If you've been hurt in a car accident in Orange County, you may incur substantial medical costs and other expenses as a result of your injury. You could be unable to work for an extended length of time. Other losses, such as pain and suffering, are more difficult to quantify.
You’ll need to get medical attention for your injuries and consider the cost of repairs for your vehicle. You may be unable to work and need to find ways to recover your lost wages.
The collision may have ended in a matter of seconds, but the long-term financial effects of your injuries are only getting started.
What is the law in California?
According to California law, anybody who causes an accident or injury is liable for the injured party's medical expenses. These expenses may be paid directly by the responsible person or firm or by the liable party's insurance provider.
Regrettably, responsible parties don’t always pay right away. They sometimes postpone proceedings to make a low-ball out-of-court settlement sound more appealing, or they may coerce the harmed party to initiate a lawsuit.
California is an at-fault state when it comes to vehicular accidents. This means that the driver (or any responsible party, such as a vehicle manufacturer) who causes an auto accident is eventually liable for any damages incurred.
You should hire a competent car accident lawyer familiar with the system and who knows how to navigate it to get the compensation you deserve.
Why You Must Consult a Lawyer
Fault must be established to receive compensation. An experienced car accident attorney can help you navigate the complex path of establishing fault and ensure that you collect the money you’re entitled to.
In California, the at-fault driver's insurance provider is the principal source of compensation for an automobile accident. That means you'll have to either file a "third-party" claim with the other party's insurance provider or sue the at-fault motorist (whose interest will be represented by their insurance company). In either case, you must show that the insurance company's client was at fault and that you suffered actual damages as a consequence.
Your lawyer will interview witnesses, study accident reports, acquire physical evidence from the accident scene, and frequently engage the aid of specialists, such as accident reconstruction experts, to determine accountability in auto accidents.
Every detail counts when it comes to determining who’s at fault. Your lawyer will then put together a case for the entire amount of compensation you’re entitled to for your losses, which may include:
- Current and future costs of medical treatment
- Lost wages and future earnings
- Childcare, cleaning, yard work, maintenance, and other replacement services
- Pain and suffering, mental agony, and emotional despair
- Loss of spousal care and affection
- Diminished quality of life
Collecting compensation is normally possible through a negotiated settlement, depending on the details of the case and the attitude of the insurance provider.
Your lawyer, however, will prepare your case for trial since that will let the insurance company know you’re serious and put pressure on it to pay a fair amount.
If your lawyer has a track record of success, the insurance company might be compelled to pay when it realizes you're ready to present your case to a judge. If the insurance company refuses to compensate you, your lawyer can defend your case in a court trial.
In California, seeking compensation for an auto accident may be a time-consuming process, but you don't have to face it alone. Contact a competent lawyer as soon as possible before evidence gets lost, and legal deadlines pass.
With an experienced personal injury attorney representing you in court, you stand a far better chance of obtaining greater compensation for all damages incurred.
Talk To a Southern California Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you or someone you love has been injured in an Orange County automobile accident, you’ll need the assistance of a skilled Southern California car accident lawyer to fight for your rights.
Call Barrios & Machado at (714) 515-9696 or contact us online to schedule a free evaluation of your case.
