What to Do If You Have Been in a Car Accident
If you have been in a car accident, you must obtain all contact and insurance-related information of drivers involved in the accident. Should you opt to pursue legal action in the future, you must take note of any witnesses and carefully document, even with a cellphone camera, all the damage to your vehicle. It is crucial to avoid giving statements to insurance agents at this time, if they have been called to the scene, until you have acquired an attorney.
If your accident is so egregious that you require medical care, attend to your injuries and the injuries of those in your vehicle immediately. Some injuries become visible days later. Aftershock and whiplash can have serious consequences and can result in delayed neurological difficulties. Call an ambulance and obtain emergency care, even if the injuries seem minor. When the body experiences trauma, such as a car accident, damage may be hidden or may impact you in grave ways later. Keep records of all your interactions with medical personnel and be sure to obtain a follow-up appointment after you leave the hospital, clinic, or emergency care facility.
It is crucial that you call the police and file an accident report so as to document all the details of your accident. California is a “fault” state, which means the injured driver must prove the other driver’s negligence in order to obtain compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, damages to the vehicle, and more.
What Are Your Rights?
If you have been in a car accident, you have the right to obtain legal counsel to resolve issues in the accident’s aftermath. Accident lawyers will ensure that you receive the best possible settlement from your insurance claim and will help you determine whether pursuing legal action would be in your best interest.
If you file for an insurance claim with an attorney and have achieved a just settlement, it may not be necessary to pursue legal action. Filing an insurance claim brings resolution to the vast majority of car accidents. Often, negotiations will ensue for a period before an optimal resolution is determined. In the end, the injured party will receive compensation and sign a statement agreeing to give up the right to pursue legal action against the other driver.
If you are found at fault, do not have medical insurance, or the accident was caused by the other driver’s intoxication, negligence, or reckless behavior, it will most likely be prudent to pursue legal action.
Why You Should Obtain an Attorney
Accident lawyers bring seasoned negotiation expertise and a nuanced knowledge of civil law pertaining to vehicular accidents to the table. If you have been in a car accident and you are experiencing injuries, trauma, and financial duress, having an experienced advocate to help you navigate through the complexity of an insurance claim or a civil suit is essential. Contact a Los ángeles auto accident lawyer for a free, confidential, and thorough review of your case. We bring decades of expertise to each client’s particular case and are adept at negotiating and litigating on behalf of our clients. We work until we have reached the best possible resolution for each case.