Garden Grove Car Accident Lawyer

Garden Grove Car Accident Attorney

In Garden Grove and the surrounding areas, the legal measures you take after a car accident can significantly affect your ability to receive compensation for your losses, injuries, and damages. Knowing what to do immediately after a collision and being aware of the state regulations governing vehicle accident claims are essential for a successful case. At Duque & Price, a Garden Grove car accident lawyer can help you overcome these challenges and ensure that you get the compensation and justice you are due.

Why Opt for Duque & Price?

At Duque & Price, we are aware of the challenges that follow a car accident. Our knowledgeable Garden Grove personal injury attorneys are dedicated to providing personalized legal support that is tailored to your unique situation. From obtaining information and carrying out an accident investigation to conversing with insurance companies and providing you with legal representation, we can handle every aspect of your case. Our goal is to recover the money owed to you for pain and suffering, medical costs, lost wages, property damage, and any other losses you’ve endured.

How to Report a Car Accident in California

In California, there are specific guidelines for reporting auto accidents. Following these rules is crucial to ensuring that your claim is processed effectively and that you meet all legal requirements.

If a car accident in California results in significant property damage, fatalities, or serious injuries, you have an obligation to report it to the California Highway Patrol or local authorities as quickly as you can.

Additionally, you have ten days to notify the DMV about the accident if there are injuries or damages exceeding $1,000. Failure to report may result in penalties. Notifying your insurance company right away is also essential, as it could jeopardize your claim if you wait. This documentation is necessary for any claims or legal actions pertaining to accidents.

What to Do After a Car Accident

Knowing what to do immediately after an automobile accident might have a significant impact on the outcome of your case.

• Ensure everyone’s safety, and seek assistance if required. Everyone’s safety should come first following an accident. To avoid more collisions, try to move your automobile out of traffic if you can. Verify that you are unharmed, and call 911 if someone requires medical attention. Even if you feel fine, it’s important to receive medical attention because not all injuries will manifest symptoms immediately.
• Consult law enforcement. If there are fatalities, severe injuries, or significant property damage, you are required to report the accident to the authorities. The police will gather official accident reports, take official statements from all parties involved, and document the scene. This report will be crucial evidence if you ever want to submit a claim.
• Share information. Give the other motorists in the crash your contact information, and get theirs. This should include names, residences, phone numbers, license plate numbers, driver’s license numbers, and insurance policy information. Make contact with any witnesses if you have any; their testimony may support your case.
• Put together the proof. Take pictures or videos of the accident scene, and record information such as vehicle damage, road conditions, visible injuries, and any missing or inadequate signage. These pictures can provide evidence to support your claim. Make detailed notes about everything that happened while the incident is still fresh in your mind.
• Hold off on accepting accountability. Talk carefully when you speak at an accident scene. Avoid saying that you’re sorry or admitting to anything since you never know when these statements will be used against you. Be truthful when speaking with law enforcement and other pertinent parties.
• Inform your insurance company. As soon as you can, report the collision to your insurance company. Provide them with all the data and documents they need. Before accepting an offer from your insurance company, speak with a lawyer.
• Consult a lawyer for auto accidents. Consult an auto accident lawyer prior to accepting any settlement offer from the insurance company of the other motorist. At Duque & Price, we are here to guide you through the legal system, protect your rights, and ensure that you receive fair compensation.

California’s Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations, as it relates to car accident claims in California, establishes a deadline for filing your case in court. For most personal injury claims resulting from motor accidents, you have two years from the date of the accident to submit a claim. If property damage is the only reason you’re pursuing a claim, the statute of limitations is three years.

If you do not file your claim within the allowed period, you usually forfeit your ability to demand compensation. However, there are some exceptions, such as when the injured party is a minor or the person who caused the incident leaves the state.

Comparative Negligence in California

Because of the “pure comparative negligence” criterion in California, you can be eligible for compensation even if you shared some of the blame for the accident. This policy will result in a reduction of your reimbursement based on the percentage of your fault. For instance, if you were 20 percent at fault in an accident and your overall damages were $50,000, you would be entitled to $40,000 (80% of your total losses).

This law may significantly impact your case because insurance companies will want to assign you a greater percentage of the fault to reduce their payout. Having an attorney on your side in these situations is crucial to making sure that blame is allocated correctly and that your compensation is maximized.

Car Accident Damages

It’s important to know what kinds of damages you could be qualified for in a vehicle accident claim if you live in California. Usually, these losses can be classified as either non-economic or economic.

Economic Damages

Concrete losses that are quantifiable and subject to independent verification are called economic damages. These consist of expenses for:

• Hospital stays
• Surgeries
• Prescription drugs
• Out-of-pocket costs for recuperation
• Any additional costs for care resulting from the collision

Furthermore, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages and any potential future earnings if your injuries keep you from working and your accident affects your ability to work in the future. Economic damages also cover the price of replacing or repairing your car.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages make up for losses that are harder to measure and are more intangible. One of them is pain and suffering, which comprises the emotional and physical anguish the injury caused. Included may also be a loss of enjoyment of life, particularly if your injuries keep you from engaging in things you used to do for leisure. You may also be entitled to compensation if the injury causes a lasting disability or disfigurement.

Punitive Damages for Auto Accidents

Punitive damages are an uncommon award that California courts may grant, depending on the circumstances. These are designed to punish the offending person for highly dangerous or awful behavior, like driving while intoxicated, rather than to make up for a specific loss.

Following an accident, recovering these losses can have a big impact on your capacity to move on, so it’s critical to pursue a comprehensive and well-documented claim. Speak with a knowledgeable vehicle accident lawyer to make sure you get all the compensation to which you are entitled.

FAQs

Can I Sue After a Car Accident in California?

In California, you can file a claim after a car accident if you think that you deserve more money than the insurance company gives you or if you are seriously hurt. You can file a personal injury claim against the driver who caused the accident to get money for losses like medical bills, lost pay, pain and suffering, and damage to your property. California has a statute of limitations, so you generally have to file a claim within two years of the accident.

How Long Does an Insurance Company Have to Investigate a Claim in California?

When an insurance company in California gets proof of a claim, it usually has 40 days to decide whether to pay the claim or not. The insurance company must also accept receipt of the claim within 15 days. If they need more time, they must let you know and explain why. As soon as they know who is responsible, they have 30 days to pay if the claim is accepted.

What Should I Do Immediately After a Car Accident in California?

After a California car crash, make sure everyone is safe by going to a safe place if you can and looking for injuries. Report the crash to 911 and get medical help if you need it. Talk to the other driver(s), and exchange your contact, insurance, and vehicle details. Take pictures of the scene, write down what was damaged, and, if possible, get accounts from witnesses. Tell your insurance company about the accident, and talk to a lawyer about your legal choices.

What Does 50/50 Mean in a Car Accident?

When two drivers are found to be equally at fault for a car accident, this is called a 50/50 decision. The comparative negligence rule allows everyone to get compensation in California, but the amount of money they will receive depends on how much they are to blame. Suppose that you are given $10,000 in damages but are later found to be 50% to blame. You would get $5,000 in compensation as a result.

Contact Duque & Price Today

If you have been injured in a car accident, Duque & Price is here to help. Contact us today to begin pursuing the compensation you need.