Call Us: When Should I Contact an Attorney After A Car Accident?
Time plays a very important role after being involved in a car accident. The steps you take after an accident are very important in determining whether or not you’re able to move forward with a lawsuit or claim after you have been involved in a car accident. No person should have to suffer through injuries or lost wages because another party has caused a car accident. Make sure that your rights are protected and act on time.
After an accident, it could be very stressful trying to gather what the next steps are. The best step you could take for yourself is to get into contact with our top-rated car accident attorneys Megeredchian Law. Our car accident attorneys are available and ready to help you get the compensation and justice that you need.
Time is very important after an accident. Sometimes it may feel like time is passing by too fast. However it is important to stay focused and make sure that you take all the necessary steps. Sometimes, because so many things are happening all at once, you are not able to hire an attorney in time. This then opens up the opportunity for insurance companies or other third parties to call you and try to take advantage of you by offering a low settlement amount. This is usually what insurance companies may do immediately after an accident to get it out of the way and prevent any future car accident lawsuits.
Our car accident attorneys have been representing accident victims for the last several decades. We have had clients all throughout California, and know just what it takes to make sure that our clients get the compensation they need. But, you must contact us as soon as possible after an accident so we can get started on working for you.
Why should I act quickly after an accident?
- Insurance companies may try to call you and offer a low settlement amount, telling you that this is the most they can do. This is usually a strategy that insurance companies use, and unfortunately, many accident victims may fall for it.
- The longer you wait, the more difficult it could be to get proof of the accident. For example, if there was surveillance footage of the accident, it could get erased after a couple of months. It is also very difficult to locate a witness months after an accident.
- The longer you wait, the more it could be difficult to get medical treatment. You should get treatment right away. This is especially true for injuries such as spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries. The longer you wait to get the treatment, the worse the injuries could get.
When can I file my car accident lawsuit in California?
There is a time limit on when you could file your car accident lawsuit. There is a statute of limitations that directs the time limit for different types of lawsuits. For car accidents specifically, there is a two-year statute of limitations. This means that you must follow the lawsuit within 2 years. This does not mean that you must hire an attorney two years from the accident.
You need to contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible after the accident. The earlier your attorney is involved, the easier it is to collect and gather evidence, and piece together what happened while also locating the responsible parties.
What should I do after a car accident in California?
- After a car accident in California, many people may think that they should get medical treatment and go home to document exactly what happened. This is not the case. There are various steps that you could take to make sure that you have the accident documented and you have secured your rights.
- Call 911 immediately. If the accident is severe, such as a pedestrian accident or motorcycle accident, you should call 911 for immediate medical evaluation.
- Call the police. If there has been bodily injuries or property damage, the police usually arrive on site and generate a traffic accident report. This accident report is created by interviewing all parties and witnesses.
- If there were witnesses to the accident, make sure that you get their information. Do not rely on other parties together information.
- Take photos and videos of the vehicle damage and the location where the accident happened.
- Get the other parties’ insurance information and contact information.
- If you do not require immediate medical attention, make sure that you visit some type of medical provider to be evaluated. Sometimes, injuries may not even be felt until days after the accident.
- Hire an experienced car accident attorney in California. The attorney that you choose could make or break your entire case. A strong attorney will know how to move forward with your case and make sure that you get the help you need.
Why should I hire a car accident attorney?
- Our car accident attorneys (abogados de accidentes) have gone through the legal process hundreds of times, and know exactly how to maneuver through the process. Various different documents and forms should be filled out before and during the lawsuit. Failing to follow just one step could risk getting your entire case thrown out by the judge.
- We will negotiate with insurance companies and third-party attorneys to make sure that we represent you to the full potential. Usually, insurance companies or other defense attorneys may try to take advantage of an unrepresented party.
- If you are worried about excessive attorney fees, our attorneys are only paid through a contingency fee basis, this means that it will not cost you anything out of pocket to hire our attorneys. The earlier you hire our attorneys, the better it is for both your attorney and you.
What is a case evaluation?
A case evaluation is a one-on-one case meeting with our attorneys to discuss the different steps that could be taken for your case. We offer complimentary case evaluations to our potential clients to be able to give them an opportunity to get to know our attorneys better. During this case evaluation, we could:
- Discuss what negligence is and how your lawsuit falls under negligence
- Determine what the overall cost of damages could be
- Discuss our attorneys’ experiences and the legal process
- Move forward with the deadlines you must have to meet
What types of injuries are common after a car accident?
- Lacerations
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Head injuries
Should I still hire an attorney if I think I am partially responsible for the car accident?
Sometimes, many people may think that because they are partially responsible for the accident, they do not have the right to hire an attorney or file a lawsuit. But that is not the case. Even if you believe you are partially responsible, you still have the right to recover the rest of the compensation from the responsible party.
If you are confused as to what to do next, make sure that you have an experienced attorney on your side to take the reins. We are here for you every step of the way, call or text us to get started on scheduling a free case evaluation.