If you suffered injuries in a California car accident that wasn’t your fault, your next steps can significantly impact your ability to recover fair compensation for your injuries.
Being involved in any motor vehicle collision can be frightening, upsetting, and confusing. You need answers and you need them now.
The California car accident lawyers of the Farzam Law Firm understand what you’re going through. To help, we have put together this handy guide on how to deal with a car accident.
Although our California Car Accident Guide could never substitute for car accident advice from an experienced attorney, we hope this guide provides you with helpful information.
And remember that you can always contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation and case review. We are here for you whenever you need us.
Do You Have a Valid California Car Accident Claim?
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a car accident in California that you didn’t cause, you could be entitled to compensation for the damages you suffered. In most cases, car accidents occur when a motorist does something that puts others at risk.
This might involve distracted or impaired driving, speeding, failing to obey traffic or directional signage, etc. If an accident occurred due to these or similar actions and you were hurt as a result, you likely have a valid car accident injury case.
In other cases, accidents occur due to poorly marked or lit roadways, obstructions in the road, obstructed signage, debris, etc. These examples don’t involve another motorist.
But you could have a valid claim against the city, county, state, road construction company, or another type of entity who is responsible for the obstruction.
The best way to know for sure whether you have a valid personal injury case is to talk to an experienced car accident lawyer in California.
Is California a No-Fault State?
California is not a no-fault state. In a no-fault state, injured accident victims typically cannot pursue a claim against the party who caused or contributed to a car accident.
In California, injury victims do have the right to pursue a claim against the at-fault party. This allows you to hold the at-fault party responsible for their reckless, negligent, or wrongful actions.
It also means that you can potentially recover compensation for all of your economic and non-economic damages. California also recognizes comparative fault.
This means that you can recover compensation from the other driver’s insurance company even if you were partly responsible for the crash.
What Is the Average Settlement Amount for CA Car Accident Cases?
The injuries and other damages you suffered in your motor vehicle crash are unlike those of any other victim. What you’re going through is as unique as you are.
These factors make it impossible to estimate a meaningful “average” California car accident settlement value. The best way to determine what your claim might be worth is to contact an experienced attorney.
Once an attorney obtains all the details of your case, they can provide a proper estimate of your claim’s value. It may not be entirely accurate because new evidence can emerge throughout the discovery process, but it will likely be the best estimate you can get before negotiations begin.
Without these details, no one—especially no automated settlement calculator—can provide you with any reliable information regarding your case’s value.
What Can I Get Compensation for in a Car Accident Settlement?
When you meet with potential attorneys, they will explain the types of damages you might expect to recover in your case. Typically, car accident victims can pursue compensation for their physical, emotional, and financial damages.
You should be able to recover compensation for your car repair or replacement, along with any other personal property damage you suffered.
You should be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost income, lost benefits, emotional trauma, pain and suffering, and more.
If you sustained any permanent scarring, disability, or long-term damage, your attorney may pursue compensation for these items as well.
Should You Get a California Car Accident Lawyer? If So, When?
Although California law does not require injured accident victims to hire a lawyer, you might want to give it serious consideration. Do you have to hire a lawyer for a California car accident? No. Should you get one?
For most people, the answer is a resounding Yes! Having a lawyer helps protect your legal rights and maximizes your compensation. Your attorney can handle everything on your behalf.
This allows you to focus on getting the medical treatment you need and getting your life back on track. Finally, your attorney will be by your side for the entire process.
We fight tirelessly for you and act as your compassionate advocate until your case is resolved. As soon as possible after an accident, contact an attorney. The sooner you get your lawyer to work, the sooner you can get the money needed to move on with your life.
Will I Have to Go to Court to Get a Car Accident Settlement?
The good news is that, in most California car accident cases, our attorneys can successfully negotiate a settlement with the insurance company. This gets you the resources you need at the earliest possible time.
Negotiating a fair settlement also saves you from having to face the rigors of a trial. Going to court requires a lot of time, effort, and money. Preparing for a trial can take months.
This prolongs the pain and suffering you’re facing and keeps you from getting the economic resources you need now. If the insurance company won’t make a reasonable settlement offer, however, we won’t hesitate to file a lawsuit and fight for you in the courtroom.
We are experienced litigators and we never hesitate to escalate the legal battle when necessary.
Talk to a California Car Accident Lawyer Now
In California, the personal injury attorneys of the Farzam Law Firm fight to get wrongfully injured clients the justice and compensation they deserve. We understand how frightening and confusing this situation can be.
Although we sincerely hope you have found valuable information in our California Car Accident Guide, nothing can substitute for speaking to an experienced California personal injury attorney.
Before you talk to anyone at the insurance company about a settlement or provide any formal statement, contact us for a free case analysis. We can review the details of your case and provide you with our opinion of your potential settlement value.
We will answer any questions you have and provide the information you need to get started. Contact us today to learn more or to discuss your case with a California car accident attorney from Farzam Law Firm.