Car accidents are a horrible, inconvenient thing to happen to anybody, and sometimes the repair bills from car repairs can add up quick. When it comes to paying out for these damages, the legislation for financial responsibility varies from state to state. Each state is either an at-fault state, which means that the party who caused the accident is also liable for damages caused, up to the limits of their insurance, or they are no fault states, where all car owners are required to maintain insurance policies from which they seek damage individually in case of an accident, regardless of who caused the accident. California, for example, is considered an at-fault state.
Therefore, if you or a loved one in California is injured in a car accident, it is imperative to contact a professional car accident attorney los angeles, who can tell you more about your rights and how you can guard your claim in order to get the most compensation.
Who is liable for injuries caused after a car accident?
In the state of California, at-fault drivers are required to pay damages for the results of a collision. If a driver is found at fault for a crash, then they will have to compensate the victim(s) for the sustained damages. If multiple parties are responsible for an accident, then they must pay damages proportionate to the percentage of damages they caused.
All drivers are therefore required to have insurance policies so that they can legally drive in the state, proof of which they are required to carry in their vehicle at all times. Following an accident, all involved drivers must exchange contact and insurance information so that they can follow up with their insurance after the fact.
How to File an insurance claim in California?
If you have been in an accident, you may be entitled to claim damages against the at-fault driver’s insurance provider to repay you for your injuries and losses.
In order to make sure that you get the maximum payout you are entitled to, it is wise to involve a lawyer as soon as possible, since insurance companies have a variety of tactics to reduce their payouts on claims, such as
– Shifting fault to the victim(you)
– Not assessing the damage to its fullest extent
– Other questionable, ethically ambiguous tactics
If you engage a reputable lawyer to defend you, they can prevent your claim being reduced by these tactics.
After the accident occurs, you or your lawyer will need to get in touch with the at fault drivers insurance company to inform them about the accident. They will require a detailed account of what happened, and might give you additional instructions. You may also want to contact your own insurance to cover some of your damages.
What evidence can be used to determine fault and estimate liability?
To be eligible to collect compensation from the at-fault driver’sinsurance, fault must be conclusively proved. Your lawyer can help you investigate and gather evidence to help establish fault. This can include things like
• Property Damage Bills
• Photos that establish vehicle damage
• Video of the accident, if possible
• A police report
• Statements from eyewitnesses at the scene
• Any physical evidence, such as skid marks, or public utilities damaged by the collision.
Sometimes, either insurance company may engage a car accident reconstruction analyzer to determine the cause of the accident, along with the timeline.
Learn more about your rights
In order to effectively determine fault, receive damages, and be knowledgeable about the entire process, contact a legal firm for legal help. They can help you understand California’s at-fault car accident laws, and help you deal with insurers, proving liability, and assist you with finding supporting evidence for your claim.
These blogs are meant purely for educational purposes. They contain only general information about legal matters. They are not legal advice, and should not be treated as such. If you have any specific questions about any legal matter you should consult with an attorney.