March Madness has almost come and gone and that means beer sales and traffic are declining…until Coachella and Stagecoach. However, if you were involved in an accident, you might be asking yourself: “Should I call that lawyer I saw on TV or a billboard?”
The accident victim, in shock after an accident, doesn’t know what to do and how to find a PI lawyer. Finding the right lawyer can be challenging, but I recommend a local award-winning lawyer, practicing at least 20 years. You want a lawyer who has handled hundreds or thousands of accident cases…successfully. A good Car Accident Attorney, fights for maximum compensation and helps you get medical treatment on a lien and manage your bills.
A local PI lawyer’s relationship with local body shops will get your car out of the tow yards. They charge a fortune daily, for just sitting there…and that may come out of your pocket if you don’t mitigate damages.
A local lawyer knows the local doctors, judges and attorneys and usually gets your medical treatment on a lien and advances costs. A lawyer from LA or OC would be a mistake!
Before making that call, here’s what I consider when evaluating your case:
- Was the Defendant Negligent?
Negligence is when someone fails to act with reasonable care, causing harm. If it’s unclear whether the other driver’s carelessness caused your injuries—or if you may have contributed to the accident—this weakens your case.
- Do You Have Significant Damages?
Your case is only as valuable as your damages. Medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering factor into the settlement. But if you delayed seeing a doctor or didn’t sustain significant harm, pursuing a claim may not be worthwhile.
- Can the Defendant Pay?
Even if you win a judgment, can the defendant pay? If they are uninsured or underinsured, and you don’t have good insurance, the time and effort may not yield a substantial recovery.
- How Will a Jury Perceive You and the Defendant?
Jury perception matters. Will they sympathize with you? Will they see the defendant as reckless or relatable? A “bad” defendant, like a drunk driver, boosts your case value.
- Are Your Witnesses Credible?
Impartial witnesses who can testify about your injuries strengthen your case. If your treating doctor is a compelling witness, this adds weight to your claim.
- What Insurance Company Are You Facing?
Not all insurance companies play fair. Most insurers deny and delay claims, lowering settlement values.
- Where Would the Lawsuit Be Filed?
The venue of your case matters. A case tried in West Los Angeles may yield a higher verdict than one in Indio, where jurors tend to be more conservative and less affluent.
- Is the Law on Your Side?
Precedent matters. If your lawyer can cite a similar case that was decided favorably, it strengthens your negotiating position.
- How Much Time Has Passed?
In California you must file an accident case within 2 years.
- Will You Be a Cooperative Client?
A successful outcome requires teamwork. A client who follows instructions—such as staying off social media and avoiding conversations with insurance adjusters—helps their attorney build a stronger case.
Final Thoughts:
Before dialing a TV or billboard lawyer, ask yourself:
Do they have the experience and local knowledge to evaluate my case properly?
Will they dedicate the time needed to secure the best outcome?
If you’re serious about protecting your rights and maximizing your compensation, hire an experienced multi award winning lawyer, who has been safeguarding CV accident victims for over 30 years.
________________________________________________________________________GIVE THIS CARD TO OFFICER
Upon attorney Dale Gribow’s advice, I exercise my Right To Remain Silent, until you contact him: 760.837.7500 or dale@dalegribowlaw.com, because
It’s’s not what you say, but what they thought you said!
Dale advises, “the VOLUNTARY FIELD SOBRIETY (FST) AND VOLUNTARY “PORTABLE” BREATH TEST, at the scene, are OPTIONAL (unless one is on probation).
Thus, I ELECT not to take them. I want to cooperate and I’m happy to take a BLOOD TEST.”
Career service as Judge Pro-Tem/Arbitrator/Mediator, community leader, legal talk shows, legal columns, merited 35 Top Lawyer/5-Star awards.
