Choosing to proceed and file a claim for damages after a crash without any legal counsel is risky at best; procedural missteps can lead to your case’s denial, and even if it progresses, you could inadvertently resolve it for far less than you need or deserve.
The thing is, knowing for certain whether you need to hire a car accident attorney after a wreck can be remarkably tricky if you don’t know what they do. Keep reading to learn about how a car accident lawyer can help you.
Six Crucial Ways A Car Accident Lawyer Can Help With Your Case
Every car accident claim, and every lawyer who represents injury victims in such cases, is different. Each attorney’s approach to assisting a client is unique and tailored to the specific circumstances of their case. Nevertheless, most competent and dedicated car accident lawyers will do the following for you:
1. Provide Legal Advice About Your Rights And The Process
Perhaps the most fundamental role that any lawyer plays is that of a guide and advisor, familiarizing their clients with the legal process and what they can expect as their claims progress. Since you are ultimately in control of how you want your case to be resolved, the information and counsel your attorney provides will help you make fully informed decisions.
2. Investigate Your Claim And Determine Fault
Before you can file a claim, you need to know the person or business against whom the suit should be filed. Determining who is to blame for your injuries is not always a straightforward exercise, though, and typically requires a thorough review of reports, photographs, videos, and other evidence. Car accident attorneys know how to conduct such investigations promptly.
3. Prepare And File Legal Paperwork
Obtaining compensation for your injuries demands far more than simply filling out a form. There may be petitions, answers, motions, and other legal documents that require preparation, proper formatting, and timely filing.
Generally, California courts do not excuse you from all of these requirements just because you are representing yourself, which makes an attorney’s help crucial.
4. Communicate With The Other Party
The other party and their attorney(s) will try to communicate with you, either to explore settlement options, request additional information, or schedule hearings. These outreaches are not only overbearing but risky; how you respond can affect your chances of successfully resolving your claim. Your lawyer’s involvement removes this burden and risk from you.
5. Appear In Court
Time in court can be intimidating, and while not every injury claim winds up in a courtroom, you will be glad you have an experienced attorney with you if yours does. Their courtroom skills will enable them to address the court and jurors, introduce evidence, respond to legal or factual concerns, and file and argue legal motions as needed.
6. Seek A Speedy Resolution To Your Case
Above all, your attorney will use the tools at their disposal to seek a prompt but fair resolution to your case that compensates you without needing to wait months or years. They will present you with the available options for handling your case, discuss them with you, and then implement your chosen strategy promptly.
Contact Mercado Kramer, LLP For A Free Consultation With A Monterey County Car Accident Lawyer
If you were hurt in a crash in Monterey County and aren’t sure what to do next, don’t try to navigate it alone. At Mercado Kramer, LLP, our experienced car accident lawyers can handle the legal heavy lifting so you can focus on recovery.
For more information, please contact our experienced California personal injury attorneys at Mercado Kramer, LLP, for a free consultation. We have offices in Salinas and San Jose, CA, and we serve throughout Monterey County.
Mercado Kramer, LLP.
450 Lincoln Ave Ste. 102, Salinas, CA 93901
(888) 311 4050