If you've been injured in a car collision, slip-and-fall, or another type of accident caused by someone else's negligence, your injuries may require long-term and expensive medical care before you can begin to return to your normal life. The at-fault party's insurance company will be reluctant to give you sufficient compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and out-of-pocket costs, not to mention the pain and suffering you may have experienced as a direct result of the traumatic event.
Whether you're looking to settle out of court for a fair value for your case or pursue punitive damages against the individual or business responsible for your injuries or for a loved one's wrongful death, you need expert legal guidance to help you fight the insurance company and recover damages.
When to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
It's best to consult with a personal injury attorney immediately following the traumatic event that led to your injuries. If you don't have a strong case, an attorney can advise you of that and set realistic expectations for your claim. If you do have a strong case, an attorney can immediately begin collecting evidence and preparing your case so that your side is presented in as favorable a light as possible. Should you wait and hire an attorney later, your attorney will have a harder time preparing your case in a way that will most benefit you.
Many insurance companies will try to contact you right after the accident to see if they can convince you to accept a small settlement deal—they're hoping to catch you before you've hired an attorney and been made aware of the full value of your case. For these reasons, it's advisable to hire an attorney as soon as possible.
Keep in mind that you have two years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party here in California. Besides the statute of limitations, it's best to file a claim when the details of your accident and your ensuing treatment are still fresh in your mind.
What a Personal Injury Attorney Can Do for You and Your Claim
Personal injury cases are complex and often take years to be resolved. At every turn, the insurance company will be looking for excuses to reduce, delay, or deny your claim. Those companies employ hundreds of experts who will outmaneuver you if you try to represent yourself and prevent you from receiving the compensation you need to be able to move on with your life. Victims often fail to take into account the full financial burden of their medical costs, lost wages, physical therapy, medical equipment, property damages, and future expenses associated with the long-term implications of their recovery. An experienced attorney will be able to properly evaluate the value of your case so that you have the resources you need both immediately after and in the long-term wake of your accident.
Over the course of your medical care for your injury, you might see a number of different treating physicians and health specialists (chiropractors, physical therapists, etc.). Your attorney will keep track of your different providers and treatments to present a full and accurate picture of your injuries to the insurance company. During the course of your recovery, your attorney will work with your treating physicians to ensure you're receiving the highest quality of medical care.
Your personal injury attorney can also conduct a private investigation into the circumstances surrounding your accident, whether or not you had a police report or accident report filed at the time of the event. You can be sure the insurance company will conduct their own investigation, so you need the resources of an attorney on your side just to level the playing field.
Perhaps most important of all, your personal injury attorney can remove the stress of filing a claim during an already fraught time in your life. Pursuing litigation can put a heavy mental and emotional strain on not only you, but on your entire family, as well, sometimes even more so than the initial accident. Your attorney will handle the burden for you and deal with the opposing insurance company so that you don't have to. If you have lost a loved one as a result of someone else's negligence, your attorney can hold that party responsible for their actions, which can go a long way toward helping your family to move forward with your loss.
When you're selecting legal counsel to represent you, don't hire just any lawyer. You need someone with in-depth knowledge of personal injury law who is willing to be easily accessible by phone or email and to keep you well-informed regarding your claim. They should also have extensive experience litigating personal injury lawsuits and recovering maximum damages for their clients. Through both their legal understanding and their courtroom experience, your attorney can help you make informed decision regarding your best legal strategy for presenting your case and recovering damages. Finally, your attorney shouldn't be afraid to go up against a large insurance company with their own vast resources.
Demanding Justice for the Injured Since 1987
San Diego County Personal Injury Lawyer Russell Kohn has been fighting for maximum compensation for his clients in Vista and the surrounding area for over 35 years. He and his legal team specialize in helping the injured people or the bereaved families of San Diego County hold the people responsible for the accident accountable through their hard-hitting, aggressive legal representation.
Available 24/7 to his clients, Vista Personal Injury Attorney Kohn handles each and every case himself and doesn't stop representing his clients until they're satisfied with their results. Whether you've been injured in a bicycle accident or are pursuing a settlement from a large company, Attorney Kohn will fight for the compensation you deserve with steadfast commitment to your cause.
Schedule your free consultation with Kohn Law Office today to speak with Attorney Russell Kohn, who will handle your case with the compassion and integrity you deserve.