The process of obtaining compensation for a car accident in California can be complex and frustrating, as can obtaining the desired settlement. This will depend on several factors related to the accident and the attorney who advises you.
These factors are: the severity of the accident, the circumstances, the parties involved and the insurance company. Additionally, whether the victim has a good attorney who is an expert in this type of accidents.
If you or a family member were victims of a hit-and-run, or any other vehicular accident, you should contact Conexión Legal immediately by calling 1800 201 1220 or writing to us via WhatsApp to receive the best free legal advice about car accidents so that we can put you in contact with a lawyer in California with whom you can obtain the highest compensation you deserve.
Although there is no exact formula that determines compensation for a motor vehicle accident in California, there are some indicators to keep in mind.
The estimated compensation for injuries is obtained by adding the medical treatment expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. To the above is added property damage for the repair of the vehicle or its total loss. Usually, the result of that amount is multiplied by three.
However, some injuries remain hidden and do not become apparent until much later, therefore, it is necessary to perform a complete medical examination of the victim and consider this point in the settlement.
For example, in a case of a person who was injured in the head in a car accident: the medical bills totaled $7,000 dollars and he was out of work for 10 days which caused him to lose $2,500 dollars in wages.
An average settlement for this traffic accident could result in approximately $28,500 dollars, so the final settlement could be between $19,000 and $35,000 dollars.
The claim for these personal injuries against the other driver's insurance company will be limited to the amount of coverage of the policy. That is, if the damages are $25,000 dollars, but the liable driver's policy is $15,000 dollars, that will be the amount of the settlement.
However, there is still the option to sue the other party for the remaining $10,000 dollars to finish covering the damage from the car accident. You can even add a claim to your own insurance company. This also applies in cases of uninsured driving and having an accident for insured parties with comprehensive coverage.
Furthermore, as for the damages that can be recovered or reimbursed to the person, they include:
- General medical expenses.
- Lost wages and other present and future income.
- Temporary and permanent physical disability, pain and suffering.
- Loss of consortium, that is, family and social companionship.
- Loss of quality of life and other recreational or other reasonable and demonstrable limitations.
Likewise, surviving family members of victims in any accident can also claim compensation for death in a traffic accident.
The calculation of the range of compensation for car accidents is generally done by the claims adjuster of the insurance company, for which it follows a standard damages formula used by the insurer, although the car accident attorney can present his own compensation proposal based on his own calculations.
Similarly, you can use both insurance companies: yours and the other party's to collect for your damage. The way you have paid the expenses generated by the accident is not the concern of the other company. In fact, the insurance adjuster should not even ask about this.
Thus, the medical expenses and other costs associated with the accident and the personal injuries suffered can be covered as you see fit. However, after recovery of damages, your insurance provider may require reimbursement.
For the above reason it is of utmost importance that, if you or your family member were victims of a car accident in California, contact Conexión Legal as soon as possible so that you receive our free legal advice, and in this way achieve that the compensation for injuries you deserve arrives thanks to the good work of a lawyer in California who can provide you with solid and transparent support.
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