Pomona Car Accident Lawyer
Should I Accept an Insurance Company Settlement if I’m in a Car Accident?
Car accidents are a fact of the modern world. This is especially true in such a traffic-heavy state as California. About 270,000 people are involved in motor vehicle wrecks in California every year. Many of these accidents result in no injuries or only minimal injuries. In several instances, though, injuries sustained in a car wreck may be severe enough to require a trip to the ER and even hospitalization. That can translate into large sums of money in hospital bills, doctor’s visits, and other medical expenses.
Many people are taught from the time they begin driving that there is a “procedure” to follow if you’re involved in a wreck: call the police, file a report, exchange insurance information, and then “deal” with the insurance provider for the at-fault party. Many people choose to settle with the other driver’s insurance company. This is often a mistake. The average insurance settlement for crash victims is only $29,000. However, the average cost for a wreck resulting in serious injuries is $44,000. That number can go up if you were disabled in the wreck or if someone was killed. Additionally, this number does not take into account any destroyed property or vehicle damage.
If you suffered injuries and choose to settle with an insurance company through the claims process, you must often sign an agreement not to try and collect any more money from them. The settlement they offer will usually be low and insufficient to cover all of your expenses. This means that once you have agreed to a certain amount, you can no longer recover compensation, even if you experience additional medical costs.
That’s why if you or a loved one has been in a car accident, you must contact our experienced attorney for legal representation. An experienced Pomona car accident lawyer may be the only thing standing between you and an insufficient insurance company payout.
Should I Go to the Hospital If I’m in a Car Accident?
Even if you aren’t experiencing any readily apparent signs or symptoms of an injury, it’s vital you immediately seek medical attention. Many types of common catastrophic injuries experienced in car wrecks aren’t apparent right away. Even if you aren’t cut, bruised, or visibly bleeding, you may still be suffering from internal injuries. Common injuries sustained in car wrecks include, but are not necessarily limited to:
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Organ Damage
- Nerve Damage
- Internal Bleeding
- Musculoskeletal Damage
- Psychological/Emotional Trauma
These are in addition to more readily apparent injuries such as cuts, bruises, lacerations, burns, broken bones, and loss of limbs. Seeking immediate medical attention is also vital for any future potential legal case. This is because going to the hospital after a car accident helps build a paper trail and record of your accident and injuries. In the event you file a lawsuit or go to court, your attorney can use medical records from your initial visit to establish your injuries. They may also play a role in proving liability.
Additionally, if you choose not to seek initial medical treatment, an attorney could argue that you were not seriously hurt or that your injuries were not severe. They may even use this to call into question any future diagnosis you may receive. This is why, if you’re in a car accident, the most important thing to do is seek immediate medical attention. Then, contact our experienced personal injury car crash attorney to seek just compensation.
What Are Some Key California Car Accident Laws to Consider?
When you decide to file a car accident claim, you must familiarize yourself with the state laws. Knowing some basic information can help you feel prepared for the process that lies ahead. While your skilled car crash lawyer is deeply familiar with all the legal aspects of vehicle accidents, we’re also happy to provide you with some details that might help you familiarize yourself. Some pertinent California car accident laws include, but are not necessarily limited to:
Statute of Limitations
In the state of California, the deadline for filing a car accident claim is 2 years. The courts rarely make an exception to this stringent rule, so it’s vital that you work closely with your accident lawyer to make a claim in a timely manner.
Fault-Based Car Insurance
In California, fault-based car insurance laws apply. These mandate that drivers must have bodily injury coverage of $15,000 per person, $5,000 of property damage liability coverage, and $30,000 of coverage per accident. When you’re injured in a car accident, you have the option of going through the other driver’s insurance to recover damages. Alternatively, you can bring a lawsuit against the at-fault driver instead.
Liability Laws
California does not prohibit the victims of car accidents from seeking financial recovery, even if they were partially at fault. Instead, the state uses a comparative negligence system that reduces the partially liable victim’s award based on the percentage of fault. Even when victims are found primarily responsible for a crash, they can still recover a small percentage of compensation. Your car crash attorney can help you defend yourself in comparative negligence cases.
What Should I Do if I’m in a Car Accident?
When you’re involved in a car accident, you might feel like your life has been turned upside down. The uncertainty that lies ahead can be daunting, and the unanswered questions may pile up quickly. Who will be paying for my medical bills? Will I receive a fair settlement? Will I make a full recovery, or will I be dealing with the aftermath of this accident long-term? You might feel like you have more questions than answers, but don’t worry – that’s where we come in. Your personal injury lawyer at Wolf Law Firm will be there to help you answer any questions and address all your concerns. The negligence of another driver might have affected you and harmed you, but it doesn’t have to derail you forever. Your compassionate and friendly personal injury attorney will guide you through every single step of the process as you pursue justice and put the pieces of your life back together.
At Wolf Law Firm, we have extensive experience with car accidents of all kinds. Certain accidents are physically traumatic, but others leave victims with emotional distress and financial difficulty in addition to that awful, undeserved physical pain. Your car accident attorney will take the time to listen to every detail about your accident, assist you in gathering documentation and forming a solid case, and walk alongside you throughout the entire litigation or settlement process. Don’t let this accident take anything more from you – give us a call today so you can start working with a sympathetic, knowledgeable, and trustworthy vehicle accident attorney as soon as possible.
Collisions can occur in any vehicle, from cars to trucks to motorcycles and beyond. Before you get started on the long to-do list after a car wreck, you should contact your local car crash law attorney, T.J. Juneja, at Wolf Law Firm. T.J. Juneja believes legal assistance is invaluable at a time like this because he and his entire legal team will work hard to help you recover emotionally, physically, and financially, stand by you throughout the legal process, and be there for you as you fight through this setback and ultimately move past it. If you’re at fault in a severe car crash, you’ll undoubtedly need a fatal car crash lawyer to advocate for you. No matter what type of accident you had or how severe the damage or injuries were, your vehicle accident lawyer at The Wolf Law Firm will handle your case with all the care and respect you deserve.
The road to recovery following a car accident can be difficult. You don’t have to go down that road alone. With T.J. Juneja and the team at Wolf Law Firm on your side, you can focus on your recovery while we seek compensation for you. If you or your family members were hurt in a car accident in Pomona, San Bernardino, or Riverside County, don’t hesitate to contact our knowledgeable attorney today at (833) 388-8888 to schedule your free consultation. We’ll help you get maximum compensation so you can lead your life to its maximum potential.