If you find yourself hurt in a car accident, you may be wondering about the next steps in the claims process. You could be entitled to significant compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Choosing whether or not you need a San Bernardino car accident lawyer to help with your claim can be a tough decision.
You may not need a lawyer at all to resolve smaller claims and those involving only minor injuries. The standard insurance claims process will typically allow you to recover your damages in those situations. However, there are some instances where hiring a lawyer is crucial to maximizing your financial recovery.
When Questions of Liability Exist After Your Car Accident
It is relatively easy to determine who was at fault in some car accidents. In these situations, it will be difficult for the defendant to avoid liability. However, it can sometimes be challenging to tell which driver was at fault. In some situations, the drivers may even share fault for the accident.
When this happens, the other driver’s insurance company will do everything it can to blame you for the accident. Doing so can reduce their financial responsibility, and it could mean that you end up with zero compensation for your injuries. You need an experienced lawyer on your side who can defend you against these tactics and make sure the responsible party is held accountable.
When Your Injuries Are Severe
Accidents involving only property damage or even minor injuries are often resolved fairly easily. However, things get much more complicated when you suffer severe or catastrophic injuries. The value of your damages in those situations can increase significantly, and you likely need the help of a lawyer to put a proper value on all those damages.
Some examples of severe injuries include:
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Severe burns
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Disfigurement
- Loss of limb
These types of injuries require extensive medical treatment, and they could leave you with a permanent disability. Your lawyer can help determine the proper value of all your future accident-related expenses. Otherwise, you might find yourself settling for far less than what your case is worth.
When Multiple Defendants Are Involved
Some accidents may involve multiple parties who have potential liability. This is especially common after a truck accident.
Truck accidents often involve multiple defendants, including:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- Service or maintenance providers
- Equipment manufacturers
- Third-party drivers
An experienced lawyer can help you navigate the legal complexities of handling multiple defendants. Your lawyer can also help you investigate the accident to determine which parties have legal liability and need to be included in any claims or potential lawsuits.
When You Don’t Know the True Value of Your Claim
Injured victims are entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages after a car accident. Many accident victims may not know that the value of their non-economic damages can far exceed the value of their financial losses in some situations.
You could be entitled to compensation for more losses than you realize, such as:
- Current and future medical bills
- Lost wages and benefits
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Depression
- Anxiety
- PTSD
- Loss of consortium
- Diminished quality of life
Without the help of a car accident lawyer, you might be leaving money on the table for your claim. A lawyer can use their experience to put an accurate value on your claim so that you can maximize your financial recovery.
When Your Claim Is Being Delayed or Denied
Insurance companies are in business to make money. They will often do everything they can to protect their bottom line, even if that means denying a legitimate claim.
Some common tactics include:
- Denying that their insured was at fault
- Minimizing the extent of your injuries
- Delaying the processing of your claim
- Failing to respond to your communications
- Making you a lowball offer to get a quick settlement
If you encounter any of these tactics in San Bernardino, you should contact an experienced car accident lawyer right away. Your lawyer can stand up to the insurance company and demand that they take your claim seriously.
Contact Our San Bernardino Car Accident Lawyer at Kenny Ramirez Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Some people try to handle the legal side of their car accident cases alone, but there are many situations when having an experienced lawyer on your side is the best choice. Call Kenny Ramirez Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a San Bernardino car accident lawyer.
For more information, please contact the San Bernardino personal injury attorneys at Kenny Ramirez Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers at our nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
Kenny Ramirez Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers
325 W Hospitality Ln Suite 204, San Bernardino, CA 92408
(909) 515-0646