If you or someone you love is injured in a car accident, the next step after medical care should be hiring an attorney. Even if you are not at fault and entitled to financial recovery, securing compensation is not always as easy as filling a claim and waiting for the insurance company to mail a check. Auto insurance companies are known for their attempts to devalue or deny claims, which is why representing yourself can be a costly mistake. Here are a few situations when you absolutely should hire an attorney for a car accident.
Injuries are Severe
You may be in excruciating pain and facing days, weeks, or months of recovery. As soon as you hire an attorney for help, they will begin investigating your accident and will handle all communication with the at-fault parties and insurance companies while you get better.
Accidents involving serious bodily injury can result in complicated lawsuits. To recoup the extensive costs for medical treatment, car repairs, property damage, lost wages, and any other associated expenses, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault parties. Civil cases are complex and require professional advice. A car accident attorney can guide you through the legal process, help calculate the amount of compensation you are justified, and represent you against potential counterclaims.
Liability is Disputed
If there is any dispute about liability, contact an attorney. Some or all of the blame can easily be placed on you, which can significantly limit or eliminate the compensation you should receive. California follows the rule of “pure comparative negligence.” This means your percentage of fault will reduce your financial recovery. For instance, if you are awarded $50,000 and found 80 percent at fault, you will only receive 20 percent or $10,000.
When the fault is disputed, your attorney will conduct an in-depth investigation to collect evidence in support of your claim. They will ensure that liability falls where it should.
Claim is Denied
When you file an accident claim and the at-fault party’s insurance company denies it and refuses to pay, you may have a claim of bad faith against them. Insurance companies are required to treat claimants with good faith, which means they are supposed to review and investigate your claim and, if it is valid under the policy, work with you to come to a beneficial settlement. However, the desire to avoid costly claims and settlements often leads insurers to deny valid claims.
If the insurer fails to behave reasonably, such as losing paperwork, failing to investigate, or waiting an unreasonable amount of time to investigate, then you may have a legal claim of negligence against them.
Contact Our San Diego Car Accident Lawyers for Help Today
If you have recently been involved in a car accident, call CaseyGerry to find out how our San Diego Car Accident Lawyers can help. We offer a free consultation, so reach out to us by calling (619) 238-1811 or connect with us online today.
