Maison Law helps anyone injured in a car accident in California. If you’re an accident victim, you likely have many questions about the legal process. One common concern is how to afford a lawyer. We work on a “contingency” basis, meaning you don’t pay us upfront. If you have more questions, contact us today for a free consultation.
What’s the Maximum Contingency Fee for a Car Accident Lawyer?
When you hire a lawyer under a contingency-fee agreement for a car accident case, they’ll usually explain the details during your first meeting. It’s common to worry about how to cover medical bills and legal fees after an accident.
The main advantage of a contingency fee is, again, that you pay nothing upfront. Most personal injury lawyers charge between 33% and 40% of the recovery amount. While California law doesn’t set a maximum limit on contingency fees, this fee agreement is designed to be fair for clients since each case can unfold differently once the claim is filed.
Still, it’s helpful to look at the process. You usually start by filing an insurance claim, and then move to a personal injury lawsuit to recover damages for your losses. These damages typically include things like:
- Medical expenses
- Ongoing care for permanent injuries
- Lost wages or earning potential
- Repair or replacement costs for personal property like your car or phone
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of companionship
Every case is different, but this is by and large what comes out of any car accident claim. Still, you might be thinking about your options and whether you need a lawyer at all.
Do You Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident?
Even though car accidents are common in California, you might not think about what happens if you’re involved in one. If it does occur, you have legal options available. In California, hiring a lawyer isn’t a legal requirement, and minor accidents may not need legal action.
However, if you’re seriously injured, you might need more help. Our team is here to assist you in the following ways:
- Explaining your options – With our experience and knowledge of the law, we can explain how it applies to your particular case and explain your options from there.
- Investigation – We’ll thoroughly investigate to determine the cause of the accident, and then who is at-fault.
- Collecting evidence – A big part of any claim is the evidence, and our team can help you gather all necessary evidence to support your case.
- Witness and expert consultation – Over the years, we’ve developed a steady network of experts that can provide testimony to support your claim and show your losses. We’ll also talk to witnesses additional testimony.
- Insurance – Crucially, we manage all communications with the insurance company and the other party’s lawyers. We’ll work to ensure you receive the best possible settlement.
Our focus is on your needs and what you require from the legal process. We offer free initial consultations and work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you don’t pay anything upfront. This allows you to focus on your health and family while we handle the legal aspects. But again, there’s things that need to be done in every car accident case to protect a claim.
How Can You Protect Your Car Accident Claim?
Just having the ability to file a claim after a car accident isn’t enough to recover your damages. Rather, there are specific steps that need to be taken to protect and strengthen your claim. While this can be more difficult in certain situations, it’s nonetheless important:
- Move to safety – If possible, move your vehicle to the side of the road to avoid further accidents. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries and call 911 so an ambulance can come to the scene for medical help.
- Exchange information – Swap contact and insurance details with everyone involved in the accident.
- Report the accident to police – When you call 911, also ask for the local police, particularly if there are injuries, significant damage, or if anyone is uncooperative. This could be the city police, county sheriff, or the California Highway Patrol. They’ll manage the scene.
- Collect evidence – Take photos and videos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, any injuries, and anything that might have caused the accident.
- Get further care – Get immediate care from the EMTs, if available, and follow up with your doctor or an emergency room for further treatment.
- File with your insurance – Inform your insurance company about the accident to start the claims process.
- Keep evidence – Save all relevant documents such as medical bills, repair estimates, and communication with insurance companies.
- Be careful with statements – When you talk to police or insurance reps, just stick to the facts of what happened and don’t try to exaggerate. The less you say, the less your words can be used against you.
While each car accident is different and not all steps may apply, following them will help protect your health and strengthen your claim. This should equate to more in damages, but remember, having our experienced team on your side can protect your rights and make sure you get what you’re owed.
Contact Maison Law After a California Car Accident
No matter what the circumstances are surrounding a car accident, it’s incredibly frustrating. Still, you have legal rights that our experienced team at Maison Law can help you with. We’ll make sure you have everything you need for a strong claim and don’t have to worry about expenses or any other challenges. Contact us today for a free consultation to get started.
