San Jacinto Car Accident Lawyer

Car Accidents

Car accidents can happen suddenly on the busy streets of San Jacinto and California traffic law can be unnerving and leave you bewildered. Damage to your person and vehicle conjure up visions of mounting bills and increased insurance premiums. Who is going to pay for the repairs on your car? Who is responsible for the expensive medical bills? When can you go back to work?

What happens if they start accusing you of causing the accident? You may know that the accident wasn’t your fault, but the other party claims differently and now you’re faced with a he said/she said scenario. Once the accident has happened and you’ve exchanged information, what do you do next?

Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney in San Jacinto

Coping with all the claim forms and settlements can be immensely difficult on your own. After an auto accident, victims can feel alone, distressed and desperate. You may be tempted to accept a quick settlement just to put the whole incident behind you, but this may not be in your best interest in the long run. Fortunately, an experienced attorney is just a phone call away!

You need someone on your side who knows the law and can fight for your rights. An experienced attorney can investigate the accident, answer your questions and file your paperwork to ensure that your case is properly prepared and filed within the time limit required by the court. Your initial consultation will allow your attorney to review your case and determine whether or not you are entitled to compensation for damages.

Filing a Lawsuit in San Jacinto, California

Unfortunately, personal injury lawsuits can be tedious and time consuming. Without an attorney, you may find the process tiresome and strenuous, especially when the other party or insurance company is armed with a team of attorneys on their side.

Without a working knowledge of the intricacies of traffic law and statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit, your case can be over before you even enter a courtroom. Your attorney knows the timeline required as well as how to fill out and file the extensive paperwork a lawsuit includes. Too many victims of car accidents are unable to collect the damages they deserve because the paperwork was filed too late or documents were improperly filled out or missing altogether. Don’t let this happen to you!

Shared Fault Laws in California

California traffic law includes a clause for Shared Fault claims. The courts can actually rule that you are also to blame for the accident if the defendent in your case argues that both parties are at fault. A lawyer can explain this clause and the possible implications that may effect the amount of compensation you receive.

Example of Shared Fault Claim:
Let’s assume that the defendant who hit your car ran a stop sign. Let’s also assume that you were driving 10 miles over the posted speed limit. The attorney for the other party might argue that you take on a percentage of the blame. If the court finds you to be 10% at fault for the accident, your lawsuit for $20,000 in damages to your car and person may be reduced to $18,000 once your fault is subtracted.

Financial Limits for California Lawsuits

There are often exceptions to the rules that you may qualify for but not even know about. An attorney can find these exceptions to ensure that you receive the compensation you are entitled to.

For instance, California law places limits on financial gains for certain types of damage. An uninsured driver may not be eligible to collect the full compensation that those who have insurance may be entitled to. Damages such as pain and suffering, that does not have a determinable monetary amount to award, may not be awarded to an uninsured driver under California law.

In the end, your personal injury attorney is your advocate in court. At the San Jacinto Law Offices of Brent A. Duque, we maintain a staff of a highly professional, knowledgeable, aggressive and successful car accident attorneys who represent injured people through our offices that stretch across Southern California. Time limitations apply to any injury claim you might have, so for purposes of investigating a possible case and possibly preserving evidence, it’s best for you to contact us immediately after an accident.

Contact our Riverside County Personal Injury Attorney at 1-877-241-9554 to learn more about your legal options. A free consultation is just a phone call away. You can even use our online contact form, and we’ll reply to you quickly.