If you have been injured in a car accident, you want to ensure that you are being treated fairly when it comes to your settlement. The truth is, every California car accident settlement is different from the next depending on the severity of the injuries, how they will affect you in the future, and many other aspects. It is important that your settlement includes all of the damages that you need to get back on your feet after an accident.
At Maison Law, we offer representation to victims of California car accidents who question where they can turn after an accident. Our attorneys handle each claim with understanding and compassion, providing you with useful resources along the way. If you have been hurt in a car accident, you should never have to handle a case entirely on your own. Please contact us today for more information on how we can help you to get started.
Did You Receive Compensation for Your Medical Expenses?
Perhaps one of the most important type of damages in a car accident claim are medical expenses after you have sustained injuries. If you are hoping to receive these damages in your car accident settlement, you should expect that your settlement offer will cover all of your medical bills. However, there are some steps that you need to take to ensure that this happens:
Seeking Immediate Treatment: You should seek medical treatment immediately after you have been hurt in a car accident. If you have been injured but you refuse to seek medical attention, you should not expect medical expenses to be a part of your settlement. If you choose to wait too long to seek treatment, the insurance company may say that your injuries are not as severe as you claim.
Meeting Deadlines: You should make sure that you meet the statute of limitations in your claim or else you could be barred from bringing a claim for damages altogether. In California, the statute of limitations on personal injury claims is two years from the time that you discover your injuries.
Waiting to Settle: Even though it is important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible, you should always wait to settle. The insurance company will try to offer you as little as possible and you want to ensure that all of your bills are covered. This is why you should be confident that no more bills will pop up in the future related to your injuries and only settle when the fairest offer is extended to you.
Were Lost Wages Included in Your Settlement?
With serious car accidents, it is likely that you will miss out on beneficial time at work due to your injuries. As the bills keep piling up, you want to make sure that you are able to cover them – which means including lost wages as part of your settlement damages. To receive a fair settlement offer, your doctor will need to confirm that you are unable to work at this time.
In the most severe cases, you may not be able to return to work for an extended period of time or at all. If your car accident injuries were so severe that you are unable to earn a living, then your settlement number should include these costs. Being unable to return to work in the future can incredibly costly to your life, which is why settlement should always reflect this.
Other Damages Included in a Fair California Settlement Offer
On top of medical expenses and lost wages, there are other types of damages that should be made available to you in your car accident settlement. These include the following:
- Rehabilitation costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damages
It is important to understand all of the damages that you will be facing due to your accident. Being knowledgeable about your recovery means that no damages will be missed along the way.
Settlement Checklist
You and your lawyer will not know that your settlement offer is unfair unless you are aware of all of the details of your case. Here are some aspects to keep in mind after an accident so that you can ensure that your settlement is fair:
- Determine all of the losses you have suffered due to your accident and always have bills on hand so that you can prove these losses.
- Adjust the expectations that you have for your settlement amount based on your percentage of any shared fault in the accident.
- Get familiar with your insurance policy, as well as the insurance of the person who caused your accident.
- Always abide by the statute of limitations and do not miss any filing deadlines.
Contact a California Car Accident Lawyer Today
Making sure that you receive a fair settlement in a California car accident is incredibly important, as you should not have to cover any bills on your own. Insurance companies are known for taking advantage of injured victims when they are most vulnerable. You never want to accept a low settlement offer that does not include all of your damages.
For assistance after a car accident, speaking with a California car accident lawyer at Maison Law is a great first step toward results. We will help you handle the insurance company and provide you with necessary resources during this challenging time in your life. Please do not hesitate to contact us for the help you need, as well as a no-obligation case review to get started.
