After suffering damages in a serious car accident, the resulting financial costs can be significant. Covering these expenses on your own can be challenging. Fortunately, an experienced Long Beach car accident attorney can help you hold the liable party accountable and recover the compensation you need and deserve.
At Omega Law Group, we have a long history of securing favorable compensation for our clients. Our team of experienced Long Beach personal injury lawyers will exhaust every option to ensure you get the money you need. Reach out to us by phone or through our website to set up your free case evaluation with someone from our legal staff.
An Experienced Car Accident Attorney in Long Beach Can Help You Determine Liability
When attempting to recover compensation following a car accident, the first step is proving fault. You can’t recover compensation until you know who is responsible for your losses. After a car accident, there are usually a variety of potentially liable parties. An experienced lawyer will investigate your case to determine who is to blame.
Some of the most commonly liable parties in car accident cases include:
- The driver of another involved vehicle
- The manufacturer of one of the involved vehicles
- A third-party driver whose actions led to the collision
- A repair company that worked on one of the involved vehicles
- The government agency in charge of maintaining the roads where the accident occurred
These are simply some of the more commonly at-fault parties. There are also a variety of other parties that could potentially hold a level of liability in your case. After your attorney has identified the at-fault party in your case, they will fill out and file all the required paperwork for a personal injury lawsuit before the California personal injury statute of limitations deadline.
Use Caution When Dealing With an Insurer After a Car Accident
Following a serious car accident, you will likely need to file an insurance claim with the at-fault party’s insurer. While the insurance representatives you deal with will likely act as though they are looking out for your best interests, the truth is that they are simply looking to get you to let down your guard so they can take advantage of you.
If an insurer is able to gain your trust, they may attempt to manipulate you out of the money you deserve. Insurance adjusters have a variety of tricks they use to deny or devalue valid claims. The best method for protecting yourself against their tactics is to refuse to engage with them until you have hired a lawyer.
Once you have legal representation, the insurer will no longer be able to contact you directly. Forcing the insurer to work through your attorney will prevent them from using their usual tricks. If an insurance provider gets carried away attempting to prevent you from recovering the money you are owed, you may be able to file a bad faith insurance claim lawsuit against them.
Taking a Settlement Offer
Shortly after your accident, you will likely receive an initial settlement offer. It’s critical that you understand that the amount being offered likely only accounts for a small fraction of your compensatory damages. If you accept the settlement deal, you will be barred from pursuing further compensation once you know the full extent of the damages you incurred.
It is always going to be in your best interest to run any settlement offer you receive by an experienced car accident lawyer serving Long Beach before taking a deal. Your attorney can compare your losses against the money being offered to determine if the deal is fair. They will ensure you fully understand all aspects of the situation so you can make an informed decision.
Despite the fact that your case will likely be concluded with a settlement deal, you still must prepare as though a trial is certain. There is always the possibility that you will be unable to reach an agreement, making a trial necessary. In addition, being ready and willing to go to court can give you leverage during settlement negotiations.
California’s Pure Comparative Negligence Model
Following a car accident, California employs a pure comparative negligence model for determining the ability of accident victims to recover compensation. With pure comparative negligence, any party that suffers damages can pursue money as long as they were not solely responsible for causing the accident.
While you may still qualify for compensation if you shared in the blame for the accident, the amount of money you can collect will be reduced in direct proportion to your level of fault. For instance, if you are ruled to have been 20% liable, you will only be eligible to pursue 80% of the value of your claim.
That means that if your losses are equal to $100,000, the maximum compensation available would be $80,000. Omega Law Group can help you determine your potential liability in a free consultation.
Secure the Services of an Experienced Car Accident Attorney Serving Long Beach Today
The best move you can make after suffering damages in a car accident is to secure the services of an experienced attorney. At Omega Law Group, our team of Long Beach car accident lawyers will take every step necessary to get you the money you deserve. We put our clients first. Always.
Contact us today by filling out the contact form on this website or giving us a call to schedule your free consultation with a member of our legal staff. During your initial consultation, we will review the details of your case, answer all your questions, and inform you of your legal options.