Frequently Asked Questions About Motor Vehicle Accidents

If you have been involved in an auto accident, a California lawyer can help you. Attorney Azhar Asadi of Asadi Law can answer any questions you may have about your auto accident. Here is what you should know:

What should I do immediately after a motor vehicle accident?

There are several things you should do after an auto accident, starting with calling the police. The police should arrive at the scene of the accident to collect information. A police report should detail information about the parties involved in the accident – including when, where and how the accident happened.

You should also seek medical assistance, even if you’re not sure if you’re injured. A medical report can help you keep track of the injuries you suffered from the accident. Most importantly of all, you should seek legal representation – before you talk to the other party’s insurance company. An attorney can help you explore your legal options and protect your interests.

How long do I have to file a claim?

To file an auto accident lawsuit in California, you generally have two years from the date of the accident – but you should not wait that long to open a claim or begin negotiations with the insurer. If you delay pursuing a claim, you may miss your opportunity to recover from your losses.

How do I know if I have a valid claim?

Any time you have injuries and property losses from a car accident that was caused by another party’s negligence. Negligence includes anything from distracted driving or impaired driving to speeding and violating traffic safety laws.

What types of compensation might I be entitled to after a car accident?

It depends on the situation, but car accident victims are usually entitled to both economic and noneconomic damages for their losses. Your economic losses are those that are easily quantified such as medical bills, the damage to your vehicle and lost wages. Your noneconomic damages are usually related to the pain and suffering you endure as a result of your injuries and any emotional distress. Generally speaking, the more significant your injuries, the more compensation you may be due.

Should I talk to the insurance company after a car accident?

Ideally, you should let your attorney do all your talking for you – because insurance company adjusters can too easily twist someone’s words to imply responsibility where there is none. If you must speak to an insurer (even your own) before you have attorney representation, stick to the facts. Do not admit fault or speculate about what happened. Do not give a recorded statement and do not sign anything. Be particularly wary if you are offered a quick settlement since that usually means the insurance company wants you to accept less than you deserve.

What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?

If the other driver doesn’t have insurance, you may be able to obtain compensation through your own uninsured/underinsured (UM or UIM) motorist coverage on your policy. If you do not, you might need to sue the other driver personally, but that can be complicated if they do not have many assets.

How is fault determined in a car accident?

Fault is based on a driver’s negligence or the failure to take reasonable care and behave as responsible drivers should. Negligence is usually determined by looking at police reports, witness statements, dashcam evidence and photos of the accident scene. In some cases, both drivers may share fault, which can affect how much compensation you can ultimately receive.

What if I am partially at fault for the car accident?

California follows a pure comparative negligence system. This system helps ensure that fault is divided fairly and that injured parties are still able to recover damages if they are partially at fault. With a pure comparative negligence system, the plaintiff of a car accident claim could still recover damages if they are 99% at fault in an accident.

However, the amount of damages the plaintiff can recover will be reduced by the amount of fault. For example, if the plaintiff is 20% at fault for an accident, then their recoverable damages are reduced by 20%, making the defendant responsible for paying 80% of the total damages. An attorney at Asadi Law can help plaintiffs better understand how this could apply to their situation.

How long will it take to settle my car accident claim?

Every car accident case is unique. As a result, several factors can affect the length of your case, such as the number of parties involved and whether parties are willing to agree to a settlement. A settlement can be agreed upon outside of court, which can speed up the amount of time to settle a case. However, a car could take over a year to settle if the other parties are not willing to agree to a settlement. Our attorneys can help negotiate a settlement on your behalf and settle your case within months.

What should I bring to my first meeting with a personal injury attorney?

When talking to our attorneys at Asadi Law, there are several documents that you should bring to your free appointment so that we can review your case. The documents you should bring include your medical records after your accident, bills for medical care and property damage, police report, insurance information, income statements, pictures and any additional documentation of your accident and financial losses. We may have you collect additional information about your case. We can review this information and start working on helping you recover from your losses.

How can an attorney help me after a car accident?

If you are in a car accident, you should consider reaching out to a personal injury attorney. Our attorneys at Asadi Law can help you recover financial losses through compassionate support and steadfast focus. Our attorneys have over two decades of litigation experience, with years of time in the courtroom and an in-depth understanding of personal injury laws.

We do not just help you begin your case, we stand by you throughout the entirety of your car accident case to help ensure you recover maximum compensation. This means representing you when negotiating a settlement, collecting evidence and providing support through a difficult, emotionally stressful time of your life.

Do Not Delay: Talk To An Attorney Today

Attorney Azhar Asadi offers free consultations to victims of auto accidents. He can help you explore your legal options risk-free. Your personal injury case is on a contingency fee basis, which means attorney Asadi only gets paid if he wins your case. You can schedule your free appointment by calling 855-732-3032 or filling out our online form.