After getting injured in a serious car accident, you will likely face significant financial costs. Because of this, recovering money from the liable party can be critical for your financial health. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about getting the money you need on your own. An experienced Fresno car accident attorney can help ensure you recover fair compensation.
At Omega Law Group, we have helped countless accident victims recover the money they need after a collision. Our experienced team has secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Contact us today through our website or by phone to schedule a free case review with one of our Fresno personal injury lawyers.
An Experienced Car Accident Attorney Serving Fresno Can Help You Prove Fault
When looking to secure damages after a car accident, the first thing you must do is determine who is liable for your losses. You won’t be able to file a claim until you know who is at fault. In car accident cases, there are often several parties that can potentially be liable for your losses. An experienced attorney will conduct an investigation to figure out who is to blame.
Some of the parties most commonly at fault in car accident cases include:
- The driver of another vehicle involved in the crash
- A repair company that performed maintenance on one of the vehicles
- The manufacturer of one of the vehicles
- A third-party driver whose actions caused the collision
- The government body responsible for maintaining the roads where the accident occurred
These are far from the only parties that can be at fault for a car accident. Once your attorney has determined who is liable for your damages, they will proceed to ensure that all the necessary paperwork is completed and filed well in advance of the deadline set forth in the California personal injury statute of limitations.
An Initial Settlement Offer
You will likely receive an initial settlement offer shortly after your accident. It’s essential to understand that even if the number sounds good, it is likely only a fraction of the true value of your compensatory damages. Should you accept the deal, you will be unable to claim further compensation when you learn how much your losses are really worth.
When considering a settlement offer, you should always have an experienced attorney review it. Your lawyer will be able to compare your losses against the amount being offered to determine whether or not the deal is fair. They will explain all the factors that must be considered so you can make a decision based on all the available information.
While your case is likely to end with a settlement agreement, it is still crucial that you are prepared to go to court. Sometimes, settlement negotiations fall through, and a trial becomes necessary. Furthermore, showing the opposing party that you are not afraid to go to trial will give you leverage during settlement negotiations.
Don’t Let Your Guard Down When Dealing With an Insurance Company Following a Car Accident
After suffering injuries in a car accident, you will likely need to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider. While the insurance adjuster will likely be friendly and claim to be on your side, they are really aiming to get you to let your guard down. The more you trust them, the easier it is for them to take advantage of you and deny or devalue your claim.
Insurers are experienced in toeing the line of what is legally allowed to prevent having to pay out the full value of claims. They will employ a wide range of tricks in their attempt to avoid paying you the money you deserve. The best approach you can take to protect yourself is by declining to speak to any insurance representatives until you have hired an attorney.
Once you have a lawyer, the insurance company will be blocked from contacting you directly. By making them communicate through your attorney, you will eliminate their ability to use their normal tricks. If an insurer crosses the line in attempting to avoid paying out your claim, you may be eligible to file a bad faith insurance claim lawsuit against them.
Pure Comparative Negligence in California
After suffering damages in a car accident, your ability to collect compensation is decided based on California’s pure comparative negligence rule. With this rule, as long as you were not solely responsible for causing an accident, any party that suffered damages has the right to pursue compensation.
However, the amount of money available will be directly affected by the level of fault you hold. For example, if you are determined to have been 10% to blame for your accident, you won’t be able to collect more than 90% of the full value of your claim.
That means that if your losses are valued at $100,000, the maximum compensation you can recover will be $90,000.
Get Help from an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Fresno Today
The best way to increase your chances of getting the money you need following a car accident is by hiring an experienced lawyer. At Omega Law Group, we put our clients first. Always. Our dedicated team of Fresno car accident lawyers will do everything they can to ensure you recover the money you need and deserve.
Contact us today by completing our online contact form or giving us a call and setting up your free case evaluation with a member of our legal staff. During this initial consultation, we will review the details of your case, answer your questions, and advise you of your legal options.