Car Accident Lawyers in California

Many people assume that they can handle the aftermath of a car accident on their own. They believe their insurance will automatically cover their medical expenses and pay for car repairs. 

While insurance should cover most of your costs, providers are often unwilling to offer fair settlements for the injuries you suffer. Instead, they provide a minimum amount to cover your expenses, hoping you’ll accept it and move on. 

Insurance providers want to protect their profits, and offering a large settlement every time a driver suffers an injury doesn’t help their bottom line. 

Car accident lawyers in California know the ins and outs of the tricks insurance providers use to convince victims to accept small settlements. When a victim hires an attorney, the insurance provider is more likely to step up and offer a fair settlement.

A car accident attorney will:

• Review the circumstances of your case, including the police report
• Obtain video of the accident if any cameras recorded the collision
• Speak with medical experts concerning your injuries
• Talk with witnesses who saw the crash
• Establish who was at fault for the accident
• Determine the value of your financial losses
• Negotiate with insurance providers on your behalf
• Take the case to court if the defendant won’t offer a fair settlement
• Handle all procedural court matters

Your lawyer will make sure that the defendant doesn’t get away without paying a fair price for the losses they caused you.

At Morgan and Morgan, we believe results speak louder than words. We’ve recovered over $25 billion in damages for our clients through court verdicts and settlements. Some of our most successful car accident claims include:

• A $47.5 million court verdict 
• $16.4 million for a woman who suffered back injuries 
• $7.8 million in a trial verdict; the defendant offered a $100,000 settlement
• $4 million for a car accident involving back and shoulder injuries

We’ve handled thousands of car accident cases nationwide. Some settle for fair amounts, while others require a trial to obtain appropriate damages. 

Unlike other personal injury law firms, Morgan & Morgan won’t accept an unfair settlement. Instead, we’ll gladly take your case to court to get fair compensation for your losses.

Some of the most common reasons for car accidents include:

• Speeding
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Fatigue
• Reckless driving
• Failure to yield
• Distracted driving
• Violation of traffic laws
• Poor weather
• Defective auto parts
• Running red lights or stop signs

Most accidents are preventable if drivers obey the rules of the road, avoid drinking and driving, and pay attention to their surroundings. Unfortunately, many individuals act irresponsibly and take unnecessary actions that result in collisions.

If you’re involved in a collision, you’ll want to follow several steps to fulfill your legal responsibilities and protect your rights.

Check Everyone for Injuries

If you haven’t sustained serious injuries, check your passengers and the other vehicle's occupants for wounds. If anyone needs immediate medical attention, call 911 for an ambulance. You should also notify the operator of the accident so they can send police to the scene.

While waiting for medical assistance, use basic first aid to care for injury victims, if possible. Try to stop severe bleeding while keeping the individual comfortable. If an individual appears to have broken bones or complains of back pain, do not move them. Moving a person with back injuries may worsen the situation.

Document the Scene of the Accident

Use your phone to photograph and video the scene of the accident, including damaged vehicles and passenger injuries. If any road hazards resulted in the crash, like an oil spill or pothole, make sure to document that too. 

Pictures and videos help prove the circumstances of the crash, especially when the car accident isn’t caught on tape by public safety road cameras.

If there are any witnesses to the crash, ask for their contact information. Their statements may be helpful if you decide to pursue a legal claim.

Exchange Contact and Insurance Information With Other Drivers

If other drivers are involved in the accident, collect their contact and insurance details. You’ll need the information when you file a claim for the collision. Make sure to write it down carefully, or ask if you may take a picture of their insurance card.

Provide your insurance information to the other driver as well.

Get a Copy of the Police Report

When the police arrive, they’ll take charge of the accident scene. You’ll likely need to move your car to the side of the road unless it’s undrivable. The police will arrange for tow truck drivers and clear any debris on the street from the crash. They’ll also document the reason for the accident and may issue tickets to at-fault drivers.

Sometimes, you can obtain a copy of the police report while at the accident. Other locations require you to ask for the report from your local precinct. You’ll want a copy of the police report if you file an accident claim.

Seek Medical Attention

Even if you feel okay following an accident, seeking medical attention is never a bad idea. Many serious injuries take a few days to become apparent following a collision. Seeking medical help can alleviate any fears you have concerning your health. 

Make sure to keep copies of all of your medical records from your visit. If a doctor recommends that you see other physicians for treatment, follow their instructions. 

Get Assistance From Car Accident Lawyers in California

Handling your car accident claim alone isn’t a good idea, especially if you have serious injuries. Frequently, insurance providers will try to minimize your injuries or offer you inadequate settlements that don’t cover the cost of your wounds. 

Even if you’re unsure you want to file a lawsuit, seeking initial legal assistance is free at Morgan and Morgan. We offer our clients free consultations to discuss their circumstances and evaluate their legal options. We’re here to assist you if you decide to pursue a case.

The most common car accident injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Whiplash
• Broken bones
• Sprains and strains
• Lacerations
• Contusions
• Spinal cord injuries. 

In the worst cases, car accidents are fatal to drivers and passengers. Seeking medical treatment is highly recommended following a collision.

California has a pure comparative fault rule that applies in car accident cases. Under pure comparative fault laws, victims can collect damages from other drivers, even if they are 99% responsible for the accident. 

Your percentage of fault reduces your damage award. For instance, consider a female driver with $100,000 in damages who is 25% responsible for the accident. The driver may collect $75,000 in damages. The court will reduce the award by the percentage of her responsibility for the accident.

You may receive compensation for all out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident, including past and future medical expenses, lost wages, repair or replacement of your vehicle, and household costs. In severe accidents, victims can receive compensation for their emotional pain and suffering, disability and disfigurement, or loss of quality of life.

A judge may award punitive damages if your case goes to trial. Punitive damages punish the defendant for extreme negligence and discourage others from behaving similarly.

The value of a case varies depending on factors like injury severity, insurance coverage, and responsibility for the crash. It’s hard to estimate the value of a case without knowing its circumstances. 

Car accident lawyers in California at Morgan & Morgan can review your case to determine how much it may be worth.

Following a car accident, make sure not to do the following:

• Leave the scene before the police arrive
• Neglect to obtain the insurance information of other parties
• Refuse to see a doctor
• Give written or recorded statements to insurance providers
• Discuss the cause of the accident with other drivers
• Fail to obtain legal advice

Instead, follow the proper procedures after an accident, and make sure to seek medical treatment, even if you feel well immediately after the collision.

Sometimes, drivers don’t want to take responsibility for their actions and leave the crash scene prematurely. If this situation happens to you, don’t attempt to follow them. 

Instead, write down their vehicle’s make and model and license plate number. Note the road and direction they take when they leave the accident. 

Immediately call the police, notify them of the accident, and inform them that the other driver has hit and run. The police will actively search for the vehicle on your behalf.

All drivers in California are required to carry automobile insurance. However, some individuals fail to comply with the law and don’t carry insurance. 

You may file a claim with your provider if you have uninsured driver coverage. Your claim will pay for monetary damages, including medical expenses and lost wages.

However, if you don’t have uninsured driver coverage, collecting damages may be more difficult. Contact car accident lawyers in California at Morgan and Morgan for assistance.

As the nation’s largest personal injury firm, Morgan and Morgan has a team of over 1,000 attorneys who assist clients daily with their legal claims. We’ve recovered over $25 billion in damages through settlements and court verdicts. 

We never back down from a legal fight, and we always protect our clients’ rights. Contact us today to schedule your free case review.