Have you been in an auto accident? Then, you should know how chaotic and stressful things usually get. From dealing with injuries to repairing your car, it’s so much to handle. But then again, if it wasn’t your fault, why did you have to deal with the financial burden? Therefore, filing a lawful complaint can help you get the compensation you deserve. Let us help you understand how this works in California.
1. Take Care of Your Health First
Make sure you’re good before proceeding. See a health care professional right away, even if you feel ok. Internal bleeding or stroke are two examples of injuries that may not always cause symptoms straight away. In addition to aiding in your recovery, your medical records will be vital proof in the event that you want to take legal action.
2. Collect Evidence at the Scene
Your case will be stronger if you have sufficient information. Take pictures of your vehicle, the other vehicle involved, and any obvious injuries at the scene of the accident if you are able. This supports your case. Remember to obtain the witnesses’ names and contact details as well. Due to the rapid loss of evidence, this is particularly crucial in cases involving large rigs or commercial trucks.
3. Report the Accident
In California, accidents that result in serious injury or significant damage should be reported. Make a report by calling the police. Make sure to let your insurance provider know as well, but be careful not to take responsibility—their inquiry is your responsibility, not yours!
4. Talk to a Lawyer
Any number of things may have caused you to become involved in a car accident, a trailer truck crash, or a motorcycle smash. In any case, if there is an endorsed lawyer at your elbow, even just one question asked before signing off on any blame or compensation can make the difference. You’re not likely to know how insurance companies work like an experienced lawyer does or have the expertise to gather additional evidence on your own.
Or perhaps most importantly, they will argue a strong case for you—making sure that by the end of this whole shebang, it is all his fault. Here, in particular, accident lawyers are familiar with the ways of doing business for large trucking companies—which can only be to your advantage.
5. Understand How California Laws Work
California practices a “pure reasonable fault” rule. This means that even if you were partially at fault for an accident, as long as all fault is not assigned to you alone, you may still be able to recover compensation—but it is important to understand exactly how much fault must be allocated before damage can be recovered. For example, if you are 30% liable and your total damages are $100,000, then you can still collect $70,000.
6. File Your Lawsuit on Time
Don’t take too long to file a case. In California, the act of limitations for personal injury cases is two years from the date of the accident. For property damage claims, it’s three years. Missing these deadlines means you lose your chance to pursue compensation, so don’t wait too long.
7. Settlement vs. Trial
Not every auto accident case settles out of court, however. A lawyer negotiates with the insurance company to obtain you a fair deal. If that doesn’t work, you may need to go on trial. Either way, having a lawyer who understands car accident law, big vehicle accidents, and even motorcycle accident injuries will give you the best chance of success.
Why Legal Help Matters
If the accident happens on the job, a labor rights lawyer could help you address workplace safety violations. Otherwise, a personal injury attorney can guide you through every step of the process. They’ll handle the legal work while you focus on recovering.
Wrapping it Up!
So you don’t have to worry! Though it may seem like a trouble to bring a car accident lawsuit in New York, this is certainly not true. Recognizing the right course of action not only ensures you protect your rights but also that you get compensated accordingly.
By taking the right steps, you can protect your rights and get the compensation you need. What else would you need more? If your rights have been violated in some way as the result of an accident–whether it was LF or an accident with any other kind of vehicle–then pursuing legal action may be necessary to protect them.