FILING AN INSURANCE CLAIM AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT IN SAN CLEMENTE
It’s important to keep in mind that you have a very limited time after a car accident in which to report your intent to file a claim to the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier. You may not need to file the claim immediately, but you must at least notify them of the accident within a short timeframe. You should not discuss a settlement with an insurance carrier without consulting an attorney; insurance company representatives are trained to look for ways to deny claims or offer the lowest possible settlements, and having an attorney represent you will reduce the chance of the insurance carrier attempting any bad-faith handling of your claim.
The Law Offices of Steven Zwick can correspond with insurance carriers for you, helping you receive an appropriate settlement offer more swiftly than you could likely manage by yourself. We know how the major insurance companies in the state handle claims and the tactics they use to avoid paying out maximum settlements. Once we address any issues that arise with your claim and help you secure an appropriate claim settlement, we can then help build your personal injury case against the at-fault driver.
CLAIMING COMPENSATION WITH A PERSONAL INJURY SUIT
If the at-fault driver who caused your accident does not have enough insurance coverage to fully compensate you for your losses, or if they do not have insurance at all, you have the right to file a personal injury claim against them to recover your damages. Success with any personal injury claim requires identifying the defendant, proving they were negligent or intentionally harmful in some way, and then proving that their actions directly caused your claimed damages.
You have the right to seek recompense for any economic losses that their insurance doesn’t cover. These may include:
Vehicle repair costs and other property damage. Any repair bills or other damaged property that can’t be compensated by the defendant’s insurance can be claimed as economic damages in your civil suit.
Medical expenses. When you have suffered physical harm due to another party’s actions, they are liable for all medical expenses you incur for treatment of your injuries. This includes future medical treatment costs if you sustained severe injuries that will require ongoing rehabilitative care and future treatments.
Lost income. If the defendant’s actions have left you unable to work for any period of time, you can seek compensation for the income you were unable to earn during this period. Additionally, if your earning power has been permanently diminished by your injuries, the defendant is also responsible for lost future earning capacity, and your San Clemente car accident attorney can help calculate the total future income you can seek from the defendant.
Aside from your economic losses, you can also claim pain and suffering compensation to reflect the physical pain and emotional distress the defendant inflicted. California law does not limit pain and suffering compensation in car accident claims, so you have the right to seek as much as you believe to be appropriate to reflect your condition.
Ultimately, every car accident case filed in San Clemente is unique, and every plaintiff will face different challenges in their recovery efforts. When you choose The Law Offices of Steven Zwick to represent you, we will do everything we can to maximize your recovery through all available channels of compensation. We have a long record of successful cases due to our commitment to serving each client’s individual needs, and we are ready to leverage our resources, skills, and experience for you as you seek the compensation you legally deserve for your damages.
