Even though most drivers exercise caution behind the wheel, accidents happen. One minute, you’re braking for a red light—and the next thing you know, you’re navigating the aftermath of a chaotic accident and seeking medical attention for a painful injury. Attentive drivers may find themselves suffering serious injuries because of negligent or reckless drivers who engage in dangerous behaviors, such as speeding or driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Texting behind the wheel, even for a moment, can cause a collision that involves several injuries and other unfortunate consequences. It’s important to recognize that auto accident victims in California have the right to seek compensation to help cover the costs associated with the incident. Filing a car accident claim can help victims pay down medical bills, hospital stays, physical therapy costs, and any wages they lost out on because of their injuries. Although California does not require accident victims to hire an attorney to assist them with the claims process, doing so is highly recommended. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of enlisting the guidance of a trusted and experienced Temecula auto accident lawyer as you move forward with an auto accident claim.
Support During a Chaotic Time
The greatest advantage of working with a knowledgeable Murrieta car accident lawyer is having a guide and source of support during this overwhelming and confusing time. It’s no secret that the aftermath of a car accident can be chaotic and disorienting—instead of going about your regular routine, you are now facing a long and painful physical recovery, financial anxiety, and other unanticipated stressors. As you cope with your physical recovery, the last thing you want to think about is completing paperwork and engaging in stressful communications with insurance companies to secure the compensation you need. When you enlist the help of a seasoned Riverside County auto accident attorney, you can rest easier knowing that this dedicated legal advocate will handle these tense negotiations and work hard to maximize your settlement offer. In most cases, simply knowing that you have someone by your side who is representing your best interests can give you the peace and stability you need during this turbulent time.
Estimating Your Claim’s Worth
Most auto accident victims have some difficulty determining how much compensation they may be entitled to recover. Working with a Temecula car accident attorney is the best way to ensure that you pursue the amount of compensation you need to support every aspect of your recovery. While most car accident victims understand that they can request compensation for the medical bills associated with their injuries, there are many other costs that can be included in the claim. Your attorney will explore the specifics of your case to determine the most strategic path forward. For example, they may point out that your injuries are preventing you from working for the next few months, so your claim should include compensation for this temporary loss of income. Other costs that your attorney may consider addressing in your claim include physical therapy bills, medication costs, and vehicle repair costs. If you develop symptoms of anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after the accident, your attorney may consider helping you pursue compensation to account for these emotional and mental traumas.
Establishing Fault in a California Auto Accident
While some car accidents are clearly caused by one party (i.e., you were stopped at a red light, and a distracted driver rear-ended your vehicle), most collisions involve two or more parties that share some degree of responsibility for causing the accident. California is a pure comparative negligence state, meaning that an individual may only recover compensation in proportion to their degree of fault in contributing to the accident. For instance, if an investigation determined that you were 40 percent to blame for the accident, you may only recover 60 percent of the total damages awarded to you. Fault determinations are often the most difficult and complex aspects of the California car accident claim process, so it’s essential to work with a skilled and experienced attorney to ensure that you obtain a fair and favorable outcome. Your attorney will work to gather and present evidence to demonstrate that the other party bears more (if not all) of the blame for causing the accident, entitling you to recover the compensation you need to support your recovery.
Maximizing Your Settlement Offer
When you report a car accident to the insurance company, your claim will be assigned to an insurance adjuster. Although the adjuster may try to reassure you that they are “on your side,” it’s essential to recognize that their priority is to save their company as much money as possible. To protect the company’s bottom line, the adjuster will use a variety of tactics to weaken or undermine your claim to compensate you as little as possible. Unfortunately, insurance companies will also take advantage of a victim’s desperation to obtain the settlement as quickly as possible to start paying off the medical bills and other expenses. The company often makes an initial lowball settlement offer, hoping that the victim will accept the offer right away to secure the funds they need. However, your attorney can help you estimate your claim’s total worth, urging you to hold out a bit longer for a more equitable and favorable settlement offer. Insurance companies want to avoid litigation at all costs, so they will usually be willing to negotiate a better settlement offer.
Get Started With a Skilled Temecula Car Accident Lawyer Today
Suffering a car accident injury can complicate your life in several substantial ways. However, as overwhelmed and intimidated as you may feel at this moment, it’s important to understand that help is always available. Consider discussing your options with a knowledgeable and caring Murrieta auto accident attorney today to determine the most appropriate path forward. Together, you and your attorney can pursue and obtain the best possible settlement that will help you get your life back on track.
If you are struggling with costs stemming from a car accident injury in Temecula or Murrieta, call Hales & Associates, A Professional Law Corporation, today at (951) 489-3320 to discuss your case. We’ll help you identify the most strategic path forward to ensure that you recover the compensation you need to support your recovery.