When you move forward with an insurance claim or a lawsuit after a car collision, you may need legal help. A San Fernando car accident lawyer can help ensure this process flows more efficiently and hopefully recover the compensation you need faster. Each step, from reporting the accident and filing the initial claim to negotiating with insurance carriers, must be taken carefully.
A San Fernando personal injury lawyer from Venerable Injury Law can approach the situation with a clear plan. We have proudly served our clients and community for more than 13 years. If you or a loved one have suffered serious injuries in a car accident, let us help you through this difficult time.
Avoid Settling With the Insurance Company Too Early
If you settle too early with the insurance company, you may not secure the true value of your claim. Insurance adjusters typically push quick settlements before you know the full extent of your damage or injuries. While initially, it may seem good that they want to settle so quickly, you may lose your chance to ask for more if you discover your injuries or damages are more than expected.
California law allows you to pursue compensation for all accident-related damages, including pain and suffering, lost income, and future medical bills. However, if you settle too soon, you end up stuck with what they initially offered, no matter what new expenses pop up. It is important to know your rights and make sure all of your expenses are accounted for before you agree to anything because insurance companies fight to pay billions in claims all the time.
A car accident attorney in San Fernando on your side can make all the difference. When you have legal representation, you can skip all of the back-and-forth, as they will deal with that for you. If you take the time to check overall expenses with your lawyer, you will thank yourself in the end, knowing you will not be stuck paying for them if you win your case.
We will work tirelessly to help you recover the compensation you need to move forward with your life
California Car Accident Injury Claims Process
Trying to understand the car accident injury claims process can feel like a lot, which is why it is helpful to know what to do at the scene of a car accident. The first step is always to document everything, which includes taking as many photos as possible, collecting any witness information, and making sure you have a police report in your hand. You should never wait to report the accident to your insurance company because the delay can hurt your claim in the end.
The next step is to determine who was to blame for the accident. At Venerable Injury Law, establishing negligence and liability is the basis of a successful personal injury claim. This outcome will impact your potential compensation.
If you have injuries, you should get medical treatment before you do anything. Medical records are a major part of proving your injuries and showing the other person caused them. Even if you have the slightest injury, you should always seek medical care, as that record adds another layer of proof.
We will treat you with the respect and compassion you deserve.
Common Types of Car Accidents
Car accidents can happen in all forms, especially in a busy place like California. Each type of car accident comes with its own causes and risks, which make a big difference with claims and liability. Some of the most common types of car accidents are:
- Side-Impact or T-Bone Crash: This usually happens at an intersection, especially when someone is running a red light or going through a stop sign.
- Rear-End Collision: The cause of this is when someone is following too closely or is distracted when driving.
- Single-Vechicle Accident: This type usually includes hitting objects, being distracted, and rollovers.
- Head-on Collisions: These often happen when someone is driving the wrong way or crossing into oncoming traffic.
- Multi-Vehicle Pileups: Usually, this type of crash occurs in heavy traffic or on highways with bad weather.
It is helpful to understand the type of accident you were in so you know exactly what happened. This is an important step in figuring out who may be responsible and how you can move forward with your claim. When you deal with the insurance company to pursue any potential compensation, this can make all the difference.
When Dashcam Footage My Be Ideal to Use
Dashcam footage can provide powerful evidence when proving fault for a car accident. Clear evidence, such as a video and pictures of what happened, makes arguing difficult. Dashcam footage is also useful in disputes when drivers have conflicting memories of what happened before the accident.
This type of footage is useful when dealing with insurance companies. A dashcam video can back up your claims about how the accident happened and provide inside access to show the extent of the damage. Providing this level of evidence may speed up the claims process and increase your chances of getting a settlement.
While dashcam footage is ideal for accidents, it can also come in handy for incidents like a hit-and-run or road rage. If someone flees the scene, your dashcam may catch their license plate, making it easier for the police to find them. It is also ideal to protect yourself from any false claims that could jeopardize anything on your end.
You are not just a case number – you are our top priority.
How Pure Comparative Negligence Impacts Car Accident Claims
California uses a pure comparative negligence system per California Code, CIV 1431.2. This means that fault will be split among each person responsible for the accident. Even if you hold partial fault, you may still have the right to recover damages; however, your percentage will be based on how much at fault you were.
Let’s say you held minimum fault because you were following the person ahead of you too close when someone else caused a rear-end collision with you because they were either under the influence or distracted. This caused a three-car incident and now you hold 20% of the fault. You could still get 80% of the damages awarded since the person behind you was more at fault.
Becoming familiar with comparative negligence laws can work in your favor. It is important to know that you may still have some access to compensation. Having a car accident lawyer in San Fernando on your side and making sure fault is divided evenly can help as well.
Make Sure Your Rights Are Met With a San Fernando Car Accident Attorney
Venerable Injury Law has years of experience helping injury victims in California. We have deep roots in our community and give back every chance we get. Let our highly skilled car accident lawyers in San Fernando fight for your rights and protect the integrity of your claim.
We believe that our experience, dedication, and personalized approach set us apart from the rest.
