Car accidents happen in Alhambra every year. Some vehicle crashes may be caused by another driver’s wrongdoing and are beyond our control, which makes these accidents challenging and life-altering. When you experience this, you may pursue a case to claim your car accident settlement.
Learn more about the aftermath of vehicle collisions and how to handle these situations.
What is a Car Accident Claim?
A car accident claim arises when a victim suffers injuries or damages from an auto collision caused by another driver’s negligence. When filing for a car accident claim, you may receive compensation to cover the damages expenses of the crash.
However, you must know that you may only file a car accident claim if another driver’s negligence causes the crash. In such cases, you will need evidence to prove their wrongdoings, such as:
- photos or videos of the accident scene,
- contact details and statements of witnesses, and
- police report.
Who Pays for the Damages of a Car Accident?
Typically, the at-fault driver’s insurance provider should cover the damage expenses of the crash. They usually will require you to present evidence when establishing the elements of negligence, namely:
- The driver had the responsibility to ensure everyone’s safety.
- They failed to fulfill this duty.
- The breach caused the accident.
- The crash resulted in injuries and other damages.
However, if you are at fault for the accident, you should cover the expenses of the crash.
On the other hand, you may pursue a claim against your insurance provider under the following circumstances:
- The at-fault driver has no insurance.
- The damages expenses exceed the driver’s insurance coverage. (Read more: Car Accident Insurance 101)
- The at-fault driver flees the scene of the accident.
A personal injury lawyer can investigate your case and determine who can be held liable for your crash. This way, you can establish your car accident claim.
What Happens When Car Accident Claim Exceeds Insurance Limits?
Insurance companies will only cover the damage expenses that fit their client’s policy limit. For example, the at-fault driver has insurance coverage worth $150,000. If your car accident settlement amount is $200,000, the insurance provider will only cover $150,000. What happens to the remaining $50,000?
In some cases, your personal injury lawyer may check the at-fault party’s financial capacity and assets and file a lawsuit to retrieve the remaining car accident settlement amount. If the court finds you qualified for additional costs, you may receive an excessive verdict. That is, the additional costs the at-fault party owes you are beyond their policy limit.
In the same scenario, the remaining $50,000 will be an excessive verdict which the defendant should cover. Sometimes, your attorney can demand more depending on the severity of your case.
Meanwhile, you may collect additional car accident settlements if multiple drivers are liable for the accident. While it is possible to pursue several cases against different at-fault parties, you will need the help of a personal injury lawyer to manage and prove all car accident claims.
What Damages Can I include In My Alhambra Car Accident Settlement?
Dealing with a car accident in Alhambra is not easy. Car crashes may result in different damages, such as:
- Bodily injuries
- Property damages
- Emotional distress
- Lifestyle change
You May Sustain Injuries
You may incur minor to severe injuries from serious vehicle collisions. While most injuries appear right after the accident, you may experience delayed symptoms that complicate your healing process.
Common physical injuries from car accidents may include the following:
- back and spinal cord fractures,
- head injuries,
- neck damages,
- skin lacerations,
- internal bleeding, and others.
If you experience these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. You will likely claim compensation for the medical bills and records when another driver’s negligence causes the car accident.
It is also essential to never miss a doctor’s appointment or health treatment, especially when pursuing a car accident claim. Inconsistencies with your medical records may hinder you from receiving the total restitution value from the vehicle collision.
The Accident May Result In Property Damages
Usually, when another vehicle hits you, the impact causes damage to your car. When this happens, you can ask your insurance company to cover the repair costs or request a legal expert to calculate the damages and claim compensation from the other driver’s insurance provider. The latter option will help you refrain from shouldering expenses.
You must document the property damage after the accident if you want to pursue a claim against the at-fault party. Remember these when taking photos at the accident scene:
| Taking photos at the accident scene | |
| Close-up photos |
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| Photo from a distance |
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Following the steps will help your Alhambra car accident lawyer understand what happened in the crash and determine the severity of the incident.
You Experience Emotional Distress Due To The Car Crash
Aside from physical injuries, a vehicle collision can also induce emotional distress. In some unfortunate cases, it can escalate to trauma or other psychological effects, and you will need an expert to help you heal.
The psychological effects of a car crash include the following:
- posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD),
- anxiety,
- depression, and
- phobias.
If you experience emotional distress due to a car accident, you may include these psychological effects in the total damages when calculating the compensation. However, it may be challenging to prove these in car accident claims. You will need an accident lawyer to help you examine and calculate these effects.
You Incur Permanent Disability from the Collision
In the worst-case scenario, a vehicle collision results in long-term or permanent disability. A permanent disability may impede and affect your daily routine, hobby, or work since you can no longer move as you used to. When this happens, you will need the following:
- consistent therapy and rehabilitation
- health maintenance
- constant medical check-ups and doctor’s appointments
These medical requirements will cost you extensively. While it may not bring your everyday life back, claiming compensation for these medical demands will at least help you heal and maintain good health.
What To Do When Involved In An Alhambra Car Accident
In case you are involved in a car accident in Alhambra, you may do the following to help you respond accordingly after the crash:
- Check if you have injuries;
- Call 911 immediately or contact a hospital in Alhambra near you;
- If you can, move to a safe location near the accident scene;
- Exchange information with the other driver if possible;
- Gather the necessary evidence, such as photos or videos of the car crash;
- File an initial accident report; and
- Reach out to an Alhambra car accident attorney.
Who Can Help Me Win My Alhambra Car Collision Claim?
Dealing with a car accident is not easy. You must prove the driver’s negligence and consider all damages when claiming compensation for a car crash.
For instance, you suffer significant injuries from a car accident in Alhambra. The crash was due to multiple parties’ negligence. How will you handle all car accident claims against the several at-fault drivers if you need to focus on your recovery?
A personal injury lawyer can sort all your cases by gathering evidence and calculating the maximum compensation you deserve. An Alhambra car accident lawyer can also do the following to win your case successfully:
- prove liability;
- gather evidence to support your claim;
- examine all possible effects of the car crash;
- calculate the total damages;
- pursue a case within the given timeline;
- negotiate a fair settlement; and
- defend your claim.
Jacoby and Meyers have a group of experienced car accident attorneys in Alhambra who can help you build and win a claim. We understand that the effects of car accidents are challenging, and we want to help you defend your rights as crash victims.
Give us a call today at 800-992-2222 for a free consultation. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to help you.
Call or text 888-522-6291 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
