California Vehicle Accident Lawyers
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California Vehicle Accident Lawyers Helping You Navigate The Legal Process
A vehicle accident is a terrifying experience. Many injury victims feel overwhelmed and unsure about what to do after an accident, especially if they have never dealt with an insurance company before. You don’t have to go through this difficult process alone. Our California vehicle accident lawyers are here to answer all your questions about car crash injuries.
We have prepared this guide to answer some of the common questions victims ask after a car accident. Not all queries can be answered here, and we can’t evaluate your case directly here. If you need assistance, you can book a free initial consultation with one of our lawyers.
Settlement in a motor vehicle accident involving a ride share company; client suffered spinal injuries.– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
What Should I Do After A Vehicle Accident?
In the chaos and confusion of an accident scene, it can be difficult to know what to do. Do remember to put your health and safety first. Get out of your vehicle and move away from oncoming traffic. Accidents often result in secondary accidents from “rubberneckers,” so it is important not to be in your car when this happens. Find a safe place to shelter on the side of the road.
Help anyone who needs assistance getting safely away from the path of oncoming traffic. If you are unsure whether you can safely move someone, call 911 right away and let the dispatcher know about the situation. The 911 operator will help you determine whether to move the person or wait for the first responders to arrive.
Your safety is always the priority after a car accident. If you need to leave the accident scene in an ambulance, the police can come to you to obtain the necessary information. Do not hesitate to get any emergency medical care you need. If you do not need to leave in an ambulance right away, the police will help you exchange insurance information with the other driver and take your statement about what happened.
These statements are often critical evidence that will help you file a personal injury claim later. Obtaining evidence like witness statements is just one reason it is important to call the police to the scene of an accident. Call 911 after an accident, even if you are unsure whether you need medical attention, and even if the other driver asks you to “take care of it” without police involvement.
Do I Have To See A Doctor After An Accident?
Even if you do not feel hurt, it is still important to see a doctor soon after an auto accident. The most important reason is that you could have latent injuries that do not show up right away. Shock from the accident can mask pain from your injuries, which could be life-threatening.
If, for example, you are bleeding internally, you might not show symptoms until your blood pressure has already dropped dangerously low. By this point, it could be too late for doctors to stop the bleeding. But you were to get checked out right away. In that case, emergency medical technicians or emergency department staff might notice a small drop in blood pressure before it becomes a life-or-death situation.
The other reason it is important to see a doctor is to protect your legal rights. If you delay treatment, the other party may dispute that you made your injuries worse by not seeing a doctor right away. They could also claim that the medical care you received later (such as physical therapy or chiropractic services) is suspicious if you were not injured right away. Seeking immediate medical assistance may lead to treatments and diagnoses that could potentially strengthen your personal injury claim.
When Should I Contact A Car Accident Lawyer?
Consulting with an accident lawyer as soon as possible after a car accident is advisable. The things you say and do after the accident may affect your claim one way or another. Working with an attorney from the start is an important step in protecting your legal interests. The insurance company can no longer contact you about the accident. All communications must go through your attorney’s office, which may prevent scenarios that could hurt your claim.
As soon as you have seen a doctor and taken care of your immediate medical needs, it may be time to look for a personal injury lawyer. You can start by searching online for a California “vehicle accident lawyer near me.” Then, you can read online reviews of previous clients with similar car accident cases. You can even check with the State Bar to make sure these attorneys are licensed to practice law and in good standing with the State of California.
Our injury attorneys serve clients throughout California. They have experience handling many different types of car accident cases. This fact means that they understand the specific issues that are likely to come up in your case and know how to develop strategies tailored to your unique circumstances. Contact us for a free case review.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Vehicle Accident Lawyer?
Our lawyers operate on contingency fee agreements. Under this arrangement, your lawyer will receive a percentage of the settlement or verdict they obtain on your behalf. You don’t have to pay attorney fees up front, though you may be responsible for certain costs regardless of the outcome.
If the lawyer is unable to get you money, then he or she is not paid. This system allows all injury victims to have access to legal representation without paying attorney’s fees upfront. Many personal injury lawyers offer free consultations with no obligation to hire them.
How Do I Find The Right Injury Lawyer For My Car Accident Case?
Look for attorneys who have handled similar auto accident cases in the past: for example, if you suffered injuries in an Uber, ask your attorney if they have filed claims against Uber before. Suppose someone hit you while you were on a bicycle. In this case, you should ask how many bicycle injury cases your lawyer has handled.
Different types of cases create different legal issues. Having experience handling your particular kind of case can mean that your lawyer will know what approach to use in case disputes arise. The same rule applies to your specific injuries. The type of injuries you suffer is a factor when determining appropriate compensation. Because of this, it is important to find an attorney who understands your specific injuries.
Finding the right lawyer to handle your case is an important task, and it’s important to ask the right questions. For example, if you suffered a mild traumatic brain injury, ask if your lawyer has handled TBI cases before. What do they know about brain injuries? Have they worked with medical experts before? Do they know a neurologist who can testify in your case, if necessary? If the attorney cannot answer these questions or seems unsure of handling your case, they might not be the right lawyer for your particular case.
What If I Was Partly At Fault For The Accident?
In many car accidents, more than one person is at fault. Sometimes a company is found at fault. Sometimes, a third party who wasn’t even involved in the accident is found at fault. In all these cases, California law allows an injury victim to hold each defendant accountable for their portion of negligence.
So long as a defendant was partly at fault, he or she may be liable to pay you for whatever portion of damages they caused. That said, your potential compensation can be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault.
So if, for example, your injury claim was worth $10,000 and you and the other driver were each found to be fifty percent at fault, you would only be able to pursue up to $5000 in compensation from the other driver.
Who Decides Fault In An Accident?
So who decides who was at fault (“liable”) for causing a car accident? If the insurance company and your attorney can agree on liability, then this issue is resolved. However, if there are disputes about liability that cannot be sorted out during negotiations, your attorney might have to file a lawsuit to support your claim. As part of this legal action, the parties must exchange evidence through the discovery process or even engage in mediation to resolve liability.
If none of these steps are successful, you have the right to take your case to trial and let a jury decide who was at fault. You can see that there are many ways to challenge disputes or issues that may be thrown at you. The issue might be up for discussion, but you should never take the word of someone on the other side. Only your injury lawyer can give you a fair opinion on whether you were partly at fault for causing an accident.
What If I Wasn’t Wearing A Seatbelt Or Helmet?
In some cases, victims contribute to their injuries if they were not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. Those who ride motorcycles or bicycles might experience worse injuries if they are not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. Situations like these do not automatically mean that these victims are at fault for causing their injuries.
The other party might claim that an injury victim must be partly at fault if they weren’t taking all available safety precautions. But this does not mean that the negligent driver is not at fault. Though seatbelt or helmet use might be a small contributing factor to a portion of your losses, the vast majority of your damages are a direct result of the other driver’s negligence. When disputes arise over claims, for example, that your injuries were made worse because you weren’t wearing a seatbelt, accident lawyers know how to challenge them with solid evidence.
How Long Will It Take To Resolve My Case?
Every case is unique. There’s no way of telling how long a claim will take to resolve. Some cases are very simple. If the insurance company accepts liability and makes a fair settlement offer, a claim may be resolved in a relatively shorter time. That said, uncertainty about who was at fault for the accident can delay a case by weeks — or even months. Some auto accident cases take years to go to trial. Auto accident cases might also have to go to trial when the insurance company accepts liability but refuses to make a fair settlement offer.
Your attorney might spend months working with expert witnesses to prove how much your case is worth. These steps take longer, but they might be necessary to support your claim. Experienced vehicle accident lawyers in California may be able to give you a better idea of how long it might take to resolve your case, considering all factors and potential scenarios.
How Do Insurance Companies Value Auto Accident Injury Claims?
Insurance companies often use a very simple mathematical formula to determine what your claim is worth. They start by adding up your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses you have documented with receipts (such as a wheelchair or crutches). Then, to determine the value of your pain and suffering, they multiply the total of your medical bills by a small number (usually between one and three, depending on the severity of your injuries).
These numbers are compiled by a computer and read back by a claims adjuster. As you can imagine, this system may not come up with fair valuations that account for your pain and suffering. Under California law, accident victims may seek compensation for these losses. Vehicle accident lawyers work to prove the specific losses you suffered due to your injuries. Perhaps you were unable to sleep because your pain was so bad. Or maybe you could not hold your children because an arm injury made it difficult to bear any weight.
A computer cannot understand these losses, but a jury certainly can. Our car crash attorneys can advocate for you in negotiations or in court to pursue damages, including pain and suffering.
Call Us To Speak With Our California Vehicle Accident Lawyers
We have experienced vehicle accident lawyers in California who are ready to take your case. Arash Law can protect your right to pursue fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
Our skilled injury attorneys have decades of experience working with clients across the state. You don’t have to spend hours searching online for a “vehicle accident lawyer near me.” Our skilled legal team serves clients in San Francisco, Riverside, San Jose, San Diego, Sacramento, Sherman Oaks, and throughout California. Call (888) 488-1391 or contact us online to schedule your free initial consultation with an attorney.
