Shaaban & Biedgoly
Accidents happen unexpectedly, and the aftermath can be overwhelming, particularly when it comes to understanding your legal rights and the steps needed to recover from personal injury. Whether you’ve been involved in a car accident or a motorcycle accident, obtaining an attorney is essential to ensure you’re protected. Contact Shaaban & Biedgoly, your Folsom personal injury law firm, for your free consultation to ensure your rights to recovery are protected.
Navigating the Complex Insurance Process
When you’ve been in a car accident, insurance companies are supposed to help you recover compensation for your losses. However, the reality is often different. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts and protect the company’s interests. Even if the accident wasn’t your fault, they might try to reduce your compensation by disputing liability or the extent of your injuries. Having a personal injury attorney can help you navigate these complex conversations and negotiations with insurance companies.
An attorney will review all insurance policies available, negotiate with the adjuster, and make sure that you’re not tricked into accepting a low settlement. Personal injury lawyers also have the resources to conduct thorough investigations into the accident and can present strong evidence that strengthens your claim.
Maximizing Your Compensation
Many people underestimate the costs associated with a car accident, especially when injuries are involved. Serious car or motorcycle accidents can lead to long-term medical treatments, surgeries, rehabilitation, and significant financial strain. A personal injury attorney ensures that you receive compensation for all your damages, not just the immediate medical bills.
Damages after a car accident may include:
- Medical bills (current and future)
- Lost wages and lost future earnings
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
A lawyer specializing in personal injury understands the intricacies of these cases and can accurately calculate your total damages. Without legal representation, you could end up settling for far less than what you deserve. With an attorney advocating for you, you increase your chances of receiving full compensation.
Determining Fault and Gathering Evidence
Proving who is at fault in an accident can be complicated, particularly in a motorcycle accident or multi-vehicle car crash. Insurance companies might dispute liability to limit their payouts, leaving you to shoulder some of the blame, even if you weren’t at fault. An experienced personal injury attorney can handle the detailed work of determining fault by gathering key evidence such as:
- Police reports
- Eyewitness testimonies
- Traffic camera footage
- Accident reconstruction experts
These pieces of evidence can be critical to proving that another driver’s negligence led to the accident, which is essential for winning your case. In California, the legal system operates on a comparative negligence model, which means your compensation can be reduced if you’re found partially at fault. A personal injury lawyer ensures that this doesn’t happen unfairly and fights to prove the other party’s liability.
Avoiding Costly Legal Mistakes
Car accidents can also involve complex legal deadlines, such as the statute of limitations. In California, accident victims typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. Missing this deadline can result in the loss of your right to seek compensation. However, exceptions exist for cases involving minors or government vehicles, which require a lawyer’s expertise to navigate.
A personal injury attorney ensures that all paperwork is filed on time and that you avoid costly mistakes, such as signing away your right to future compensation. For example, if you accept a quick settlement from the insurance company before the full extent of your injuries is known, you could be left with uncovered medical bills in the future. An attorney will prevent this by carefully evaluating any settlement offer before you agree to it.
Expertise in Negotiations
Most personal injury cases settle before going to trial, but that doesn’t mean you should go it alone. Insurance companies are skilled at negotiating lower payouts, but an attorney knows how to counter their tactics. They understand the value of your case, so they can push back on low offers and demand appropriate compensation for your losses.
If negotiations fail, an experienced personal injury attorney will be prepared to take your case to court. Having a lawyer shows the insurance company that you mean business and are ready to fight for what you deserve, which often leads to a more favorable settlement without having to go to trial.
Specialized Knowledge for Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents are often more severe than car accidents due to the lack of physical protection for the rider. Injuries from motorcycle crashes are typically more serious, involving head trauma, spinal injuries, and broken bones. Because of the unique nature of these accidents, they require specialized legal knowledge.
A personal injury attorney familiar with motorcycle accident cases will know how to investigate the crash and handle potential biases from insurance companies, who might try to argue that motorcyclists are inherently reckless. Having an attorney who understands these challenges can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
Jamil Shaaban has over 25 years of motorcycle riding experience. He not only understands the intricacies of motorcycle accidents, but he also knows what it’s like to be a motorcyclist on California roads.
No Upfront Costs
One of the most common concerns for accident victims is the cost of hiring a personal injury attorney. However, most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay any fees unless they win your case. This structure allows accident victims to access legal representation without worrying about upfront costs.
Your attorney’s fee will typically be a percentage of your settlement or court award, giving them a strong incentive to fight for the maximum compensation possible. If you don’t win your case, you won’t owe them anything, making legal help accessible to everyone.
Support Through Long-Term Recovery
The effects of a car or motorcycle accident can linger for months or even years. Recovery often involves physical therapy, surgeries, and other long-term treatments that insurance companies may not fully cover. A personal injury attorney takes these long-term needs into account when calculating your damages.
Without an attorney, you might settle for less than what you need to fully recover, leaving you to cover future expenses out of pocket. By hiring an attorney early on, you ensure that your future medical needs and lost wages are factored into your settlement.
Conclusion
In the aftermath of a car accident or motorcycle accident, it is always advised to hire a personal injury attorney. Whether you’re dealing with complex insurance claims, calculating damages, proving fault, or protecting your legal rights, an attorney is essential to ensuring a fair outcome.
If you’re in Folsom or anywhere in California, don’t wait to seek legal help. The sooner you get an attorney involved, the better your chances of receiving full and fair compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and other damages.
Contact Shaaban & Biedgoly today for your FREE legal consultation.