Car accidents and crashes are not rare in California, and a considerable number of these cases are reported in Los Angeles. The immediate aftermath of an accident can be more frightening than the accident itself. You have a lot to manage, and it makes sense to talk to an experienced car accident lawyer in Los Angeles to know the worth of your claim. For your help, here is an overview of the state laws and relevant aspects.
The comparative fault system in California
What happens when two drivers are partly at fault for the car crash? California is a pure comparative negligence state. It has claimant-friendly rules. If you were at fault for the accident, you could file a civil lawsuit against the other driver at fault, even when they are less responsible than you. However, your fault will play a key role in determining the final settlement. Let’s say that you were 60% at fault and were given $1,00,000 for your lawsuit. In this case, you can only recover $40,000 as the final settlement. Remember that the other party can also file a lawsuit against you in such circumstances.
You are racing against time
The statute of limitations sets the deadline for car accident and personal injury lawsuits. In California, you have two years to file a civil lawsuit against the at-fault party, and the deadline starts from the date of the accident. If you want to sue for vehicle or property damage alone, you have a deadline of three years. As you file an insurance claim and negotiate a settlement, the clock for the deadline continues to run. Please remember that the statute of limitations doesn’t apply to insurance claims. Note that the deadline is considerably shorter if your claim is against a government employee or agency.
It doesn’t take a fortune to hire a lawyer
All PI and car accident lawyers in LA charge a contingency fee. A contingency fee is only payable when you win a settlement. If you lose the case, your lawyer doesn’t get their due fee, although you have to typically bear the other expenses related to court cases and investigations. The attorneys’ fee is a part of the recovery, usually varying from 25% to 40%.
Get a lawyer to evaluate your accident claim, and it doesn’t have to cost a penny. Don’t delay taking the basic steps after the accident and file your claim at the earliest.
Angela Spearman is a journalist at EzineMark who enjoys writing about the latest trending technology and business news.