5 Essential Questions You Should Ask Your Car Accident Lawyer

lawyers for auto accidents

One of the most important decisions you will be making after being a victim of a car accident is to hire a lawyer that you can trust. Hiring lawyers for auto accidents will skyrocket your probability of getting the maximum claims and compensation from the party at fault.

Road To Success With Your Lawyer

Best lawyers for auto accidents will work closely with you and you with them. That means complete transparency is expected and all of the information and minute details of the accidents should be divulged. Considering the pain and suffering you experienced, going religiously to the doctor seems to be an effort but this has to be done. All the documents which will include medical records and bills have to be organized and submitted. Rest assured though that your auto accident injury lawyers will provide all their knowledge, experience and resources to get what you deserve.

What Are Your Choices After Being In a Car Accident?

One thing that comes up in your mind when you were involved in an auto accident is what are my choices to address the situation and what is the best option for me.

When you are hurt, you may:

  • Handle everything on your own, pay your medical bills and even future medical expenses (seems less complicated but not the best option for your best interest).
  •  Work for an injury claim with the responsible party with bodily injury liability, you will get what they will just give.
  • Take advantage of an injury claim such as workers’ compensation plan as provided by another form of insurance.
  • File a lawsuit against the responsible driver, their insurance company and if needed another third party.

Your auto accident injury lawyers will explain to you all the choices that you have, the advantages and disadvantages and set expectations on what is required for the recommended option. Ask all the questions to get all the information you need as best lawyers for auto accidents would like you to have the confidence that when you hire them, you know they have your best interest in this battle.

What Are The Chances Of Getting The Compensation I Deserve Compared To Other Cases?

Your auto accident injury lawyers are not clairvoyant. However, based on their past experiences and knowledge, they may provide you with an educated guess.

When lawyers for auto accidents evaluate your case, they look into other cases similar to yours. Using a hypothetical “generic” case, the cause of the accident, the injuries, medical diagnosis, treatment and even documentation is easy to determine and accomplish.

In cases such as this, then the insurance company at fault may settle a reasonable amount as they want this to be settled at the shortest possible time.

Reality bites though that this easy and ideal situation where everything will be settled without much of a fuss only exists in our minds. Every case has its own peculiarities. Investigation will take time and the party at fault will do everything to look into loopholes to negate your claims to ensure compensation will be at the minimum.

There are many factors to be considered in determining what would be the amount of claims and compensation. And this is what lawyers for auto accidents will look into and further delve into things that will work best for your case.

What Should I Be Ready With Considering The Process of Claiming Compensation?

Just like any situation in life, it is always best to prepare for the worst (in this case a very tedious task and process for you) so it will be easier to digest whatever tasks that have to be done.

Most cases are settled out of court. This doesn’t mean that it is as easy as it sounds. A settlement is reached as your lawyer was able to present a very compelling case on your behalf. As expectations have been set, there will be a back and forth discussion for both parties.

Your auto accident injury lawyers need to prepare for litigation, just like you, they need to prepare for the worst. So it may seem like a walk in the park as all the hard work has been done.

Generally, knowing all these facts and processes will give you a more realistic gauge in terms of timeline on how long your case may go or your claims and compensation be settled.

How Many Cases Have You Handled Similar To Mine?

To increase your confidence that you are hiring the best lawyers for auto accidents, you have to ask the number of cases that the firm handles that is similar to yours and what were the results of these cases.

Of course you want someone who is not just an expert in auto accidents in general but also handles more cases that are like yours. That means getting an idea how efficient and effective your lawyer will be in handling your case. Again, this will give you more confidence with your firm. Not only do they know the law, but they had the numbers where they practiced legal strategies and arguments to get what you deserve.

No one can guarantee 100% success but you need the highest probability to win.

What Is The Next Step I Need To Take?

After gathering all the answers to these questions, analyzing all the information at hand and analyzing all the facts by weighing all the pros and cons of your options, the ball is in your court as to what path or legal path you will take.

Consider what is important to you; how things will impact you and your loved ones, what is the best scenario for you to recover and have the quality of life you desire.

Once you hire a lawyer, you will be guided on the step by step tasks that need to be done including visiting a medical specialist for a comprehensive accurate and medical diagnosis. You will also be advised not to discuss the case to anyone and be extra careful speaking to insurance companies. Remember, they have their own interest to protect which may be different from yours.

Work With The Best, Hire The Best

Call Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accicent Attorneysand ask all these questions as time is of the essence. You need to unburden yourself of all these worries, instead, focus on your health as Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accicent Attorneys will do all the work on your behalf, for your best interest.

4 Steps to Take When Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit

When someone is physically and/or psychologically harmed by the action of another, that harm is legally termed as an instance of personal injury. If someone victimized by such an action sues the responsible party through their personal injury attorney, the ensuing case is called a personal injury lawsuit.

Note that in order to launch a successful personal injury lawsuit, it is not necessary for the responsible party to have caused intentional harm to the victim. As long as their actions led to harm, they can be held liable for paying compensation.

Therefore, if you or someone else in your family has been harmed by the actions of a third party, there could be a viable opportunity to seek compensation from the responsible party. The task may seem daunting for obvious reasons at first, but this step-by-step guide will simplify the process for you.

Carefully Collect All Documents

You should pay extra attention to collecting and safely filing all documents related to the incident. At the very least, make sure that you have copies of:

  • The initial police reports, further communications, and investigative reports.
  • The insurance report, communications, and documents.
  • All medical prescriptions, test reports, medication, bills, receipts, and more.
  • Damage assessment reports from experts.
  • Photos, videos, statements, written reports, names, etc. related to the scene of the incident.
  • All of the above directly or indirectly related to the final incident or its aftermath.

Given how varied the cases can be, there is no universal list of documents that can comprehensively include everything. Do not consider any document to be unnecessary without consulting with your personal injury accident attorney first. If you have not yet connected with a personal injury law firm, just keep collecting everything related to the incident for now.

Get to Know the Different Types of Personal Injury Lawsuits

As already explained, any intentional or unintentional injury caused by a third party can qualify as an instance of personal injury. All legally acknowledged instances of personal injury are broadly divided and subdivided into various classifications. It is advisable that you take some time and learn about the different categories and subcategories.

Having only the basic knowledge should be enough for you to identify your own case’s probable category. The following list should provide you with a decent idea about what we are discussing here.

Vehicular/Motor Accident Lawsuits: Personal injuries suffered by a victim after being involved in an auto accident. This includes car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, boating accidents, train accidents, and pedestrian accidents to name just a few.

Product Liability Lawsuits: Personal injury caused by a design or manufacturing defect in any product from vehicles and commercial safety equipment to medical tools and construction equipment.

Medical Negligence Lawsuits: Personal injury caused by negligence in medical diagnosis, treatment, procedure, prescription, and/or aftercare.

Work Related Personal Injury Lawsuits: Negligence in workplace safety standards that are responsible for personal injuries from instances of slip and fall, fall from an elevated surface, electrocution, projectile, struck by an object, etc.

Personal Injury Caused by Assault/Abuse: If the personal injuries were caused by intentional assault and/or abuse, you still have the right to sue the alleged assaulter/abuser for compensation separately in a civil court. The criminal charges on them will be tried separately in a criminal court.

Find the Top Personal Injury Attorneys

You can also save yourself the trouble of searching online with keywords and receive a free consultation directly from one of the top personal injury attorneys California has to offer. Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys specialize in all areas of personal injury claims, ranging from car, truck, and motorcycle accidents to bad faith insurance claims and all claims related to work-related injuries.

It’s a quick, free, and easy way to know if you have a strong personal injury lawsuit on your hands. If a personal injury accident lawyer from the firm does take up your case, they will guide you through every step of the process from that point on. The best part is that Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys only charge their fees after securing the due compensation for their clients and not before. There are Statutes of Limitations that apply to all personal injury claims, so act as quickly as possible.

Get to Know the Legal Process

After you start working with your or personal injury lawyers, they will help you with:

  • Obtaining all essential documents.
  • Finding the legally responsible party.
  • Categorizing and establishing the case against them.
  • Employing investigative measures to gather further evidence.
  • Assist you in getting the right medical care for your injuries.
  • Filling out the applicable form for personal injury, property damage, wrongful death.
  • Serving notice of the claim.
  • Initiating and negotiating an out of court settlement discussion, if possible.
  • Filing a lawsuit, if the above is not applicable or in case the negotiations fail.
  • Trial.

If your case goes to trial then your personal injury attorney will represent you at the trial with the goal of helping you receive the highest possible compensation for your injuries, treatments, medication, lost wages, emotional damages, and more, depending on the case’s particulars.

What to Say to Your Insurance Company After a Car or Semi-Truck Accident

After being involved in a car accident, you might experience a whirlwind of emotions and it can be quite terrifying. Even if you are lucky enough to not be seriously hurt, the stress, worry and anxiety after a car accident feels awful, and could lead you to act or speak in a way that might compromise your best interests when it comes to your case.

In fact, your insurance company or that of the other driver might be waiting for you to say the wrong thing. For example, apologizing at the scene might feel natural to you if the other driver has been hurt or their car is wrecked. But while you might be saying sorry just to be nice, insurance companies might take this as an admission of fault and hold you liable for the accident, even if you weren’t at fault.

 

What to Say to the Insurance Company After an Accident

You will likely get a call from the claim adjuster from your insurance company around a few days after the accident, in which they will want to get more information on the details of what happened. It’s important to bear in mind that insurance companies are looking out for themselves rather than you. Because of this, you need to be prepared for them to be looking out for any reasons to reduce your payout as much as they can. The best way to avoid giving them anything to use to do this is to say nothing at all and hire an experience personal injury attorney.  If you find that you must provide a statement keep your conversation as short and to the point as possible. Some tips to keep in mind include:

Give General Information

When speaking to your insurance company, you are only obligated to provide general or basic details about the accident. This includes personal information about yourself such as your name, the type of car you were driving when the accident happened, the other cars involved, the names of other people involved in the accident, where the accident happened, when it happened, and information on the other driver’s insurance company.

 

Don’t Provide a Recorded Statement

You are not under any legal obligation to provide a recorded statement to your insurance company. It is important to avoid recording a final verbal statement, without consulting a good car accident or personal injury lawyer beforehand, who can help you do this in a way that is in the best interests of your case.

 

Don’t Be Too Specific

Even if you have got medical attention after being involved in the accident and are aware of the extent of your injuries, it is important to avoid giving a detailed description of them or providing a final statement regarding your injuries to the insurance company. This is because after a car crash, injuries may appear later down the line, especially if you have internal injuries that are not always obvious. Along with this, there is also the risk of your current injuries escalating into something more serious.

 

What You Should Never Say After a Car Accident

Whether you are talking to the insurance company, the other driver involved, or witnesses at the scene, it’s important to choose your words carefully after a car accident. The vocabulary that you use could lead to problems with your case after a car accident, even if you said them innocently or meaning well. Some things that you should always avoid saying after a car accident include:

Sorry

Even if you are simply the type of person who apologizes a lot and you feel bad for the other driver involved, apologizing to them is always a bad idea. Even if you think that you might be at fault for the accident, don’t say sorry to the other driver. This is because any witnesses to the interaction might see this as an admission of guilt or taking responsibility for the accident.

 

That You Don’t Have an Attorney

If you are contacted by your insurance company before you have had the chance to get in touch with us here at Karns & Karns Personal Injury & Accident Attorneys, the last thing you should do is admit to them that you don’t have a lawyer yet. If your insurance company knows that you do not have any legal representation, they might try to reduce your compensation. For example, they may offer a quick settlement, which will typically be significantly lower than the amount you could have received.

 

Let’s Handle It Ourselves

You should always tell your insurance company about any car accidents that you are involved in. It’s not uncommon if you have a minor crash that only causes a little bit of damage to your car, and has not led to any serious injuries, to consider simply not telling your insurance company about it, getting the cars fixed and getting on with your life. However, it’s important to resist the urge to avoid reporting a car accident, especially if it was only a fender bender. The truth is that you may be due compensation for any crash, and not reporting a car accident to your insurance company will only make it harder to receive the payout you are owed.

If you’ve been involved in a car crash, then it’s important to carefully choose the words you use at the scene and when talking to your insurance company. Get in touch with our experienced lawyers today if you need advice on what to say. Call us at 877-557-4221.

5 Common Accidents In California

Accidents can and do occur in everyday life. Being a careful driver, wearing reflective clothing while bicycle, or waiting for the green light to cross the street as a pedestrian are all important ways to reduce your accident risk. However, it’s still too easy to endure the effects of a life altering injury.

Anyone who lives in California would probably not be surprised to learn that the most frequent causes of injuries are slip-and-fall accidents, automobile accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, and bicycle accidents. The most crucial thing to remember is that you must learn about your rights and take proactive measures to protect yourself and your future if you ever find yourself the victim of such an accident.

Truck Accidents

There are many other reasons why truck accidents might happen, including careless truck drivers, poor vehicle maintenance, and the inability of passenger automobiles to maneuver around larger vehicles. Among the most typical accidents kinds you could experience are listed below:
• Jackknife
• Wide turn collisions
• Truck rollovers
• T-bone accidents
• Tire blowout

If a truck accident has injured you, you must retain the services of a qualified attorney who can assist you in obtaining the money you want to cover your medical expenses, property damage, lost earnings, and emotional distress. Likewise, even if everyone is cooperative and you believe your injuries may be minor, you should consider calling the police and going to the hospital immediately.

Car Accidents

In California, there are hundreds of thousands of car collisions annually. Unfortunately, many car accidents are caused by drivers who are careless or reckless. To significantly reduce the danger of collisions, injuries, and fatalities, drivers must comprehend and steer clear of the most prevalent of these behaviors.
• By limiting a driver’s effective reaction time and ability to maintain control of their vehicle, speeding can increase the likelihood of collisions.
• Each year in California, hundreds of car accidents are caused by drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• One other accident-causing factor in California is driver distraction. Numerous still-legal distractions, like eating while driving, might increase the likelihood of a car accident.

Motorcycle Accidents

One of the riskiest modes of transportation is a motorcycle. Tragic accidents are more likely to happen to motorcycle riders. Hundreds of motorcycle accidents in California yearly result in injuries or fatalities. Some of the most common reasons for motorcycle accidents in California are the ones listed below:
• Head-On Vehicle Collisions
• Intoxication
• Lane Splitting
• Road Hazards

Speak with motorcycle injury lawyers. Everything will be handled by motorcycle injury lawyers, including gathering proof, speaking with witnesses, communicating with insurance providers, and presenting the case in court.

Train Accident

It is impossible to emphasize railway accidents’ emotional and financial toll on victims and their families. Despite the fatalities and demands for more safety, there will probably be more California train accidents in the coming days. The following list includes some of the most frequent causes:
• Negligent engineering
• Lack of sufficient training
• Equipment malfunction
• Extreme speed
• Inconsistent signals

A train accident lawyer who is well-versed in how California and federal law interact may be necessary for the sufferer. Regardless of your situation, train accident lawyers will vigorously defend your rights and work to get you the money you are due.

Pedestrian Accident

Since pedestrians use the roads, their safety is just as crucial as that of drivers and passengers. However, these mishaps can result in catastrophic injuries or the loss of precious lives. Here are a few of them to keep in mind whenever you set out on foot:
• Intoxicated drivers
• Walking during night-time
• Pedestrians not using the sidewalk
• Drivers making unsafe left turns
• Speeding drivers
• Distracted pedestrians

Get the necessary legal counsel from a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to avoid engaging in a pedestrian accident in California. Do not hesitate to contact Karns & Karns Personal Injury & Accident Attorneys if you or a loved one was injured in an accident. Our pedestrian accident lawyers have years of expertise in helping clients obtain the greatest compensation to cover their damages and injuries. Our injury attorneys will ensure that you receive the correct medical care for your injuries, provide outstanding legal counsel, and secure just compensation.

Let our award-winning attorneys at Karns & Karns Personal Injury & Accident Attorneys help you. Call us at 877-557-4221 today!

6 Things to Do After a Car Accident

Car accidents are one of the most common types of road incidents to occur around the country. Every year, thousands of people get injured or die from these events, and when they do happen, they can be difficult to navigate without the right knowledge and support. So, if you ever find yourself a victim of a vehicle collision, here are six essential steps to take in the aftermath.

 

Do an Injury Assessment

There is a good chance that while the accident is happening, your brain will not keep up. This is a protective response from the brain and is entirely normal. When the dust settles and things are standing still, you might start to feel the impact. This is when you need to assess your injuries and damage to figure out if you can move and whether you need medical attention.

Attend to yourself first because if you are seriously injured, it is vital to take a pause and look after your body. Then you can focus on any passengers that might be on board. Children and the elderly are a priority in this situation and if you are able to help them, this is your first job. If the passengers are stuck or seriously hurt, then make a judgment call on whether it is safe for them to remain in the vehicle until the ambulance support arrives at the scene.

 

Move Away to a Safer Spot

After you have this information, you can make move your car to a safer spot. There is a high risk to your body and vehicle if you stay put so try to move away from active traffic if it is safe to do so. There is no real way to tell what harm has been caused to the vehicle until it has had a professional assessment, so don’t try to fix anything. Prioritize getting to safety for you and all of your passengers too, then you can have a clearer head to deal with the next stage.

 

Phone 911 for Assistance

Here is when you call 911. 911 is there to connect you with the nearest emergency services. You should ask for police and an ambulance to attend the collision scene. These two units are professionally trained for this exact scenario and will be able to direct you and anyone else involved as to what needs to happen.

 

What the Police Will Do

The police attend to take details of the accident from you and anyone that was involved. They will also make further investigations into the scene to find out what could have happened and why it took place. There is a chance you will be breathalyzed, which is a device used to detect alcohol in the blood as drunk driving is a crime and often needs to be ruled out.

 

What the Ambulance Team Will Do

The ambulance crew will naturally assist with any injuries and make a call on whether or not further intervention in a hospital setting is needed. It is normal for your body and mind to be in shock as this event can be traumatic. Make sure the medics team is directed to the person most in need of assistance first so they can receive support and minimize the damage.

 

Exchange Information

Now you have had intervention from emergency services, you can exchange information if appropriate. Try not to leave the scene without acquiring the details of the opposing vehicle because this will be essential information for your insurance claim and any other future events that come from this accident. You will need to:

  1. Take their name, and plate details and ask for the insurance company they deal with.
  2. Take pictures of the crash if you’re in a position to. Photograph your vehicle and the others involved too.
  3. Take pictures of your injuries.
  4. Make an account of what you think happened from your perspective.
  5. Ask the other people involved to do exactly the same thing and give them your insurance details and everything else that is needed as well.
  6. Get the contact information for any witness. Your lawyer will want this to prove that you were not at fault for the crash.

 

Talk to Your Insurance

As soon as possible after the accident, you should call your insurance company to report your claim. Remember that you are only required to report your claim. You do not have to undergo any recorded statements regarding how the crash occurred or the nature and extent of your injuries. You should try to avoid giving a recorded statement to any insurance company. Making your claim should be straightforward, but it may take a while to process when it comes to the administrative side of things. That is why it is important to take action as soon as you feel able to in order to avoid further delays. If your vehicle is completely ruined, and you pay for a replacement vehicle as a part of your policy, this can be arranged too so you are not without transport for a delayed period.

 

Seek Legal Representation

There is a lot more to legal representation post accident than just making a financial claim. A good law firm will help in finding great medical support for any injuries you might have suffered. This will help your recovery process and make you feel cared for in a bigger circle. They can also support you with your medical bills and sorting through all the associated administration that comes along with that. Aside from this, an experienced lawyer will be able to secure the optimum compensation model and ensure that if you are unable to work because of the accident, you get what you need to thrive. This might involve pursuing the opposing party responsible for the accident or clearing your name if an accusation is brought against you.

Car accidents are scary regardless of the circumstances. It is good to know what to do if you are involved in one, and how to navigate life afterward. If you suffer injuries that impede your ability to socialize and work, you may be able to find financial support to help you move in a more positive direction. When the accident is not your fault, and your vehicle is totaled, it can be a frustrating situation for all involved.

Let our award-winning attorneys at Karns & Karns Personal Injury & Accident Attorneys help you. Call us at 877-557-4221 today!

What the Insurance Companies Don’t Want You to Know

When you purchase insurance for your car, in theory, the insurance company is there to help you as the policyholder if you get into an accident. If you are involved in a car accident or sustain a serious injury while driving, then you will need to file a claim with an insurance company in the hope of receiving compensation for any medical expenses you have incurred, loss of income due to not being able to work while you recover from the injuries, and pain and suffering.

Unfortunately, the truth is that insurance companies are more interested in making a profit than they are in helping you. For that reason, there are quite a few things that your insurance company doesn’t want you to know. If you were aware, then you’d be standing in the way of them making money!

So, what are some of the things that insurance companies would rather be kept a secret? Read on to find out more.

 

What You Say Can be Used Against You

After a car accident, your insurance company may ask you to provide a recorded statement addressing what happened and the damage that was done. However, you are under no legal obligation to do this, and it is recommended that you don’t unless you’re doing it with a personal injury or car accident attorney who can help you make sure that you are describing the accident in a way that does not incriminate yourself. In fact, even casual remarks that you make while talking with claims adjusters can be taken as formal statements – especially if you are speculating about whether or not the accident was your fault or describing your injuries. Because of this, it’s important to only stick to the basics when talking about your claim and consult a car accident attorney before giving any statements.

 

Insurance Adjusters are Great At Negotiating

After a car accident, you might simply want to get your money and move on with your life – and the claims adjuster will know this. They might pressure you to accept a settlement offer or even give you a deadline, telling you that you only have a few hours to accept or that this is the best offer that they can come up with. However, it’s best to avoid falling for these tactics and don’t accept the first offer you are given. If you are not confident when it comes to your negotiation skills to get a better offer, you have the right to seek outside counsel and hire a car accident lawyer to negotiate on your behalf.

 

Adjusters Might be Lying to You

Don’t assume that your insurance adjuster is always being truthful with you when it comes to talking about your claim. For example, they might use information that they know about you, such as existing health conditions to tell you that you are not going to be able to make a claim for the injuries you have suffered in the car accident. However, this is not always the truth. There are lots of things that insurance adjusters might say to you in the hope that you don’t know any better and to see if they can get away with it, which is why it’s always best to have an attorney liaise with them on your behalf.  Insurance adjusters are sales people. They want to sell your claim for the lowest price possible.

 

Claims Adjusters are There to Make Money

We’d all like to believe that the insurance company is there to help us. However, the truth is that most of them have the main goal of simply making money for the company. While the claims adjuster might seem like a nice and helpful person while you are speaking to them, their main job is to try and reduce your claim as much as possible, or even try to have it completely denied. Bear in mind that the insurance company does not make any money from helping you, and the claims adjuster works for them.

 

They Hire Doctors to Find Pre-Existing Injuries and Minimize Your Claim

If you allow your insurance company access to your medical records when you sign an authorization form, then they are going to use this to find as much information as possible to minimize your claim. To do this, they will often hire doctors who are there to look through your medical records to try and find any records of a pre-existing condition or injury that they can use to throw doubt on your claim. They might then use this to claim that your injury is not as severe as you say it is. Even if your own doctor is backing you up, the insurance company will hire their own doctors to try and contradict this.

 

They Don’t Want You to Hire a Lawyer

If you have been involved in a car accident, then the first thing you should do is hire a personal injury lawyer. However, your insurance company might want to try to convince you from doing this. They might tell you that hiring a lawyer isn’t worth the cost or that having an attorney is unlikely to help you get a better offer. In most cases, they are hoping that you don’t hire a lawyer so that they are less likely to have to pay out a decent settlement for your case, hoping that without legal counsel you may agree to a seriously low-ball offer just to get it over and done with. Don’t fall for it! Hire an experience personal injury attorney.

 

You Can Sue Insurance Companies for Unethical Practices

Any practices that act against the best interests of the policyholder are considered to be unethical insurance practices. Insurance companies should always act in accordance with accountability laws, but some assume you won’t know about them. A good lawyer will help ensure that your insurance company is held accountable if they act in a way that is against your best interests.

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, Karns & Karns Personal Injury & Accident Attorneys can help you make sure that you’re not falling foul of these insurance company practices. We can liaise with the insurance company on your behalf. Get in touch today for a free consultation and to find out more. Call Karns & Karns Personal Injury & Accident Attorneys now at 877-557-4221.

What is the Settlement Procedure for Auto Accidents?

auto accident lawyers

Vehicular accidents are events that all drivers dread to happen no matter how careful they are and drive defensively. When you are involved in this kind of accident because of another driver’s negligence, you have to ensure you can get all the compensation for the damage. This may cover your medical bills, the income you will lose as you are unable to work, and the recovery period because of the personal injury.

As much as you want to get through this as quickly as possible, an auto accident may be a long and arduous process and you need to get help from the best auto accident lawyers. There are cases where amicable settlements from both parties are not achieved so you should be prepared to go through the process.

But what will the process be? How to make sure you’ll get the appropriate settlement for someone’s negligence?

DOCUMENTS FOR YOUR CLAIM

Ensure you have all the documents ready and completed to support your claim. The insurance adjuster will review all the evidence to process the claim and best to have them available once they ask for it.

1. Photos of the accident scene with your car and the other driver’s car.
2. Official police report of the accident.
3. Testimonies of the witnesses.
4. Medical records (diagnosis, findings, receipts from the hospital and pharmacy) resulting from the accident.
5. Statement from the other driver.
6. Place where the accident took place.

EXPERTS IN CAR ACCIDENTS

If the case goes to court, experts that support your claim will be needed. Their experience and knowledge will play a major role in the proceedings.

  • Your Doctor to learn about more of your injuries, intervention, and prognosis
  • An Engineer
  • Reconstruction Specialist who may recreate how the accident occurred

Insurance Policies Review

Many people don’t read what’s written in insurance coverages, including the fine print that everyone ignores. All these will matter in your claims and auto accident injury lawyers are the best people who can assist you and ensure that everything will be reviewed and covered.

There may be technical terms and jargon which may cause confusion or misunderstanding. Also, you will be advised if the settlement offered is just and fair or if there is more that you should be getting. They will negotiate for you and will fight with your best interest in mind. In case it escalates to a lawsuit, you have everything covered from the beginning.

PRE-LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT

It will be awesome if you and the negligent driver settle this out of court. This means that during discussions and negotiations, both parties agree on an amicable settlement.

However, you don’t have to wait for a case to be filed. Auto accident lawyers will represent you in all communication and guide and update you on the status and development of the case.

FILING A LAWSUIT

In case no settlement was achieved, the next step is to file a lawsuit. These cases may be settled without a hearing. Your lawyer will work on the strategy to go about it and will negotiate with the insurance provider of the negligent driver.

COURT PROCEEDINGS

If all negotiations fail, your lawyer will advise you to present the case in court. You may need to appear in these proceedings with a lawyer. They will prepare you and set expectations on how your case will be presented. All other documents will be prepared for you by the firm, evidence will be presented, and witnesses/experts may be called to a stand.

Continuous communication and negotiation even if the court hearing started. This is a good scenario, as all parties would like to lessen expenses, as it will be more costly to do so in court.

HIRE KARNS & KARNS AND GET THE HELP YOU NEED NOW

Remember, you are the aggrieved party, and you need to secure everything that you can by having the best lawyer to help and assist you. Being involved in a car crash does not only impact you economically. The physical injury, emotional and mental pain, and suffering and your inability to do the things that you usually do and would want to do will take a toll on the victim and family. Your time is precious, and you cannot let this be stolen from you. Call Karns & Karns Injury & Accident Attorneys now at 877-557-4221, and they will take care of you.

Process of a Personal Injury Claim in Nevada

When you are involved in an accident or another personal injury incident that has left you injured and in pain, it’s advisable to start the process of filing a personal injury claim as soon as possible. A Nevada personal injury lawyer is often the first lawyer that many people will hire. Along with this, a personal injury claim might be the first time that you have had to deal with an insurance adjuster or have to navigate the personal injury laws in Nevada.

The good news is that if you have been injured, then you don’t have to go through the claims process on your own. Working with one of the experienced personal injury lawyers at Karns & Karns Personal Injury & Accident Attorneys, you can have legal representation on your side to handle all the aspects of the claims process and communication with insurance companies so that you can better focus on getting your life back on track after the accident.

 

Personal Injury Claim Process in Nevada – What Steps Are Involved?

Typically, a personal injury claim will go through a certain process. In Nevada, the steps throughout the process of your personal injury claim will usually be the same in any area. Having a good understanding of the basics and the process that your personal injury case will go through can help the entire experience be a less stressful one for you and provide you with more information on what you can do to increase your chance of receiving a fair settlement offer.

 

Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

The first recommended step in the process of filing your personal injury claim is to hire a good personal injury attorney with experience handling cases like yours. At Karns & Karns Personal Injury & Accident Attorneys, our experienced lawyers who are well-versed in all types of personal injury cases. Whether you have been involved in a slip and fall accident, an accident in an Uber, a car accident, a motorcycle accident, or some other accident, we have the skill and knowhow to handle any type of personal injury case.

You may want to do some research before finding the best personal injury attorney for you. You can use the State Bar of Nevada website to find out more about certain lawyers and research their disciplinary history. Be sure to read reviews and find out more about what other clients have to say about the lawyer.

Once you have some potential attorneys, come up with some questions that you can ask them. For example, you may want to know more about their record of settling cases vs going to trial, whether they have any special certifications that could help your case, what their experience is with handling cases like yours, how much they think your claim is worth, if they see any potential problems with the case, and how you will be expected to communicate with them and their team.

 

Investigation

The next stage in the process is an investigation into the accident and injury, which will be conducted by your personal injury lawyer to help determine how you were injured. In Nevada, the person who files the claim also has the burden of proving that the injury was caused by the other party. You will need to prove that there was a legal duty of care that was breached, causing the injury in question. You will also need to prove any damages you have suffered as a result.

Your lawyer will gather evidence to prove fault and causation and establish the liability for your damages. Experts witnesses and other professionals may be hired to assist with this. Evidence can include photos and videos, accident reports, medical records, and expert opinions. Your employment records may also be used, along with the testimony of any witnesses to the accident.

 

Settlement Demand and Negotiations

Your lawyer will prepare a settlement demand letter to send to the defendant’s insurance company. This should include a description of how the accident or injury happened, the legal basis for why the other party is being held liable for your damages, a description of the injuries and damages you have suffered, and a demand for a specific compensation amount to settle the claim.

The insurance company can then either accept or decline the offer. In most cases, you can expect them to issue a counteroffer for less. This will then begin a back-and-forth negotiation process until both parties reach a settlement that they agree on.

 

Trial

If a settlement cannot be agreed upon, then your personal injury case may need to go to trial. In most cases, the trial will last a few days, and usually no longer than one week. The evidence will be presented in front of a jury, who will then deliberate and determine whether or not the other party is liable and if you are to be awarded compensation for your injury and damages.

 

Damages in a Personal Injury Case

A good Nevada personal injury lawyer will pursue all damages that are available for your case. This is one reason why hiring an attorney is always advised, as representing yourself could mean that you receive less than your claim is worth if you’re not aware of all the damages you are entitled to. In general, most victims can receive compensation for economic damages, which include medical bills, out-of-pocket expenses, personal care, physical therapy, nursing care, loss of income, and diminished earning potential. Along with this, victims may also be eligible for compensation for non-economic damages or pain and suffering, which could include emotional distress, mental health, physical discomfort, scarring and disfigurement, loss of quality of life or enjoyment of life, and disabilities and impairments.

If you have been injured in an accident through no fault of your own, here at Karns & Karns Personal Injury & Accident Attorneys, we are here to help you get the process of a Nevada personal injury claim to recover compensation started as soon as possible. Get in touch today for a free consultation. Call us today at 877-557-4221.