Traffic deaths in Los Angeles rose sharply in 2016, with 260 people killed in car crashes, representing an increase of nearly 43 percent over the previous year, according to the LA Times. Thousands more are injured in auto accidents every single day. Have you been the victim of a car accident in the LA area? A crash that took mere seconds can leave you with extensive damages to your car, not to mention astronomical medical expenses, missed work and wages, and pain and suffering.
If you have been in a car accident, you may need to scout around for a Los Angeles car accident lawyer who can help you regain losses from the accident and reduce the pile of paperwork and hassle typically involved in such a claim. Hiring the right lawyer can make a world of difference between a fairly resolved case and the potential loss of large monetary damages.a
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Minor car accidents where damages and injuries are minimal don’t always call for a lawyer to be hired. However, accidents caused by reckless driving, drunk driving and speeding, resulting in physical injuries and fatalities, absolutely require legal representation. Knowing when you need to hire a car accident lawyer can be fuzzy. That’s why we invite you to call Kuzyk Personal Injury & Car Accidents Lawyers now for a free initial consultation. We can help you determine if you indeed have a case.
But for now, here are some tips on how to hire the right Los Angeles car accident attorney.
Specialty
Make sure you look only at personal injury lawyers and not criminal, real estate or other types of lawyers. Even within personal injury, there are specialties. Most PI lawyers handle a large volume of car accident cases, as they are the most common. But it still doesn’t hurt to ask about their track record: how many similar cases they have handled, what their settlement and verdict rate is, etc.
Focus
Focus areas to ask about include experience, location (have they been serving the same service area for a number of years?), skill level, reputation, commitment to clients and fee structure. When interviewing Los Angeles car accident lawyers, make sure they are well-informed in California transportation laws and that they effectively know how to handle the insurance and healthcare companies. Because car accidents are so common in LA, everyone here is aggressive, from the drivers to the lawyers and yes, to the insurance companies. You need someone who won’t fall for the insurance companies’ tricks.
Your lawyer should be properly prepared to settle a car accident case but you also want one who isn’t afraid to take the case to court if need be. Most lawyers accept cases on a contingency basis, which means they don’t get paid until you win or settle. Make sure this is the case with any lawyer you go with.
Details
Car accident lawyers should have vast resources to explore every inch of your case, including details about the accident itself, the extent of your injuries and financial losses. They should be willing to hire accident reconstruction experts and be willing to meet with your doctors and specialists to fairly estimate what your future medical expenses will be.
Asking the Right Questions
Getting the right answers starts with asking the right questions. Your free initial consultation is the best time to ask these questions. Write them down beforehand in case you forget in the heat of the moment.
- What is your experience with handling car accident cases?
- How much of my car accident case will you handle personally and how much will paralegals or other lawyers in the firm handle?
- Have you dealt with my specific injury before?
- What percentage of your law practice is devoted to car accident cases?
- What is a typical settlement range for car accident cases like mine?
- How much are your fees if the case is won or settled?
- What out-of-pocket expenses will I have to pay?
- Are you prepared to take my car accident case to trial if necessary?
Good lawyers will answer all of these questions honestly and as best they can. Some answers just can’t be known at that point in time. So much depends on extraneous factors.
A Good Match
The most important thing is to feel comfortable with the car accident lawyer you ultimately choose. Remember, just like any other person you meet, lawyers have widely different personalities. You may sit down with an attorney who is well qualified to handle your case yet you just don’t have a good feeling in your gut. That’s OK. Keep looking until you strike the perfect balance between skill and personality.
Keep in mind: it’s entirely possible that you will be working closely with your car accident lawyer for several months or years in some cases. Make sure your comfort level is high to pave the way for a smooth process from start to finish.
Contact Kuzyk Personal Injury & Car Accidents Lawyers
Our team has been handling car accident cases in the Los Angeles area for more than 47 years. Check out our high rates of success with our verdicts and settlements. Call us now for a free consultation at 661-945-6969.