Even the most skillful driver is not safe from being involved in a car accident, whether through their negligence or another negligence. The aftermath of an accident can be overwhelming for most people, dependent on the seriousness of the damage suffered. An accident can bring forth a period of confusion and anxiety to the victims, not knowing what else to do. Despite the challenges you might face right after an accident, it is crucial to find the right steps to take to safeguard your interest and that of your family.
When it comes to a car accident, hiring a car accident lawyer to guide you in your case and help protect your rights is crucial. Therefore, suppose you have been a victim of a car accident in Los Angeles. Working with a Los Angeles car accident lawyer is one way you can hold the at-fault parties accountable and recover damages in your case. Our team of attorneys is duly experienced in car accident cases and any other automobile accidents, having helped several clients like you in their venture to recover damages. We offer a free consultation, and our clients get a chance to pay our legal fees only after they win.
The most crucial step right after a car accident is ensuring your safety and subsequently protecting your rights. Remember that the evidence you rely on largely dictates the compensation you shall recover when proving your case. Therefore, ensuring that the documentation detailing the actions you undertake right after the accident occurs is well kept dictate your case’s outcome.
Suppose you or your loved one have been involved in a car accident, here is what you can do to safeguard your interests:
Don’t leave the scene of the car accident
Even persons that are not-at-fault can be arrested and charged for the offense of hit and run if they leave an accident scene. If you have not suffered any severe injuries and are in a position to wait, staying at the accident scene can help you avoid unforeseen criminal charges.
Verify your injuries and those of others
Always remember that your safety comes first. Therefore, it is crucial that you ascertain your injuries first. If you are in a position to, you can then proceed and check if any of the accident victims have been injured and find ways to prevent further injuries.
Call the police
Most accident victims don’t realize the role the police can play in their accident. Police officers and medical emergency service providers are usually the first responders in any car accident situation. Where serious injuries have resulted from the accident, the police can guide you on filing an accident report and subsequently help with more information once you commence a formal compensation claim.
Gather contact details from the other parties and any eyewitnesses at the scene of the accident
The information you gather right after an accident will help make your work and that of your car accident attorney easier in pursuing compensation. Always ensure that you gather the accident victims, motorists, and eyewitnesses’ contact details as they might play a significant role once you decide to pursue your claim. If, in any event, you end up discussing the accident details while at the scene of the accident, never apologize for the accident. An apology can be taken to imply liability on your end.
Photographic evidence
Photos taken after an accident have always been held with high regard as evidence when seeking compensation for your damages. Apart from availing motor vehicle repair receipts, the photos of your car before and after the accident can help demonstrate the extent of the damage occasioned to your car.
Document any injuries sustained
Most accident victims are unaware that even anxiety, stress or post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from a car accident are damages that deserve compensation. With the help of our Los Angeles car accident attorney, every damage suffered after the accident either emotional, physical, or material will be paid attention to and duly compensated. Therefore, always ensure that you document any visits you make to your doctor for physical or mental treatment.
Contact a Car accident attorney
It is always wise to contact an attorney after an accident. Our team of attorneys will ensure that you are duly advised on the dos and don’ts when communicating with your car insurance company or any party associated with your accident. The actions you undertake before filing a claim for compensation determine the ultimate success of your claim. Therefore, you must undertake every step related to the accident under the guidance of legal counsel.
Which damages can a Los Angeles car accident lawyer help you recover?
If you or your loved one have been involved in a car accident, it is crucial to understand what legal remedies are available for you. Here are some of the damages that you can receive compensation for in Los Angeles:
Emotional distress like depression or post-traumatic stress disorder
Lost wages
Loss of consortium
Pain and suffering
Medical expenses both past, present, and future
Loss of future earning potential
Lawyers have a significant impact in any car accident case as compensation might be the only solution to make your life easy going forward. The emotional anguish a car accident causes its victims can not be taken away. Still, by pursuing compensation through the right channels, you can cover most of the financial strain the accident might have caused you. Our car accident lawyers understand the hardships an accident can bring to the lives of victims. Therefore our team ensures that a thorough evaluation of your case is done and that your legal options are accessed and pursued expeditiously.
The time limit for filing car accident claims in Los Angeles
The California Statute of Limitation has made provisions for a time limit within which a car accident victim can claim compensation for damages. A majority of accident victims think that they can institute their claims whenever they are ready. Our attorneys are well conversant with the provisions of the Statute of Limitation Act; therefore, they act to ensure that a client’s claim is instituted and pursued before it is time-barred.
What happens to a claim for compensation brought outside the statutory time limit?
In some instances, the Statute of Limitation provides exceptions, which are commonly referred to as tolling of the statute. Minors and persons of unsound mind lack capacity under the law to institute any legal proceedings, including any compensation claim. In such instances, the statute tolls until the minor attain the age of majority, and the insane individual is declared sane. Handling cases where the claimant or Plaintiff lacks legal capacity can be complicated. You do not have to wait until your loved one is of the age of majority or sane again to institute a claim. Our attorneys know the required legal procedures available for persons who lack legal capacity, and they can help you.
For a free consultation, contact West Coast Trial Lawyers for additional information.