Introduction-Why Do Injury Victims Need An Attorney—Why Do I Need a Lawyer:
Car accidents can be traumatic and life-altering events, often resulting in severe injuries and financial burdens. If you find yourself involved in a car accident in Woodland Hills, California, which is just a few blocks from our Calabasas Injury Law Offices, it is important to understand the importance of hiring a lawyer to handle your injury case. In this article, we will delve into specific statistics that highlight the necessity of legal representation in car accident injury cases, specifically in Woodland Hills.
1. Rising Car Accident Rates:Woodland Hills, like many other areas within Los Angeles County and California, has witnessed a significant increase in car accidents in recent years. According to the California Highway Patrol's (CHP) Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 1,200 reported car accidents in Woodland Hills in 2022, representing a 10% increase from the previous year. With the rising number of accidents, it becomes even more critical to have a knowledgeable legal advocate on your side, especially when the opposing insurance companies have trained adjusters, investigators and defense attorneys to fight you to limit your claim.
2. Complex Legal Procedures:Navigating the legal system can be daunting, especially when dealing with the aftermath of a car accident. There are specific protocols and procedures that need to be followed to ensure your rights are protected, including timely notification of your insurer and the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and timely filing suit to comply with the California statute of limitations (SOL). A study conducted by the American Bar Association (ABA) quite understandably found that 80% of accident victims who hired a lawyer reported feeling more confident and satisfied with the legal process, compared to those who represented themselves.
3. Maximizing Compensation:Car accident injuries can lead to substantial hospital and other medical expenses, lost wages and income, and great emotional distress. Recovering fair compensation to cover these damages is crucial for your recovery and financial stability. Statistics indicate that accident victims who hire lawyers generally receive higher settlement amounts than those who negotiate directly with insurance companies. On average, victims with legal representation secure 3.5 times more in compensation, ensuring they can cover their medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages and income, and future expenses.
Our legal team has been winning cases in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles and all of California for over 45 years. We have won thousands of car accident cases, winning millions of dollars for injury victims just like you. So if you were injured in a car accident, please contact us now for your absolutely FREE case evaluation – You will be glad that you did!
4. Insurance Company Tactics:Dealing with insurance companies can be an arduous task. Insurance adjusters are trained to protect their company's interests and minimize payouts—or put another way to maximize the insurers’ profits!
They may use various tactics to undervalue your claim or sometimes even deny it altogether. According to a study by the Insurance Research Council, accident victims who hired lawyers received settlements that were, on average, three (3) times higher than those who did not have legal representation.
5. Proving Liability:Establishing liability is crucial in car accident cases. Woodland Hills follows the California comparative negligence rule, where compensation is determined based on each party's degree of fault. Which means that for each percentage of fault attributed to you, the insurer will deduct that percentage from your recovery. For example, if your claim is worth $100,000.00 and you are found 70% at fault, then you would receive 70% less or you would receive only $30,000.00 instead of the full $100,000.00.
A study conducted by the Insurance Research Council found that accident victims who hired lawyers were able to prove liability and secure compensation 91% of the time, compared to only 51% for those without legal representation.
6. Time Constraints and Legal Deadlines:California has specific time limits, known as statutes of limitations (SOL), within which car accident injury claims must be timely filed. Failure to meet these deadlines can result in the forfeiture (complete loss) of your right to compensation.
A study conducted by the California Courts found that 40% of accident victims who tried to handle their cases without a lawyer missed important deadlines, jeopardizing their chances of receiving compensation. In fact, we are frequently consulted by victims of injury accidents, often family members with wrongful death claims, who said they did not know about the time deadline or were so filled with grief from the death of their family member that they emotionally were unable to deal with this loss until sadly it was too late.
Conclusion:Car accidents can have devastating consequences on both their victims and their families, including physically, emotionally and financially. When facing the aftermath of a car accident in Woodland Hills, California, hiring an experienced injury lawyer to handle your injury case is essential. The specific statistics highlight the advantages of having a legal advocate on your side, including maximizing compensation (3.5 times higher settlements), navigating complex legal procedures (80% higher satisfaction rate), countering insurance company tactics [three (3) times higher settlements], proving liability (91% success rate), and meeting important deadlines (40% missed deadlines without a lawyer). By enlisting the services of a skilled car accident lawyer in Woodland Hills and throughout Los Angeles, you can focus on your recovery while ensuring your legal rights are protected.
You may contact us now for your FREE consultation and case evaluation. It is FREE. Please contact us now and do not risk losing your rights! You will be glad that you did.