In the event that you or a loved one has been impacted by a wrong-way car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, it is crucial to seek dedicated legal assistance. At Maison Law, our team of experienced Merced car accident lawyers is here to provide support. We are committed to fighting for your rights and pursuing the compensation and assistance you rightfully deserve.
With a proven track record of success in handling cases against responsible drivers and insurance companies, we offer strong representation and guidance throughout the legal process. If you’d like to learn more about your legal options, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for a free, no-obligation consultation.
What Do You Need to Do After a Wrong-Way Car Accident in Merced?
Any number of outcomes can happen in a wrong-way car accident in Merced, but most of the time they result in serious collisions–usually head-on in nature–with serious injuries and other damage you have to deal with. While these accidents are somewhat unique in terms of their severity, a wrong-way accident is ultimately like any other car accident in terms of what you have to do in the aftermath to protect your health and legal options:
- Get to safety and seek medical care – Right after the accident, make your safety the top priority and seek immediate medical care. Even if you don’t initially feel injured due to the rush of adrenaline, seeking medical treatment is crucial. Insurance companies might use your refusal to seek medical care as grounds to challenge the extent of your injuries.
- Contact the authorities – Depending on where the accident occurred, you might need to contact the police or emergency services. In Merced and throughout California, it’s a legal requirement to report the accident to the authorities. The police will compile an accident report containing basic information and insurance details of the other driver.
- Collect evidence and information – Once safety is ensured, the authorities are contacted, and medical care is received, start gathering as much information as possible about the accident. Take photos and videos of the damage to your vehicle and any other property, as well as any injuries you sustained. Make sure to obtain the name and contact details of the other driver. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, you can ask the police or authorities to assist in obtaining this information.
By following these steps, you enhance your chances of preserving your claim and making it more challenging for the at-fault party–specifically, their insurance company–to dispute the value of your settlement offer later on. The insurance investigation will focus on collecting:
- Medical bills and records
- Accident reports
- Witness statements
- Estimates for damages to your vehicle or personal property
When you choose to work with our team of experienced Merced car accident lawyers, we will assist you in gathering this information. However, it’s also beneficial to keep track of these documents, which will be helpful when you file your claim for damages.
How Can You Recover Damages After a Merced Wrong-Way Accident?
Dealing with any injuries and damages after a wrong-way car accident is a challenging journey. Not only do you have to heal physically and mentally, which is already demanding, but you also need to focus on financial recovery. Unfortunately, the more severe of an injury comes with substantial medical expenses for treatments, surgeries, therapies, and ongoing care. On top of that, you may face the possibility of being unable to work or experiencing a diminished quality of life compared to your pre-accident state.
Typically, there are two avenues for seeking compensation following a Merced car accident: filing an insurance claim and filing a lawsuit. Both avenues offer the opportunity to recover damages from the at-fault party. These damages usually include:
- Medical expenses and bills
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
It’s important to keep in mind that the process of recovering these damages can sometimes be complex and time-consuming. However, by collaborating with our team of experienced Merced car accident lawyers, we can help simplify the process. One of the first things we’ll do is figuring out who is legally responsible for the accident.
Liability in a Merced Wrong-Way Accident
The key to your ability to file a claim for damages involves finding the person or other party that’s legally responsible. This, in legal terms, is called “liability” and hinges on the concept of negligence. Under California law, the party that acted negligently is the one that’s responsible for covering your injuries and damages. In practical terms, this can be any of the following in a wrong way accident:
- At-fault driver -The most common liable party in a car accident is the driver who caused the accident through negligent actions, such as speeding, running a red light, or driving under the influence.
- Owner of the vehicle – If the at-fault driver was operating a vehicle owned by someone else, the owner of the vehicle may also be held liable, particularly if they allowed an incompetent or unfit driver to use their vehicle.
- Employer – If the at-fault driver was driving a vehicle as part of their job, their employer might be held liable for the accident if the driver was acting within the scope of their employment at the time of the accident.
- Government agency – In some cases, poor road conditions, inadequate signage, or other issues related to road maintenance may contribute to an accident. In such cases, the government entity responsible for maintaining the road could be liable.
- Passenger – In some situations, a passenger’s actions, such as distracting the driver, grabbing the steering wheel, or otherwise contributing to the accident, may make the passenger partially liable.
The reason figuring out liability is so important to the overall process is that this is the source of your compensation. Thus, it all comes back to the person or party that’s responsible. The more severe your damages, the more compensation you’ll likely need to recover from an accident. But the other part of the equation is having support throughout the claims process. That’s another area where our experience can help.
Getting Help From Merced Lawyers After a Wrong-Way Accident
Suffering an injury often results in medical expenses and time away from work. While minor injuries like bruises may not significantly disrupt your daily life. When it comes to Merced wrong-way accident claims, they take into account these effects when determining compensation for victims. To seek financial support for your injuries, you’ll need to navigate the claims process. Although it’s not mandatory to have legal representation, having our team can significantly enhance your chances of success.
In general, we can help you in the following ways:
- Gathering and analyzing evidence – This includes collecting and examining essential evidence such as medical records, reports, photographs, and videos.
- Identifying liable parties and filing insurance claims – We work to identify the parties responsible for your injuries and proceed with filing insurance claims against them.
- Negotiating with insurance companies – Our team engages in negotiations with insurance companies to secure a fair settlement on your behalf.
- Pursuing legal action – If the need arises, we can file a civil complaint and represent you in court proceedings.
Again, the legal process can be overwhelming, especially when you’re already dealing with the aftermath of an injury. Our lawyers handle all communication, paperwork, and legal processes on your behalf, relieving the stress and enabling you to focus on your recovery. They work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome for your case, making sure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Experienced Merced Car Accident Lawyers Will Be There For You
If you’ve been injured in a wrong-way accident in Merced, our team at Maison Law understands the urgency of protecting both your health and legal rights. We’ll be there for you when you need it, helping you through the process and getting the support and assistance you need to recover. Contact us today for a free consultation.
