Below are questions people often ask us after sustaining injuries in a California car accident. These answers are for informational purposes only. SOMETIMES, EXCEPTIONS APPLY. RELY ON YOUR OWN ATTORNEY TO DETERMINE WHETHER AN EXCEPTION APPLIES TO YOUR CASE.
Only by consulting an experienced attorney can you be sure your rights are fully protected.
How do I know if I should contact a car accident lawyer after a crash?
If someone caused a crash that injured you or killed someone in your family, you should consult with an experienced auto accident attorney. Getting legal representation can help you seek compensation for medical expenses and other bills (and/or funeral expenses if your loved one died) from the person responsible. CaseyGerry has two full-time investigators who get to work right away pursuing the details of their clients’ cases.
Of course, proper medical attention is the #1 priority after sustaining injuries. Once you have received all necessary immediate care, contact a law firm with extensive California accident law experience. The sooner you act, the better. The firm’s accident investigators will be able to preserve more evidence to show what happened and who is at fault. In addition, California and various applicable federal statutes limit the time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. Delaying action could forever bar you from seeking compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. The sooner you contact a knowledgeable attorney, the better your chances of protecting your rights.
Your attorney will also handle the insurance company, which will be calling after your crash. Insurance adjusters aim to minimize payouts, so they will look for information to reduce the amount paid to satisfy your claim. Your lawyer will speak to the insurance company to avoid any misunderstanding being used against you.
My injuries are minor. Do I really need to see a physician anyway?
It’s important to seek medical attention after any vehicle crash. Certain injuries may not show symptoms for a few hours or even days. They could then be debilitating, and treatment might be more complex at that point. Further, having a physician’s medical records immediately after the crash can help explain your injuries, should you decide to file a lawsuit.
If I file a car crash lawsuit, who might be a defendant?
The unique facts of your car accident injury case will dictate who the defendants might be. Depending on how and why your injuries happened, you may be able to hold the following parties (and/or others) responsible:
- The other driver whose negligent act caused your injuries
- The owner of the car
- A government agency that maintained the road if poor maintenance contributed to the crash (Note: Governmental entities are given extra protection in California. You must file a claim within six months of the crash, or the judge may deny it.)
- The manufacturer of a car part if a defect led to the crash
The car accident legal team at CaseyGerry has two full-time investigators on staff. They can find out why our client’s crash happened and who is at fault. You can reach our firm by calling 619-238-1811.
