Santa Monica Car Accident Lawyers

If you have been involved in an auto accident that resulted in personal injuries, the next step is to determine how to handle medical treatment and car repairs. Under California law, you or other occupants may be entitled to certain benefits, and you should seek the help of a Santa Monica car accident lawyer to outline and pursue such claims.

Types and Causes of Automobile Accidents

The most common causes for car accidents include:

• Driver Distraction
• Running Red Lights
• Driving Through Stop Signs

The most common types of vehicle collisions include:

• Hit and Runs
• Rear End Collisions
• Hits from Drivers Making Left Turns Without Right-of-Way

When to Seek Help If you or another passenger sustain serious injuries, or even death, contact a reputable Santa Monica car accident lawyer as soon as possible. A personal injury attorney should be contacted before any insurance company adjuster or investigator. Doing so can prevent you from unknowingly providing information that will work against your case in the future. Serious injuries can lead to sustained recovery times filled with intense medical rehabilitation. This medical treatment, coupled with absence from work, often causes sudden financial strain on those involved in the accident. This strain goes on to effect the injured party’s standard of living and that of his or her family. A personal injury lawyer will consider these factors when seeking compensation for the accident.

Seeking Compensation The no-fault law in California can provide compensation for damage, medical expenses and time away from work in the event of a motor vehicle collision. There is no need to prove fault or negligence to claim these benefits. When a victim chooses to file a lawsuit for pain and suffering, fault must be proven on the part of the other driver. Only experienced Santa Monica car accident lawyers can thoroughly investigate the case in order to provide a detailed cause for the accident. Never attempt to negotiate settlements or sign away rights to benefits without first discussing the case with a personal injury attorney. When contacted immediately following the event, the attorney can send an investigator to the scene to take note of any factors involved in the accident. The investigator will photograph the area and any vehicles on site in addition to interviewing witnesses. In the event of serious injury or death, the attorney may hire a specialist to reconstruct the scene to show with whom the fault stands. An auto accident suddenly presents many burdens to the injured occupant’s life. Thankfully, these burdens do not have to be dealt with alone. A Santa Monica car accident lawyer is the first source to turn to when handling the complex details of a collision case.

California has some of the best highways in the road, but anyone living in one of the larger cities knows the dangers they face on the open road. As cars weave in and out of traffic and high speeds and other drivers grow upset in traffic jams, they never know what might happen.

When the unexpected does happen, Ontario car accident lawyers are there to help. No one should suffer a broken bone or any type of injury because of how another person drives, and no one should ever find themselves stuck with a pile of medical bills for accidents they didn’t cause, which is why finding car accident lawyers is so important.

After an Accident Occurs

In the state of California, drivers must follow a strict set of guidelines after an accident occurs. For accidents that cause injures, death or property damage totaling more than $750, someone involved in that accident must contact the California Highway Patrol or local police department within the next 24 hours. Drivers must also complete the SR 1 form, which is an official Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California. This form will go on record and give the lawyer more to work with in the future.

Car Insurance Laws

California requires that all drivers carry three different types of auto insurance. You must have at least $5,000 worth of coverage towards property damage, $15,000 in personal injury protection for accidents involving one other person and $30,000 in personal injury protection per accident. Though some people might suggest that you contact the driver’s insurance company after an accident, you never know when your bills might be higher than the maximum amount offered by that person’s insurance. When your bills are higher than the total amount offered, you need to opt for a personal injury lawsuit.

Assisting Victims

Ontario car accident lawyers can help in both court cases and settlements. Only a lawyer can judge the fairness of a settlement and only after reviewing all the facts in the case. If the case involves a courtroom or a trial, the lawyer will argue on behalf of the client, pointing out the issues that the client faces and the problems that came about because of the accident. This can help the plaintiff receive a larger amount that the person might receive in a traditional settlement.

Ontario has a population of more than 160,000 people, and many of those people will find themselves involved in a car accident at some point in the near future. When you, a loved one or a close friend becomes a victim of an accident, you deserve the chance to get back on your feet again. Whether you opt for a lawsuit or a settlement between you and an insurer, you want Ontario car accident lawyers working for you.