Feeling isolated and confused after being involved in a car accident is perfectly natural. After dealing with such a traumatic event, it can be difficult to fully bring yourself back to full strength. An experienced car accident lawyer can figure out what to do next and can provide you with quality legal advice, a solid strategy, and a compassionate approach. Knowing what to do after a car accident in Mission Viejo can also give you an advantage when starting your case.
Car Accidents in Mission Viejo
It can be more than a bit overwhelming to handle legal strife after suffering severe injuries in a car accident. You may just want to focus on your recovery and forget about everything else. That’s where an experienced car accident lawyer in Mission Viejo can really help. They can take charge of your case, allowing you to focus entirely on your recovery. Having someone on your side who can provide peace and confidence is important.
Mission Viejo is a fairly sizable community in California’s Orange County. More than a few major highways run right through the city. More highway traffic means more drivers, which increases the potential for car accidents. In 2021, there were 267 injury and fatal car accidents in Mission Viejo, according to the OTS crash rankings in California. It is always a good idea to stay vigilant and do what you can to prevent further loss of life.
For your own sake, should you wish to move forward with legal action against the party responsible for your accident, you should keep in mind California’s prescripción for personal injury claims, which also applies to car accident claims, as they are a subtype of personal injury cases. The state generally gives you and your attorney two years from the date of your injury to fully prepare your case and file it.
If, for whatever reason, you are not able to file your claim within the two-year window, there is a strong chance that your claim will be tossed out, and you won’t be able to pursue further damage claims for the same accident. Building a strong car accident case can take a lot of time, so you might want to contact a car accident lawyer to start building yours soon.
Qué hacer después de un accidente de coche en Mission Viejo
Never forget that every action you take after an accident is going to be reflected in the police report, which will influence the outcome of your accident claim. With that in mind, you should consider taking a careful approach to everything you do at the scene. Being able to make informed, mindful decisions can really make a significant difference. Here are some ways you can make sure your claim is handled correctly:
- Mantenga la calma: The most important thing you can do in the immediate moments after the accident is keep yourself calm. Holding yourself together is paramount. Letting yourself fall victim to panic can only hurt your case. People tend to make rash decisions when panicked. Calm yourself down, maintain a calm demeanor, and do what you need to do to keep yourself thinking rationally.
- Compruebe si hay lesiones: Depending on how bad the accident was, you might be looking at serious injuries. If you are suffering from shock, you may not even be aware that you have those injuries. Check yourself as soon as you can, and do the same for any passengers you have. Look out for red spots, wet areas, protrusions, broken bones, and any bruising.
- Llama al 911: Make sure you call 911 once you are able. You’re going to want police officers and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) at the scene promptly. Having officials monitoring the crash site can reassure you that the situation is being handled the right way.
- Mueve tu coche: If you are not too injured, you may want to consider moving your car out of the road and onto the shoulder. The last thing you want is to accidentally cause another accident because your car was sitting in the middle of oncoming traffic. If the police clear it, you should move the car. If the car is too damaged to move, just leave it.
- Consulte a un abogado: When you are ready to take legal action against the party liable for your accident, you should seek out a car accident lawyer and get started.
Preguntas frecuentes
What Kind of Damages Can I Recover in My Case?
In a car accident case, there are all kinds of damages you can try to recover in your settlement package. The majority of personal injury victims tend to pursue both economic and non-economic damages. This includes medical expenses, property damages, and lost wages, along with emotional distress and pain and suffering.
What Happens If You Cause an Accident Without Insurance in California?
If you cause a car accident without insurance in California, you are going to be held personally liable for all the damages that you ended up causing the other driver. This means you will likely need to pay for their medical bills, loss of income, property damages, and more, completely out of your own pocket.
Can You File an Insurance Claim Without a Police Report in California?
Yes, you can file an insurance claim without a police report in California. Still, it is recommended that you always have a police report whenever you are involved in an accident. Having a legal record of everything that happened can benefit you tremendously, especially if the accident resulted in serious injuries or property damage.
Should I Accept a Settlement Offer?
That depends. Your ultimate goal in pursuing an accident claim is to be properly compensated by the other party. If the insurance company offers you a settlement you feel is appropriate, you should talk it over with your lawyer. If you want to take it, then take it. Just remember that you never have to accept a settlement offer you feel is too low, insulting, or inappropriate.
Póngase en contacto con nosotros
At Easton & Easton, we can figure out a solid plan for your car accident claim. Póngase en contacto con nosotros today to set up a consultation with our law firm.
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