Northlake, Sacramento, CA Personal Injury Lawyers

When you suffer a costly injury, it is only natural to seek help from a personal injury attorney who will advocate for your rights with everything they have. Attorney Edward A. Smith and the team at AutoAccident.com are Northern California personal injury lawyers who proudly serve Northlake and all of Sacramento County. We strive to help you understand the claim process so you can make an informed decision, empowering you to make the best decision regarding your case and our representation. 

What Types of Cases Do Personal Injury Lawyers Handle?

Personal injury law encompasses all of the legal practices that help you protect your rights and cover your losses when you suffer injury or property damage in an accident caused by another party’s negligence. While these practices can apply to a wide range of accident types, an experienced personal injury lawyer needs to understand how to approach each case differently based on its unique factors.

Attorney Edward A. Smith and his team can handle a wide range of personal injury cases, including but not limited to:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Brain injuries
• Product liability
• Dog bites
• Medical malpractice
• Nursing home abuse
• Premises liability
• Workers’ compensation
• Wrongful death

If you experience any economic or non-economic losses due to circumstances beyond your control, it’s a good idea to consult with an attorney and explore your options for compensation.

Who Will Pay for My Injuries After an Accident?

After a harmful accident, you can pursue compensation from the party responsible for causing the accident. This is true even if an investigation finds you to be partially at fault for the accident as well.

In almost every case, though, the insurance company representing the at-fault party is who will actually pay for your injuries. Filing an accident claim means seeking compensation as part of the at-fault person’s insurance policy. It can be a long and arduous process of interpreting insurance terms, negotiating back and forth and navigating legal complexities until the insurer agrees to offer a satisfactory settlement.

Your medical needs might be urgent after an accident, though, so it is not reasonable to wait for a settlement to get coverage for your treatment. That is why you can turn to your health insurance or personal injury protection to pay your medical bills right away, with the stipulation that you will provide reimbursement when you secure a personal injury settlement.

How Much Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?

It is perfectly reasonable to wonder how much your case might be worth. You might have doubts about whether it is even worth pursuing a claim, but that is why it is so important to speak to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after an accident.

During an initial consultation, your attorney will examine the facts and circumstances surrounding your case and assess your recoverable damages. These are the losses you incurred because of the other party’s negligence, constituting how much your case is worth and how much compensation you can expect to receive. Even a seemingly minor accident can result in significant compensation.

What Damages Are Recoverable in a Personal Injury Case?

Recoverable damages in a personal injury case refer to both economic losses that are easy to quantify and non-economic losses that are more abstract but no less valid. Common recoverable damages after an accident include:

• Medical expenses
• Property damage
• Loss of income or earning ability
• Physical pain or disability
• Mental trauma or anguish

It is in your best interest to pursue all avenues of damage recovery and seek expert testimony so you can secure the full amount you deserve.

How Do I Prove Liability in an Accident Claim?

The burden of proof is on the claimant in an accident case. You must demonstrate that the other party breached their duty of care toward you and that this negligence was the direct cause of your accident and the damages you suffered.

Accomplishing this starts with documenting the accident as much as possible. If possible, take photographs of the accident scene and your damages or injuries immediately afterward. Seek medical attention and keep thorough records of your treatment as a way to validate your injuries. These types of evidence demonstrate the extent of your damages and help illustrate the link between your losses and the other party’s liability.

What Is California’s Comparative Negligence Rule?

California follows a principle of pure comparative negligence in personal injury cases, which means that each involved party can only recover damages proportionate to their degree of fault. For example, if a police investigation finds you to be 20% at fault for the accident, the maximum compensation you can receive will be 80% of your damages. 

Under this rule, it is not enough to simply prove that the other person was mostly at fault. In order to secure complete coverage for your losses, it is important to prove the other party’s complete liability and your own lack of liability.

In a comparative negligence system, you need as much undeniable evidence as possible. This includes police reports, expert analysis, security camera footage and witness testimony. However, it is only reasonably possible to pursue some of these methods using the resources and connections that only an experienced personal injury attorney has at their disposal.

How Long Does It Take To Get a Settlement?

Getting a personal injury settlement can take at least a few months, even if your injuries are minor and even if your case never goes to court. Complex cases can take multiple years if there are extensive treatments to consider, negotiation difficulties or other complicating factors.

It can be tempting to accept the insurance company’s first offer, especially if it seems sufficient, but this is often a costly mistake. Insurance companies are in the business of protecting their bottom lines, so quickly extending a lowball settlement and rushing a claimant to accept it is a common tactic.

Once you accept an insurance settlement, pursuing further compensation for that same accident is no longer possible. Be sure to carefully consider all of your current and future expenses related to the accident and double-check that the settlement offered to you actually covers everything.

Why Should I Not File a Claim on My Own?

Even when it seems like an insurance claim will be a minor or straightforward affair, there are notable risks if you choose to file without the help of an attorney. This entails entering negotiations with an insurance company that intimately understands all the applicable policies and laws, as well as their loopholes.

Without experienced legal representation to level the playing field, insurance adjusters will be confident that they can take advantage of you. Having a lawyer on your side ensures you have an ally who will support you every step of the way while you focus on physical and mental recovery. 

Contact Our Northlake, Sacramento, CA Personal Injury Lawyers Today

After the shock of experiencing a sudden accident, figuring out what to do next and who to turn to is often the most difficult step. On behalf of AutoAccident.com, attorney Edward A. Smith and associates are proud to offer their services with no fees until you collect a settlement. Contact us today for a free consultation.