October 29, 2024

Car Accident Attorney Van Nuys

Car Accident Lawyer Fighting For Your Rights

Car accidents are a fact of life in Van Nuys. There is nothing you can do to avoid them. Nobody really thinks of getting into a car accident, but accidents do happen. You should get in touch with a car accident attorney Van Nuys if you were injured because of someone else’s recklessness or negligence.

Should You Hire a Lawyer?

Many people are happy when an insurance company makes them a settlement offer. What they don’t realize is that they should have recovered far more than what is being offered. Insurance providers don’t have your well-being in mind. They only care about minimizing their liability. This is one of the reasons why they retain expensive attorneys to downplay victim injuries and compensation demands.

However, insurance providers take a claim seriously when the victim hires an experienced attorney. Your lawyer will take care of all legal aspects of the claim so that you can focus better on your injuries and recovery. Your attorney will ensure that your demand for compensation is calculated appropriately. They will take into account economic as well as noneconomic damages.

It is crucial that you work with a responsible law firm with a proven track record of success if you have been in a serious car accident. This is no time for you to go at it alone. Insurance companies will dispute who is to blame. They may even place the blame squarely on your shoulders. California is a comparative negligence state. Your compensation amount can be reduced by the degree of your fault.

Steps to Take Following a Car Accident

Move to a secure area and call 911
Seek immediate medical attention
Gather witness information
Take pictures and make videos
Provide the police officers with facts of the accident
Hire a capable law firm

Things to Avoid

Never admit wrongdoing or fault
Don’t provide assumed facts to the police officers
Don’t delay getting medical treatment
Don’t speak with insurance representatives without your lawyer
Don’t sign settlement agreements or offers without speaking with an attorney

Common Car Accident Injuries

Injuries are not directly related to the extent of accident or crash. Sometimes, even minor accidents can cause catastrophic injuries. These are a few types of injuries you can sustain following a car crash:

Traumatic brain injury
Wrongful death
Spinal cord injuries
Partial or full paralysis
Nerve injuries or whiplash
Crush injuries
Internal injuries, such as lacerated, damaged, or bruised organs
Broken bones
Eye injuries, facial injuries, scarring, and dental injuries
Torn ligaments
Deranged joints
Dislocated joints
Sprain or muscle strain
Lacerations and cuts

Time Frames and Legal Process

Car accident lawsuits are generally treated as personal injury claims and filed in civil court. Under California Law, the victim can recover money from the responsible parties. This is a general overview of the legal process:

File the complaint

The first step is to file a complaint with the court. This will provide a detailed narrative of what happened, the damages claimed, and the legal basis for the lawsuit. California gives victims 2 years from the date of the accident to file a complaint.

Serve the complaint to defendant

The next is to inform the defendant about the lawsuit. This process is known as ‘serving the complaint’. You should follow strict guidelines as laid down by the court. This is one of the reasons why working with a car accident attorney Van Nuys is important.

Defendant will file an answer

The defendant will file an answer to the complaint stating their admission or denial to factual allegations.

Discovery and Trial

Both parties will request and exchange information once the complaint and answer have been filed. The trial will result in the judge and jury deliberating and issuing a verdict. This can be either be in your favor or not. Having a skilled attorney by your side can help.