For people that live in the Thousand Oaks, California area, driving a car is a necessity. Whether it is so they can get to work, school, run errands, or for recreation, most people drive their cars on a daily basis. Due to the volume of vehicles that are on the road, it is inevitable that most people will get into an auto accident at some point of their lives.
In most cases, an auto accident is not too serious, and the amount of the damage is pretty insignificant. However, in more extreme cases, the damage to a car could exceed thousands of dollars and people could even get hurt. If you are involved in a car accident in which your car is significantly damaged or you are hurt, it would be a good idea to hire an attorney. A Thousand Oaks car accident attorney will be able to provide you with a wide range of services, which could provide to be very valuable to you.
Investigate the Car Accident
The first thing that an attorney will do for you after you are involved in a car accident is that they will investigate it fully. Most likely there has been a formal police report written. However, those reports typically do not include too much detailed analysis of what occurred, and some of the information missed could help to prove which party was at fault in the accident. The attorney will investigate the site of the accident, speak with witnesses, and read the police report to determine which party was at fault.
Provide You with Their Opinion
After they have completed their investigation and analysis, the attorney will be able to provide you with their opinion as to whether you or the other party was at fault. If they believe that the other party was at fault, they will also give you an idea of how much in damages you could receive if you filed a lawsuit. They will also explain how the remaining legal process will work. Based on all of the information, you will be able to make a better decision as to whether or not you will pursue a lawsuit.
Provide Representation
If you have decided to file a lawsuit, the attorney will also be able to help you by providing legal representation in the case going forward. The attorney will be able to try to negotiate a settlement with the other party and its insurance company. If it can’t be settled out of court, the attorney will help to represent you in court. This can include presenting your case, handling any deliberations, and providing a closing statement to the judge. If necessary, they can handle the appeal process as well.