If you have been injured in an accident and someone else was at fault then you may be wondering: Do I need to hire a personal injury attorney? It is likely that this is not a cut and dry answer. In some instances, it is worth it and in others you may be better off accepting a settlement. Read on to learn more about situations that may require an attorney. If you decide you want a free legal consultation, you can contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 right away.
Can you easily prove the other driver was at fault?
If you can easily prove the other driver was at fault then you may not need to hire an attorney. Note that this is not the same thing as there being a driver that is clearly at fault – you must be able to prove it. This requires a deep understanding California laws and access to the required evidence, including eyewitnesses, expert witnesses, and other types of evidence.
If you are not familiar with the law then there is a decent chance that you cannot prove the other party was at fault – even when they clearly were. You will also find that an attorney has an unbiased picture of the events. They can more easily asses what the accident will look like to a jury or judge.
Did you suffer significant injuries?
The vast majority of accidents in California involve nothing more than a minor injury. These may not have much of an economic or noneconomic impact, which may make it better to accept a claim from the insurance company rather than pursuing a claim. However, if you have suffered a serious injury, or any injury that will result in long-term medical needs, then it is likely worth it to talk to an attorney about your options.
Was there significant property damage?
Even if you did not suffer serious injury, it may be worth it to talk to an attorney if there was a large amount of property damage. Make sure that you wait to learn about the total cost of all damages and their repair or replacement before accepting a settlement. You may be shocked to learn that something as seemingly simple as replacing a bumper on an average sedan can cost $3,000 or more.
When in doubt: Call for a free legal consultation
If you are still not sure if it is worth it to contact a personal injury attorney then we recommend calling for a free consultation. You can reach Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707. We do not charge upfront attorney fees and instead work on a contingency basis. This means that we only get paid if you do – and it also means that we will be honest with you if we believe your case is better handled by negotiating with the insurance company.
