Should I Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident That Wasn't My Fault?

Yes, you should hire an attorney, especially when you are not to blame for an accident. Under California law, a motorist who is not at fault for an accident could be entitled to receive compensation in a settlement or a lawsuit. This is what makes California a “fault” state when it comes to car accidents. The motorist who is at fault must pay compensation to victims to cover medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Contact one of our Los Angeles car accident attorneys after a crash. Going it alone could be a big mistake.

HOW A LAWYER HELPS MOST

As explained above, car accidents turn on determining “fault” for the collision. The car that hit another vehicle is not necessarily at fault (though it often is). Instead, we need to look at whether one driver did not operate his vehicle with sufficient care, and whether this lack of care caused the crash.

Here are some examples of negligent conduct that can lead to a driver being at fault:

• Driving too fast for conditions
• Refusing to yield
• Running a red light or stop sign
• Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs
• Driving while distracted
• Fatigued driving
• Illegally passing
• Driving on the sidewalk
• Failing to use a turn signal

When a driver makes this kind of error and causes a crash, then he or she is at fault and must pay compensation to injured victims.

In some accidents, however, it is not always obvious which driver was at fault. Gathering evidence is critical to the success of a car insurance claim. Our Los Angeles car accident attorneys have extensive experience interviewing witnesses, looking for dash cam or surveillance video, and finding other evidence to use.

A LAWYER CAN ACCURATELY VALUE YOUR INJURIES

Do you know what constitutes a fair settlement? Many people realize they can get their medical expenses paid and lost income replaced. But few know they can also receive compensation for non-economic damages, which under California law includes compensation for:

• Physical pain
• Mental suffering
• Physical impairment
• Disfigurement
• Anxiety
• Embarrassment
• Inconvenience

Estimating the amount of non-economic damages you can receive requires an experienced legal eye.

YOUR LAWYER CAN NEGOTIATE A FAIR SETTLEMENT

Most people have no idea how to negotiate or are uncomfortable doing it. When you went to buy a new car, were you excited at the chance to drive a hard bargain with the car salesman? If not, then you should not expect negotiating a personal injury settlement to be any more enjoyable.

For one thing, few insurers will make a fair settlement offer straight out of the gate. Instead, they will probably make a very low offer, maybe so low that you feel insulted. You will need to drive a hard bargain to get the amount increased. Our experienced attorneys know how to do that.

Contact El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers today. One of our Los Angeles car accident attorneys will be pleased to meet with you for a free consultation where we can discuss how the accident happened and the extent of your injuries. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation.