Chico Car Accident Attorneys
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Our Chico Car Accident Attorneys Offer Dedicated Legal Support For Injury Victims
Victims of car crashes may face costly medical treatments, the inability to work while recovering, and other related losses. It can be challenging to seek compensation for these on your own. If you’ve been hurt in a car collision, consider contacting our Chico car accident attorneys at Arash Law for legal guidance. Call (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free initial consultation.
Car accidents may give rise to civil lawsuits due to the severity of a victim’s injuries or the extent of property damage. Whether you’re pursuing compensation in the civil court or through an insurance claim, hiring a law firm with experience and dedication can be beneficial. Let our skilled attorneys at Arash Law listen to your story and guide you on your next steps.
(No guarantee of outcome. Results displayed were dependent on unique facts of that case, and different facts will bring different results.)
How Experienced Chico Car Accident Lawyers Can Help With Your Case
Following a car accident, our attorneys in Chico can provide legal assistance and support as you pursue compensation for your losses. We can help you:
- Investigate the incident’s facts and circumstances thoroughly to identify potentially liable parties.
- Build and support your case against the at-fault party and their insurance provider by gathering and preserving vital pieces of evidence.
- Prepare and submit required documents on time to meet legal deadlines.
- Pursue damages for your losses, including the total costs of your medical expenses and lost income.
- File for punitive damages in case the at-fault party was egregiously irresponsible.
- Communicate and negotiate skillfully with the insurance provider on your behalf to work toward acquiring a fair settlement for you.
- Bring legal action, represent you in court, and advocate for your interests if a settlement with the insurance company isn’t reached.
- Understand your rights and legal options, keeping you updated throughout the legal process.
Would you like more information on the services we offer to help you seek compensation after a car accident? Check if you have a case by getting in touch with us for a free initial consultation at your convenience.
Why Hire Arash Law’s Car Accident Attorneys In Chico
It can be beneficial for victims to get assistance from dedicated and experienced personal injury lawyers after getting injured in an accident caused by someone else’s carelessness. If you’re an injured victim, our Chico car accident attorneys at Arash Law can guide you through the complex legal system and help protect your right to seek compensation.
You can seek legal help from our Chico injury law firm for the following reasons:
- We are aware of the impacts of an accident and will work to pursue a just settlement for your losses.
- We are available to address all your questions and make the complicated legal process easily digestible for you.
- We have years of combined experience handling a wide range of personal injury cases in and out of court.
- We will work on your case on a contingency fee basis. That way, you don’t have to pay legal fees up front, as our payment is contingent on the settlement we will recover for you. Our lawyers will discuss the terms of our fee agreement during your consultation so you know what to expect.
Contact us to know what our Chico car accident attorneys have to offer.
Common Injuries Victims Suffer In Chico Car Accidents
Victims of car accidents experience a wide range of injuries, the kind of which will usually depend on the type of crash. In a fender bender, for instance, injured parties can sustain minor injuries like whiplash and contusions.
Catastrophic injuries like brain and spinal cord damage are more likely to happen in head-on collisions or rollover accidents. High-speed collisions, more often than not, lead to fatalities.
The following are the most common injuries our Chico car accident lawyers help victims seek compensation for:
- Cuts and abrasions
- Bruises or contusions
- Strains and sprains
- Fractured bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck injuries like whiplash
- Amputations or loss of limbs
- Burn injuries
After getting involved in a car accident, it’s vital to seek medical treatment immediately. Even if you feel you do not have any severe symptoms, you should still go to the hospital after an automobile accident. If you delay your treatment and file for a claim later, the other party may argue against the severity of your injuries.
Not only can seeking a doctor help with your claim, but it can also offer a better chance at your physical recovery. Your physician may recommend that you undergo surgery or other medical procedures to recover from your injuries. You should follow the medical advice you receive from your doctor and make sure you have access to all of your medical records.
Steps To Take Following A Car Accident In Chico
Depending on the circumstances surrounding it, each car accident is different. However, the steps accident victims must take afterward are generally the same.
- Move to a safe location to avoid further accidents, if you’re able and if it’s possible.
- Check yourself and others involved for potential injuries.
- Call 911 for law enforcement and medical responders.
- Cooperate with the authorities, but do not make any assumptions or take the blame.
- Get medically evaluated even if you feel fine; see a doctor afterward, as some injuries do not show immediate symptoms.
- Gather:
- Photos and videos of the scene, your injuries, and any relevant details.
- The identity and contact details of any witnesses, if any.
- The name, contact information, and insurance details of all parties involved.
- The responding officer’s name and badge number.
- Report the accident to your insurance company. However, do not sign any document or make a recorded statement without legal counsel.
- Do not talk about the accident with the other parties and their insurers, as you may say something that can be used against you. Similarly, do not post about the accident on social media.
- Consult our Chico car accident lawyers; we can guide you throughout the legal process and help you gather valuable evidence to support your case.
Common Causes Of Car Accidents In Chico, California
Automobile accidents in Chico and the rest of California occur due to different reasons. The following are among the leading causes of car accidents our attorneys in Chico frequently encounter:
- Driving at an Excessive Rate of Speed — Motorists who drive too fast not only increase the risk of causing automobile accidents but also increase the chances of catastrophic injuries.
- Dangerous Road Conditions — Uneven surfaces, potholes, cracks, and other dangerous road conditions may cause automobile accidents. These conditions typically must be rectified by the county or city in which the roadway exists.
- Manufacturing Defects — Automobile manufacturers are required to adhere to federal guidelines regarding vehicle safety. Unfortunately, some manufacturers do not follow these guidelines, and defects are likely to cause automobile accidents in which victims suffer serious bodily injury or death. Examples of manufacturing defects that contribute to car accidents are faulty tires, acceleration issues, and low roof crush resistance.
- Driving While Intoxicated — Motorists who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs have slower reaction times and are more likely to cause traffic collisions. Intoxicated drivers may drive at excessive rates of speed, increasing the risk of fatal accidents and extensive property damage.
- Distracted Driving — Many forms of distracted driving exist, including eating, texting or using phones, and listening to music at high volume while driving. Distracted drivers can be just as dangerous as drowsy or drunk drivers.
These are only some of the common causes of automobile accidents in California. If you have additional facts regarding the accident in which you suffered injuries, you can speak to our knowledgeable Chico car accident lawyers. We can investigate your case to determine the cause and help you pursue compensation from potentially liable parties.
Damages To Pursue In Chico Car Accident Claims
Car accident cases are categorized as personal injury cases. Accident victims are permitted to seek payment for three types of damages. These are economic, non-economic, and, on rare occasions, punitive damages.
Compensation for injuries and losses caused by car accidents can vary dramatically depending on the circumstances of the incident, making estimating a fair value challenging. If you’re an injured party seeking compensation, our team of dedicated car accident attorneys in Chico can help you determine which damages you may be able to recover.
Economic Damages
Also known as special damages, economic damages are financial losses and possess a distinct economic value. These provide compensation to accident victims for past and future medical bills, lost wages, loss of future earning potential, property damage, and other quantifiable losses or out-of-pocket costs.
Non-Economic Damages
General damages are also termed non-economic damages. These are designed to provide accident victims with compensation for their non-economic or intangible losses, such as emotional trauma, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, and pain and suffering. As subjective damages, they can vary from case to case and are, therefore, difficult to quantify. You can seek help from skilled car accident attorneys in Chico to evaluate these damages.
Punitive Damages
Apart from general and special damages, you can also seek punitive damages from the at-fault party if your legal counsel can establish grossly negligent conduct on their part. Punitive damages are designed not to compensate claimants but to punish the defendant and deter them and others from committing the same conduct in the future. Typically, these damages are based on conduct that is particularly malicious or reckless.
The lawyer who represents you has the burden of proving that the defendant acted with malice. Evidence needed may include proof that the other party was, for example, driving under the influence (DUI) or exceeding the speed limit at the time of the accident.
Our skilled car accident lawyers in Chico can help you pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Our goal is to seek fair compensation based on the circumstances of your case. We can negotiate with insurance companies and, if necessary, represent you in court.
What If The At-Fault Driver Is Uninsured Or Underinsured?
A total of 16.6% of drivers in California were uninsured, making it the 10th highest uninsured state in the country in 2019, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). With this information, we cannot always trust road users to be insured. If you’re in a car accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, you must know your options.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is recommended for California drivers. In case of a UM/UIM accident, your insurer will pay for damages if you have this coverage. This policy is not only applicable to hit-and-run victims, but it can also protect the insured and their family members if they’re injured as passengers, cyclists, or pedestrians.
Despite the benefits, this coverage can also be stressful in certain situations. First-party claims can become complicated, and certain conditions may not be covered. Consult our Chico car accident attorneys, who bring years of combined experience and knowledge in handling complex accident cases. Our team is dedicated to advocating for your rights and interests throughout the legal process.
Applicable California Laws When Seeking Compensation After An Accident
California has a system for processing insurance claims regarding tortious or wrongful conduct. Every injured victim who files a personal injury case, like a car accident claim, must establish that the defendant was responsible for causing the crash.
Also, the state follows a pure comparative negligence system on tort claims. If multiple parties are involved, the jurors or the judge will assess the degree of fault of each driver and divide the liability of the accident and its resulting damages among them. If you’re found to be partially liable, the damages you recover will be reduced based on your degree of fault.
If, for instance, you’re awarded $50,000 in damages, but the judge determined you to be 20% responsible for causing the accident, your financial recovery would only be 80% of the total damages, or $40,000. Our skilled car accident attorneys in Chico are prepared to advocate on your behalf and provide guidance on how the percentage of fault may affect your potential recovery.
Specific rules also apply in California regarding how parties can seek damages in an automobile accident or other personal injury case. Proposition 213, or the Personal Responsibility Act of 1996, states that drivers who do not possess automobile liability insurance may not obtain non-economic damages in an accident case. Emotional distress, pain, and suffering are the two most common.
Many injured victims spend a considerable amount of time receiving medical treatment. Any limit on non-economic damages can affect the total compensation they may obtain. That’s why it’s crucial to get insurance, as the law prevents uninsured motorists from recovering certain types of compensation, such as for pain and suffering, from at-fault motorists.
(No guarantee of outcome. Results displayed were dependent on unique facts of that case, and different facts will bring different results.)
Seeking Monetary Compensation Through A Settlement Or Lawsuit
Most car accident cases in Chico and the rest of California do not go to trial and are instead resolved through settlement negotiations. All drivers in the Golden State are required to have automobile liability insurance. Unfortunately, some drivers choose to operate their motor vehicles without purchasing an automobile insurance policy. In any case, the insurer is responsible for providing monetary compensation after an accident, yet this does not guarantee the injured party will receive a favorable settlement offer.
Worse, liability may be denied at the outset of an automobile accident case. In this case, the injured victim can file a complaint to initiate a civil lawsuit to seek compensation. Our car accident lawyers in Chico can help provide legal representation, guide you through the litigation process, and protect your interests.
Insurance Claims And Civil Lawsuits Often Require Legal Representation
When pursuing compensation, your lawyer will use resources at their disposal to obtain documentary evidence regarding your automobile accident and injuries. Documentary evidence may include black box information, traffic collision reports, eyewitness statements, video recordings, and photographs.
It is also essential for your attorney to communicate with other parties, witnesses, and insurance companies. Negotiating a settlement agreement will be pivotal to your case, and your legal counsel will advocate for an amount that reflects your losses. More importantly, they will be prepared to take your case to trial if necessary. Our car accident attorneys in Chico have the litigation skills and experience to represent you in court.
For negligence to be established, you must work with your attorney to prove some elements. In particular, you must demonstrate that the driver had a duty of care to prevent harm to others but acted unreasonably under the circumstances. You must also demonstrate that the breach of duty resulted in the accident, which directly led to your injury and other damages. Lastly, there must be proof of these actual damages and losses.
How Long Do I Have To Bring Legal Action After A Chico Car Accident?
If you suffered injuries after a car accident in Chico, you need to focus on healing first. Then, to seek compensation for your expenses, file a claim or civil lawsuit before the statute of limitations of two (2) years expires. The statute of limitations is a time limit to bring legal action after a personal injury accident.
California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1 limits how long a plaintiff can sue the at-fault party’s insurance company in civil court if a settlement cannot be reached. Generally, you only have two years from the date of the accident or discovery of the injury. If you’re filing against a government agency, you only have six months.
You must observe these deadlines, as they can affect your legal rights. Talk to our Chico car accident attorneys. If you decide to proceed with a claim, we can handle the necessary paperwork.
Traffic Accident Statistics In Chico, CA
Researching traffic accident statistics can make you more aware of how and why car accidents occur in California. The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) reported that in Chico during 2020, there were 217 traffic collisions that resulted in serious injury or death.
The data breakdown showed that these collisions involved 28 bicyclists, 18 pedestrians, and 21 motorcyclists, and alcohol use was a factor in 36.
Call Our Chico Car Accident Attorneys About Your Legal Concerns
Arash Law, led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., helps injured victims seek financial compensation for their injuries and damages. With decades of experience representing clients in personal injury cases across California, our team is ready to discuss your potential claim. We can assist you in negotiations with insurance companies while safeguarding your legal rights. Call us at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free initial consultation.
Our car accident attorneys in Chico also serve the surrounding areas such as Corning, Kirkwood, Orland, Hamilton City, Dayton, Butte Valley, Cherokee, Jacinto, Magalia, Paradise, Durham, Roble, Dodge Place, and Stirling City.
