Maison Law can help you through the claims process when you get hurt in a car accident in Manhattan Beach. Riding down the PCH or taking your kids to school on Sepulveda Boulevard shouldn’t result in you all facing injuries and other challenges, but it’s something that could happen easily. Our team will be there to help you through it all. Set up a free consultation today.
When a Lawyer Makes Sense After a Car Accident
Car accidents happen every day around Manhattan Beach. Still, not every accident means you need a lawyer. If it’s a relatively minor fender-bender with no injuries and minimal damage, you can probably work things out through insurance.
But accidents have a way of becoming more complicated after the adrenaline wears off. You might realize your injuries are more serious than they first seemed, start missing work because of doctor appointments, or find out your car needs major repairs or is totaled. That’s usually when it starts to make sense to talk with a lawyer. When you do, our team can help by:
- Explaining your rights and options
- Investigating how the accident really happened
- Finding everyone involved who might be responsible
- Getting your medical records, police reports, witness statements, and other evidence
- Making a calculation about what your claim could actually be worth
- Handling negotiations with the insurance company
- Filing a lawsuit if a fair settlement can’t be reached
You’re already dealing with enough after an accident. You shouldn’t have to try to also take on the insurance company too. Our team can handle that side of things while you focus on getting better.
How Much Information Should I Gather After My Accident?
Most people have never been through a serious car accident before, so it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed. The first priority is always your safety. The first couple things you should do are:
- Call 911. Police and emergency medical personnel can respond to the scene.
- Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver. If they don’t stick around, tell the 911 dispatcher or police when they get there.
From there, it’s about just getting a few pieces of basic information (to the extent you’re able):
- Photos and videos of the vehicles, road conditions, traffic signals, skid marks, weather, visible injuries, and anything else that helps show what happened.
- Names and contact information for anyone who saw the accident.
Remember, you should only try to get pictures of the damage and road if it’s safe and you’re able to. If paramedics say you need to go to the hospital, listen to them or let them transport you. That largely takes care of the accident scene, but there’s other things you need to keep track of in the days/weeks after the accident:
- Medical records that document your injuries and treatment.
- The police accident report.
- Repair estimates, towing invoices, rental car receipts, and other out-of-pocket expenses.
- A journal describing your pain levels, doctor’s appointments, missed work, limitations, and daily struggles during recovery.
Don’t worry if you don’t have everything. Most people don’t. We can take the lead on getting records, tracking down police reports, and gathering additional evidence. That will only make your position stronger as you get better, but it’s also about understanding the specifics.
What Types of Car Accidents Happen in Manhattan Beach?
Even though Manhattan Beach isn’t one of Los Angeles County’s largest cities, it’s still an incredibly busy place. There’s everyday traffic, but there’s also plenty of people driving to the beach, riding bikes, and people moving around the city on foot. All that adds up to different opportunities for different types of accidents like:
- Rear-end collisions
- Head-on collisions
- T-bone or sideswipe accidents, especially at busy intersections
- Multi-car accidents
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Accidents with Uber or Lyft drivers
- Parking lot accidents
- Accidents involving cyclists or pedestrians
No matter how your accident happened, the next few weeks usually look the same. You’re dealing with doctor appointments, vehicle repairs, missed work, phone calls from the insurance company, and a lot of uncertainty about what comes next. The claims process can’t undo the accident, but it can help you recover financially while you focus on getting your life back on track.
How You Can Get Financial Help After a Car Accident
One of the surprising things about the many different car accidents that happen in Manhatan Beach is that the actual claims process—the way you get financial help—almost always works the same way. You figure out who’s responsible, and then either go through their insurance or go to court. That’s a brief overview, and there’s plenty of steps in between, but here’s how both usually work:
- Filing an insurance claim. Most cases start here. You file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, which investigates the accident and eventually makes a settlement offer. The problem is that early offers don’t always reflect the full cost of your injuries, especially if you’re still receiving treatment. Once you accept a settlement, your claim is usually over.
- Filing a lawsuit. If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, filing a lawsuit may be the next step. While litigation typically takes longer, it also gives you additional legal options and allows a judge or jury to decide your case if necessary.
Whether your claim stays with insurance or ends up in court, you’re going after financial help for your “damages.” Usually, that includes costs relating to your:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical treatment
- Lost income
- Loss of future earnings or income
- Repair costs or replacement costs for your car
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages if you lost a family member
In California, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file your claim, and while that might seem like plenty of time, it’s really not when you consider that memories fade, injuries heal, cars get fixed, and the scene gets cleaned up. Plus, the sooner you decide to take action, the easier it can be to answer important questions about responsibility.
Who Pays for My Damages After a Car Accident?
Every car accident is different, but the biggest question is usually the same: who’s responsible for paying for everything you’ve lost? The answer usually comes down to negligence. In other words, did someone:
- Fail to use reasonable care and cause the accident?
That takes in a lot of ground, and it comes down to the invidialu circumstances of your accident. But the idea is the same, and throughout the many car accidents that happen, legal responsibility typically falls on:
- Another driver. This is the most common situation. Speeding, distracted driving, failing to yield, running red lights, following too closely, or unsafe lane changes often lead to collisions.
- The city or state government. Dangerous road conditions, traffic signals not working right, missing signs, or poorly maintained streets can sometimes bring in the city or state government since they’re responsible for those things.
- A business or property owner. Accidents in parking lots, private driveways or roads, shopping centers, or other properties around the city could bring in the owner or management of a business.
- A vehicle manufacturer. Defective brakes, airbags, tires, steering systems, or other mechanical failures can sometimes cause the accident. It’s hard to know this right away, but as more information comes in, it could become more clear.
California also follows comparative negligence, which means you can still file a claim even if you’re partially responsible for the accident. The tradeoff with comparative negligence is that your eventual damages are going to be reduced by the same percentage of fault you’re deemed to have in what happened.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to report every car accident?
Certain accidents above a certain threshold of damage are legally required to be reported to police in California. But in general, it’s a good idea to always call 911 and report the accident so you can get help quicker.
How long will my claim take?
Every car accident claim is different. Some claims settle within a few months, while others take longer if liability is disputed or the injuries are severe. Generally, more complex cases require more time.
Should I accept the insurance company’s first offer?
Usually, it’s worth reviewing any settlement carefully before accepting it. Once you agree to a settlement, you generally can’t go back for more if your injuries turn out to be more serious than you originally realized.
Talk With Our Manhattan Beach Car Accident Lawyers During a Free Consultation
A car accident is among the most common types of accidents that leave people injured throughout Manhattan Beach. Yet, when one happens to you or someone you care about, it’s much more personal. You’re suddenly left dealing with all sorts of different challenges, but you don’t have to go through it alone.
At Maison Law, our Manhattan Beach car accident lawyers will be there to guide you through everything. Set up a free consultation and let us talk you through your options.
