a lawyer takes these burdens off your shoulders.
Other benefits of hiring a Santa Ana car accident lawyer include:
- Your lawyer will investigate the cause of your car accident to identify all parties who could share liability for your injuries and losses
- The lawyer will gather evidence proving that the other driver caused the crash, which is necessary to hold them legally responsible for damages
- A Santa Ana personal injury law firm has the resources to hire expert witnesses to assist with the case, if necessary
- Your lawyer will handle all matters with the insurance company, including filing a claim, providing documentation to the company, and negotiating a fair settlement
- You can focus your energy on your recovery instead of dealing with a legal claim
- An lawyer will attempt to negotiate payoffs for medical liens and subrogation claims to keep as much money for you as possible
- You are not required to know the law governing insurance claims and personal injury cases with an lawyer by your side
- Your lawyer will monitor the statute of limitations to ensure you do not miss the deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit, if needed
Because personal injury lawyers accept cases on a contingency fee basis, you do not need to worry about paying a retainer fee to hire a lawyer. Instead, your lawyer is paid a percentage of the amount they recover in your car accident claim. Therefore, you can trust that the lawyer believes they can recover a sufficient amount for your case, or they will not take it.
Do You Know How Much Your Car Accident Claim Is Worth?
Even a minor car accident could result in thousands of dollars in damages. Generally, an initial offer from the insurance company is lower than the actual value of your damages. If you aren’t sure how to calculate how much your case is worth, you might accept a low settlement offer if you don’t talk to an lawyer.
Car accident victims can receive compensation for their physical injuries, emotional harm, and financial losses.
The damages in a car accident case include economic and non-economic damages such as:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages
- Mental anguish
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical pain and suffering
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Decrease in earning capacity
- Long-term nursing/personal care
- Rehabilitative therapy
- Impairments and disabilities
- Loss of enjoyment of life
You might feel okay after a minor car crash. However, you could be injured. Those aches and pains could indicate a serious injury.
It is always best to be seen by a doctor after a car accident. They will document your symptoms and perform a thorough examination to diagnose injuries. If your symptoms worsen over the following days and weeks, having those symptoms noted in your medical record soon after the car accident could be helpful.
Likewise, meeting with a car accident lawyer is beneficial. Learn whether you need to hire a lawyer after a minor car accident during a free initial consultation.
What Should I Do After a Minor Car Accident in Santa Ana, California?
Treat every collision seriously. Most car accidents must be reported to the police and the DMV in California. Call 911 to report the crash and request assistance.
While waiting for a police officer, take photographs and make a video of the accident scene, especially the damage to the vehicles. Ask anyone who witnessed the accident for their names and contact information. Do not discuss details with anyone other than the police officer.
Seek prompt medical treatment after a crash. It is wise to be checked out by a physician. Some accident victims experience delayed injury symptoms days or weeks after a car crash. It’s also wise to seek legal advice so you are aware of your legal options following a minor car accident in Santa Ana, CA.
Contact Robles Babaee, Personal Injury Lawyers or Visit Our Law Firm in Santa Ana for Help Today
Robles Babaee, Personal Injury Lawyers
1851 E 1st St Suite 810, Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714) 263-3700