San Diego Car Accident Lawyer
Car Accident Attorney in San Diego, California
Car accidents can be overwhelming, leaving victims with physical injuries, emotional stress, and financial burdens. If you’re navigating the aftermath of a car accident, you may be wondering how to recover compensation for your losses. A San Diego car accident lawyer plays a critical role in helping victims understand their rights and pursue fair settlements or court judgments. Their involvement ensures you aren’t left dealing with the consequences alone, especially when insurance companies or negligent parties are reluctant to provide what you deserve.
At Setareh Law, we focus on advocating for car accident victims throughout California. Our mission is to relieve the stress of legal battles so you can focus on recovery. With years of experience handling car accident cases, we know how to protect your interests, navigate complex legal processes, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
What Should I Do After a San Diego Car Accident?
The moments following a car accident can be frightening and confusing. While you may be feeling a lot of stress after the accident, there are several steps that are vital to your safety and to building your car accident injury claim.
Contact Emergency Services
You should always call emergency services following a car accident. Not only is it essential to have an ambulance come and help anyone who may have been injured, but having the police come is also vital to building your claim. The police will file a report that may be helpful to proving the negligence of the other driver as it will provide the officer’s description of events.
Take Photos of the Accident
As soon as it is safe to do so, you should get out of your car and take pictures of the accident. Be sure to get photos of any damage to your vehicle and any visible injuries you have sustained. You may also want to get evidence of skid marks on the road or bent signs. This evidence may help build your personal injury claim.
Get Witness Contact Information
If there were any witnesses to the accident and they approach you, ask if they would mind writing down a brief synopsis of what they saw occur. At the very least, you should ask to get their name and contact information so you may be able to contact them in the future.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you feel okay immediately following the accident, you should still seek medical attention as soon as possible. Sometimes victims of car accidents will be in shock and not feel any pain from injuries until hours or days later. Whether you know you have been injured or not, it cannot hurt to be checked out by a doctor.
Understanding the Legal Process After a Car Accident
The legal process after a car accident involves several key steps. These steps aim to establish liability, calculate damages, and resolve disputes through settlement or trial. A car accident attorney will start by gathering all necessary evidence, including police reports, witness statements, and medical records, to build a strong case. This evidence is crucial to proving who was at fault and demonstrating the extent of your injuries and losses.
Once liability is established, the next step involves calculating damages. These can include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. In some cases, future costs, such as ongoing medical care or loss of earning capacity, may also be factored in. A San Diego car accident lawyer will ensure all applicable damages are included, avoiding the risk of undervaluing your claim.
Most car accident cases are resolved through negotiations with insurance companies. However, insurers often aim to minimize payouts, making it essential to have an advocate who understands their tactics. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your case may proceed to court. A car accident attorney’s litigation experience is invaluable in these situations, ensuring your rights are upheld, and your case is presented effectively.
How Insurance Companies Handle Claims
Insurance companies play a central role in car accident cases, but their goals often conflict with yours. While their primary responsibility is to their policyholders, their business model relies on minimizing claim payouts. After an accident, insurers may try to settle quickly for less than you’re owed, or they might dispute liability altogether.
When you file a claim, the insurance adjuster will investigate the accident. This includes reviewing police reports, interviewing witnesses, and assessing vehicle damage. Adjusters may also review your medical records to evaluate the severity of your injuries. Unfortunately, this process is not always fair. Insurers may question your need for treatment, argue pre-existing conditions caused your injuries, or delay processing your claim.
Having a car accident lawyer to manage these interactions can level the playing field. They can counteract lowball offers, provide evidence to refute unjust denials and negotiate assertively on your behalf. If negotiations fail, a San Diego car accident attorney can escalate the matter to litigation, compelling insurers to fulfill their obligations.
Common San Diego Car Accident Injuries
Victims of car accidents may suffer a range of injuries, from minor to severe. Regardless of how serious your injuries are, you should not have to pay for the cost of healing from that injury if you did not cause the accident. Some common San Diego car accident injuries include:
- Head trauma
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Burns and lacerations
- Internal bleeding
- Broken or fractured bones
- Loss of limbs
- Neck and spine damage
- Paralysis
- Death
No matter what injury you have suffered due to your car accident, you deserve to be compensated for the damages you suffered. Our legal team has the knowledge to help you decipher what damages you may be eligible to collect compensation for.
Damages You May Seek Compensation for after a Car Accident
Following a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence, you may be able to seek compensation for the damages you have suffered as a result. You should not have to pay for an accident that was not your fault. Some damages you may be able to get compensated for are:
- Medical costs and expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
If you are unsure of what you should do to seek compensation for damages, our team of car accident injury attorneys is here to help build your claim.
The Importance of Timing in Filing a Claim
Timing is critical when pursuing compensation for a car accident. California law imposes strict deadlines for filing lawsuits, known as statutes of limitations. For car accident claims involving personal injuries, the deadline is generally two years from the date of the accident. Missing this window can bar you from recovering any compensation, no matter how strong your case is.
Beyond legal deadlines, acting quickly also helps preserve evidence. Physical evidence, such as vehicle damage or skid marks, can degrade or disappear over time. Witnesses’ memories may fade, making it harder to gather accurate accounts. By engaging a car accident lawyer early, you can ensure all necessary steps are taken promptly, preserving your case’s integrity.
In addition to preserving evidence, timely action strengthens your credibility. Delays in seeking medical treatment or reporting injuries can lead insurers to argue your injuries are less severe or unrelated to the accident. Acting promptly counters these arguments, reinforcing the legitimacy of your claim.
Why Choose Setareh Law for Your Car Accident Case?
At Setareh Law, we know how challenging it is to face the aftermath of a car accident. That’s why we dedicate ourselves to helping clients recover physically, emotionally, and financially. Our team has extensive experience handling cases involving complex liability issues and aggressive insurance companies. We prioritize open communication and personalized attention so you always feel supported throughout the legal process.
Unlike larger firms, we provide a hands-on approach, tailoring strategies to fit your case’s unique details. Whether negotiating a fair settlement or taking your case to trial, we are committed to securing the best possible outcome. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we recover compensation for you. Call us today at (310) 659-1826 or reach out via our contact form to schedule a consultation.
