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A car accident can leave you reeling both physically and mentally, possibly with severe injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, or even grief from the loss of a loved one.
On top of the physical and emotional distress you may be feeling after an accident, you could also be facing high medical bills, extensive property damage, and loss of income or benefits.
By working with a top California car accident lawyer, you can focus on healing from your accident while your attorney works hard to secure you a fair settlement and maximum compensation.
Ready to locate an experienced California car accident attorney in your area? Contact LegalFinders today.
If you have recently been in an automobile accident in California, you may be wondering what your legal options are and whether you need to hire an attorney.
The short answer is that not everyone needs an attorney after a car accident, but it can be extremely beneficial to have one — especially in certain situations.
You may need a California car accident lawyer if:
According to recent data from the California Highway Patrol, there are nearly 200,000 auto accidents in California every year that result in injury.
Further, close to 4,000 people lose their lives in California car accidents each year.
California is known for having many dangerous highways, including multi-lane interstates and coastal highways that wind along oceanic cliffsides.
Most dangerous highways in California include:
Speeding is one of the most common causes of car accidents in California, and tends to happen in the same areas on a regular basis.
Top areas for speeding citations in California include:
After a car crash in California, you have two legal options: to file a personal injury claim or to file a car accident lawsuit.
California is an at-fault insurance state, so a motorist’s first step after being injured in an auto accident is to file a claim with the at-fault party’s car insurance provider.
You can file a personal injury claim, also called a car accident claim, to pursue damages incurred from the car accident, including medical expenses, lost wages, and injuries from pain and suffering.
This process differs from that of no-fault insurance states, in which car accident victims must first file insurance claims with their own providers in order to pursue compensation.
While most car accident claims are settled outside of court, those that are not may end up in court under a personal injury lawsuit.
In these instances, your case will be brought before a judge and most likely a jury as well. Most lawyers and claimants prefer to avoid trials, even though they may potentially result in a much larger verdict.
It is not legally required that you hire a lawyer when filing a car accident claim, but there are a few reasons why you may want to do so.
Reasons to hire a lawyer for a California car accident claim include:
If you are unsure whether you want to hire a lawyer for your car accident claim, you can always participate in a free case review to get a legal opinion.
Lawyers have a range of skills and provide a great many benefits to your case. The following are a few of the actions that you can expect a car accident lawyer to take for you.
Your relationship with a car accident attorney will usually begin with a free consultation to determine your case eligibility.
During this process, a case manager will listen to your story and determine whether you have a valid car accident case and enough evidence to build a strong claim or lawsuit.
An attorney can look at your case closely and identify possible causes of your car accident, which can be important in determining fault.
Your lawyer will also have more knowledge about any vehicle malfunctions or environmental factors that may have played a role in your accident.
It is very important to determine which driver is at fault for a car accident, as this determination will affect the entire case.
In some instances there may be multiple drivers at fault, or at least with some level of fault, even if not the majority.
Just as important as determining fault in a car accident is proving negligence. In order for a motorist to be found liable, they must also be found negligent.
Negligence means that a person was careless, thoughtless, or unreasonable in their actions and these actions resulted in the accident occurring.
Your medical treatment records are an important piece of evidence in your case, and your lawyer will look them over closely.
Common car accident injuries include:
The types of injuries that result from car accidents are not just physical — some of the most common injuries from car accidents involve severe emotional and mental distress.
A car accident attorney can file your claim for you, ensuring all paperwork is in order and that all deadlines are met.
If you miss deadlines and allow the statute of limitations to run out, you could potentially lose your ability to file a claim or lawsuit.
Your car accident attorney can handle all legal communications and negotiations on your behalf, including all settlement amount negotiations.
In the vast majority of cases, car accident claims reach a settlement before ever needing to go to court.
In the rare event that your car accident claim does not reach a settlement, you have the option to file a lawsuit.
Your lawyer will stand for you and represent you during all legal proceedings in court, with the goal of reaching a successful verdict.
Car accident lawyers handle a wide variety of cases, no matter how major or minor the accident and the resulting injuries or damages.
Types of car accident cases that lawyers handle include:
The best way to determine your eligibility is with a free consultation at a respected law firm.
You can seek an attorney at any point following a car accident, but there are a few actions you can take immediately before speaking with a lawyer.
If you have been in an accident that involved serious injury or vehicle damage in California, you have up to 24 hours to report the accident to police.
Failure to report an accident to police is considered a criminal offense in California and can result in a fine of up to $10,000 and potentially even prison time.
Seek any necessary medical attention immediately after the accident and in the days and weeks following the accident.
Be sure to keep detailed records of all your medical care related to the accident, as this can be important evidence in your claim or lawsuit later on.
There can be a lot going on in the direct aftermath of a motor vehicle accident, but try your best to gather as much information as you can while still at the scene of the accident.
Important evidence from the accident scene can include:
Make sure to collect information from the other driver, even if you have not yet determined who the at-fault driver is.
Items to collect from the at-fault driver include:
In addition to taking down your own eyewitness account, try to obtain witness statements from any individuals who saw the accident happen.
Remember, you can contact a car accident attorney at any point during this process, and it may be helpful to do so.
Working with one of the best car accident attorneys in California can bring numerous benefits to your case.
A car accident lawyer can have their own team do a thorough assessment of your collision damages to ensure that no damages are missed.
Making sure that all damages are included, no matter how small, gives you the best chance at seeking the highest settlement possible.
If necessary, car accident attorneys can call in witness experts to provide testimony during your case if it ends up in court.
Witness experts can include medical experts, road collision experts, and others who may have expertise in any accident-related areas.
An experienced lawyer will leave no stone unturned during the discovery process for your case when it comes to expertly deposing witnesses and deep diving into the scene of the accident and corresponding police report.
Further, with an in-depth discovery process, a case is much more likely to be settled before needing to go to court.
Negotiating settlements involves a lot of back-and-forth communication between your lawyer and the lawyers and insurance adjusters for the at-fault party.
Without legal experience, these conversations may be overwhelming for someone without legal representation.
An experienced California car accident attorney will have extensive knowledge of all relevant California laws.
Relevant California car accident laws include:
A good car accident attorney will always keep you in the loop about everything regarding your case and make sure to give you frequent updates.
They will also make sure you understand your legal rights as well as the legal process surrounding your case.
People who work with personal injury lawyers have a higher chance, on average, of obtaining a settlement or verdict than those who do not.
Not only do you have improved chances of reaching a settlement, but working with a California car accident lawyer may also earn you a higher settlement as well.
Choosing the right car accident attorney is an important decision, as they will be with you every step of the way throughout the claims or lawsuit process.
Tips for choosing a quality California car accident lawyer include:
While some California car accident lawyers do charge on an hourly basis, most work on what is called a contingency basis.
What this means is that clients are required to pay no upfront or hourly fees and only pay their lawyer if and when their case reaches a settlement or verdict.
Experienced and reputable car accident lawyers can be found at personal injury law firms throughout the state of California, and many offer free case evaluations.
Browse the list below for experienced car accident lawyers in your area:
If you have recently experienced a car accident in California that left you physically injured or emotionally suffering, you may be eligible for a claim or lawsuit.
LegalFinders works with only top-rated and experienced car accident attorneys throughout the United States, and can help you find the right car accident attorney to handle your case.
Please do not hesitate when it comes to seeking the compensation that you and your family deserve. Contact us today for your free initial consultation.
Here are frequently asked questions following a California car accident.
