What Steps Should I Take If I Have Been Injured In An Auto Accident?

The first thing to do is make sure that the accident was documented, meaning calling the police and making sure that there was a police report regarding your accident. After the accident, you should make sure that all the parties are not seriously harmed but still contact the police. You will have to get the documentation from the other party that hit you, and it happens a lot. Many times, you might get hit by somebody that doesn’t have insurance. That’s another problem, but usually, when you are hurt, you should go to the treating physician of your own or to who your attorney refers you.

After the initial hospitalization, you must begin seeking treatment as soon as possible because for the insurance companies, the more you wait to get treatment, the more it looks like you are not hurt. They scrutinize your accident and when you were treated for it. You must follow what your doctor’s orders are. You have to make sure that you do talk to your attorney to advise you how long it’s going to take. Still, it’s the doctor who will be the one that is going to determine whether or not you are stable before they release you.

The doctors also might have to refer you to another medical professional to check for other ailments. You might need additional treatment for broken bones. When you are initially hit, you must look around and note any witnesses because you might need them in a future trial. The attorney should advise you on all these things, and it’s essential to see one rather than trying to do it yourself. The other side’s insurance companies will scrutinize everything you do, and unfortunately, they are trying to make sure that they do not pay out a lot of money.

If you file a lawsuit, it will take a lot more time. You ensure that it’s the route you want to go because, again, the more injuries you have, the better case you have.

How Does It Impact My Claim If I Was Partially At Fault For The Wreck That Caused My Injuries?

There is a doctrine of comparative negligence in California, meaning that if you are partially at fault, they are going to distribute a percentage of your fault, which will reflect on your damages. It will lower the amount of money you would receive if you were 100% in the right versus comparatively negligent, which would be the percentage that you are at fault for.

I Was Not Wearing A Seatbelt At The Time Of The Accident. Will That Hurt My Personal Injury Case?

If you are not wearing a seatbelt, it will be more challenging with the insurance adjusters because they will say that your damages would have been a lot less if you had worn a seatbelt. There is a percentage of the damages that would be reduced due to not wearing a seatbelt.

What Is The Statute Of Limitations To File A Personal Injury Claim In California?

Right now, in California, the statute of limitations for an auto-accident case is two years, the same as every personal injury case.

What Defenses Do Insurance Companies Use To Avoid Paying Out On Serious Injury Claims?

It could be anything from your comparative fault or your damages not being legitimate. They will look at the insurance bills from the chiropractor or whoever you went to determine whether or not it is legitimate. If not, then your damages in that deal will be lowered, and every little thing that might make it look like your claim is not legitimate, the insurance companies will scrutinize.

Do I Have A Chance Of A Financial Recovery In My Personal Injury Claim If The At-Fault Party Has Little To No Insurance?

If you were a victim in an accident with someone who had little to no insurance, what you should do is look at your personal insurance. Usually, your insurance policy provides for contingencies like underinsure drivers. You should get uninsured motorist coverage when you get your insurance because there is always that chance that you will get hit by somebody who doesn’t have insurance. If this is the case, your insurance will step into the shoes of someone insured, and then you have to fight with your insurance agency.

For more information on Steps To Take After An Auto Accident In CA, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (909) 330-4403 today.