Chico Car Accident Attorneys
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Our Car Accident AttorneyS In Chico Are
Turning Injured Victims Into Victors
Many insurance companies do not want to pay accident victims a reasonable amount of financial compensation. In fact, the majority of them will fight against any attempt a victim makes to seek compensation after an accident. If you’re injured in a car crash in Chico, California, you should contact the Chico car accident attorneys at Arash Law for legal guidance in securing financial recovery. Call (888) 488-1391 as soon as you can for a free initial consultation.
Car accidents often 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, you will need a law firm with a proven track record and dedication to helping injured victims recover physically, emotionally, and financially. Arash Law, led by the esteemed attorney Arash Khorsandi, Esq., will listen to your woes and ensure your accident claim is taken care of with the expertise and compassion it deserves.
A farm worker, suffered multiple broken bones and other orthopedic injuries resulting from an auto accident where the defendant driver attempted to make a left turn in front of our client in heavy fog.– ARASH KHORSANDI
How Our Experienced Chico Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You Obtain Maximum Compensation
- Investigate the incident’s facts and circumstances thoroughly to make sure everyone responsible is determined and dealt with appropriately
- Build and strengthen your case against the at-fault party and their insurance provider by gathering and preserving vital pieces of evidence
- Prepare and submit all required documents to guarantee your case is handled and filed within the allotted timeframe
- Recover damages for all your losses, including the total costs of your medical expenses and lost income
- Pursue the rarely awarded punitive damages in case the at-fault party was egregiously irresponsible
- Communicate and negotiate aggressively yet skillfully with the insurance provider on your behalf to obtain the highest settlement possible
- Bring legal action, represent you in court, and advocate for your best interest if a settlement with the insurance company isn’t reached
- Assist you in understanding your rights and legal options while keeping you updated during the entire legal process
Why Hire Arash Law’s Top-Rated Chico Car Accident Attorneys?
It’s critical for victims to get assistance from the best personal injury lawyers after getting injured in an accident caused by someone else’s carelessness. If you’re an injured victim, the Chico car accident attorneys at Arash Law can guide you through the complex legal system and fight for your right to full compensation.
You can entrust your claim to our Chico injury law firm for the following reasons:
- We are aware of the gravity of an accident and will exert every effort to guarantee you obtain a fair settlement for all your losses.
- We are readily available to answer all your questions and make the complicated legal process easily digestible for you.
- We have the winning track record to back our expertise and experience in winning injury cases in and out of court.
- We have recovered over $500 Million in settlements and awards for our clients, and we can do the same for you. Read more on how we have helped them get back on their feet.
- We will work on your case on a contingency fee basis. That way, you don’t have to pay us upfront, as our payment is contingent on the settlement we will recover for you.
Even playing field by hiring the award-winning car accident attorneys Chico has to offer. We will go above and beyond to help you achieve financial recovery.
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.
- 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
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.
- Obtain the following:
- 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; 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.
- Hire our Chico car accident lawyers; we can help you secure valuable evidence and hold the at-fault party accountable for your injuries and losses.
Common Causes Of Car Accidents In Chico, California
- 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 should speak to our knowledgeable Chico car accident lawyers. We can investigate your case to determine what caused it and pursue compensation from the at-fault party.
Damages To Recover In Chico Car Accident Claims
Car accident cases are categorized as personal injury cases. Accident victims are permitted to recover three types of damages—economic, non-economic, and, in 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 claiming compensation, the top-rated car accident attorneys Chico offers can help you determine all types of damages you may be entitled 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 without the help of a qualified Chico car accident attorney.
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 egregious 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 egregious 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 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.
The knowledgeable Chico car accident lawyers at Arash Law can help you pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Our goal is to maximize the compensation available in your case. Trust us to negotiate aggressively with the insurance company, even to litigate if necessary.
What If The At-Fault Driver Is Uninsured/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. Insurance providers may try to avoid paying their insured in the case of first-party claims. Additionally, certain conditions may not be covered. Consult our Chico car accident attorneys with years of experience and in-depth expertise handling complicated situations like yours to protect your rights and best interests.
Applicable California Laws When Seeking Monetary Compensation After A Car 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 enforces a pure comparative negligence scheme regarding 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 to 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 twenty percent responsible for causing the accident, your financial recovery would be eighty percent of the total damages amount. Our skilled car accident attorneys in Chico can help ensure you are not unfairly blamed for the accident.
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 and 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 will affect the total recovery they may obtain. That’s why it’s crucial to get insurance, as the law prevents uninsured motorists, drunk drivers, and felons from recovering compensation from law-abiding motorists.
December 2016: $22M+ verdict in a mild traumatic brain injury case. The entire details of the case can be found in the public record filings by the defendant entity that sued its defense.– BRIAN BEECHER
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, insurance company representatives may try to deny liability at the outset of an automobile accident case. They may not offer to pay a reasonable settlement amount or use delaying tactics to wear the claimant out. In this case, the injured victim will typically file a complaint to initiate a civil lawsuit to recover the rightful compensation. This is where the Chico car accident lawyers at Arash Law come in.
Insurance Claims And Civil Lawsuits Often Require Legal Representation
When pursuing compensation, your lawyer will use the resources at their disposal to obtain vital documentary evidence regarding the automobile accident and their client’s injuries. These forms of documentary evidence 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 do everything within their power to help you obtain the best settlement possible. 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 needed to help win your case.
For your case to succeed, your attorney must satisfy the elements of negligence. In particular, they must demonstrate that the driver had a duty of care to prevent harm to others but acted unreasonably under the circumstances. They must also demonstrate that the breach of duty resulted in an 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, you need to ensure you 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.
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 2020, 217 traffic collisions in Chico caused victims to suffer serious bodily injury or death.
Call Our Chico Car Accident Attorneys About Your Legal Matter Today
Arash Law, led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., helps injured victims seek financial compensation for their injuries and damages. We have decades of experience representing clients in personal injury cases, recovering over $500 Million for them throughout the State of California. We focus on your case, and we are not afraid to stand up to insurance companies and assert your rights.
Contact us at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free initial consultation. Our car accident attorneys in Chico 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.
