So you’ve been in a serious car accident — but after a car accident that is your fault, or not your fault, what happens? There’s a lot of complexity to a car accident dispute that many first-time plaintiffs are not aware of. Seemingly small issues can become significant legal challenges if you’re not prepared.

That being said, if you’ve been in a car accident and you’re partially at-fault, then in many cases you can still sue and recover compensation — though your compensation total might be somewhat affected.

Let’s take a closer look.

How partial fault works in an accident dispute

After a car accident that is your fault — well, partially your fault — you might be wondering whether you can still secure compensation. For plaintiffs who are partially at-fault, compensation is often possible, but it depends on your jurisdiction. States are divided into three legal systems when it comes to fault:

• Pure comparative fault: you can sue and recover damages even if you’re 99 percent responsible (i.e., at-fault) for the accident.
• Modified comparative fault: you can sue and recover damages, so long as you’re less than 51 percent responsible for the accident.
• Strict contributory fault: you cannot sue and recover damages if you’re partially at-fault.

So, if you’re in a pure or modified comparative fault state, chances are that you’d still be entitled to sue and recover. That being said, your total compensation is likely to be reduced by the percentage fault that you’ve contributed. For example, if a court finds that you’re 40 percent at-fault for your own injuries (due to not wearing a seatbelt), then your $100,000 damages claim could be reduced to a $60,000 recovery. Not bad, but just bear in mind that this percentage reduction could impact your recovery.

What to do after an accident that is not your fault?

After a car accident that is your fault (or not your fault), there are certain steps you should take to preserve your claims and to avoid undermining your ability to sue and recover the maximum amount of compensation. Here are some considerations to keep in mind in the wake of a car accident:

• Secure emergency medical assistance. Depending on the nature of your injuries, emergency medical care could be necessary to ensure your own safety. Your #1 priority should be to manage your health and safety.
• If possible, take pictures and videos of the accident scene. If you do not have an immediate medical need that forces you away from the accident scene, then you should take some time to obtain photos and videos of the accident and the surroundings. This can serve as valuable evidence.
• Contact law enforcement. Law enforcement officers will survey the scene and ask comprehensive questions, which will all be used to build out a police report that can later be brought in as evidence.
• Gather the contact information of eyewitnesses. Eyewitness testimony can be extremely useful for supporting your factual narrative during the car accident dispute.
• Avoid speaking extensively to insurers, defendants, and others. Your discussions could lead to disclosures that undermine liability and harm your ability to secure compensation in an eventual lawsuit.
• Obtain the assistance of an attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney will be able to communicate on your behalf, guide you along the early evidence-gathering and negotiation processes, and more.

For example, suppose you’ve been in an accident. After a car accident that is your fault (or not your fault), you may feel pressured to talk about the details with your insurance company. Don’t make that mistake! First, get in touch with an attorney who can provide guidance on how to speak with the insurance company — or who can speak on your behalf, thus preventing any sensitive disclosures.

Compensation in an accident dispute

In an accident dispute, there may be a variety of losses that you — the injured plaintiff — have sustained as a result of the defendant’s actions. These losses can be tallied up and claimed as damages, and if the court agrees, you will be entitled to compensation that covers the claimed losses.

Damages may include the following:

• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Medical expenses
• Property loss
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• And more

For example, suppose that you’re injured in a car accident, and you have medical bills that tally up to $100,000. Your injuries are also severe enough that you can’t return to work for six months. With a salary of $80,000, you therefore lose out on $40,000 in wages. That’s $140,000 in damages, not accounting for further pain and suffering damages — which could be $100,000 or more, even.

Losses can quickly add up, but you’ll have to be comprehensive in accounting for all of your post-accident losses!

Why you should get an attorney

Attorneys aren’t just advocates in a trial setting. They have a variety of different responsibilities and tasks to take care of over the course of litigation, from start-to-finish. These include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Identifying, gathering, and preserving evidence
• Managing eyewitness statements
• Working with experts on supportive testimony
• Communicating to others on behalf of the client
• Navigating legal procedural requirements
• Developing and executing a cohesive case strategy
• Negotiating a potential settlement compromise
• Handling court hearings and other processes
• Pushing forward to trial if settlement talks fall through
• Securing the final compensation amount for the client
• And more

Given the various responsibilities that an attorney can handle on your behalf — at a professional level — it’s worth consulting one as early as you can after an accident so that they can help you overcome the many challenges that you’re likely to face.

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a Free Legal Consultation

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, and it was partially your fault, then it’s important not to assume anything about your ability to sue — in many cases, you could be entitled to sue and obtain damages. Fault issues can be strategically managed by an experienced attorney, and your legal opportunities can change based on the jurisdiction in which your case is being litigated.

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a free legal consultation with an attorney in our network. During this initial consultation, you’ll have an opportunity to discuss your case in detail and learn more about the various strategic options. If you decide against moving forward, that’s ok — there’s no obligation to continue. So call in and get started!

We look forward to assisting you.

If you’ve been hit by a company vehicle and thereby suffered injuries, you may be wondering about what you’re entitled to under the law — and how to go about securing a settlement, if possible. Though accident disputes are common, they aren’t always straightforward. The company vehicle aspect can further complicate your dispute, in fact, though it’s worth noting that it can also give you access to a better pathway for compensation.

Ready to learn more? Read on.

What happens if someone hits you in a company vehicle?

If you’re hit by a company vehicle, and you sustain injuries as a result, then you could potentially sue them AND their employer. There are two different strategic possibilities for recovering compensation from the employer in such a situation:

1. Vicarious liability: under vicarious liability, you can impose liability on the employer for the negligence of their employee. The employee has to have been acting within the course and scope of their employment at the time of the accident, however (i.e., performing job duties). This is valuable, as it can give you access to the employer’s potentially significant insurance coverage.
2. Independent liability: if the employee was not negligent, then you can’t utilize vicarious liability to sue the employer. However, you CAN sue the employer if you can show that they negligently hired or supervised the employee who injured you. So, for example, suppose that a delivery driver hits you and injures you. It turns out that the driver was intoxicated at the time of the accident. You discover, further, that their employer knowingly hired them as a delivery driver despite them having a long history of alcoholism and license suspensions. Under these circumstances, you very likely sue the employer for negligently hiring the driver.

How do I request a settlement?

In an accident where you were hit by a company vehicle, your attorney will — as part of their various responsibilities — begin the process of negotiating a settlement with the defendant (and various others, as necessary, such as insurance companies). You don’t have to go out of your way to request a settlement, though it’s worth discussing the process with your attorney so that you can keep apprised of developments. Experienced attorneys will generally communicate with you throughout the settlement negotiation process, however, to ensure that your needs are not ignored.

What damages am I entitled to recover in a settlement?

In an accident dispute where you were hit by a company vehicle, you can claim the following losses as compensatory damages:

• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Medical expenses
• Loss of property
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• And more

For example, suppose that you’re an office worker with an annual salary of $70,000. You get into a car accident that injures your back quite severely. As a result of the accident, you cannot return to work for a year, and you have significant medical expenses (perhaps tallying up to $100,000, which includes rehab and a surgical intervention). You would have $170,000 in lost wages and medical expenses alone, not counting the property loss (damage to your vehicle) or pain and suffering, which can add up to several hundreds of thousands of dollars as well.

In addition to these damages, courts in some cases award “punitive damages,” which are bonus damages intended to punish particularly egregious defendants and discourage others in society from engaging in similar behavior (i.e., drunk driving). If the court awards bonus punitive damages, you could see your take-home award increase significantly, so it’s worth exploring this strategic possibility with your attorney.

How do settlements work, exactly?

The large majority of disputes are resolved through a negotiated settlement. In fact, industry data indicates that settlement agreements may resolve as much as 95 percent of accident disputes!

Settlement is so common (and so favored) because trial litigation is uncertain, public, expensive, and exhausting to all involved. No matter how confident you are about your dispute, there’s always a chance that the court will find in favor of the other party (except in cases where the other party concedes the issue). Even if the court finds in your favor, they might lowball your damages and leave you with less than you would have ideally recovered for the accident.

Settlement avoids that uncertainty, as the parties agree upon an amount that is fair and reasonable — in other words, an amount that they’ll both be satisfied with. This is beneficial in other ways, too, as there’s no need for a public dispute, nor the frustrating demands of court hearings and trial processes.

That being said, not all settlements are made equal. You can secure better settlement offers the more that you can prove it’s “likely” that you’ll win your case if it were to go all the way through to trial (and the more likely it is that you’ll be awarded the damages that you’re claiming). You can do this by introducing strong supportive evidence for your claims, and by developing persuasive legal arguments.

How an Attorney Can Help

Motor vehicle accident attorneys have a wide range of responsibilities, and they can help you in myriad ways from the very beginning of a dispute. As such, there is real value to connecting with an attorney as soon as possible after an accident has occurred. Attorney assistance includes (but is not limited to) the following:

• Gathering and preserving evidence
• Investigating the accident scene
• Working with experts to develop the case
• Identifying and working with witnesses
• Handling communications with third-parties
• Negotiating a potential settlement
• Navigating court hearings and other processes
• Pushing forward to trial if necessary
• Securing compensation on the client’s behalf
• And more

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a Free Legal Consultation

If you’ve been injured in an accident where you were hit by a company vehicle, then you could be entitled to significant compensation. Navigating the settlement (and potentially even trial litigation if the settlement falls through) isn’t always straightforward, however. You’ll want to work with a qualified attorney who can help you secure the maximum possible recovery.

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 to connect to one of our agents. After a brief set of questions — in just 10 minutes or less — they’ll put you through to one of the attorneys in our legal network, who will provide a free consultation. During this initial consultation, you’ll have an opportunity to discuss your case in detail and gain insight into what options you have.

There’s no obligation to continue if you decide against it, so there’s no downside! Call in and get started.

We look forward to assisting you.

If you were injured in an unlicensed driver crash, then you may be confused about whether you have an actionable legal claim — and even if you do, how to go about securing compensation given the additional complexity. There are many considerations to keep in mind if you move forward with a claim in an unlicensed driver crash. Let’s explore.

Suing for damages without a license: understanding your rights

Imagine you don’t have a license, but you got into an accident. Can you still sue for damages?

If you don’t have a license, you may still be able to sue for damages, depending on the state and how at-fault you are for the accident. In most situations, the defendant will argue that you contributed significantly to the accident yourself, as you were unlicensed and therefore lacked the knowledge, training, and experience.

That being said, most states allow you to sue for damages even if the court finds that you are at-fault, but your compensation will reduce by a percentage. A few states will prevent you from recovering compensation entirely.

Legal Implications of being injured by an unlicensed driver

Let’s suppose the defendant doesn’t have a license, and they caused an accident in which you sustained injuries. How does that affect your case?

In an unlicensed driver crash, the legal strategy is going to shift due to various issues linked to the lack of a license. Some are helpful to you, some make the dispute a little bit more complex. Let’s take a look.

Liability is easier to prove

In a standard car accident dispute where you are trying to prove that the defendant-driver’s negligence caused your injuries, you will have to show that the defendant violated the applicable “standard of care.” In other words, there are certain standards we expect from drivers in similar circumstances — by violating these safety norms, the driver may be found negligent and therefore liable (if they caused you injuries as a result).

If the driver is unlicensed, their negligence is easier to prove, as you may be able to show that they didn’t have the knowledge, training, or experience necessary to safely operate the vehicle on the roadway — and this caused you to sustain injuries.

Lack of insurance coverage

Unlicensed drivers are also likely to be uninsured, as insurers do not insure drivers who have no license. Even if the license is expired (and they had insurance otherwise), their insurer would decline to handle their case, as the unlicensed driver would have violated some requirement of the insurance contract — thus removing them from coverage. Suing an uninsured driver presents a number of additional challenges.

Suing other defendants

One effective strategy if you’re dealing with an unlicensed, uninsured driver is to find other insured defendants that you can sue. Car accidents are not always “single defendant” disputes. They can be rather complex when further investigated.

For example, a simple rear-end collision may have occurred (in part) because the road was poorly designed and there was terrible visibility at night. Under these circumstances, you could ostensibly sue the City for the dangerous condition of the road (which contributed to the accident).

What happens if you’re at fault in a car accident?

If you’re at-fault in a car accident, then you may still be able to recover damages as compensation — depending on the circumstances of your case. Texas, for example, incorporates the doctrine of “modified comparative fault.” What this means is that, as the injured plaintiff, you are entitled to sue and recover damages so long as you are not more than 50 percent at-fault for the accident.

Consider the following example.

Suppose that you are injured in a car accident in Texas. You sustain injuries with damages totaling $100,000. The court finds that you are 40 percent at-fault, however. Under these circumstances, you would be entitled to recover the remaining 60 percent (i.e., $60,000) in a lawsuit against the defendant. Your partial fault would not prevent you from recovery, it would just reduce your recoverable compensation by a percentage.

What happens if an uninsured driver hits you?

If an uninsured driver hits you, then you may have a few different options. In California, for example, you can sue the defendant, though it will likely be difficult to collect the damages you’re owed if they don’t have insurance coverage. You can submit a claim with your own insurance — this is potentially the simplest and easiest way to obtain compensation. And finally, you can look into suing other defendants who may have been partially responsible for your injuries. For example, if the defendant’s brakes stopped working, then you could potentially sue the auto manufacturer directly — and their coverage is likely to be significant, enough to cover any losses you may have sustained.

Attorneys can Help Navigate Complex Disputes

Disputes can be complex, and even when they aren’t, having an attorney by your side can help you establish liability and maximize your damages. That being said, the general public may not realize just how many “hats” an attorney wears. Representation is multi-faceted, and an attorney has several different responsibilities. These include:

• Identifying, gathering, and preserving evidence
• Handling eyewitness and expert witness testimony
• Submitting an initial legal demand
• Navigating the settlement negotiation process
• Ensuring that all procedural requirements are met
• Developing and executing a cohesive legal strategy
• Communicating to third parties (insurers, defendants, etc.) on behalf of the client
• Strategically managing various legal hearings so as to maximize results for the client
• Pushing the case to trial, if necessary
• Securing compensation after it has been awarded
• And more

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a Free Legal Consultation

If you’ve been injured in an unlicensed driver crash, then you may be feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of litigation. Moving through the legal dispute process doesn’t have to be frustrating or confusing, however. With a qualified attorney by your side, you’ll have the assistance you need to navigate this process and potentially secure compensation to cover your injuries and other losses.

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 to get connected to one of the experienced car accident attorneys in our network in just 10 minutes or less. They’ll be able to offer you a free consultation, during which you can discuss your case and receive guidance on next steps. There’s no obligation to continue if you decide against it, so there’s really no downside to picking up the phone and calling in to get started.

We look forward to assisting you.

Okay — you’ve been injured in a car accident, but you’re concerned that you can’t claim a car accident without a police report. We understand that the legal dispute process can be confusing and frustrating. So let’s take a closer look at some of these concerns and clarify the process for you!

Claim a car accident without a police report: is it possible?

Yes, it is possible to claim a car accident without a police report — but it isn’t necessarily recommended.

Most insurers don’t require that you have a police report in order to submit a claim, and in a legal dispute with the defendant, you won’t need one to sue. That being said, a police report provides “clear and credible” evidence that can be used to support your injury claims, so it’s a good idea to move forward with one as opposed to without one.

If — for whatever reason — there is no police report, you may be able to construct a strong legal case on the basis of an accident reconstruction analysis, video/photo evidence, and eyewitness testimony. So don’t despair, all is not lost without a police report! Police reports make it “easier” to prove certain facts. They are not the only way to prove those same facts, however.

How do I get a police report after a car accident?

You don’t have to “do” much — so long as there is a law enforcement officer present at the scene of the accident, a police report will be filed. That’s why it’s a good idea to call the police after an accident if they are not already headed your way. Let them know about the accident and — if you don’t have a medical emergency — wait for them to arrive.

Later on, you and your attorney will be able to request the official police report. Given how simple it is to ensure that a police report is completed, it’s worth avoiding any situation in which you’re attempting to claim a car accident without a police report.

How long after an accident can you file a claim?

How long you have to file a claim varies from state-to-state, and based on the type of claim that you’re attempting to file. Claim deadlines are referred to as “statutes of limitation,” and they are a critical piece of the injury dispute puzzle.

Be aware that deadlines are quite variable. In California, for example, you generally have a deadline period of two years (from the date of the accident). In Florida, by contrast, you generally have a deadline period of four years (from the date of the accident). Of course, if you have a claim against a government entity, you may be hit with a number of shorter-term procedural deadlines, so keep that in mind!

If you “miss” a statute of limitation deadline, then the claim will be deemed abandoned and you won’t be able to pursue legal compensation in court. This is a severe outcome, so it’s important that you consult with an attorney early on and file your claims in a timely manner.

That being said, if you have missed a deadline, it’s worth noting that some exceptions do exist that allow the deadline to be extended. These can be quite complicated, and fact-based, so we encourage you to speak to an attorney about this possibility before making a decision on whether to pursue or give up on your claims.

Compensation for car accident injuries

How much compensation are you potentially entitled to recover? This can vary substantially from case-to-case, as damages compensation is meant to cover “losses” — and not every injury victim suffers the same amount of loss. For example, a highly-paid employee who can’t work for a year will be able to claim a greater amount of wage loss than an unemployed individual.

Damages that you can potentially claim include:

• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Medical expenses
• Property loss
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of companionship
• And more

On rare occasions, where the defendant acted egregiously, intentionally, and/or maliciously, the court may choose to award bonus “punitive damages.” These act as a multiplier on your standard damages total. So if your damages total $100,000, then you could be awarded as much as $700,000 in punitive damages. That’s a substantial increase, so it’s worth exploring this option with your attorney.

What is compensation for pain and suffering?

Pain and suffering is a damages subcategory that may comprise a significant percentage of the damages total in many cases. It is meant to account for the many negative physical and psychological experiences that an injury victim goes through — for example, the pain felt when their bones were fractured in the collision, as well as the emotional suffering they experienced when unable to engage in the lifestyle activities that once brought them joy.

As pain and suffering can be difficult to measure, attorneys rely on expert witnesses who can testify as to the impact of the injuries on the victim. Skilled attorneys know how important this part of the process is. They gather persuasive experts and work with them to develop a cohesive strategy. This makes for effective attorney advocacy.

Hiring an injury attorney: the basics

Learning about how to proceed with your dispute — and the things to avoid, like attempting to claim a car accident without a police report — can feel overwhelming. There’s so much to keep track of, from deadlines to strategic considerations! That’s one reason why it’s so helpful to work with an attorney early on in the dispute process. They’ll not only provide ample guidance throughout every stage of the case, but will ensure that all the procedural and strategic aspects are taken care of in a timely manner.

Attorneys are more than just persuasive advocates. They take on a variety of responsibilities over the course of a dispute, including:

• Investigating the accident scene
• Reporting the accident to the relevant authorities
• Identifying potential eyewitnesses
• Gathering and preserving evidence
• Submitting an initial demand
• Handling sensitive communications on behalf of the client (insurer, defendant, etc.)
• Negotiating a potential settlement
• Filing claims in a timely manner
• Navigating procedural issues as they arise
• Strategically handling hearings and other legal proceedings
• Pushing the case to trial, if necessary
• Collecting compensation for the client
• And more

Phew! That’s a lot.

What many people don’t realize, however, is that most injury attorneys operate on a contingency basis. This means that they only get paid if you do. If they successfully obtain compensation on your behalf, then they’ll take a percentage cut of that recovery. Otherwise, they won’t take anything. That’s zero upfront cost for skilled legal representation. It’s a win-win dynamic!

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a Free Legal Consultation

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, then you may be entitled to sue for compensation. It’s important that you explore all your options, as the potential payout can help cover many of your losses, from medical expenses to lost wages, and more. That being said, we understand just how overwhelming it can be for a first-time plaintiff. It can be even more nerve-wracking if you haven’t done everything “perfectly,” like if you’re attempting to claim a car accident without a police report.

Here at 1-800-THE-LAW2, we operate an extensive legal network with experienced attorneys who are standing by to provide a free case evaluation. Contact us today to connect to one of our agents, who will ask a few questions before routing you to a car accident attorney who can potentially handle your case. During the initial consultation, you’ll get an opportunity to talk about your situation and get guidance on how best to proceed.

We look forward to assisting you!

If you’ve been injured, then you could be entitled to sue and potentially obtain a recovery through a car accident settlement in California. Settlements are extremely common, but are not well understood by the public. Let’s take a look at how settlements work, and what you can expect to encounter as you explore the possibility of a settlement to resolve your car accident dispute.

Interested in speaking to experienced car accident attorneys about your case? Contact us at 1-800-THE-LAW2 to get connected to an attorney in our network who can offer you a free consultation. During this consultation, they’ll evaluate your case and give you an idea of what you can do to move forward with your car accident settlement in California.

Why are settlements so common?

Popular entertainment (books, TV, movies) has created a public perception that most cases are litigated all the way through to trial. But that’s not true to reality. The vast majority of disputes are resolved through a negotiated settlement, and these settled disputes never actually advance to trial.

Industry observers estimate that more than 95 percent of legal disputes result in a settlement outcome. So why are settlements so common?

Settlements are considered to be a solution to the inherent uncertainty that is associated with a legal dispute. Yes, even strong cases can lead to unfavorable outcomes at trial. For example, you could win your case, but the court might find that your damages claim is excessive. They might award you a much lower damages amount than expected. That is still an unfavorable outcome, and the risk may be more than you’re willing to deal with.

The risk and uncertainty of trial is particularly troublesome given that trial requires additional time, resources, and energy. It is also very public, and could lead to negative publicity.

Parties often decide to negotiate a settlement. This accounts for “likely” trial outcomes, and minimizes the risk, uncertainty, and cost of trial. For example, if you can convince the defendant that you have a 100 percent likelihood of proving liability at trial, but only a 50 percent likelihood of establishing damages of $100,000, then a settlement of $50,000 would be reasonable — and it would avoid the hassle of continuing with litigation.

Factors influencing the settlement amount

Settlement offers will increase if you can persuade the defendant(s) that liability is certain, and that the damages are accurate. Factors that influence the settlement amount include:

• Strength of evidence in support of claims
• Hostility of the defendants
• Obviousness of liability
• Severity of injury
• Negative publicity associated with the dispute
• Financial resources available to the defendants
• And more

How long does it take to settle a personal injury case in California?

Settlements vary in terms of how quickly they resolve. Some can take as little as a few days, and others can take a few years. There is no default timeline for a case settlement. That being said, a number of factors can influence the settlement timeline:

• Hostility of the defendants
• Obviousness of liability
• Severity of injury
• Negative publicity associated with the dispute
• Financial resources available to the defendants
• And more

For example, a hostile defendant may drag a case all the way to trial. They’ll do this to avoid giving you an “easy win” through a settlement. By contrast, a small business defendant who wants to avoid the negative publicity of a lawsuit might offer an early settlement so that the situation doesn’t get widely reported and affect their business.

How much do accident lawyers charge in California?

Most plaintiffs’ accident lawyers work on a contingency basis. Contingency fees don’t have to be paid out in every case. These fees only have to be paid out if (and when) you receive compensation for your claims. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve secured compensation through a settlement, insurance payout, trial award, etc.

Contingency fees are charged as a percentage “cut” of the total payout you receive. This percentage cut can vary from attorney to attorney. For example, if you receive a $100,000 settlement, your attorney might take a 30 percent cut of that as a contingency fee. By contrast, you’d pay zero if a settlement was not reached. There’s no risk of “losing money” for pursuing a case.

Contingency fees create a win-win dynamic. Attorneys are incentivized to not only obtain compensation on your behalf, but also to do so efficiently. They also have a reason to maximize the amount they are able to secure, as this helps them get a larger payout for themselves. Improving the outcome of your car accident settlement in California is critical to securing the compensation you deserve.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a car accident in California?

The statute of limitations deadline for negligence-based injury claims (typical of a standard car accident dispute) in California is two years from the date-of-injury. Of course, unique circumstances can make for different types of claims that have different deadline periods.

If you do not file a lawsuit within the applicable deadline period, then California courts will automatically dismiss the claims and you will be unable to secure a legal recovery. These consequences are severe, so pursue your claims in a timely manner, and seek the assistance of a qualified attorney as soon as possible after a car accident.

Can I claim for personal injury if the accident was my fault in California?

Yes, you can. California imposes a doctrine known as pure comparative fault. Under this doctrine, the injured plaintiff can make a claim for damages, even if you are partially at-fault. In fact, you are entitled to do so even if you are 99 percent at-fault! However, do bear in mind that your compensation will be reduced by the percentage fault that you have contributed in the accident. So, for example, if you have a total damages claim of $100,000, but you are 60 percent at-fault, you’d only be able to recover a maximum of $40,000.

How do you calculate damages?

Damages vary from case-to-case. They are measured by tallying up all the relevant losses that you suffered due to the car accident. Losses include, but are not limited to the following:

• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Medical expenses
• Property loss
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• And more

Let’s use an example to clarify how it all works.

Suppose that you suffer a serious back injury in a car accident. This causes you to miss a year of work. Your salary is $50,000 annually. The wage loss claim alone is $50,000, and this doesn’t account for thousands of dollars that would be attributable to medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses. By contrast, an unemployed person would not have a wage loss claim at all, resulting in a lower damages claim.

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a Free Legal Consultation

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in California, then you could be entitled to sue for compensation under the law. Pursuing a legal recovery can be rather complex, however, as there are many strategic challenges that can develop over the course of the lawsuit and settlement process. We encourage you to work with experienced car accident attorneys who can help you navigate these issues and potentially secure compensation on your behalf.

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 today to get connected to a qualified local attorney in our legal network. They’ll be able to provide you a free initial consultation, during which you can have your case evaluated. The attorney will also provide guidance on next steps so that you know what your options are.

There’s no obligation to continue if you decide against it, so don’t delay! Get in touch as soon as possible to get started with securing a car accident settlement in California.