Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer

When someone is involved in an accident, they think to call the police and their insurance company, but they too often forget to call an attorney. The fact is, though, that a qualified Sacramento car accident lawyer can advise them on what to do if they suffer injuries or property damage as a result of the accident.

Attorney David Anguiano has extensive legal experience in representing victims injured in car accidents in Sacramento. Our legal team has a vast understanding of state law as it applies to car accidents and those injured by a motor vehicle of any kind. We aggressively fight for settlements for our clients that cover the damages they incur from car accidents caused by other drivers. We can help you fight for the settlement you deserve, too.

Even if you were partially to blame, you can still recover a portion of your damages in proportion to the percentage of the other drivers’ fault. The key to recovering the most money for your accident injuries, though, is hiring the right accident attorney.

What Does a Car Accident Attorney Do?

Many people wonder if they even need an accident attorney, and those who opt not to hire an attorney typically get a diminished settlement amount or no settlement at all. Insurance companies are out to deny claims and pay out as little as possible to those claims they do approve. However, a qualified attorney can act on an injured victim’s behalf to maximize settlement amounts and improve the chances that their claim can get approved.

Below are some ways that a Sacramento car accident lawyer can help a car accident victim:

• Investigate the accident – A good car accident attorney can investigate an accident to find the details that are specifically advantageous to their client’s case. An attorney knows what evidence to look for and how to get it, such as police reports, medical records, and eyewitness testimonies.
• Investigate liability – One reason for gathering the above-mentioned evidence is to validate liability for the accident to prove who was at fault for the injury. Accident attorneys know how to document evidence and how to present it in their client’s favor.
• Investigate the damages – An accident attorney can estimate the amount of money that will realistically cover all their client’s expenses and show proof of the amount that they determine.
• Negotiate with insurance companies – Asking for an amount is one thing, but getting an insurance company to agree to pay it is another. Getting an optimal award amount for a settlement heavily depends on the abilities of the negotiator to talk to the insurance adjuster, and the victim’s attorney is well-suited to this task.
• Going to trial – If a settlement amount cannot be reached in negotiations, a good personal injury attorney knows when to take it to court to get a fair and encompassing amount that adequately covers all their client’s expenses.
• Filing paperwork – An attorney knows what to file and how to ensure that it is filed properly. There are specific requirements and deadlines that are imperative to a successful car accident claim fulfillment, and an attorney knows how to navigate this timeline.
• Advocating – Advocating for the client’s interest is one of the primary roles of an attorney. In doing so, accident attorneys provide legal advice, explain complicated laws, answer questions, and navigate clients through the complex legal system.
• Litigating – When all prior efforts fail, litigation is the final option. An attorney can accurately present evidence, effectively argue a case, and properly cross-examine witnesses.

How Much Do Car Accident Lawyers Charge in California?

Like in personal injury cases, accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means that their fee is contingent on whether the client is awarded a settlement. If the claim is denied, there is no legal fee owed to the attorney. However, if a settlement is awarded, the attorney will get a percentage of that settlement. This percentage is usually between 30% and 40% and depends on the attorney. This fee should be established at the onset of retaining legal services.

What to Do If You Are Involved in a Car Accident

The key to any successful car accident or personal injury claim is irrefutable and physical evidence that proves liability and negligence. If you’ve been involved in an accident in which you were the victim of another at-fault driver, or if you might be that at-fault driver, don’t say anything to police or insurance adjusters. Do take as many pictures as possible and document as many things as you can regarding the accident, including the damage to other vehicles in the location where it occurred.

If there were any eyewitnesses, collect contact information for them. Save any medical records, police records, and anything you can that relates to the case or the day that the accident occurred. The more information and evidence you have for your attorney, the more likely they are to build a better case in your favor.

Hiring a Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer

If you are deciding whether you need to hire a Sacramento accident lawyer, then you probably do. A consultation with Anguiano Law can help you determine if your case would benefit from an attorney for any of the reasons listed above. Contact Anguiano Law today to start the discussion about your car accident case.