While car accidents happen every day, you may not think about them until they happen to you or someone you love. Most of the time, these accidents are caused by someone else’s negligence.
Whether you’re driving to work or taking your kids to after-school sports, when an accident happens, you’re stuck with injuries and many expenses. With the help of a car accident lawyer in Santa Barbara, CA, you’ll have a better chance of recovering fair compensation to take care of your financial losses.
You may think you can settle this with the insurance company; however, only a car accident attorney knows the ins and outs of the relevant laws. Here’s how they can help you.
Negotiations
Most people picture lawyers arguing in the courtroom. The reality is that with car accidents, most cases settle long before the case ever gets to trial. An attorney will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
Insurance companies tend to take advantage of the fact that ordinary people only think about property damage and medical bills. You probably don’t think about the financial ramifications of missing work due to your injuries or the long-term effects of your injuries. You may also have non-economic damages that don’t have a fixed dollar amount, such as your pain and suffering or mental anguish resulting from the accident.
Car accident lawyers know this and are ready to get you what’s fair.
Gathering Evidence
In a car accident case, the injured party must prove that the at-fault party was negligent and liable for their injuries and damages. You’ll need evidence to prove this, like your medical records, police reports, photos, and witness statements. You may not know where to turn for all these things. Plus, it’s exhausting when you’re in pain and trying to heal. An attorney can handle all these things for you and prove that the other party caused the accident and your injuries.
Identifying Your Damages
As mentioned, most people don’t realize all that they are entitled to when they are injured in an accident caused by the negligent actions of others. Personal injury laws are very complex, and an attorney can determine everything you can claim.
Building a Solid Case
After gathering evidence and identifying your damages, if the negotiations don’t result in the proper sum to compensate you accordingly, your attorney will move ahead with a lawsuit. This all must be done within the statute of limitations, which is two years from the date of the accident.
As all this goes on, the insurance company may try to argue that you were at fault or contributed to the crash on some level. They may try to negate your claims and offer less. With a skilled car accident attorney, you will be able to prove that you are entitled to all the damages you seek. Most offer a free initial consultation to help you understand your legal rights. You should see what is possible by scheduling one.