If you have been seriously injured in an accident, your situation can seem overwhelming. Between following your doctor’s instructions, dealing with the insurance company, and trying to make arrangements with your employer, there is a lot you need to do and not a lot of time to do it. In addition, your losses are adding up, and as time goes on you could find that the costs of the accident become insurmountable.
So, you are thinking about hiring a personal injury attorney, but you have questions: How much will it cost? How long will it take? What can an attorney really do to help?
While these are all valid questions, the simple truth of the matter is that you have no reason not to speak with a lawyer. At The Law Offices of Mickey Fine, your initial consultation is free. And, if you have a claim for compensation, our attorney will handle your claim on a contingency-fee basis. This means that you only pay if we win, with your legal fees calculated as a fraction of your award.
Our experienced personal injury attorney will also be able to help you answer questions such as:
Do I Have a Claim for Financial Compensation?
After being involved in an accident, one of the first things you need to know is whether you have a claim for financial compensation. If you have a claim, you can pursue compensation for all of your financial and non-financial losses. The key is to hire a personal injury attorney to pursue just compensation on your behalf.
What Do I Need to Do in Order to Protect My Claim?
If you have a claim for just compensation, you need to protect it. The at-fault party’s insurance company is going to fight your claim by all means available, and if you are not careful you could lose your claim entirely.
A personal injury attorney can tell you what you need to do in order to protect your claim and take steps on your behalf such as:
- Investigating the scene of the accident and collecting evidence from other sources
- Issuing subpoenas and using other formal legal processes to secure additional evidence of liability
- Dealing with the insurance companies on your behalf so that they do not talk you into making mistakes or giving up your legal rights
Each of these steps is crucial for strengthening your case and ensuring that the insurance company does not take advantage of you.
How Much Am I Entitled to Recover for My Injuries?
Knowing how much you are entitled to recover is extremely important. In some cases it is literally the million-dollar question. If you don’t figure out how much you are owed, the insurance companies aren’t going to tell you, and they aren’t going to offer a fair settlement.
Under California law, you are entitled to compensation for your current and future losses. In order to calculate the full extent of your damages, you are going to need to work with an experienced personal injury attorney.
When Should I Accept a Personal Injury Settlement?
Once you know how much you are entitled to recover, then you can make informed decisions about negotiating a settlement. However, the amount of your losses might not be the only factor you need to consider. Other considerations that may inform your decision to settle include:
- Is the insurance company claiming that you are partially at fault?
- If so, what evidence does it have to support these accusations?
- Is there a legitimate question as to liability?
- If so, what are your chances of success if you reject a settlement offer and take your case to trial?
Again, these are questions that require the knowledge and insights of an experienced personal injury attorney.
What Types of Mistakes Do I Need to Avoid?
Finally, when you have a personal injury claim, there are several critical mistakes you need to avoid. If you make these mistakes, you could delay your recovery, you could limit the amount you are able to recover, and you could even jeopardize your recovery entirely.
One of the biggest mistakes injury victims make is agreeing to provide a recorded statement to the other party’s insurance company. Another serious error is posting about your case on the Internet.
When you hire a personal injury attorney, your attorney can walk you through everything you need to know. You can talk to your attorney throughout your case if you have questions about what you should or shouldn’t be doing.
Get Help from Our Personal Injury Attorney
Do you have more questions about hiring a personal injury attorney? If so, we encourage you to schedule a free initial consultation with The Law Offices of Mickey Fine.
To speak with attorney Mickey Fine, please call (661) 333-3333 or contact us online today. Our law firm serves clients in Bakersfield, and nearby areas of California.