Car Accident FAQs Answered by Orange County Attorneys

You may not have to go to court for a car accident personal injury claim. Our Orange County auto accident lawyers have been able to negotiate full and fair settlements out of court for many of our car accident clients. On the other hand, if the other side offers an unfairly low settlement, we do not hesitate to fight for a fair level of compensation in court.

After a car accident in California caused another person’s negligence, you can typically claim the following types of damages:

Yes. If you were unable to work because of your auto accident injuries, you are entitled to pursue compensation for lost income. You may also be entitled to seek compensation for costs incurred by having to hire someone to cover for you while you were away from work.

If you were injured in a car crash that was someone else’s fault and weren’t wearing a seatbelt, the other driver’s insurance company will undoubtedly use the seatbelt defense to try to minimize the payout. Both drivers and passengers are required to wear seatbelts in California. A person injured in an auto accident may still bring a claim for personal injury, including pain and suffering, against the negligent driver, even if he or she was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. However, if some of your injuries could have been avoided if a seatbelt had been worn, it could reduce your compensation.

No, you should not sign a release for your medical records without first consulting with an experienced auto accident attorney. It could hurt your claim for compensation to put your medical records into the hands of the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Remember, insurance companies are in business for profit, and their goal is to minimize their payouts.

After a hit and run accident, call the police and get a report on file. If you have uninsured motorist coverage under your auto insurance policy, file a claim with your insurer. Uninsured motorist insurance covers you for damage caused by uninsured drivers or hit and run accidents.

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