Personal Injury Claim in San Bernardino, CA
San Bernardino recorded a 49% increase in car accident injuries and fatalities between 2010 and 2019. Moreover, 232 people suffered fatalities during car accidents on the roads of San Bernardino.
Many car accidents are preventable, and they mainly occur due to distracted drivers, intoxication, reckless driving, speeding, and road condition. Accident victims are wise to follow a series of post-collision tips to preserve valuable evidence, protect against accidental admission of negligence, and receive the highest level of compensation for their financial, emotional, and physical harm.
If you or a loved one was hurt in an auto accident and you aren’t sure about what steps to take, don’t worry. Continue reading as we uncover the 10 steps to ensure the protection of your rights by a San Bernardino personal injury lawyer.
Step-By-Step Guide – San Bernardino Personal Injury Lawyer
The aftermath of a car accident is often a confusing intersection of emotional turmoil, personal injury, and apprehension about what to do next? Indeed, injury victims are mostly concerned about being disabled, scared, and even distressed about missing time from work. Many times, we are faced with a new reality or even end up living another quality of life.
Although the details may vary while filing a personal injury claim, the general process is usually the same:
1. Initial Investigation
Your number one priority at the scene of the accident is your wellbeing. In case you are injured, your first course of action should be seeking medical assistance. However, suppose you have the energy or ability to take some initial evidence such as pictures, writing names, car license, personal phone numbers, or any other details. In that case, all this will take your case one step ahead.
After the police arrive at the accident scene, they often clean the location and clear the road. As a result, most of your evidence gets lost. Although the police also take pictures, it’s always good to have a backup.
2. Treatment For Injuries
Receiving medical treatment is the first and foremost thing to bring your life back to normal after an auto accident. Take the best treatment possible and ask your doctor about when you can return back to back or if you have any restrictions.
Additionally, ensure you keep receiving your medical treatment if your symptoms continue, as insurance companies quickly identify treatment gaps to indicate that your injury has healed.
3. File A Claim With the Insurance Company
After the accident, notify your insurance company as it’s in the best position to assist in repairing your vehicle or pay for a total loss. Regardless of whether the accident was your fault or not, your insurance company can surely help you get back on the road. They can seek reimbursement from the faulty driver’s insurance company.
4. Consult A San Bernardino Personal Injury Lawyer
It is time to schedule a meetup with one of the San Bernardino personal injury lawyers to file a claim. The attorneys help deal with numerous calls from insurance adjusters, conduct investigations and push back against low settlement offers. Provide all details to your attorney to ensure nothing is missed allowing the lawyer to make appropriate decisions.
5. Liability And Medical Investigation
After hiring a San Bernardino personal injury lawyer takes into their hands to conduct further investigations and medical follow-ups regularly. They will gather all your medical bills and records as proof to submit to the insurance company.
6. Settlement Demand
After your injuries have wholly or partly recovered, the San Bernardino personal injury lawyer will make a settlement demand on your behalf to the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier. This demand must include all the specifics of the car accident along with subsequent medical treatment records.
7. Case Settlement Or Filing A Lawsuit
If you agree with the proposed final settlement made by the at-fault insurance company, it is settled out of the court. But in case, you disagree, your lawyer will take your claim to court. At the end of the day, it’s up to you, and you make the final decision.
8. Discovery Period
Once the lawsuit is filed, the case goes into a discovery phase which means that your attorney will try to find out more information about the other party and vice versa. The discovery process includes a number of things like the request for documents, interrogations, and depositions.
9. Mediation
Mediation is the dispute resolution process where a neutral third party facilitates discussion among the parties to encourage a voluntary settlement before the trial. You will be in a room with your attorney, whereas the other party will be in another room. The facilitator will move between the two rooms in order to get them to agree on a settlement.
Contact Arrowhead Accident Attorneys – Leading San Bernardino Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have suffered a personal injury due to a car collision, it’s essential to consult an experienced attorney with a proven record in litigating personal injury cases. Hence, Arrowhead Accident Attorneys is your best option.
Our attorneys offer the highest possible caliber of legal services when you are a victim of a catastrophic accident.