Maison Law can represent you in a car accident claim in Bakersfield. Whether you have a full driver’s license or just a learner’s permit, the law in California protects you. To learn more about your legal options, contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Filing a Car Accident Claim in Bakersfield
Trying to learn to drive in a city like Bakersfield is hard enough on its own, but when you add in the possibility of a car accident, it makes it even more challenging. However, the law in California allows any injury victim to file a lawsuit or claim if they’ve been hurt because of someone else’s negligence. This includes a car accident involving someone with just a learner’s permit.
Do You Need a Lawyer?
While having the option to file a claim is certainly there, another big question you probably have is whether or not you need a lawyer. Given the high frequency of accidents in the area, you or a loved one might end up in such a situation. While you’re not obligated to have a lawyer, dealing with the responsible party and their insurance company on your own could reduce your chances of getting the financial support you need to fully recover from your injuries.
Here’s how we can help:
- We’ll collect and review important evidence, like medical records and accident reports.
- We’ll negotiate with the insurance company of the at-fault party to get a fair settlement.
- We’ll file a complaint against the responsible parties and represent you in court if necessary.
- If the insurance company or responsible party refuses to settle, we’ll take the case to trial.
With our extensive experience in handling car accident claims, we’re here to assist drivers, passengers, pedestrians, or anyone else injured in the accident. We’ll carefully gather evidence, work with expert witnesses, and build a strong case for you.
What Can You Recover in a Claim?
When you file a car accident claim, the goal is to recover certain “damages” from the accident itself. In real terms, this is simply your financial losses and other impacts that the ancient and your injuries have had on you. In a typical claim, you can potentially get back the following:
- Medical bills
- Fixing or replacing your car
- Income or other earnings you lost out on because of your injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress damages
- Missing out on things you enjoy or time with loved ones
- Expenses if someone died because of the accident.
Claims Process To Get Damages
Every car accident case follows a similar path if you decide to take legal action after getting hurt. There are mainly two ways to get these damages: dealing with insurance or going to court.
Insurance claim
When you’re hurt in a car accident, insurance usually comes into play. Basically, once you file your claim against the at-fault driver or other party, you’ll tell them what happened, and the insurance company figures out how much they want to offer you in a settlement.
Advantages and disadvantages of an insurance claim
Like any process, there’s advantages and disadvantages for an insurance claim:
- It’s usually faster and costs less than going to court.
- You don’t have to deal with as much paperwork or stress.
- You have a better idea of how much money you might get because you talk directly to the insurance company.
Disadvantages include:
- It can take a long time, and you might struggle with finances as the process draws out.
- The settlement they offer might not cover all your expenses.
- The insurance company has the final say on how much you get.
If you want to keep going, we can help you through the court process.
Going to court
If you file a lawsuit, you’re taking your case to court, which takes more time and effort. But you might get more money in the end.
We’ll handle things like:
- Filing paperwork with the court.
- Managing legal responsibilities like motions.
- Getting and giving evidence.
- Helping you prepare for court hearings.
- Talking to important people involved in the case.
- Getting expert opinions.
- Negotiating with the other side.
Going to court doesn’t guarantee you’ll win, and it can take a while, sometimes months or years. But it’s an important option to get the support you need under California law.
Contact Maison Law For a Free Consultation
When you’ve been injured in a car accident, no matter what the circumstances are, our team at Maison Law can help you. We’ll explain the legal options and process, and give you a clear idea of what your best path forward is. To get started, contact us today for a free consultation.
