Daniel Petrov | October 10, 2024 | Car Accident
Some car accidents can cause devastating injuries and significant financial losses. However, others might seem minor. There could be some property damage, and you might be slightly sore and have some bruising.
You might wonder whether it is worth calling a lawyer after a car accident. Unfortunately, a minor car accident in Vista, CA can quickly become a nightmare.
If you are unsure about whether you need to hire a lawyer after a minor car accident in Vista, it is better to err on the side of caution. Most law firms offer free consultations, so obtaining legal advice after a car crash does not cost you anything. From our team at Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers, here’s what you need to know about hiring an attorney after your California car crash.
Costs of a Minor Car Accident in Vista
Car accidents can become very costly. In addition to the property damage to your vehicle, you could incur other economic damages. Damages might include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Help with household chores
- Physical therapy
Medical bills can include ambulance fees, emergency room costs, doctor visits, surgery, medication, and ongoing rehabilitation. Imagine needing an MRI at Scripps Memorial Hospital Vista or ongoing physical therapy at Vista Physical Therapy. These costs can add up quickly, even for a seemingly minor injury. Even a minor whiplash injury can result in thousands of dollars in medical bills, lost wages, and ongoing treatment.
Lost wages account for the income you miss while recovering. Out-of-pocket expenses cover things like transportation to appointments and assistive devices. You might also need help with household chores if your injuries prevent you from doing them yourself.
You could have more costs than expected, even if you sustain a minor injury. However, a minor injury might not be minor.
Hidden Injuries After a Car Accident
Even if you feel okay after a car crash, you could have injuries that have not presented symptoms. For example, you might have delayed symptoms because of a concussion, whiplash, or back injury.
Injuries could cause significant pain and other symptoms, which might be costly to treat. In addition, you could be out of work or miss time from work for treatment and therapy.
In addition to your expenses, you are also entitled to non-economic damages caused by a car accident. The other driver should reimburse you for your pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other damages.
You do not want to be responsible for expenses from a car accident that was not your fault.
Talking with a Vista car accident lawyer can help ensure that you take the steps necessary to protect your right to receive compensation from the driver who caused the accident.
You Could Be Blamed for Causing the Accident
All California drivers are required to maintain financial responsibility for a car accident. Most drivers choose to purchase car insurance to satisfy the requirement.
The insurance adjuster for the other driver might appear to be helping you get the money you deserve for damages. However, insurance adjusters protect the insurance company from liability. One way to do that is to blame the car accident on you.
By shifting all or some of the blame to you for the cause of the car wreck, the insurance company avoids paying you the full value of your damages. California’s comparative fault standard states that a victim’s compensation for damages is reduced by their percentage of fault for the cause of their injuries.
In other words, if you are 50% to blame for causing a car accident, you only receive compensation for one-half of the value of your damages. For example, if your damages total $100,000, you could only recover $50,000.
For instance, if you were not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident, the insurance company might argue that you are partially at fault for your injuries. Even if the other driver ran a red light, they may claim you would have sustained fewer injuries if you had been wearing your seatbelt.
Car insurance companies understand comparative negligence laws. Unfortunately, some companies unjustly blame the accident victim in order to lower the value of a personal injury claim.
It is best not to discuss the car crash with an insurance adjuster until you talk with a car accident attorney. The statements you make to the adjuster could be twisted and misinterpreted to imply you contributed to the cause of the crash.
Gathering Evidence After a Car Accident
To build a strong case, it’s crucial to gather evidence to support your claim. This can include photos and videos of the accident scene, witness statements, police reports, and medical records.
An experienced car accident lawyer can help you collect and preserve this evidence.
Why You Need a Vista Car Accident Lawyer
Recovering from a car accident can be overwhelming, even when the accident did not cause catastrophic injuries. It could take some time to recover from a minor car crash. Also, you could be entitled to compensation from the other driver.
The benefits of hiring a car accident lawyer to help with a minor car accident include:
- Your attorney handles all communications with the insurance company, including filing claims and negotiating settlements
- The attorney investigates the accident to determine the cause of the crash and gather evidence proving the other driver caused the collision
- Lawyers assist with documenting damages to ensure that all damages are included in your claim
- Your lawyer calculates the value of your claim to maximize your settlement amount (the insurance company consistently undervalues damages)
- If the insurance company refuses to negotiate a fair settlement, a lawyer assesses your legal options and provides counsel to help you decide how to proceed
You might not need to hire a lawyer for a minor car accident. However, you do not want to find out that you need a lawyer when it is too late for an attorney to help.
For that reason, it is always in your best interest to obtain legal advice for any type of car accident.
Contact the North County Car Accident Lawyers at Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
Don’t let the insurance company take advantage of you. Protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve. Call Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation. We’re here to help.
For more information, please contact the Vista car accident law firm of Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve in North County, CA and its surrounding areas:
Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers – Vista, CA Office
380 S Melrose Dr. Ste. 201
Vista, CA 92081
(619) 344-0360
Petrov Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers – Oceanside, CA Office
702 Civic Center Drive Ste. 105
Oceanside, CA, 92054
(619) 678-1016