Any car accident has the potential to completely shatter your life as you know it. These incidents can cause you life-changing injuries that can be difficult to fully heal from. Car accidents can be traumatizing, unpredictable, frightening, and nearly impossible to control. If you ever find yourself dealing with the fallout of a car accident, you may want to take legal action. Knowing what to do after a car accident in San Juan Capistrano can help you do so.
Car Accidents in San Juan Capistrano
Retaining legal counsel for your car accident can be a good way to start your healing process. Holding someone accountable for what happened to you can help you come to terms with everything that’s happened. There’s a chance that the trauma associated with the accident may not heal quickly. By hiring an experienced car accident lawyer, you are giving yourself a chance to seek compensation from the right people.
San Juan Capistrano isn’t as populated as some of California’s bigger cities, but it does have a number of heavily traveled highways running through it. More highways mean more traffic, which raises the potential for car accidents. The city’s tourist scene could also contribute to the potential for accidents, as tourists tend to be unfamiliar with the local roads, resulting in more accidents.
According to statistics provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety, there were 65 injury-causing or fatal car accidents in San Juan Capistrano in 2021. While it’s good to know that the frequency of car accident fatalities tends to be on the low side in SJC, it is still wise to stay mindful of what could happen if someone isn’t paying attention while driving. If you ultimately decide that pursuing legal action against the other driver is the way to go, you should pay attention to the state’s statute of limitations.
In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including car accident claims, is two years. That means you will generally have two years from the date of your injury to pursue your claim. If you are unable to do so before two years have passed, your claim will likely be dismissed outright, with no action taken.
What to Do After a Car Accident in San Juan Capistrano
Always keep in mind that the actions you take after a car accident are going to be reflected in your claim when the time comes to settle everything. You should try your hardest to make sure those actions reflect positively on you when your case is filed. Being able to make informed decisions about your future at the time of the accident can make all the difference. Here are some of the ways you can preserve your claim:
- Be Calm: It may seem impossible at the time, but staying as calm as you can may actually help you with your future claim. A clearer head can make better, stronger decisions. Panicking won’t help you. It might just make things worse. Do whatever you can to keep calm, take some deep breaths, and assess your situation.
- Don’t Flee: Whatever you do, it is imperative that you don’t flee the scene of the accident. The last thing you want is to be charged with a hit-and-run for abandoning the scene of an accident. Stay put, and report the accident to the authorities.
- Check Yourself: Depending on how bad the accident is, you might be in a severe state of shock. If you’re in shock, there’s a chance you won’t feel the injuries you have sustained, if any. You should check yourself for injuries the first chance you get and do the same for any passengers in your vehicle. Look out for wet spots, red areas, bruising, protrusions, and broken bones.
- Call 911: Make sure you call 911 and report the accident as soon as you can. If you’re too injured to do so, have someone else do it. Having law enforcement at the scene to secure everything may even give you some assurance that things are being handled correctly.
- Gather Evidence: Once the police and EMTs have cleared you, you can start documenting the accident scene for your own records and future claims. Be sure to take photos of your injuries, the vehicle damage, and the road conditions. Speak to any witnesses who may be willing to provide a statement.
- See a Car Accident Lawyer in San Juan Capistrano: When you are ready to file your claim, you should reach out to a car accident lawyer who can put everything together and build a strong case.
FAQs
Should I Get a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident in California?
While you are not legally required to get a lawyer for a minor car accident in California, you should still consider speaking to one, just in case. A lawyer can navigate insurance claims, figure out a plan, and avoid speaking to insurance companies. Ultimately, a lawyer is there to represent your legal interests.
What Happens If You Get Insurance After an Accident in California?
If you get car insurance after you have already had an accident in California, then your insurance will not cover your prior accident. Insurance will only cover accidents that you have while you are under that policy. Insurance coverage is not retroactive, so you would essentially be in the same situation you were already in.
Will My Insurance Go Up If Someone Hits Me in California?
Generally, your insurance rates should not go up if somebody hits you in California. The at-fault driver’s insurance rates will most likely go up since they are the ones who caused the accident. If you are found to be partially at fault, your rates might go up a little bit.
How Long Does an Accident Stay on Your Insurance in California?
In California, most car accidents stay on your insurance record for about three years. Overall, the amount of time an accident stays on your record will be determined by the severity of the accident and the details of the incident. A DUI conviction, for example, may stay on your record for 10 years.
Reach Out to Us
At Easton & Easton, we can figure out a plan for your accident claim. Contact us to schedule a consultation with a team member soon.
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