Who Pays For Auto Accident Injuries in Southern California?

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California auto accident victims may file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, file a personal injury lawsuit against the party responsible for the crash, or file a claim with their own insurance company to secure the compensation they need to support their recovery.

Suffering an auto accident injury can be debilitating, not to mention expensive. Your injuries may require costly medical treatments, such as surgery, physical therapy, and hospital stays. It is often overwhelming to struggle with financial anxiety on top of your physical recovery as you wonder how you will be able to afford these unanticipated expenses. Fortunately, California allows car accident victims to seek compensation that can help cover these costs. The process of pursuing compensation can be somewhat confusing, especially as you cope with the added stressors of your recovery. Enlisting the assistance and guidance of a trusted Riverside County auto accident lawyer is the best way to ensure you maximize your settlement offer and secure the compensation you need to get your life back on track. This post explores your options for recovering the compensation you deserve following an auto accident injury.

Understanding California’s Comparative Negligence Laws

Like many states, California follows a comparative negligence model in which the party responsible for causing an accident must compensate the victim for their injuries and losses. Essentially, the individual who caused a crash will be held financially liable for paying the victim’s medical bills. However, the victim must prove that the other party’s negligence caused the collision and resulting injuries, showing that they failed to uphold their duty to act carefully behind the wheel. There are additional avenues to seek compensation after an auto accident, such as filing a claim with your insurance company or pursuing a claim through the other driver’s insurance company. It can be confusing to know where to start, so reach out to an experienced Murrieta car accident lawyer to discuss your options.

Options For Pursuing Compensation After a Car Accident Injury

No two car accidents are alike, so it’s important to understand your options for seeking compensation after an auto collision to help cover your medical expenses and other associated costs. As a California auto accident victim, you essentially have three options for pursuing compensation after the crash. You may file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, file a personal injury lawsuit against the party responsible for the incident, or file a claim with your own insurance company. Let’s take a closer look at these three options.

Pursuing a Claim With the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Company

Most car accident victims in Riverside County decide to start by filing a personal injury claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. California requires all motorists to carry a minimum of $15,000 in bodily injury coverage. However, your injuries and their costs will likely exceed this amount, and your medical providers will expect payment as soon as possible. Your lawyer will help you determine additional strategies for securing the compensation you need to cover these expenses.

Seeking Compensation By Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit

You also have the option to file a personal injury lawsuit against the party responsible for the accident. You and your attorney can determine whether this option would be appropriate, as the at-fault party may be uninsured, underinsured, or lack the financial means to compensate you sufficiently. In some circumstances, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against another party that shares some blame for the accident, such as a trucking company, trucking insurance company, or municipality (especially if they failed to maintain the road conditions, increasing the likelihood of collision). However, as the injured party, you will be responsible for proving the negligence of the other parties and showing that their failure resulted in your injuries. Work with your Murrieta car accident attorney to determine whether pursuing this option would be in your best interest.

Filing a Claim With Your Insurance Company

Filing a first-party claim means requesting compensation from your insurance company to assist with the costs associated with your auto accident injuries. Many injured parties use first-party claims to fill in the gaps while negotiating a larger settlement from the at-fault driver. Your insurance policy may include MedPay, uninsured/underinsured auto coverage, and health insurance, and you can file these claims to secure the compensation you need to support your recovery. However, you should recognize that insurance companies are businesses, and they will use tactics to save themselves as much money as possible by discrediting or denying you compensation. Let your attorney step in to handle these negotiations on your behalf while you focus on your physical recovery.

Get Started Today

It’s natural to feel overwhelmed as an auto accident victim. Coping with painful injuries and a difficult physical recovery can be stressful, especially as you face unexpected financial challenges stemming from the accident. However, you do not have to go through this stressful period alone. Reach out to a skilled and compassionate Temecula auto accident lawyer to discuss your options for securing the compensation you deserve.

 

Call Hales & Associates, A Professional Law Corporation, today at (951) 489-3320 to speak with a dedicated and experienced Temecula personal injury attorney.