How do I file a police report after my accident?
Law enforcement officers who respond to the scene have a responsibility to file a police report on the incident. This report is a critical piece of evidence. You usually can't get a police report unless the officers respond at the scene. The officers will take your statement. (Although you should not discuss the accident with other drivers or pedestrians present at the scene, you should give your statement to the officers for use in your official police report.)
How do I file an insurance claim for my car accident?
If you have an auto accident attorney, you don't have to worry about making a claim. Your attorney will handle the paperwork for you. He will also prevent you from saying anything to the insurance company that could hurt your claim. If you want to handle your case without an attorney, you need to call the insurance company to file your claim.
What if I don't get a fair settlement offer for my accident?
Insurance companies will rarely offer a fair settlement on the first try. Instead, they will try to humiliate you with an offer that does not fully compensate you for your pain and suffering. This is why these procedures are important to be represented by an experienced car accident lawyer. A lawyer knows how to respond to a lobbying offer and then prove that the claim is truly valuable.
If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiation, your lawyer may want to file a lawsuit on your behalf. In many cases, simply filing a lawsuit is sufficient incentive for the insurance company to propose its settlement. If not, the parties will be involved in the discovery process, which involves investigating the case to find evidence which is then exchanged. Evidence from the discovery may also affect the insurance company's settlement proposal.
How much does it cost me to hire a California car accident lawyer?
Unlike criminal defense or divorce lawyers who charge an hourly rate, most personal injury lawyers work by accident. Working on contingencies means they will be given an agreed percentage to resolve any incidents. If you do not pay, the attorney will not pay. If the attorney has to file a lawsuit on your behalf, the work required in your case increases dramatically. This is why most personal injury lawyers often accept a higher percentage if a lawsuit is filed in your favor. There will be court costs and litigation costs, so it is important to be clear about who will pay the fees when the case goes to trial.
The bottom line is that you can hire a personal injury lawyer without any prior fees. Some injury victims are not represented because they are concerned about the cost. Not hiring a lawyer can hurt your claim. You might say something to the insurance company that makes them believe that you are to blame for the accident.