It can be difficult and painful to have to deal with the fallout of a car accident on your own. An experienced car accident lawyer can provide you with skilled advocacy, consistently strong legal advice, and assistance with meeting filing deadlines, among many other helpful tasks. Having someone by your side who understands what’s at stake in your case can make all the difference. Before that, though, it is important to know what to do after a car accident in Corona.
Car Accidents in Corona
There are few situations in your life that can be as traumatic and life-altering as a bad car accident. Even a minor fender bender has the potential to cause you significant trauma, depending on how the accident unfolds. Car accidents can be a momentary annoyance or completely impact your future. It all depends on the details of the accident, such as who was driving, how the accident occurred, and how your insurance assists you afterward.
Corona is not one of the most populous cities in California, though it does have several significant freeways running through it. Accidents tend to be considerably worse on freeways, as there is often a higher volume of vehicles and a correspondingly higher chance of an accident. If you were to suffer a car accident in Corona, you’d likely be taken to Corona Regional Medical Center by the city’s fire department, which assists greatly with emergency services.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety’s 2021 statistics, there were 571 car accident injuries and/or fatalities in Corona that year, which is fairly significant. These accidents may be attributed to speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, or even fatigued driving, all of which are frequent causes of car accidents throughout California.
If you decide to move forward with pursuing legal action against the responsible party, it is vital to the survival of your case that you pay attention to California’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims, such as car accident cases, which is two years. You will generally have two years from the day of your accident to:
- Start developing your claim.
- Formulate a strong enough case.
- Gather the right kind of evidence.
- Consult a knowledgeable attorney.
- File a claim for damages.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Corona
The steps that you take in the immediate aftermath of a car accident are going to define your case going forward. When the time comes to file your claim, the evidence you have gathered at the scene will have a strong part in the settlement process. Being able to make informed decisions at the right moment can make a serious difference. Here are some important measures you can take to protect your case:
- Stay Calm: It is vital to your future claim that you stay calm at the scene, even though you have just been through a traumatic event. It can be tough to override your own instincts, which may be to panic. Panicking won’t help your situation. In fact, it might just make things worse for you. Gather yourself, take some deep breaths, and get yourself under control.
- Don’t Flee the Scene: It is very important that you don’t try to flee the scene of the accident. If an accident results in serious injury, significant property damage, or someone’s death, you are legally obligated to remain at the crash site and report the accident to the authorities. Failure to do so could result in severe legal penalties.
- Check for Injuries: Depending on the seriousness of the accident, you could be dealing with shock. If you’re in shock, you might not immediately feel your injuries. Check your body for any obvious injuries, and do the same for any passengers. Look for protrusions, bruising, sprains, broken bones, and wet areas. Tell the EMTs if you are still in pain but can’t find any injuries. It might be internal.
- Call 911: As soon as you can, you need to call 911 and report the accident. You are going to want police officers to secure the scene and EMTs to check people for injuries.
- Document the Crash Site: Once police have cleared the scene, you can start documenting the accident site for your own records. Be sure to take plenty of photos of your injuries, the vehicle damage, and the road conditions. Exchange insurance information with the other driver, and gather any witness statements that you can.
- See a Lawyer: When you are ready to file your claim, you should reach out to an experienced Corona car accident lawyer who can advise you on your next steps.
FAQs
What Are the Follow-Up Steps You Should Take After a Collision?
There are many follow-up steps you can take after being involved in a vehicle collision. First, you should keep yourself calm and check everyone in the car for injuries, including yourself. Call 911 if you are not too injured. If you are, make sure someone else calls 911 to get emergency personnel to the crash site.
What Is the First Thing You Should Do in a Car Accident?
The first thing you should do when you are involved in a car accident is stop your vehicle immediately. Even if your car is in the middle of the road, once you have been in an accident, you should stop your car. You might be too shaken to drive, and the last thing you want to do is risk making things worse.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Car Accident Claim in California?
It takes as long as needed to settle your car accident claim. Every car accident case is going to be different and involve different factors. It is these factors that will determine how long it takes to finalize your settlement, such as your injuries, the insurance company’s stance, and your lawyer’s experience in handling cases like yours.
What Is My Car Accident Case Worth?
It can be difficult to determine the overall worth of your car accident case without first knowing the circumstances of the accident. The value of your case will be determined by how much you have already had to spend on the fallout, such as medical expenses, property damages, loss of income, pain and suffering, inconvenience, and emotional distress.
Reach Out Soon
At Easton & Easton, we can develop a strong car accident claim and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us to schedule a consultation today.
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