Facing the aftermath of a car accident alone can be difficult. Having an experienced car accident lawyer by your side to offer you consistently strong advice, provide you with a solid plan, and make sure you receive an appropriate settlement can be critical in such a situation. It’s important to have somebody focusing on your case while you concentrate on recovering from your injuries. Knowing what to do after a car accident in Santa Ana can be a good way to start.
Car Accidents in Santa Ana
Deciding to pursue legal action against the party that caused your accident is a big decision to make. If you decide not to hire a lawyer and instead seek legal action on your own, there is no guarantee that you will succeed with your case. When you hire a Santa Ana car accident lawyer, you are hiring someone with focused knowledge and experience, which they can use to achieve victory in your case. The trauma you suffer in an accident can be tough to overcome alone.
Santa Ana is one of the most populous cities in Orange County, which makes it one of the most populous cities in California. Several major highways run through Santa Ana, and its proximity to the greater Los Angeles area makes it a prime area for tourists and other out-of-town visitors. When you combine frequent tourism with major highway traffic, you get a higher possibility of major car accidents occurring.
California’s OTS crash rankings report 1,675 fatal and injury-causing car accidents in Santa Ana in 2021. These numbers are a good example of what can happen when you don’t stay focused on the road ahead of you and fall victim to other, less safe drivers, among other causes of car accidents in the city.
When you decide to pursue an accident claim against the driver who caused your accident, it is vital to your case that you adhere to California’s prescripción for personal injury claims. These include car accident claims. The state gives you two years from the date of your accident to pursue a damage claim for compensation.
Qué hacer después de un accidente de coche en Santa Ana
The actions you take in the immediate aftermath of a car accident are going to strongly influence the outcome of your accident claim as well as the police report. You want to make the right decisions in the moment that will preserve and even enhance your case later. Being able to make informed decisions during a time of crisis can really make a significant difference when the time comes to file. Here are some important things you can do to protect your claim:
- Keep Yourself Together: Trying to remain calm in the face of a chaotic situation is no easy task. It may even seem impossible at the time. Still, you should try your hardest to keep yourself together and maintain a clear head as you attempt to navigate this situation. Take a few deep breaths, calm yourself down, and think things through.
- Do Not Flee: Whatever you do, never attempt to flee the scene of an accident. You could end up being charged with a serious crime and might even face a criminal conviction. When you are in an accident, turn off your vehicle and wait for the authorities to arrive.
- Llama a las autoridades: Depending on how bad the accident is, you may be legally required to notify the authorities as quickly as you can. Regardless, you should always call the police after an accident and make sure you get the EMTs to come out as well.
- Compruebe si hay lesiones: Be sure to check yourself for any injuries you may have sustained during the accident, and do the same for any passengers. Look for bloody spots, bruising, sprains, broken bones, and any protrusions. If you are feeling pain but don’t appear to have an injury, make sure you tell the EMTs when they arrive.
- Póngase en contacto con un abogado: When you are ready to make a claim against the party responsible for causing your accident, you should reach out to a car accident lawyer to manage the process.
Preguntas frecuentes
What Happens If You Don’t Have Enough Insurance to Cover an Accident in California?
If you don’t have enough insurance to cover an accident in California, then you will be personally responsible for covering the remaining balance that extends beyond the limits of your insurance policy. If you are found to be liable for the accident, you will be responsible for covering the injured party’s damages, even if your insurance doesn’t cover all of it.
Will My Insurance Go Up If Someone Hits Me in California?
No, your insurance rates should not go up if somebody hits you in California. Generally, the party that is found to be at fault will have their insurance rates go up, not you. The only way your rates would also go up is if you were also found to be at least partially at fault for the accident.
Who Pays for a Car Accident If You Don’t Have Insurance in California?
If you cause a car accident and don’t have any car insurance, then you are personally responsible for reimbursing the injured party for their damages. You may even have to deal with additional legal trouble for not having any car insurance. In California, the at-fault driver is always responsible for reimbursing the other driver.
Do I Have to Pay My Health Insurance Back After a Car Accident in California?
Generally, you do have to pay your health insurance back after a car accident in California. If you receive a settlement from a car accident claim, then a portion of that will be used to reimburse your health insurance for any medical expenses you had to pay due to the accident.
Contact a Lawyer Soon
At Easton & Easton, we can determine the ideal way to succeed in your car accident case. Póngase en contacto con nosotros to see a team member today.
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