Maison Law helps victims who have been injured in car accidents on Cabrillo Highway in San Luis Obispo. In an instant, a motor vehicle accident can change your life, resulting in permanent injuries and devastating financial pressure. But you don’t have to go through this alone. At Maison Law, we want to protect our community by standing up for victims of car accidents in San Luis Obispo.
Contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help?
If you’ve driven along Cabrillo Highway or HWY 101, you know how dangerous those roads can be. Unfortunately, as the population grows in San Luis Obispo, so does the number of car accidents each year.
For those who have never been in an accident before, it can be an overwhelming experience. And it will only get more complicated if you try to handle the insurance companies without an experienced attorney. Here’s what an attorney can do for you after you’ve been injured in an accident:
- Hire an investigator to examine the accident, find witnesses, and collect evidence to support your case
- Deal with the insurance company on your behalf to prevent them from giving you unfair compensation
- Find other sources to cover your losses
- Help you make informed decisions on when and how to settle your claim
How Much Can I Get from a Car Accident Lawsuit?
A car accident attorney can help you understand what you’re settlement amount will be. However, as with many other personal injury cases, there are many different elements that factor into determining an exact settlement amount. Here is a list of elements to consider when determining the total value of a car accident settlement:
- Severity of injuries: These can be broken down into 3 tiers, with Tier 3 being the most severe.
- Tier 1: Minor, non-surgical injuries such as strains, sprains, and contusions.
- Tier 2: Deep lacerations, broken or fractured bones that require surgical intervention
- Tier 3: Traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries, resulting in temporary or permanent function loss
- Insurance coverage: the extent of the at-fault party’s insurance policy
- Lost income: Total amount of lost wages, which were a direct result of the injuries sustained from the accident.
- Medical Expenses: Medical expenses incurred from your injuries and any future medical treatments you may expect to have.
- Pain and Suffering: Emotional stress, trauma, and anxiety caused by how much your life has changed since the accident.
What if Someone Else is Driving My Car and Gets into an Accident?
Say your friend borrows your car to grab some coffee downtown at Coastal Peaks Coffee and gets into an accident. You didn’t cause the accident, but your car is involved in a fender-bender. What do you? These two factors will determine whether or not you’re liable for your friend’s accident:
- The terms of your auto insurance policy
- If you gave your friend permission to use your car
Luckily, most car insurance policies insure the car and extend to the person driving it. However, not all policies are the same, so it is important to know what type of coverage you have if this happens. If your friend did not have your permission to take your car and got into a wreck, then you’ll probably want to consider speaking with an attorney, especially if your policy does not cover drivers other than yourself.
FAQs
Q: Can I get car insurance on a vehicle not in my name in California?
A: No, you must have a financial stake in the car you are insuring.
Q: Can I put a friend on my car insurance?
A: Yes, some insurances even require you to have another person on your car insurance.
Q: Does adding someone to my car insurance make it cheaper?
A: It depends. If the person you are adding has a bad driving record, then your rate will go up. If they have a great driving record, then it could decrease your premium.
Q: Can I let anyone drive my car?
A: Yes, as long as you gave them permission and you’re aware of your insurance policy, it should not be a problem.
Contact an Accident Attorney in San Luis Obispo
If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Maison Law. Unfortunately, there are accidents on San Luis Obispo’s highways every day. These collisions can result in life-altering injuries that prevent you from going to work, performing daily tasks, or spending time with family. At Maison Law, you don’t pay legal fees until we’ve secured a fair settlement on your behalf.
Contact us today for a free consultation and case evaluation to see what options are available to you.
