Nobody expects to be involved in a car accident. They can be minor inconveniences that might ruin your day or they can be catastrophic events that permanently change your life. Every case is different. How each of us react to trauma depends on the situation that we find ourselves dealing with. You may want to make a car accident claim and talk to a Los Angeles auto accident lawyer, in which case you may want to know what to do after a car accident settlement in Los Angeles.
The Car Accident Settlement Process in Los Angeles, CA
Once an accident has occurred and you wish to make a car accident claim, the process has begun. In order for your claim to be successful, you will have to make sure you complete a number of steps. The more complete your claim is, the higher the chance that it will be decided in your favor. Being thorough can only help you.
- Seek Medical Help: Immediately following the accident, you should go see a medical professional. If you have serious injuries, see them to get treated. If you don’t have serious injuries, see them anyway. They may find injuries you did not know you had, and you need to document your medical treatment anyway.
- Talk to a Lawyer: Once you have taken care of yourself medically, you can begin searching for a car accident or personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles, who can help you build your case. You will want someone tenacious, determined, empathetic, and experienced.
- Investigate: Now that you have an attorney on your side, they will begin investigating the accident and gathering evidence. This includes obtaining police reports, talking to witnesses, collecting any surveillance videos, and compiling legal research that will back up your claim in court if it comes to that.
- The Demand Letter: Once you and your attorney have put together your case, your lawyer will draft a demand letter to send to the other party’s insurance company. The letter will explain the accident, your claim, and your demands in terms of compensation. This will begin the negotiation process between your attorney and the insurance company.
- Negotiations: Now that all parties are aware of what you are seeking, the negotiations have begun. Sometimes, negotiations will be successful, and the insurance company will arrive at a compensation figure you find appropriate and acceptable. If that doesn’t happen, the claim will go to trial.
- Lawsuit: If negotiations fail, your lawyer will likely advise you to file a lawsuit. The timeline begins once your lawyer has filed, and they will have 30 to 60 days to serve the at-fault driver. The driver will then have 30 days to answer.
- The Discovery Process: Once a suit is filed, the case enters into the discovery phase, in which both sides try to uncover as much information about the other side as they can find. This includes evidence, witnesses, medical statements, and more. This can be a lengthy process.
- Mediation: A judge encourages both sides to reach an agreement before the trial begins, and they may oversee additional negotiations through mediation. A neutral third party will review the evidence and try to help both parties reach an agreement.
- The Trial: If mediation ultimately fails, the claim will go to trial. Both sides will argue their evidence and claim the other side to be at fault for the accident. A judge or jury will decide who gets compensated based on the evidence provided by both parties.
FAQs
Q: How Much Will I Get from a Car Accident Settlement in California?
A: How much you will get from a car accident settlement in California depends on the facts of your case. The average car accident settlement amount in California is typically around $30,000, but the amount awarded can vary widely. Several factors have to be considered, such as the severity of your injuries and the willingness of the insurance company to make a fair offer. Every case is different, and it is hard to tell how much you will receive before your claim has begun.
Q: How Much Can You Get for Pain and Suffering from a Car Accident Claim in Los Angeles, CA?
A: How much you can get for pain and suffering from a car accident claim in Los Angeles, California is determined by a judge and/or jury and depends on the severity of your injuries and the strength of your claim. To calculate the amount you will get, the court may take your economic damages and multiply that number between 1 and 5, depending on your degree of pain, to determine pain and suffering.
Q: What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident Back and Neck Injury in Los Angeles?
A: The average back and neck injury settlement in a car accident in Los Angeles ranges from anywhere between $10,000 and $100,000 and depends entirely on the specifics of your case and how serious your injury is. A genuine back and neck injury can be difficult to prove due to the initial shock from the accident masking the injury until much later, and certain soft tissue damage may not show up on an X-ray.
Q: What Do I Do After a Car Accident in Los Angeles?
A: What you should do if you are involved in a car accident in Los Angeles, is initially try not to panic. Check yourself for injuries and if there are any serious ones, call an ambulance. If you are able, move your vehicle to the shoulder. Once you have notified the police about the accident, exchange insurance information with the other party, call your own insurance and let them know, then hire a lawyer for the next steps.
Find the Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer You Need
Facing the aftermath of a car accident can be frightening and confusing. Thankfully, you do not have to be alone during this trying time. At Easton & Easton, we are determined to help you navigate the legal system and arrive at a settlement that you will find fair. Contact us as soon as you can to schedule a consultation.
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