April 20, 2024

Car Accident Lawyer Van Nuys

Skilled Van Nuys Car Accident Attorney

The majority of people start thinking about how serious their injuries are seconds after being in a car crash. The second thought in most cases is how damaged is the vehicle. These concerns tend to persist for a long time following the car crash making it important to work with a knowledgeable car accident lawyer Van Nuys.

Mechanics and doctors don’t care who is responsible for the crash – they only want to get paid for their services. However, you shouldn’t have to shoulder the expenses on your own if someone else is responsible.

Dealing with Insurance Companies

Insurance companies have a habit of being deceptive. This is probably why they pay millions to have strong legal representation. Delaying payments until the last minute is an age-old trick that insurers employ. They literally hold claimants financially hostage so that victims accept any low amount that comes their way.

You can be sure that insurers have their own legal counsel and will use anything you say to justify paying less compensation. This makes it important to work with a sound car accident lawyer Van Nuys. Insurance companies are motivated by profits and will do anything it takes to lower your settlement.

Identifying the At-Fault Parties

You may have insurance and contact information of the responsible driver. However, your compensation is not just a phone call away. In most cases, multiple parties are responsible for the accident. This can help you in several ways. Most importantly, it can help you recover additional compensation. However, it can be complicated to prove that multiple responsible parties were at-fault.

Common Causes of Car Collisions in Van Nuys

These are a few common causes of car accidents that an auto accident attorney can help you with:

Distracted driving
Speeding
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Tailgating
Dangerous road conditions
Road construction

California’s Comparative Fault

You should know that California is a comparative fault state. This means that the responsibility for the car accident can be divided among multiple at-fault parties. You don’t need to lose out on compensation just because you were partly at fault. You will be awarded reduced compensation to the proportion of responsibility held by you.

This can be easily explained by an example:

If three parties were involved in a car crash, the courts may determine that one party is 50% responsible for the crash, while the second is 40% and the last party is responsible for the remaining 10%. In this example, if you are the third party, 10% of all the damages that should be awarded to you, will be withheld based on the proportion of your responsibility.

Types of Compensation You Can Recover

One of the most critical components of any legal case is the type of claims you bring forward. This aspect determines the amount you will receive as compensation for your suit. We always explain to our clients that insurance companies will try and get them to settle for less. You should not expect any sympathy regardless of the severity of your injuries.

You can ensure that you don’t sell your claim short by working alongside a car accident lawyer. These are a few common noneconomic and financial damages you may want to seek after your car accident:

Medical care (current and future, including any surgery or procedures)
Medical devices, medication and other related items for ensuring full recovery
Lost income potential
Lost wages
Emotional distress
Vehicle replacement or repair
Reduced enjoyment of life
Wrongful death
Pain and suffering