After being involved in a car accident, one of the most beneficial steps you can take to protect your legal rights and options is to secure the help of an experienced attorney. Once you hire a personal injury lawyer, it is vitally important that you are completely honest with them about the circumstances surrounding your accident as well as the ways in which you have been impacted by your injuries and other damages. Continue reading for more information and reach out to a San Mateo County, California motor vehicle accident lawyer for skilled representation during your case.
Do I Need a Lawyer After My Car Accident?
While you are not legally required to hire representation during a car accident case, it is highly recommended. After being involved in a car accident, you have to deal with your physical injuries and pain along with property damage, lost wages, emotional distress, and the often harrowing experience of navigating a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
It may be tempting to accept the first settlement you are offered to avoid a long and drawn-out legal process, but failing to evaluate all of your options can be detrimental to your compensation. Your lawyer will gather evidence, negotiate with the insurance company, counter tactics used to lowball you, and even represent you if the case ends up in court. Hiring a lawyer levels the playing field to ensure that you are fairly represented when dealing with insurance representatives or the defendant’s legal team.
Why is it Important to Be Honest With your Personal Injury Lawyer?
Once you hire a personal injury lawyer, the relationship that you build can influence the outcome of the case. It is important to trust one another, and trust requires honesty. Your lawyer is your biggest advocate, but they can only effectively fight for you if they are equipped with all relevant facts.
Full disclosure will help your lawyer prepare for the case and ensure that there are no surprises. The truth has a way of coming out, especially during an investigation. If you contributed to the accident in some way or had a pre-existing condition before sustaining another injury, the opposing party’s legal team will likely uncover it. If your lawyer knows about these potential issues beforehand, they can prepare and plan accordingly. If they are blindsided, however, it can impact your credibility and leave your attorney floundering for a response.
Total honesty will also help better protect your rights. For example, you may be hesitant to share a side effect of the accident that you are experiencing if you perceive it as embarrassing or private. However, by withholding information, you could reduce the amount of compensation you are entitled to or go into the case with insufficient evidence of how your injuries have impacted your life.
There are many reasons to hire a lawyer after a car accident, and even more reasons to be completely honest about the details of the situation. Contact an experienced lawyer for more information and representation today.