Have you been injured in an accident in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Inglewood, or another nearby city or community in California? If your accident resulted from the negligence of another individual or party, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and potentially even certain non-economic damages, such as your pain and suffering.
Often, the best method of recovering the compensation for which you are eligible is to file a claim to collect from the insurance of the negligent party who caused your accident. Unfortunately, insurance companies are not in the business of losing money. An insurer will likely prioritize finding a reason to deny your claim. If they are unable to get away with paying you nothing at all, they might nevertheless attempt to convince you that your claim is worth less than you genuinely deserve.
This is one of many reasons it is wise to enlist the help of a California personal injury attorney in these circumstances. Although an ethical attorney can’t make any promises about the specific amount of money you might recover, they can apply an insider’s understanding of how insurance companies protect themselves to optimize your chances of arriving at a fair settlement.
The process of working with an attorney begins with an initial consultation. At no cost to you, a legal expert will review your case and determine if you have grounds to pursue compensation.
This initial case review tends to be most productive when clients prepare ahead of time. To ensure your consultation results in a valuable discussion, take such steps as:
Gathering Evidence
Bringing as much evidence as you can to your consultation will give a personal injury attorney a clearer sense of whether you are eligible for compensation or whether your accident was a random occurrence for which no one is to blame.
The types of evidence you may bring can vary somewhat depending on the specific nature of your accident. In general, you should strive to gather:
- Pictures of the scene in the immediate aftermath of the accident
- Witness contact information and witness statements
- Pictures of your injuries
- Copies of police reports, accident reports, etc.
You might not have access to all these types of evidence. However, you should make a sincere effort to gather what you can.
Seeing a Doctor
This is essential. See a doctor right away after your accident, even if you don’t notice any immediate signs of injury. Symptoms of an injury can manifest later than you might expect them to. See a doctor as soon as possible to confirm you don’t need treatment, and bring copies of your medical records with you to your consultation.
Drafting a Narrative
You will need to explain your version of events to the attorney with whom you are consulting during your first meeting. To ensure you provide an honest and thorough account, draft a complete narrative beforehand.
When our California personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Howard Kornberg meet with potential clients, our goal is to fully understand the circumstances of their accidents. This allows us to provide the most valuable advice possible. Doing so is much easier when those consulting with us take these steps to prepare. To schedule your free initial consultation with our team, contact us online or call us at 310-997-0904.
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