Have you suffered injuries in an unfortunate truck accident? Were you injured because of a defective product? Did you suffer the consequences of a doctor’s mistake? These are all examples of personal injuries for which you deserve compensation. California is an at-fault state, which means that the party responsible for your injuries must pay compensation for your losses. The settlement is meant to cover your medical bills, vehicle/property damage, lost income, lost future wages, and other losses. If you are looking for help with my personal injury claim in Los Angeles, you can find numerous dedicated law firms. Before you consult an attorney, here’s what you can expect.
- Free initial consultation. Lawyers are usually happy to offer a free initial consultation, during which they will assess your claim and determine what you can expect in a settlement. The first meeting is a good time to know your lawyer and ask about their expertise and experience. If you sustained serious injuries in an accident and are recovering in a hospital, an attorney can come over and discuss the case.
- Help with evidence, fault, and liability. If you are filing an injury claim, you are required to provide evidence that the other party (as you claim) is at fault. From the police report and witness statements to other types of evidence, you need everything together to win a settlement. If you hire an attorney, they will do their share of investigation and ensure that your case is strong enough to be pursued. They will also help establish fault to determine liability.
- A contingency fee arrangement. Typically, you pay nothing to the personal injury lawyer unless you have won a settlement. This is called a contingency fee arrangement. If the lawyer gets you a settlement, they will charge a percentage of it, usually ranging from 25% and 40%.
- Negotiating with the insurance company. There’s no denying that negotiating a claim with the insurance claims adjuster is the hardest part. Insurance companies don’t want to pay settlements and often adhere to bad faith insurance tactics to deny claims. An attorney can become the first point of contact on your behalf. You can be assured that the lawyer wouldn’t settle for anything less than a fair amount.
If nothing works out, your lawyer may even file a personal injury lawsuit, for which you have a deadline of two years in California. Shortlist a few law firms now to get started.
