You suddenly hear the screeching of tires and the sickening crunch of two cars colliding. And that pause afterwards, with everything completely still, car accidents can be traumatic. When it happens to you on I-5 or downtown in the city, or close to home or the beach, a car accident in San Diego can leave you disoriented and overwhelmed.
In these situations, what you do next is crucial. Perhaps it’s why so many people instead contact a car accident lawyer in San Diego when they’re involved in a crash with another vehicle for advice and for information, and for someone to be their advocate.
Don’t Panic, Prioritize Safety
The first order of business is to check if anyone is injured. Call 911 right away if the answer is yes. If you’re able to, you can try to move your vehicle out of a dangerous position. Once help is on the way, begin to collect information. Take pictures of the accident, the damage, and anything else related to the scene that might be relevant, including road signs and the like.
Exchange your information with the other driver, and take note of anybody who might have witnessed the car crash. A witness can potentially offer their account to help you later down the road.
Why Legal Help Makes a Difference
Any injury can turn into a legal mess. Maybe the driver who hit you keeps changing their story. Maybe the insurance company is trying to get you to settle. Maybe you’re in more pain than you thought you’d be, and you need to know what you deserve.
If any of these things have happened to you and you’ve been hurt in a crash, call a car accident attorney in San Diego who knows how things work here. They’ll know the rules, the courts, and all the ways the other person‘s lawyer or insurance company will try to stop you from getting your payment.
What to Expect When You Reach Out
Not sure if you need a lawyer yet? Don’t know if you even have a good case? No problem. Call anyway. Many car accident lawyers will answer your questions at no charge during a free consultation. You can get firsthand advice and find out if they think you have a good chance of getting paid.
They might want to know:
- When and where the crash occurred
- What happened to you, or how were you hurt
- What kind of insurance do you and the other person have
- If you have heard from an insurance company yet
From there, you can learn more about your rights and what will happen next.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in San Diego
San Diego’s no-worries reputation doesn’t automatically mean drivers know how to keep you safe. In fact, many accidents in the city are caused by something as simple as:
- Texting behind the wheel, eating while driving, adjusting the GPS
- Driving too fast through stretches of I-15 and I-805
- A lack of sobriety (think: DUI, weed, drugs)
- Rear-end crashes that happen in traffic jams
- Not looking twice before you swap lanes on a crowded downtown street
If you were hurt because of any of the above, it’s even more important that someone fights by your side, steps into your shoes, and gets to the bottom of what happened.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Helps You Heal
While you’re at home, on a hospital bed, or back at your job, your attorney makes sure that you’re not responsible for:
- Filling out forms and paperwork for your claim
- Talking to the insurance company
- Tracking down your records and files
- Finding a specialist, even a “star” witness, who turns the tide in your favor
- Using your case to make sure that you have the money you need for years to come
Time Matters: Don’t Wait Too Long
It’s easy to want to avoid getting a lawyer involved after an accident. You just want to go to sleep and wake up and find out it was all a dream. And dealing with the aftermath is hard to summon the energy for, anyway. You’re dealing with physical and emotional pain.
But you’ve only got so much time in California. You have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you pass that date, you may never be able to get compensation for your losses at all.
And the sooner you start, the better: evidence is easier to gather, witnesses are easier to find, and medical records are easier to get when you start the process immediately.
Now, that does not mean you need to rush to judgment and file a lawsuit. It just means you need to get the ball rolling. When you call a car accident lawyer in San Diego to talk about your case, they can start the groundwork even if you decide not to move forward right now.
Contact Your San Diego Car Accident Lawyer Today
You don’t want to be reminded of the crash every time someone asks you to fill out a form, sign a bill, or make a statement. Your attorney is there to carry that burden for you. Getting hit by a car can derail your day, but the right help will get you back on your feet.
If you’re feeling turned around after an accident, don’t hesitate. Stand up for yourself, call a car accident attorney in San Diego, and make sure you have a strong plan for moving on.