Legal Question in Personal Injury in California
Should I obtain an attorney for a small car accident with a minor injury not my fault?
4 Answers from Attorneys
The answer to that every time is "yes." First of all, it's very hard to know at the start if it's a small accident. Even fairly low-damage accidents can sometimes cause serious injuries that are not obvious at first. There might be a torn ligament in your knee, or a herniated disc in your neck. Every case is unique, and it takes an expert with years of experience to tell what the value of the case might be. Secondly, it costs you nothing up front! You only pay the attorney if he gets money for you, so you having nothing to lose. If you would like to speak with me about the details of your individual case, feel free to contact me at (877) LION-FOR-LAW (546-6367)
If you are a defendant your insurance carrier will provide an attorney at no charge to you. If you are a Plaintiff, if the case is worth less than $15,000 many attorneys will not handle it. You can sue in Small Claims Court [filing fee about $320 less] where an attorney can not appear in court. Often awards are not made for pain and suffering, so it depends upon what your damages are.
Not if you have insurance, just tender it to them. They will provide counsel if needed. If you are uninsured, you have some significant problems with the way they have cracked down on uninsured motorists. You definitely want professional guidance.