It can be extremely frustrating to be involved in a car accident, especially if you do not have any prior experience in crashes. You may be confused afterward and not know how to proceed, which can lead to mistakes that could compromise your health and a potential lawsuit. It is imperative that you focus on recovering after a car accident; we recommend that you find a San Bernardino car accident attorney to handle your case while you get better. The legal process is long and arduous, and you will likely lack the legal background and time required to secure a settlement. Our expert team of lawyers at the Downtown LA Law Group can help you secure the damages you deserve for your lawsuit.
How Do Car Accidents Happen?
Car accidents happen for a number of reasons, often due to the negligence of one or more drivers. Each year, over 1,000,000 individuals die in road accidents, with a large majority of that number consisting of people between the ages of 15 and 44. Driving has become so commonplace that we do not pay as close attention as we should; many times, drivers will be distracted and not focus on the road, or they may willingly engage in risky behavior and careless driving. If you were the victim of a car accident and you had no liability, your claim would likely be very successful. Car crashes can happen anywhere – freeways, residential streets, back roads, parking lots, and more. You may be involved in a rear-end crash at a stop light, a head-on collision at an intersection, a T-bone crash at a four-way stop sign, and much more. The risk of severe injuries is present in all crashes; even minor incidents can lead to serious damages, or trigger or exacerbate pre-existing conditions. Some of the most common reasons for car accidents include:- Driving over the speed limit
- Failure to use turn signals
- Ignoring right of way laws and turning in front of cars or pedestrians at intersections
- Improperly merging onto freeways
- Tailgating
- Driving while fatigued or exhausted
- Driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or other substances
- Running red lights or rushing to beat yellow lights
- Failing to completely stop at stop signs
- Rubbernecking (slowing down to look at roadside incidents)
- Texting or using a phone while driving
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Of course, car accidents may not always happen due to the negligence of a driver. At times, the problem could be caused by the manufacturer of the vehicle. If there is a defect with the vehicle, such as faulty brake lines, loose tires, or engine troubles, the company would be held liable for any accidents, assuming the user did not cause the defects in the first place.What Should You Do After A Collision?
Immediately following a collision, you should follow these steps to have the best chance of staying safe and securing sufficient evidence for a lawsuit. First and foremost, you should get medical attention from the paramedics or a hospital. You may need to be treated at the scene or taken to the emergency room. It is important that you get treated as quickly as possible. Even if you feel that you were not seriously hurt, you should still see a doctor; there may be damages that you don’t notice or that are likely to show up later. It is better to be examined earlier so that potential procedures and treatments can be discussed and administered. You should take as many pictures and videos as you can of your injuries, the damage to your vehicle, the scene of the crash, and more. If there were any passengers, bystanders, or witnesses who saw the collision happen, you could interview them and record their statements. The presence of injuries at a car accident usually means that the police will be involved. You can ask the officers for a copy of the police report, which you can acquire from the station once it has been processed. The other driver should be approached so you can write down his contact information, insurance details, and more. Lastly, you should reach out to a car crash lawyer in San Bernardino who can handle your claim for you. All of your evidence will be assembled and sent to the insurance agency with a demand letter and request for compensation.How Long Do You Have To Go To The Doctor After A Car Accident?
You should go to the doctor as soon as possible after a car accident. If you wait too long, the insurance agent can claim that you were hurt elsewhere and that you are trying to blame your injuries on the accident. A noticeable gap between the crash and a doctor’s visit can harm your case.Can Someone Sue You After A Car Accident?
You can be sued after a car accident, but you will only have to pay for damages if you were at fault. If you can prove that the other individual were the cause of the crash, you will have nothing to worry about.What Is The Statute Of Limitations To Sue For A Car Accident?
A car accident claim is a personal injury lawsuit filed against the responsible party. In California, there is a 2 year statute of limitations on filing such claims. If you wait too long and do not take any legal action, you will be prevented from doing so in the future and will not have the opportunity to receive compensation. For this reason, it is recommended that you seek out the assistance of a lawyer who can make sure that your claim and all accompanying documents are filed on time. There is a chance that your statute of limitations can be extended if certain circumstances are met. For example, minors involved in accidents do not have a statute of limitations until they turn 18 years old. Victims who were left in comas or with a mental impairment have a suspended statute until they return to functioning health. If you are unsure of how much time you have left to file a claim or if you are eligible for any extensions to the statute of limitations, you should reach out to an experienced car accident attorney in San Bernardino.What Is The Average Settlement For A Car Accident?
The average settlement for a car accident varies from case to case. Your case may be worth over $1,000,000 if the other driver were especially negligent and you suffered serious injuries, and it could be worth $50,000 or less if you were not heavily impacted by the consequences. An insurance agent will consider the injuries you suffered and how much of an impact they had on your life and career; it will be our job to negotiate a better deal from the agency. Serious injuries include severed limbs and digits, neck and spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, numerous broken bones, crushing injuries, disfigurement, paralysis, coma, and more. The presence of these damages will likely increase the value of your claim.How Can I Prove The Negligence Of Another Driver?
In order to prove the negligence of another driver, you must be able to show that these four points:Complete a Free Case Evaluation form or call (213) 389-3765 today.
- You were owed a duty of care by the driver (all individuals on the road must take care to not harm any others, whether they are on bikes, on foot, in cars, etc)
- The duty of care was breached (the driver may have driven carelessly, recklessly, or illegally)
- The breach resulted in an accident (a rear-end crash, broadside collision, or any other kind of accident)
- The accident led to physical harm
What Can I Be Covered For In A Car Crash Lawsuit?
You can be covered for numerous types of damages from a lawsuit. You can receive both economic and non-economic damages; our lawyers will strive to secure you the fairest settlement available. With our help, you’ll be able to win:- Coverage for medical expenses from the past and future
- Reimbursement of lost wages from the past and future
- Repair or replacement costs for any damaged, lost, or broken property
- Pain and suffering, mental anguish, and emotional trauma
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