One of the first, and most important steps, you can take following a car accident is to speak with a Los Angeles car accident attorney immediately. A qualified local auto accident attorney can help assess your case, provide you with legal guidance and let you how to proceed in order to ensure your rights are upheld and that any potential settlement or lawsuit lands in your favor.
Speaking with the talented and experienced legal team at The Capital Law Firm ensures that you’ll have the support and guidance needed to ensure a stronger case if the incident goes to the courts. You’ll also receive guidance on how to speak with your insurance company, with our lawyers heading negotiations with a goal of making sure you get the compensation deserved.
PREPARING TO SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY
An accident is a traumatizing event, both physically and emotionally. The first priority is ensuring safety immediately following a crash, as well as seeking medical attention (even if you think you are ok). Remember, adrenaline can often mask symptoms.
Once you are safe and recollected, have the following prepared when speaking to an attorney. Even if you’re unable to gather or provide all the details outlined in this guide, don’t wait to reach out for legal assistance. The sooner you seek counsel from an experienced car accident attorney such as those from The Capital Law Firm, the better off you’ll be when it comes time to negotiate settlements or deal with any other issues that arise.
THINGS TO PREPARE FOR YOUR MEETING WITH AN L.A. CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
Your recollection of the accident: Let your attorney know about the specific details of the accident. The more detailed, the better.
PROVIDE THEM WITH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
- Where did the accident take place? Describe the geographical area, including street names and intersections.
- Who was involved in the accident?
- When did this accident occur? Give the date and time.
- How fast were you and the other car going?
- What was the nature of the collision? Was it a rear-end, T-bone, head-on, etc.?
- What was the cause of the accident?
- What were the road conditions like?
- Were there bystanders or witnesses during the accident?
Injury sustained: Your attorney should be aware of any injury sustained to both you and the other party. It doesn’t matter if you think it’s minor or not, let your attorney know. If you went into the hospital for treatment, provide your attorney with medical records. These records can include ambulance rides, hospital admissions, primary care, medication, treatments and chiropractic care. Medical records hold much more weight in court and in claiming insurance payments.
Information exchange: Exchange contact and insurance information from both parties. This includes name, phone number, and address. Ensure you record vehicle information, such as the year, make, color and model of the other party’s car as well. Write down the other party’s insurance information, including the insurance company name and policy number. Make sure this information is all conveyed to your attorney.
Statements: Your insurance company may contact you after a car accident. They’ll request a statement from you in regards to the car accident. If you’ve provided a statement to your insurance company, obtain a copy and forward it to your attorney. Note that you aren’t obligated to give a statement to your insurance company if you’ve already hired an attorney.
Tickets: If the police issued any tickets during the accident, your accident attorney would need to know about them.
Police report: If the police were at the scene of the accident, they would have completed an accident report. This report diagrams out details of the scene and would have police observations included. It’ll also include any violation of traffic laws, statements from all parties and any likely causes of the accident. If you cannot obtain a police report right away, your attorney will be able to secure a copy for you.
Witnesses: Any witness statements obtained at the accident scene should be made aware to your attorney. Witness statements can be of tremendous value in court and can help to strengthen your case. This is especially true if the witnesses are bystanders and have no self-interest in the accident.
Photographs: Provide any photos you may have taken during the scene of an accident. These photos should show damages incurred to your car and any other relevant findings. Having photos of road conditions may also be beneficial in assessing your case. Your insurance company may also take photos, but it’s not a bad idea to have your own.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
After an accident, it is important to stay calm and first ensure you and others around you are safe. If you’re not injured, pull over to the side and turn on your hazard lights. Contact the police and ambulance if required. Don’t admit fault and don’t sign any documents. If required to sign a police report, take the time to ensure the details accurately reflect what transpired.
Remember, in the wake of an accident your ability to judge and make well-informed decisions will likely be impaired. For that reason, we recommend giving your Los Angeles car accident attorney a call right away.
At the Capital Law Firm, headed by Joshua Zokaeem, we have helped countless clients get through what is often one of the most difficult times in their lives. Let our team handle insurance companies, negotiations, and if required, a trial to ensure you and your family get awarded the compensation you deserve.
Our California car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless you receive a favorable outcome. There are no upfront costs when you are working with us. You have enough to worry about without adding to your already full plate.
If you’re looking for a Los Angeles car accident attorney, contact us today! We have handled over 1000 successful cases and we’d love to serve you as well!
