According to California Civil Code (CIV) §1714, the party who causes a car accident because they neglected to exercise ordinary care may be responsible for the cost of treating the injuries their victims sustain.
Depending on the nature of your car accident, the liable party may be:
- A driver who caused your accident by violating a traffic law
- A mechanic who failed to correctly service or maintain a vehicle
- The manufacturer of a defective vehicle or vehicle component
- A municipality who let a dangerous road hazard persist
If you decide to work with a lawyer, they may be able to help you identify the negligent party who may be liable for paying for your medical bills after a car accident.
A lawyer may also help you prove the cause of your accident by establishing the at-fault party’s:
- Breach of ordinary care
- Responsibility for your injuries
- Liability for your injury expenses
After demonstrating negligence, your legal team may be able to help you pursue compensation in a personal injury insurance claim or lawsuit.
Additional Expenses an At-Fault Party May Have to Pay After a Car Accident
The at-fault party in your car accident may be responsible for all of your injury-related expenses. In addition to your medical bills, CIV §1431.2 may entitle you to compensation for these additional recoverable damages:
- Lost income, both current and future
- Vehicle repair
- Vehicle replacement
- Substitute domestic help
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Do not discard any receipts or bills that pertain to your injuries. Your legal team may use them to calculate the total value of your claim before entering settlement talks or going to trial.
You May Not Have to Go to Trial
After filing a claim with the responsible party’s insurance company, your lawyer may negotiate with them for a settlement. The final decision on whether to accept or reject any settlement offer you receive will be yours.
If the responsible party’s insurance company does not make you a fair settlement offer, your lawyer may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit and take your case to trial. This process may allow your lawyer to present the facts of your case to a judge or jury, who would then make a final decision in your case.
Make Sure Time Does Not Work Against You
The injuries you sustain in a car accident may prevent you from taking immediate legal action on your own behalf. If you involve a car accident lawyer in your personal injury claim early, they might be able to ensure your claim is filed on time.
According to California’s Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) §335.1, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in California. Failing to meet your case filing deadline could mean your lawsuit will be dismissed.
With adequate notice, your lawyer can also help you meet the deadlines in your case and retain your right to sue.
Your Lawyer May Request Your Medical Records
Medical records can be significant forms of evidence in a car accident case. They can establish that the car accident caused your injuries and help you prove the value of your damages.
When building your case file, your lawyer may request documentation of your:
- Emergency room care
- Hospital admissions
- Follow-up office visits
- Rehabilitation or therapy
- Medications
- Other accident-related medical expenses
Call Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices for a Free Case Review
If you were injured in a car accident, your injuries might require costly and extensive medical care. While you focus on your recovery, a car accident lawyer from Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices may be able to fight for compensation on your behalf.
Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices coordinates insurance claims and lawsuits on behalf of our clients. When we work together, our firm can manage all communications, deadlines, and paperwork in your case.
For a free consultation on your case with a team member, call Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices today at (866) 559-7223. During this call, we can discuss your car accident, your injuries, and who may be responsible for paying for your medical bills.
Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices takes many cases on a contingency-fee-basis, meaning our clients do not pay us attorney fees unless and until they win their case and recover compensation via a court award or settlement offer.
[INFOGRAPHIC] Who Pays for Medical Bills after a Car Accident?