What Actually Happens After You Hire a Santa Ana Personal Injury Lawyer?

If you have been in an accident that was not your fault, hiring a personal injury lawyer is one of the first steps in the claims process. But what happens after you hire a Santa Ana personal injury lawyer? The process can seem unfamiliar to many people who have never been in an accident. But you’re in luck. Below, we’ve got a detailed breakdown of what happens after you hire a personal injury lawyer at The Law Offices of Benjamin Arsenian, PC.

Your Life Changes Immediately, and It’s Usually for the Better

Hiring a lawyer indeed changes your life after an accident. But not in the way you may think. For one, you no longer have to worry about being contacted by the insurance companies involved. The insurance company will no longer call you to pressure you to settle or to obtain a recorded statement. This one thing alone can be such a relief for some people.

Your lawyer will serve as the primary point of contact and handle all communications with insurance adjusters on your behalf. Additionally, from the start, your lawyer will begin to gather evidence while you focus on recovering. Many people forget that personal injury lawyers handle much of the initial legwork without the client.

Your Lawyer Builds Your Case From the Start

One of the most important things that happens right at the beginning is the lawyer building your case. This doesn’t just mean what happened in the accident; it also means how it has changed your life. We want to know about your job, your family, and whether you have been placed in a position where you need to adjust your responsibilities at home or at work.

One of the most important parts of this is gathering the evidence needed to help build your case. In Santa Ana, many businesses have surveillance cameras that may capture footage of the accident. While your lawyer collects accident reports, medical records, and other evidence, they will ensure it is not destroyed or discarded before collection.

Insurance Companies Push Back at Every Chance 

Insurance companies are not your friend. One of the most important things that your lawyer will do is make sure that insurance companies do not take advantage of you. This means a lot of things. For example, insurance companies want to settle early. Your lawyer will ensure this does not happen. You want to ensure your medical treatment is accurately tracked before you settle to avoid being taken advantage of.

In addition to this, insurance companies will also sometimes try to take the blame from other parties and place it on you. For instance, in a rear-end collision, an insurance company may attempt to shift some of the blame to the driver of the front vehicle, even if the rear driver is not at fault. Your lawyer will ensure they push back against insurance companies when they do this.

Fair Value Is Put on Your Case 

Many people do not know how to value a personal injury case properly. When someone is in an accident, their first concern is the medical bills they have to pay. They think this is all their case is worth, so they settle, and often for less than they should. The truth is that there is so much more to your case, and this is why having an experienced lawyer on your side is so vital.

Your lawyer will meet with you and review everything. They will consider current and future medical expenses, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and more. They will put a value on your case so that if the insurance company makes an offer, they can advise you accordingly.

Negotiations Are Made on Your Behalf 

Negotiations are the next step in the process after your lawyer has all the information they need to value your case correctly. This is where your lawyer is not just your voice but also your shield. They will begin making settlement demands and working with the insurance companies to come up with a number that both parties are happy with.

As this is happening, your lawyer will review any offers with you alone. Your lawyer will not only tell you the offer and let you know if it is a reasonable offer, but they will also give you the rationale behind the offer. If it is a good offer, then the decision is yours. Your lawyer will not pressure you into doing anything. If the offer is not favorable, your lawyer will work with you to develop a plan to secure a more favorable offer.

Court is Not Always Necessary 

One of the most important things people do not realize is that most personal injury cases do not go to trial. They settle outside of the courtroom. But if the insurance company is not willing to budge and provide a reasonable offer, your lawyer will still be there to litigate on your behalf.

Your lawyer will file your claim in court, work with deadlines, and make sure you have a good idea of what to expect in the future if a trial is necessary. Your lawyer will ensure you understand everything that is going on and whether any additional steps are necessary.

You Are in the Driver’s Seat: Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer Today

One of the last things people realize when hiring a personal injury lawyer is that it does not diminish their ability to make decisions about their case. You still call the shots at all times. You are the one who has the final say in whether or not to settle your case. Your lawyer is merely there to make sure you are making an informed decision and are not just giving in to pressure. Hiring a personal injury lawyer will give you the guidance and support you need after an accident. Contact us today to discuss the specifics of your case.