Car accident injuries can be very severe. Broken bones, traumatic brain damage, spinal cord injuries, and many other forms of physical damage require extensive medical care end lengthy recovery times.
If you were injured in California car accident, you may wonder how you can afford to pay these expenses. California is a fault insurance state, meaning that if someone else caused your accident, he or she is responsible for paying your damages. This includes medical bills.
Motor vehicle collisions occur in California every year. Many of these accidents result in injury or death to any of the occupants of the vehicle.
Some common injuries in car accidents include the following.
It is common for victims of car accidents to have extensive medical needs. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may require hospitalization, surgeries, prescription medications, rehabilitation, and long-term treatment. It can be very difficult to pay for these costs out of pocket, whether you are insured or not.
In the United States, car insurance laws typically fall under a fault or no-fault system. These rules vary from state to state. California, like most places, follows a fault-based insurance rules.
In the aftermath of a motor vehicle collision, the driver who is responsible for causing that accident must pay for any damages that the victims sustained. These damages may include lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and medical care.
To uphold this financial responsibility, state law requires drivers to carry the following minimum amounts of liability insurance.
If you were injured in a car accident caused by another person, you could pursue an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit against him or her. Through your claim, you can recover damages to pay for your medical bills, including hospital costs, follow-up visits, and long-term care.
However, you will need to prove that his or her negligent actions caused the accident in order to recover a settlement. In California, drivers have a duty to follow traffic laws and operate their vehicles safely. If a driver breaches this duty and subsequently causes an accident, he or she can be held accountable through an insurance claim or lawsuit.
Evidence such as witness testimony, traffic footage, police reports, and medical records can help establish your right to recovery. Additionally, a San Francisco car accident lawyer can craft a compelling case in your favor and present it to the court or insurance company.
As soon as possible following your accident, seek medical care. Then, contact an attorney who can represent your case. Your lawyer will carefully evaluate your situation and identify your optimal path to compensation.
