If you've been injured in a car crash, even if you spend just a short time consulting with an experienced Alhambra car accident lawyer, you could easily save yourself time and money. No one is immune to car accidents and they happen quite often in Alhambra, California. Before offering some useful advice, one needs to consider just home many car accidents occur in Alhambra.
An Alarming Number Car Accident Injuries and Fatalities
If you drive a car, bicycle or motorbike, or even if you simply cross a crosswalk, you could become an accident victim as so many have in Alhambra. In 2006, the California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) reported that eight people were killed and 409 were injured in Alhambra car crashes. In addition, three pedestrians were killed and 31 were injured in car collisions. Car accidents also injured 25 bicyclists. Motorcycle accidents killed two and injured 11. DUI car crashes resulted in three fatalities and 21 injuries. In 2008, five car collisions ended in five fatalities.
So What do You do if You Get into a Car Accident?
Alhambra car accident lawyers say you should at least arrange an initial consultation with an experienced car collision lawyer. They can lay out your options and give you much needed advice about the complex forms and procedures you'll be faced with. Perhaps most importantly, they can help you avoid the common mistakes most car accident victims make in seeking compensation for damages. Mistakes that can cost you money.
Two Ways to Save Money
Here's one money saving tip. If your damaged car is being fixed, and you opt to rent a car through your insurance plan, you don't have to accept the $20-or $25-perday rental allowance. You should first consider the fair rental value of the car that was damaged in the accident and now unavailable to you. If it's a Porsche or high-end Mercedes, it probably rents for much more than the insurance firm will want to pay. In which case, you should document the difference and claim that difference as part of your settlement.
Another cost-saving tip that you'll get from a skilled Alhambra car collision lawyer concerns car storage fees. If your car is in a towing yard, and you're fairly certain the other driver caused the accident, you may still be "hit" for yard storage fees--if the other motorist is not fully insured. If this happens to you, you should arrange to immediately have your vehicle removed from storage, because you will probably not be reimbursed for this expense.
Look for Experience and Skill in a Car Accident Lawyer
The Internet and phone books are filled with car accident lawyers. Finding one that fits your needs and who is genuinely interested in working on your case may take a little research. Start with an initial consultation. The best car accident lawyers offer no charge, no pressure consultations. The objective is to discover your options, learn about fees and ultimately, to be fairly compensated for your losses. The right Alhambra car crash lawyer can help you every step of the way.
Since 1978, Bisnar | Chase lawyers have represented over six thousand people in car, motorcycle, truck, pedestrian and other personal injury cases. The law firm has an "AV" rating, the highest level of professional excellence, by Martindale-Hubble. John Bisnar, who is the author of this article, and his partner Brian Chase each have a "10" Avvo rating, the highest possible. John was named a "Community Hero" by the United Way, while Brian was named a "Trial Lawyer of the Year" in 2004 and one of the 2007 Top 100 Trial Lawyers. More important than all their top ratings and awards are the testimonials their clients bestow on them. Isn't this the team you want representing you? For more information on a Alhambra car accident lawyer, visit the Bisnar | Chase free book website at http://www.BestAttorneyBooks.com or call 1-800-561-4887.
