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Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer If I Can’t Support My Family Because of Lost Time at Work After a California Car Accident?

Every day, serious car accidents occur across the country, and California is no exception. According to data from the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Record System (SWITRS), there were 159,623 car accidents statewide in 2022 alone. Being in a car accident can be traumatic and costly, resulting in severe injuries, potential loss of work, and mounting medical bills and expenses. All of these factors may combine to leave you in a position where you can no longer support your loved ones.

When you suffer a major injury in such a car accident, you shouldn’t have to face the process of seeking compensation alone. The good news is that if you want to hold the responsible parties accountable, Maison Law and our team of experienced California personal injury lawyers can support you.

Contact Maison Law After a California Car Accident

If you have been in a car accident, reach out to our team Maison Law. With years of experience and knowledge, our lawyers have helped numerous clients that were injured in California car accidents. We are here to help you through this difficult time. Contact us today for a free consultation.

An Overview of Car Accidents in California

With car accidents being so frequent in California, it increases the chances of you or your loved ones being involved in one. However, every car accident is unique, both in terms of the causes and the injuries that can result. In an area as crowded as California, there are a number of different causes of car accidents, such as:

  • Speeding – Exceeding the speed limit reduces reaction time and control over the vehicle, leading to more severe accidents.
  • Distracted driving – Activities like texting, phone calls, or adjusting the radio while driving can distract drivers and increase the risk of accidents.
  • Impaired driving – Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol slows reaction times and results in more errors on the road.
  • Poor road design – Roads with inadequate maintenance, lighting, or signage can lead to more accidents and make them more severe.

Car accidents lead to various injuries, and the impact can last for years. Victims often need advanced or expensive treatments for injuries like:

  • Whiplash – Whiplash is a neck injury caused by a sudden back-and-forth movement of the head, commonly occurring in car accidents. It can lead to neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and sometimes long-term discomfort.
  • Head, neck, and shoulder injuries – Car accidents can result in severe head, neck, and shoulder injuries, ranging from concussions to dislocations or fractures. These injuries may have lasting effects on a person’s mobility and overall well-being.
  • Lacerations – Lacerations are deep cuts or gashes caused by sharp objects during a car accident. They can be painful, require stitches, and may leave scars.
  • Fractures and broken bones -The impact of a car accident can lead to fractures or broken bones in various parts of the body, such as arms, legs, ribs, and hips. Healing from these injuries may require surgeries and prolonged rehabilitation.
  • Back strains – The force from a car accident can strain the muscles and ligaments in the back, causing pain and discomfort. Back strains can affect daily activities and may require physical therapy for recovery.
  • Psychological injuries – These injuries resulting from car accidents can be just as significant as physical injuries, although they are less visible. Also known as emotional or psychological trauma, they can have long-lasting effects on your mental health and well-being.

Such severe injuries might prevent you from returning to work, which can hurt your ability to provide for your family. This is where having a skilled team of personal injury lawyers can help you by helping you through the confusion and financial burden caused by the injury.

Challenges That Come From California Car Accidents

While injuries and other damage are probably the most pressing challenge that results from a car accident in California, there are a number of other long-lasting challenges you could face. One of the most urgent of these is having to take time off work to take care of your injuries. With medical treatment, therapy, and other things you’ll have to do, you simply won’t be able to be as productive at work. This, in turn, may cause you to see your hours cut or maybe even lose your job.

With this loss of income, it’s extremely important that you take every opportunity you can to get compensation for your injuries. In order to do that, you’ll have to keep a few things in mind:

  • Comparative negligence – Part of California law as it relates to car accidents involves “comparative negligence.” This means that any fault you contribute to the accident will reduce any recovery you may get by the same percentage.
  • Statute of limitations – In California, there is a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, starting from the date of the injury. This means you have a specific legal time frame to file a lawsuit for your injuries. If you miss this deadline, you won’t be able to sue the other driver (through their insurance company) for damages.

Considering that you’ll likely need financial compensation to fully recover from the accident, it’s crucial to act promptly. That’s why you should contact our team right away so we can put together a game plan for you.

Should You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer After a California Car Accident?

When you have to miss work, as well as deal with your injuries, and spend time getting your vehicle fixed, having to go through the legal process can quickly become overwhelming. That’s where our firm can be a huge relief to you, helping to ease the legal burden on you and letting you focus on your health and the well-being of your family. Our exceptional legal services and client care ensure you’re supported every step of the way. Here are some ways we assist with car accident cases:

  • Investigate the cause of the accident – We identify common causes like speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, and drowsy driving.
  • Gather essential evidence – We collect photos of the accident scene, injuries, and property damage, along with your relevant medical records, bills, and receipts.
  • Interview witnesses and experts – We talk to witnesses and may involve medical experts or reconstructionists to support your case.
  • Communicating with insurance companies and lawyers – We manage communications with the defendant’s insurance company and lawyers to safeguard you from tactics that could weaken your case.
  • Fight for a fair settlement or financial award – Whether through negotiations or in court, our skilled lawyers work to achieve the best possible outcomes for you.

Damages Available in a California Car Accident Claim

Once you decide you want to pursue a car accident claim, our team can really go to work for you. On top of all the legal services we provide, we make sure to accurately tally up and compile your expenses so that you can be fully and fairly compensated by the person or party responsible for causing your car accident.

One major aspect of these “damages”, especially if your injury has caused you to miss work, is known as lost wages and loss of earning capacity. These categories of damages aim to make you whole for any income you lose as a result of the accident, and can even be extended to income you would have earned had the accident never happened.

Not only can you recover lost wages in a California car accident claim, but with our help you can also recover the following damages:

  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Mental suffering, like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • All accident-related medical expenses, including hospital bills, medications, surgeries, and assistive devices
  • Caregiving and transportation services
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Physical therapy and mental health treatment
  • Property damage

Our California personal injury lawyers can assist you in identifying your specific damages and the most suitable approach to recover them. Then, we’ll be with you throughout the entire process to make sure you get the benefits and support you deserve.

Let Our Experienced California Personal Injury Lawyers Help You

At Maison Law, we understand the challenges and frustrations that come with getting hurt in a car accident. If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, it can disrupt your life. During such difficult times, our team of committed and experienced California personal injury lawyers will stand by your side.

We can help you in holding the responsible parties accountable for your injuries, ensuring you receive the compensation necessary for your recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation to begin the process.