Laguna Niguel Car Accident Lawyer

No one enters a vehicle expecting to be involved in a motor collision, but the sad fact is that accidents can and do happen. Though you may be doing their part to operate their vehicle safely and responsibly, there is little that you can do to prevent another negligent driver from striking your vehicle and causing harm. If you have suffered injuries in a car crash, you may be feeling overwhelmed and at a loss for what to do. Depending on your situation, you could be entitled to compensation for the injuries you incurred. Contacting a Laguna Niguel car accident lawyer is an important first step. An experienced personal injury attorney could protect your rights and guide you through the process of filing a civil claim.

Compensation Available in a Car Accident Claim

A person who has been injured in a car accident could be entitled to compensation for their injury or disfigurement. They might also be entitled to any lost wages they incur because of time away from work, compensation for their medical bills, and property damage to their vehicle. Depending on the situation, a person might be entitled to non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, loss of consortium, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. A local car accident attorney could provide insight as to what kinds of damages an injured person could ask for.

California as a Pure Comparative Negligence State

In the state of California, injured parties may still be deemed liable for some of the damages they incurred, based on a comparative analysis of who was at fault and at what percentage they were at fault. This is called pure comparative negligence. For example, if the injured party had been following the rules of the road when another driver rear-ended them, the negligent party may be found to be 100 percent at fault for the injury. If, however, the injured party had first changed lanes without a turn signal, and was then rear-ended, the injured party may be found to be partially responsible for their injuries.

Reduction in the Final Monetary Award

When there is a finding of comparative negligence, the injured party will likely receive a reduced settlement. Their percentage of fault will be deducted from the total settlement award amount. It is important to note that even though California practices pure comparative negligence, courts will still allow injured parties to collect damages on their injuries even if they were deemed to be 99 percent at fault for an accident. California does not draw the line at 50 percent fault in order to recover, as is the case in other states that follow a modified comparative negligence model.

For an injured party to accurately determine what compensation might be available to them based on the unique facts of their situation, it is important to contact a Laguna Niguel auto collision lawyer. A lawyer could help someone maximize their recovery award by demonstrating to the court that the negligent party owed a duty of care while operating their vehicle, and subsequently breached that duty, causing the accident.

Contact a Laguna Niguel Car Accident Attorney Today

It is unwise to try and take on a personal injury claim by yourself, especially if you are recovering from painful injuries. A Laguna Niguel car accident lawyer could clarify what to expect when filing a claim. They could also discuss with you what compensatory damages you might be entitled to in more detail. To get started in the process, contact an attorney right away for a consultation.