Healdsburg Car Accident Attorney
Healdsburg Car Accident Lawyer at Your Service
If you call the city of Healdsburg, CA, home, you likely love and appreciate its vast and beautiful countryside. Lake Sonoma and the Russian River are surrounded by green valleys and redwood forests sporting some of the tallest redwood trees in the state. This makes it a wondrous place for hikers, bikers, and anyone who loves the great outdoors. Couple this with Healdsburg’s famous high-end shops, galleries, restaurants, and wineries, and is it any wonder that so many people find this a great place to live and visit.
But even amidst this beautiful natural landscape, tragedy can still strike unexpectedly when two or more cars collide on our roadways. So, if you have been involved in a car collision where someone else was at least partly at fault, you will likely need the services of an experienced Healdsburg car accident lawyer at Henderson Law to help you put the pieces of your life back together. Contact us today!
Legal Steps to Take After a Car Accident
After a car accident, there are a few basic steps you should follow. These include making sure everyone’s okay, getting to a safe spot, and calling 911. But there’s more to it than that – you must also think about the legal side.
Avoid Admitting Fault
It’s important to not say anything that could make it seem like the accident was your fault. Even if you feel bad or want to apologize, it’s crucial to refrain from admitting fault or making statements that could be interpreted as an admission of responsibility. Instead, stick to factual information when speaking with other parties and authorities.
For example, rather than saying you’re sorry, you could simply ask if everyone is okay. Then exchange necessary information like insurance details and contact information. Remember, anything you say could be used against you later. So, while it might feel uncomfortable, it’s best to keep your statements neutral and factual to protect your rights.
Gather Evidence
If you can do it safely, it’s important to gather proof of what happened. This means taking lots of photos from different angles to show where the cars were, any damage, what the road looks like, and if there are any signs or signals. Also, if there are people who saw what happened, try to get their contact info. Their stories could help you out later.
Insurance Companies Are Not Your Friend
With the proliferation of ads touting insurance companies as “your good neighbor” and friend, it is easy to see where people get the idea that they can handle their accident cases themselves. After all, the insurance company claims to have your back, right? So many people talk to the insurance adjusters themselves and think all will be fine. But you must remember one thing: insurance adjusters are working for the insurance company, and that is who they are loyal to. Their bosses want them to pay as little in claims as possible so that the company makes greater and greater profits. That means only one thing. Without a professional at your side, the insurance adjusters will do everything in their power to pay you as little as possible and close your case in the fastest amount of time possible. And once you accept their low-ball offer and cash the check, you can never go back for more – even if your injuries last decades.
Do not let them do this to you. Call Henderson Law, and let an experienced Healdsburg car accident attorney level the playing field and get you the money that you need to compensate you for your losses.
What Losses Can I Recover?
When you’ve been in an accident, it is very important to see a doctor as soon as possible – even if you haven’t been hospitalized. This is not only because you need to learn the true extent of your injuries (as some injuries cannot be felt right away), but because you don’t want to make injuries worse by not seeking help. And as far as your case goes, seeing a doctor is the only way to document the true extent of harm inflicted by the car crash.
But obviously, medical care costs money. Losing time from work is also common with car accidents, and many people face losing their source of income at the exact time when they need it most. So how do you make ends meet while recovering? Let’s explore the losses (called damages) that you could be compensated for.
Types of Damages in Car Accident Cases
There are essentially two types of damages that you can be compensated for after a car wreck.
These include tangible and intangible losses.
Tangible Damages
Tangible damages are damages that can easily be measured. They are actual, monetary expenses that you’ve incurred as a result of the negligence of another person and can be assessed easily by adding up bills, receipts, and the like. Here are some examples of tangible losses:
- Medical Bills – includes hospital stays, ambulance fees, medical testing, treatments, surgeries, and more.
- Lost Income – any days, weeks, or months lost from work can be calculated and compensated for.
- Property Loss – if your car was damaged or totaled in an accident, you can recover the value of the vehicle.
Intangible Losses
These are losses that are not as easily measured as their tangible counterparts but are still recoverable in a personal injury case.
- Future Medical Expenses
- Future Lost Income or Loss of Earning Capacity
- Pain and Suffering
- Emotional Distress
- Loss of Consortium
- And more
It can be tricky to put a value on future medical expenses because, by their very nature, they are somewhat speculative. But your doctor and lawyer can work together to come up with an accurate picture of your future expenses. Because you cannot go back for more money after the settlement is over, you need the help of professionals to properly assess what your future expenses may be.
If your injuries are such that you can no longer perform your job, then any loss of future earning potential or expenses associated with new job training needs to be considered, assessed, and compensated for before your case is over.
What Is the Maximum Compensation I Can Receive?
In California, there isn’t a specific maximum compensation set by law for personal injury cases. Instead, the amount of compensation depends on the extent of expenses you incurred, the severity of your injuries, and the impact on your life. Because these factors vary from case to case, the range of compensation can also vary greatly.
Statute of Limitations
In California, there is a statute of limitations that sets the time limit within which you must file a lawsuit after being in a crash. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in California is two years. Make sure to take prompt action if you intend to pursue legal action because hesitating for too long can forever bar you from seeking compensation.
Consequences for Being At Fault
If you, as the plaintiff, are partially at fault for the accident, it can have significant legal and financial consequences. California follows a pure comparative negligence system. Therefore, if you are found to be partially at fault—even up to 99% at fault—you can still get compensation. However, your compensation is reduced by your percentage at fault.
So, suppose the court finds you to be 30% at fault, and you have $10,000 in damages. You could receive 70% of your losses or $7,000 in compensation. If you are 90% at fault, you could receive $1,000.
Get the Legal Guidance You Need
After a car accident, you already have so much to deal with. This may include doctors’ visits, car repairs, and the emotional toll of the accident itself. If you also try to deal with the legal process without help, it can leave you feeling like you have too much on your plate. An experienced car accident lawyer can help to lift the burden. They can help you understand your rights, deal with insurance companies, navigate the legal process, and maximize your compensation. Don’t face the legal process alone. Get the help you need from a seasoned attorney.
Speak With a Trusted Healdsburg Car Accident Lawyer Today
The Healdsburg car accident lawyers at Henderson Law have the experience and expertise to properly evaluate all of your damages and to fight for every cent that your case is worth. What’s even better is that you don’t have to pay us unless we succeed in winning your case. So call today for your free consultation or contact us online. We have 20 years of experience in handling injury cases such as car accidents, motorbike accidents, and bicycle accidents. We look forward to serving you.