As we travel the roads and freeways in California each day, we usually trust that we will arrive at our destination without incident. Yet every day, careless drivers cause hundreds of accidents on California roads which lead to countless injuries and fatalities.
Fortunately, accident victims are able to file a claim against the other driver’s insurance in order to cover the cost of medical bills, lost wages, and other financial damages caused by the accident.
Maison Law was founded by Martin Gasparian to protect innocent drivers in the aftermath of these difficult situations. Mr. Gasparian worked for large, nationwide corporations for a decade and got a first-hand lesson in how insurance companies maneuver for their own benefit and never for the benefit of the accident victim who has suffered and sometimes continues to suffer. Mr. Gasparian then started his own law firm to give accident victims in California a voice and to make sure they are informed of their rights and given the power to demand what’s fair. These are things an insurance agent definitely won’t tell victims about.
California Car Accident Injury Claims Process
Free Car Accident Consultation
If you have been the victim of a serious collision caused by another driver, don’t leave your accident claim in the hands of an insurance adjuster. Contact Maison Law no matter where you are in California for a free, no-obligation evaluation of the circumstances of your case. By having legal representation you’ll let an insurance company know that they can’t dismiss your physical, emotional, and financial hardships.
Do You Really Need a Car Accident Lawyer in California?
After you’ve been in a traffic accident on a California freeway, city street, or back road, it’s fair to ask if you need a personal injury lawyer? The answer depends on the consequences of your collision.
You may have been shaken up, but if your accident involved mainly property damage, getting fair treatment while your car damage is evaluated shouldn’t prove too difficult. Insurance companies have largely standardized the process to get cars repaired or replaced.
It’s an entirely different case when you or a loved one are seriously hurt in an accident. A personal injury lawyer can prove crucial in getting the compensation needed to pay for recovery. When another driver is at fault his or her insurance company should be responsible for every medical cost and lost paycheck you endure.
You should call a personal injury attorney when:
You have been badly injured in an accident.
Adjusters want to blame you for part of an accident when you weren’t at fault.
Your accident involves multiple parties or is complex.
Your accident was caused by a professional driver like a big rig truck drive or a rideshare driver.
It’s also important to seek the counsel of a skilled personal injury lawyer if you’ve been in an accident involving a government employee or a public transportation vehicle. Accidents involving city, state, or federal agencies can be especially complicated and often provide much tighter deadlines for victims to file an injury claim.
How Much Is a Car Accident Injury Case Worth?
Many factors play a role in how much compensation you’ll receive after a car accident. It’s impossible to predict an exact amount because every accident case is so different. Injuries, even the same types of injuries, can all heal very differently and require more or less in medical care and medical expense.
One of the key factors in determining the value of your claim is how much your injury changes your lifestyle and for how long. Here are a few of the factors that can affect your car accident settlement:
Severity of your Injury. A broken bone can lead to surgery, an amputation, and even a permanent disability. Permanent brain damage, organ damage, paralysis are other serious injuries possible after a crash. A permanent disability can diminish your freedom and your ability to support your family over a lifetime. Compensation can reach into the millions of dollars when it must cover care over decades.
Lost Wages. The longer your recovery takes the more time you could spend away from your office or job site. That means more paychecks missed and more reimbursement you’d require.
Driver’s Insurance Limits. The negligent driver’s chosen insurance provider and level of coverage can also affect your final award. Basic insurance coverage has cap limits that may run out before all of your hospital bills are paid.
Physical and Emotional Trauma. Non-economic damages are awarded for the pain you endure with your injury and the emotional turmoil you’ve suffered. Victims may experience debilitating anxiety and depression. They may also be unable to enjoy life when they’ve had to give up the activities they love such as family outings, travel, hobbies, and exercise.
Furthermore, the skill and experience of the personal injury lawyer you chose to represent your case can make a substantial difference in the compensation you receive. A lawyer with an extensive background in injury settlement negotiation will more accurately estimate the costs of recovery you face and make sure you have what you need to pay your recovery bills.
Can I File a Car Accident Lawsuit On My Own?
Injured victims in California are legally allowed to file a lawsuit and represent themselves in court if they choose to do so. However, individuals may not file a lawsuit themselves if they are representing a corporation, filing a class-action lawsuit, or suing on behalf of a child.
It is not recommended that you file your lawsuit unless you have some knowledge of California state law and courtroom proceedings. You’ll have to know how to collect and present evidence that proves your case. You’ll have to know what to ask witnesses and how to submit their testimony.
Even if you are somewhat familiar with the legal system, it’s still a difficult challenge to represent yourself. A vast majority of lawsuits never reach a courtroom and end up settled outside of court. This can also leave people representing themselves at a disadvantage.
Skilled lawyers have a much better idea of how much medical and financial recovery costs. They’ll hold out until insurance adjusters make a fair offer for the victim that covers all expenses. When insurance companies know they aren’t dealing with a legal professional they commonly offer much less money in the hopes you won’t know it’s a low-ball offer. You can lose out on thousands of dollars by using your own judgment when assessing a settlement offer.
You must also be careful to meet certain deadlines insurance companies won’t warn you about. One such deadline is the two years from the time of your accident you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. Wait too long and your chance to earn the compensation you need is lost.
Even if you decide to move forward with your lawsuit on your own, you can still benefit from talking with a California lawyer. Personal injury lawyers offer a free consultation to anyone injured in a car accident and they can help you determine if your lawsuit will earn you considerably more than a standard insurance injury claim.
You may try to avoid using an attorney because you’re worried about being able to afford legal counsel. Keep in mind that reputable personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis and don’t get paid unless they win your case. Their fee would come out of the compensation they earn for you.