Auto accidents range from mildly inconvenient to life-changing. Assuming that there is no substantial damage to either vehicle and neither person has any injuries, you may be inclined to handle a fender-bender yourself. However, you may want to give yourself a few days after the accident before you make that decision as the adrenaline from a wreck often masks specific injuries. Moreover, many injuries, such as tissue and brain injuries worsen over time. You may feel fine immediately after the accident only to realize you have more severe injuries over the next few days. Likewise, your car could look fine, but you want to have a mechanic check it out before you assume it is damage-free.
The claim process can become frustrating if you have injuries or substantial property damage. While you should be focused on healing, you might find yourself instead juggling medical bills, lost wages, an endless calls with insurance companies. A Ventura car accident lawyer could help you navigate the claims process or even take a case to court if an insurer does not agree to a fair settlement. Our personal injury attorneys are ready to support your claim.
The Role of Insurance Companies In Auto Accidents
Many people believe that insurers are neutral fact-finders because insurance companies conduct investigations to determine who is at fault in an accident. The truth is insurers are far from neutral but are instead biased parties. Not only do they have a legal duty to represent the individual they insure, but they also have a fiduciary duty to stockholders to try to reduce monetary payouts. However, many clients do not understand this but rather, assume that if their insurer is involved in negotiations, they must have someone fighting for them.
Similar to insurance adjusters, a lawyer can evaluate the facts of an accident to help them determine liability. However, unlike insurance companies, our lawyers fight for victims. After gathering evidence, we can craft an argument to help support the injured person. Additionally, we help evaluate the monetary value of a claim and project future expenses to ensure a person is not unknowingly accepting a lowball settlement offer. Our experienced car crash attorney in Ventura will equip a person with the knowledge they need to decide whether to accept or reject a settlement offer.
Is Accepting a Settlement After a Car Accident a Good Idea?
In a car accident case, our Ventura attorneys are prepared to settle or go to court.
A reasonable settlement offer is almost always preferable to litigating since the dollar value of a settlement is guaranteed, while any potential awards from a trial are not. Settlements may happen at an accelerated pace, giving an individual quicker access to the funds and avoiding prolonged stress. Our diligent attorneys will work to get a person a favorable settlement before going to court.
Insurers have the motivation to settle as well as they could owe much more if they go to court. Not only is the cost no longer fixed as it is with a settlement, but they also have to pay attorney fees. Insurers do not have the same time constraints as an injured person. Unlike those involved in car accidents, insurance providers have more time, and therefore can use it to their advantage to convince a person to settle the claim even if it is not in their best interest.
Insurance providers should not be allowed to bully a person into an unfavorable settlement just because the insurers have deeper pockets. That is why it is so vital for an attorney to be willing to take a case to trial.
Consult with a Ventura Car Accident Attorney
It can be challenging to determine who is at fault in a car accident. Since California is a comparative fault state, it is essential to determine the degree of fault, not just who has the majority of the responsibility. You can recover from those responsible, even if you carry 99% of the fault. While this approach does not make financial sense in extreme cases, it can be essential to recover even small percentages of damages when someone has severe injuries.
Determining liability, working with insurance providers, and repairing damages can be overwhelming, especially when you are trying to heal. Get the help of our Ventura car accident lawyer and focus on healing rather than the intricacies of your case. Schedule a consultation today to find out more.
While there is no standard set of harm common to all car accidents, certain types of injuries are more likely to occur than others. After a car accident, the most important thing you can do is seek medical attention. Failure to get treatment may directly impact your health.
Types of injuries that often occur because of a car accident:
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
Back and neck pain
Whiplash
Broken bones
Burns and lacerations
Spinal cord damage
Paralysis
Disfigurement
Internal bleeding
In some cases, the extent of your injuries may not be apparent. An unexpected collision can leave your body in shock. You should always get treatment immediately after a car accident, even if you are unsure whether you were seriously injured. If you are not taken in the ambulance to a hospital, consult with a doctor as soon as possible after the wreck.
As we previously noted, it is not your responsibility to determine fault after an accident. It is also important to remember that even if you were partially to blame for the crash, you might still be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Potentially liable parties in car accident claims:
A negligent driver
An employer of a negligent driver
A vehicle manufacturer
An auto part manufacturer
A government entity
The insurance company of an at-fault driver may try to place all of the fault on you after an accident. They often use deceptive tactics to try to downplay injuries and deny claims. You should never sign something from an insurance company without having it reviewed by a Ventura car accident attorney.
Furthermore, you should not make any statements admitting fault. A statement indicating that you were to blame for the accident can directly affect your right to compensation.
injuries. Your losses or damages will determine the value of your case.
In California, you may be able to receive compensation for your:
Medical bills
Lost wages
Future wage losses
Physical pain and suffering
Disfigurement
Disability
Future medical care and treatment
Vehicle repairs
There are several things that you can do to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation allowed in your case.
First, you need to consult with an attorney. Individuals injured in auto accidents generally receive larger settlements and verdicts when they are represented by an attorney. Second, you need to obtain medical treatment. A gap in treatment may impact your right to recovery.
If you are injured in a Ventura car accident, the first thing you need to do is check for injuries. Check yourself and others to see if anyone is hurt. If you can drive and your car is not disabled, move your vehicle to safety.
After a car accident, you should:
Call 911
Report injuries or fatalities to the dispatcher
Obtain witness information
Take pictures or videos at the scene
Get the officer’s name and badge number
Ask about whether a crash report will be filed
Seek medical treatment
Contact our firm to speak with a lawyer
In California, you only have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim for damages. It is imperative to act quickly and contact our office immediately. Failure to file a lawsuit within the statute of limitations may result in your claim being denied.
One of the most important decisions you will make after a car accident is retaining an attorney, but it can be challenging to know which one is right. You need a lawyer that will offer an honest case assessment so that you can decide how to move forward with your case.
The car accident lawyer you hire should have:
Extensive experience
Proven case results
Verifiable client reviews
Free initial case evaluations
Recognition from legal organizations
Notable accomplishments in the industry
When you have mounting medical bills and are unable to work, you need an attorney you can trust. At Levin & Nalbandyan, LLP, we are trial lawyers who have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our clients. We fight to get injured parties the compensation they need and deserve after an auto accident.
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