No one expects to suffer an auto accident injury. Unfortunately, car crashes are a common occurrence, leaving victims with costly medical bills, lost wages, and other unanticipated expenses. As you focus on your physical recovery, it’s natural to wonder how you will be able to cover these costs, especially if your injuries are forcing you to miss work. In California, auto accident victims have the right to pursue compensation to help them pay back the expenses related to the accident. Working with a trusted and experienced Temecula auto accident lawyer is the best way to ensure you maximize your settlement offer. This post will explore the steps you can take to file an auto accident claim in California and what factors determine the amount of compensation you may be able to recover.
How to Pursue an Auto Accident Claim in Riverside County
The hours, days, and months following an auto accident can be confusing and overwhelming. Suddenly, your future becomes uncertain as you wonder how these injuries will impact your physical, economic, and employment situations. To maximize your settlement offer, take the following steps.
Seek Medical Attention Right Away
If you suffer a severe injury at the scene, have someone call for an ambulance. Even if you do not believe your injuries warrant immediate medical attention, schedule an evaluation with a doctor within the next few days. It’s essential for a medical professional to assess you for any harder-to-detect injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) or internal bleeding. Additionally, having your doctor document your injuries creates paperwork demonstrating that you took your injuries seriously. You should also follow through with your doctor’s prescribed medications, physical therapy sessions, or treatment recommendations. This documentation will make your auto accident claim much stronger, as you will be able to quantify the costs of your injuries.
Contact Local Law Enforcement
Any accident involving injured parties in California should be reported to local law enforcement. The responding officer will compile a police report detailing the circumstances of the accident, including the names of the parties, contact information for any witnesses, and other objective information that provide insight into the cause and aftermath of the accident. You can request a copy of the police report when you file your auto accident claim, as it can serve to support your account of the accident. Police reports can help with fault determinations (i.e., the other driver ran a red light and crashed into your vehicle), ensuring that you recover the maximum amount of compensation to which you are entitled.
Contact an Experienced Murrieta Car Accident Lawyer
Navigating the aftermath of an auto accident can be overwhelming and frustrating. Your top priority should be your physical recovery—the last thing you want to think about is battling with insurance companies to secure the compensation you need to get your life back on track. Your attorney can step in to handle these important conversations on your behalf, advocating for your best interests at every turn. They can even push for a more favorable settlement if the initial offer falls short of your claim’s true worth.
How Much Compensation Can I Recover?
There is no one-size-fits-all method to determine how much compensation you will be able to recover after suffering an auto accident injury. Every claim must be evaluated on an individual basis. You may be eligible to recover several types of compensation, such as past and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, and more. Your attorney will assess the specifics of your situation and help you estimate an equitable settlement amount. Generally, the more documentation you can provide to support how you arrived at the settlement amount, the more likely you will prevail. Work with your attorney to locate and compile documents like medical records, photos of your injuries, witness statements, and written documentation of your injuries detailing your healing journey, pain levels, or the emotional and psychological impact of these injuries.
Keeping Your Future as Bright as Possible
Auto accident injuries can be devastating. It’s common for victims to suffer psychologically after the incident, and they may develop symptoms of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, or sleep disturbances. Your attorney will answer your questions, address your concerns, and support you at every step of the auto accident claim process, allowing you to focus on your recovery. If you receive a lowball settlement offer, your lawyer can fight back to secure a fairer and more favorable settlement on your behalf. You can trust that your attorney will advocate for your best interests at every opportunity to secure the compensation you need to rebuild your life.
Call Hales & Associates, a Professional Law Corporation, at (951) 489-3320 to speak with an experienced and trusted Temecula auto accident attorney.