Is Filing a Car Accident Claim Worth It?
Many Los Angeles car accident victims struggle when it comes time to file a car accident claim. They've heard the rumors about how difficult insurance companies can be and how much of a fight they put up when it comes to giving accident victims what they deserve. So when deciding whether to pursue a car accident claim, the question is, will it be worth it?
According to Lawyer.com, the settlement amounts for the typical personal injury cases range from $3,000 to $75,000, with an average payout of $52,900. The greater the injuries and the harder your attorney fights for you, the larger your settlement amount is likely to be. How do you know where on the spectrum your claim will fall?
How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
Cost is top of mind for most accident victims who are considering hiring a lawyer. The thing is, the top injury lawyers in Los Angeles will not charge you a fee to hiring them -- they work on a contingency basis. This means that they only get paid if you win. Not only are injury attorneys ethically incentivized to work hard for you, but their are motivated financially as well. Your lawyer will let you know at your initial meeting the percentage he takes if you win. In most cases, it is around 33% of your settlement and this amount should be considerably more than any outstanding medical bills you may have incurred.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Settlement?
The truth of that matter is that in California, where courts are backlogged and insurance companies are notoriously difficult, getting compensation for your accident claim can be a process. Not only that, but as we have discussed in our last blog post, you don’t want to agree to a settlement amount until you are far enough along in your recovery to know how much your medical treatment will cost you and how much work you are likely to miss. The insurance company's initial offer is likely a low-ball offer that doesn't take the full value of your injuries into account.
- In claims where the injury resolves relatively quickly – although it probably doesn’t feel “quick” to you – lawyers can wrap up the case in a matter of months.
- In cases where recovery takes a long time or the facts of the accident are complex, you may be looking at a few years.
It is important to note that this timeline does not mean that you personally will devote months or years to pursuing the claim. The experienced attorney you hire will manage everything from gathering the evidence to negotiating with the insurance company, allowing you to focus on regaining your health and your life.
Next Steps
If you have been injured in an accident and are considering hiring an attorney, you will want to reach out to them ASAP, before your statute of limitations runs out and you are barred from pursuing financial compensation for your injuries. For a free, no obligation consultation about your accident claim, contact the skilled Los Angeles injury lawyers at Ghozland Law Firm today.
