Feeling Overwhelmed? This Easy Guide Will Help…
Hiring a lawyer isn’t the kind of thing most people think about until they need one.
Maybe nothing was further from your mind at the beginning of the week or the month, but then a careless driver crashed into your car, and everything changed.
If that sounds familiar, you aren’t alone. Countless people are injured in Bakersfield auto accidents every year. Studies show that the overwhelming majority of these accidents are caused by another driver’s carelessness.
Injuries can range anywhere from short-term and relatively manageable to debilitating or even deadly. Indeed, as many as 4,000 Californians are killed in car crashes each year.
Regardless of how your accident happened, you might be feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, and confused as to how state law might apply.
So how do you know if you need an auto accident attorney? Where do you even begin to look?
Below, you’ll find an easy guide to deciding whether you need a lawyer, how to get one, and what to look for to ensure your legal representative is a good fit.
Do You Really Need a Lawyer?
Nothing about a car crash is easy. Between the phone calls, the paperwork, the insurance issues, the doctor’s visits — not to mention the pain and emotional distress you may very well be feeling — the aftermath can feel like a real whirlwind.
All of that gets much, much easier once you have a lawyer on your side. Still, it is true that not every single auto accident needs an attorney. Actually, you are never required to hire one. But most car crash victims do because their outcomes are usually much better — and their lives are much less stressful — when someone’s fighting on their side.
In general, it’s a good idea to hire a California auto accident attorney if your crash:
- Caused serious injuries
- Caused costly damages
- Might produce large medical bills (either now or over the course of time)
- Involves complicated facts
- Sent you to the hospital
- Resulted in a death
Additionally, it’s a good idea to hire a lawyer if:
- You want to make sure you are getting the compensation you truly deserve
- You want peace of mind
- You don’t trust the insurance company on the other side
Actually, that last item is a bit of a catch-all. You should never trust the insurance companies. They are not on your side, and it is their job to offer you as little compensation as possible. Without an attorney representing you, you will likely receive less than you deserve for maintenance, repairs, rental cars, injuries, lost wages, and more.
The Benefits of Hiring an Auto Accident Attorney
Some people hesitate to hire a personal injury lawyer, and we understand why. Polling shows that the top reasons people give for deciding against a lawyer is that they fear it will be too expensive, too complicated, or that they don’t want to get involved with a long and drawn-out lawsuit.
But those misgivings are actually misconceptions.
Many auto accident and personal injury attorneys, including those here at The Law Offices of Mickey Fine, work on a contingency fee basis. That means we do not charge you anything upfront or out of pocket.
You only have to pay us if we succeed in getting you money – and even then, our total bill is only a percentage of your recovery. So there is literally nothing to lose.
Moreover, working with lawyers actually makes life less complicated. All those phone calls and forms we mentioned earlier? Your attorney will handle all that for you, always putting your very best interests first. That way, you can get back to living your life sooner.
And there are simply no obligations. As the client, you remain in control of your case. Scheduling a consultation doesn’t mean you have to file a lawsuit. And initiating legal action doesn’t necessarily mean spending the next year in court. In fact, we successfully settle almost all of our clients’ auto accident claims outside of court — for more than the insurance company was prepared to offer them otherwise.
Beginning Your Search: How to Hire an Auto Accident Lawyer
Like almost all service providers today, attorneys are easy to find online. Google is a great way to begin looking for lawyers in your area.
We do recommend limiting your search to law firms that have experience working in your same geographic area. This is important because laws and procedures vary from one jurisdiction to the next.
The Law Offices of Mickey Fine are located in Bakersfield, CA, and we routinely serve clients throughout Southern California.
Things to Look For in a Bakersfield Car Crash Lawyer
Not every lawyer is the same. Hiring the right law firm can make an enormous difference in the outcome of your claim. Here are some things to look for:
- Multiple years of experience in California auto accident litigation
- Experience with the court system in the county where you’ll be filing
- Law firms that are fully prepared to take a case to trial, even if they are able to settle most of their claims out of court. (If the insurance company knows trial is a possibility, it is more likely to negotiate fairly.)
- A history of high-dollar settlements and verdicts
- Client testimonials or interviews
- Law firms that work with investigators, which can gather information to strengthen your case against the insurance company
Hire a Bakersfield Auto Accident Attorney Today
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a California car crash, you deserve comprehensive financial justice. Don’t settle for lowball payments from the insurance company. Hire someone to aggressively fight for your rights instead.
The Law Offices of Mickey Fine is dedicated to advancing your interests and maximizing your compensation.
Scheduling a free consultation is your first step. If you think you might need the help of a Bakersfield auto accident attorney, please call our office, send us a text message, or use our online form right away. We’re waiting to help.