Huntington Beach, CA Car Accident Lawyer

Auto accidents are common enough, but they can sometimes be serious. Drivers are often hurt and cannot afford the costly fallout that follows a crash. In such cases, injured drivers should consult lawyers to obtain fair compensation.

Insurance claims are a standard first course of legal action. For many, filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s liability coverage can help with expenses. You may need to file a claim with your uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage if the other driver is uninsured or their coverage is insufficient to pay all your damages. Still, you may need to sue the other driver to get the full extent of your damages, and a lawyer should help you.

Ask our car accident lawyers for a free, confidential review of your claims by calling the Law Office of John J. Perlstein at (213) 252-1070.

How to Get Financial Compensation After a Car Accident in Huntington Beach, CA

After a car accident, you may have multiple options for obtaining fair financial compensation, and an attorney can help you.

File Insurance Claims

Many injured drivers file insurance claims after an accident. In California, you can file a third-party claim against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance.

We must have some evidence of their fault to convince the insurance company to cover your damages. Otherwise, your claim could be denied.

Discuss a Potential Settlement

It is also possible to discuss a possible settlement with the driver. Some drivers would rather handle things privately, or insurance companies would rather avoid going to trial over a case.

Do not negotiate a settlement without a lawyer’s help, as settlement offers are typically low and meant to end the case quickly rather than compensate you fully.

File a Personal Injury Lawsuit

You can always sue the other driver in civil court to make them pay for your damages. This is often the case where insurance is unavailable or inadequate, and the at-fault driver refuses to take accountability or offer a settlement.

What Should You Do if the Other Driver in an Accident is Uninsured?

Unfortunately, many drivers in California do not have insurance, or they have coverage that only meets the minimum requirements and cannot cover your high-dollar damages.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

If the other driver is completely uninsured, you may fall back on your own uninsured motorist coverage. This policy is designed specifically to help drivers in case of accidents with uninsured drivers.

Uninsured motorist coverage is not required in California, but insurers within the state must offer it to all drivers, so you may have it without realizing it.

Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Underinsured motorist coverage is designed to help drivers after an accident when the at-fault driver’s insurance is too limited to adequately cover their damages. You can file a claim with your underinsured motorist coverage to fill in the gaps.

Like uninsured coverage, drivers are not required to have underinsured coverage, but insurance companies must offer it.

Finding Other Defendants

If all else fails, our lawyers can help you find alternative defendants who may be responsible for the accident and are in a better position to cover your damages.

For example, if the at-fault driver was working when they caused the accident (e.g., a delivery driver), we may be able to sue their employer and have them held vicariously liable for your damages.

What Are Damages Worth in a Car Accident Case?

To get a good settlement, we must understand the value of your claims and the extent of all your damages.

Property Damage

After a car accident, your vehicle and the personal items inside it might be severely damaged. The cost of replacing damaged property must be included in your claims for damages. Be sure to include the value of all damaged property, no matter how big or small.

Medical Expenses

After the collision, you may have been transported to the hospital for urgent care, which was likely expensive. The more treatment you need, including long-term care, the higher your damages are. Make sure you save all your hospital bills and invoices to review with your lawyer.

Your Ability to Work

Injuries from a car accident can be severe, and not everybody can return to work after the crash. The longer you cannot work, the more income you might lose, and the more damages you should claim.

If you cannot work for a long time, we should consider claiming damages for future lost income, which can be very high if your injuries are severe.

Pain and Suffering Claims

Your non-economic damages may also be quite substantial. The accident itself might have been traumatic, and the aftermath may come with its own pain and suffering. Many car accident victims claim damages for physical pain, mental anguish, and the loss of the enjoyment of their lives while they recover or if their injuries are long-term.

FAQs About Getting Financial Compensation for Car Accidents in Huntington Beach, CA

Should You File an Insurance Claim First or a Lawsuit After a Car Accident?

Many injured drivers file insurance claims first and pursue lawsuits if insurance or other legal options do not pan out. You should seek help from a lawyer when deciding which course of action to pursue first.

What Happens if the Other Driver in a Collision is Uninsured?

If the at-fault driver has no insurance to cover your damages, you may rely on your uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. If this coverage is not enough or you do not have this coverage, you can sue the at-fault driver.

Should You Call the Police After an Auto Accident?

Generally, yes. It is a good idea to involve the police so they can investigate and write an official report we can use for an insurance claim. If the accident is minor, you might not be legally required to report it, but you should consider doing so anyway to create a record of the crash and the damages.

Who Should You Sue for a Car Accident?

You should sue the driver directly responsible for the crash. This might be one or multiple drivers, depending on the accident. If an at-fault driver was working at the time of the crash, we can include their employer in the case.

Speak to Our Huntington Beach, CA Car Accident Attorneys About Your Case Today

Ask our car accident lawyers for a free, confidential review of your claims by calling the Law Office of John J. Perlstein at (213) 252-1070.