What do I need to know when I hire an attorney?

We will advise you of the importance of not discussing any information about the accident to the other party or the party’s representative, which is usually the insurance company.  You should also be aware that you should not provide the other party or their representative with a statement about the accident.  Any statement that you provide to the other party or their representative may be used against you.

Whether you live in Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino or Riverside County, our attorneys at Mazarei Law Group will assist you with seeking medical attention.  However, prior to meeting with one of our attorneys you should have already seen a medical provider.  If you have not been seen by an orthopedic surgeon or physical therapist, one of our attorneys will assist you with scheduling an appointment and obtaining the proper treatment.  Most orthopedic surgeons and physical therapist will allow their fees to be paid on a lien.  A lien is where the medical providers will wait until the end of your case to be paid from the settlement proceeds.

Prior to your meeting with one of our attorneys, we recommend that you have notes about how the accident occurred.  Detailed notes will assist our attorneys on reconstructing the accident so that we have a clear picture as to how the accident occurred.

If your vehicle was damaged you should have photographs taken of the damages to your vehicle.  If your vehicle is beyond repair and is totaled you should not dispose of the vehicle until you have been advised to by your attorney.

It is important to photograph all parts of your body which reflect signs of injury, before the healing process commences.  Those photographs should also be dated accordingly.  Pictures of your injuries are important for evidence.  Without the photographs of your injuries you may lose all evidence of physical injuries once they begin to heal.

In cases that involve cosmetic surgery for burns, cuts or scars it is important to have photographs taken before and after the surgical procedure.

What do I need to bring with me when I meet with an attorney?

Names and addresses of the other party involved in the accident, and their insurance carriers.

• Names and addresses of witnesses.
• Written statements you have given to the police, witnesses, or the other party; or by witnesses or the other party to claimant.
• Police or other official accident reports.
• Photographs of the accident scene and vehicles or objects involved, if any.
• All physical evidence of the accident capable of being transported (e.g., torn clothing, instruments or equipment or pictures thereof)
• Medical and hospital reports.
• Medical bills and records
• Repair estimates or bills.
• Documentation of lost earnings to date (e.g., statement from employer).
• Documentation of all other “out of pocket” expenses incurred (e.g., car rental costs, towing charges, photographer’s costs, etc.).
• Automobile, homeowner’s, medical and/or disability insurance policies relevant to the accident.

Will there be a consultation fee?

In cases that involve personal injuries, we do not charge consultation fees.

What happens once I hire an attorney?

When you retain Mazarei Law Group to handle your personal injury claim, we will begin immediately.  We pride ourselves in keeping our clients informed of the process of their personal injury claim.

After a retainer agreement is signed between you and Mazarei Law Group, we will immediately proceed forward on your case.

We will immediately send letter of representations to both your auto insurance company and the other party’s insurance company.  We will also send a letter of representation to all the medical providers you are treating with.  We will also immediately request a copy of the police report taken of the accident.

We will locate any and all witness and take their recorded statements of what they witnessed.

If you have not been seen by an orthopedic surgeon or a physical therapist, we will immediately schedule an appointment with one of many orthopedic surgeons and physical therapist we work with.  Mazarei Law Group works with many orthopedic surgeons and physical therapist in counties such as Orange County, Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, and Riverside County.  Many of the orthopedic surgeons also may have several offices in each of the different counties such as Santa Ana, Anaheim, Fullerton, Costa Mesa, Pomona, Chino Hills, Diamond Bar, Glendale, Los Angeles, Norwalk, Cerritos, etc.

We will calculate all of your damages that may include but are not limited to medical bills, co-payments, medical prescriptions, property damage, loss of wages, rental payments and any other out of pocket expenses.

We will then prepare a demand letter that will be submitted to the other party’s insurance company for a demand for settlement.

Should the insurance company refuse to settle your claim, we will immediately file a lawsuit.

Of course the procedure explained above is a general procedure.  There are several factors that determine who long a claim will settle.  These factors include but are not limited to:

• Your treatment
• Cooperation of the other party’s insurance company

Throughout the entire process our attorneys at Mazarei Law Group will keep you well informed of the status of your case with monthly status letters.

How much time do I have to file an auto claim for personal injuries?

Generally, there is a two-year statute of limitations to file a lawsuit for injuries or death caused by an individual who was wrongful or negligent.  The two year statute of limitations begins from the date of the accident.  For example: you were involved in an accident on January 31, 2013, you have up to January 31, 2015 to file a lawsuit.