Car Accident Statistics

In 2020, about 3,723 car accident fatalities were reported in California, slightly beating the previous year’s figures. Most of these motor-vehicle fatalities involved small passenger cars, with the rest involving light trucks and motorcycles.

What Is The Cost of Retaining An Indian Wells Car Accident Lawyer?

An Indian Wells car accident lawyer will cost you nothing. This is because the Crockett Law Group takes cases on contingency, meaning we get paid if we win your case. You will not owe us anything if we don’t recover compensation for you.

What Should I Do After I Get Into A Car Accident?

Contact Police

For the purpose of making an insurance claim, call law enforcement to make an official police report.

Check on Other Involved Parties

Do not leave the accident scene as this is an offense according to the Road Traffic Act. Get out of your vehicle and check if the others involved are okay.

Exchange Information

Make sure you exchange names, insurance carrier & policy information, addresses, vehicle registration, and phone number with the other drivers.

Record the Scene

Document your injuries, the accident scene, and vehicle damage by taking pictures and videos.

Never Admit Fault

Do not take responsibility for the accident, even if you were at fault.

Seek Medical Attention

See a doctor immediately, even if you feel okay. Some injuries may not be so apparent. Remember to get your medical records regarding your injuries.

Call a Car Accident Lawyer!

Get in touch with an Indian Wells car accident lawyer from the Crockett Law Group to help you navigate the claims process.

Note
Seeking immediate medical attention is imperative, as injuries sustained in a car accident may not be immediately evident. By promptly consulting a medical professional, you not only prioritize your health but also establish a crucial link between the accident and any subsequent medical treatment, bolstering your compensation claim.

What Is California’s Average Settlement For A Car Accident?

Victims of California auto accidents have the right to bring civil claims for damage compensation. A successful car crash lawsuit could recover losses incurred by the victim, including medical expenses, lost wages, and vehicle and property damage repairs.

A California auto accident settlement award could total $10,000 or less. A car accident claim could also lead to way higher compensation awards, from $50,000 to $100,000 or even more depending on the case. In even more rare cases, an auto accident claim could lead to judgment awards in the region of hundreds of thousands and sometimes millions. Because car accident cases are different, the worth of auto accident settlements also varies. A Crockett Law Group attorney can give you an estimation of your car accident claim’s value.

Local Results

$100,000 Settlement Awarded to a Client for Injuries Caused by a Driver Crossing Double Yellow Lines

When Should I Get An Lawyer For My Indian Wells Auto Accident?

Time is an essential factor when it comes to personal injury claims. After a car accident, do not hesitate to hire a lawyer because insurance carriers will start evaluating your claim soon after your accident.

Why Do I Need An Indian Wells Car Accident Lawyer?

Case Preparation/Filing a Lawsuit

A lawyer can cooperate with experts to conduct investigations to identify the responsible party. After determining fault, an attorney can file a car accident lawsuit on your behalf while adhering to California’s statute of limitations for car accident claims.

Settlement Negotiation

Attorneys are expert negotiators. An attorney can compute your claim is worth to negotiate the maximum damages available. Insurance companies may try to lowball you. An attorney will ensure you don’t fall into their trap. A lawyer from the Crockett Law Group can get you a fair settlement award.

Trial Preparation & Representation

If you don’t settle and your case goes to court, an attorney can get your case ready for trial by gathering evidence, handling the required paperwork, and dealing with defense lawyers. Most importantly, a lawyer will represent you before a judge or jury.

Pro Tip
Remember, preparation is key when your case heads to trial. Work closely with your attorney to provide all necessary information and cooperate fully in the preparation process. This collaboration will strengthen your position and increase your chances of a favorable outcome in court.

How Much Can I Expect To Receive for My Damages?

A California judge will consider the following factors before deciding how much compensation to award a car accident victims:

• The degree of shared fault
• The severity of the wreck
• The length of the treatment or rehabilitation
• The nature and extent of the injuries
• The permanency of the injuries

Your attorney’s experience can also affect the amount of damages you can recover. So, make sure you choose an experienced car accident lawyer to handle your case.

What Type Of Damages Can I Recover?

California’s injured car accident victims can recover compensatory (economic and non-economic damages) and sometimes punitive damages.

Economic Damages

These damages comprise quantifiable financial expenses and losses incurred after the accident, including:

• Medical treatment
• Prescription drugs
• Property/vehicle repair or replacement
• Rehabilitation or therapy
• Lost wages
• Lost future earnings

Non-Economic Damages

You can also recover compensation for intangible damages such as:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life or activities
• Loss of consortium
• Amputation or disfigurement

Punitive Damages

California courts may award punitive damages if they find the at-fault party to have been grossly negligent, reckless, or careless. While these damages don’t compensate you for anything, they deter the guilty party from engaging in the same egregious behavior in the future.

How Is Fault Determined?

California’s At-Fault Rules

California is an at-fault state, meaning it uses the at-fault laws to determine fault. According to California at-fault rules, the at-fault party’s insurance company will pay for the injured party’s accident claim.

Pure Comparative Negligence

When both parties share fault for the accident, comparative negligence is used to compute the damages recoverable. As per California’s comparative negligence rules, the injured party can only recover damages proportional to the amount of fault they bear. For example, if the injured party is 10% liable for the accident, he or she may only get 90% of the compensation award.

Tip
When navigating cases involving shared fault, such as those governed by California’s comparative negligence rules, seek legal counsel to ensure you understand your rights and maximize your potential compensation.

How Long is California’s Statute of Limitations For Car Accident Claims?

In the California statute of limitations, injured car accident victims have two years starting from the accident date or discovery date to bring a civil claim against the at-fault party. Failure to adhere to this time frame may bar you from pursuing compensation completely.

Further Reading

• How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim?
• Can You Extend the Statute of Limitations in a California Injury Case?

How Can An Indian Wells Car Accident Lawyer Help me File My Insurance Claim?

Report the claim

An Indian Wells car accident lawyer can help you report your claim to the guilty party’s insurance carrier or your insurer.

Investigate and gather information

We will involve car accident reconstruction specialists to investigate your claim thoroughly and collect vital evidence. Besides, we will involve claims valuation experts to determine how much your claim is worth.

Appeal an unfair settlement or denied claim

An Indian Wells car accident lawyer can help you appeal your denied claim or an inadequate settlement award.

What Should I Do After My California Car Accident Claim is Denied?

When your California car accident claim is denied, it not the end of the road. You can file a complaint with the California insurance department.

Further Reading

• How Insurance Companies Undervalue Accident Claims

Do I Have a Case?

Insurance companies deny claims all the time and for various reasons. After your claim is denied, you may still have a case. An Indian Wells car accident lawyer will let you know if you have a case after evaluating your claim.

What If The Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?

California laws require all drivers to have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage so that in case of an accident with an uninsured driver, you will seek compensation from your own insurer.

How Can I Obtain an Accident Report In Indian Wells, California?

To get a copy of your accident report, you must be a party of interest – a driver, vehicle owner, passenger, parent of a minor, property owner, or a victim’s legal guardian. You can obtain your accident report physically or through the mail from the California Highway Patrol.

Types of Car Accidents We Handle

The lawyers at the Crockett Law Group have experience with all types of car accident cases, from hit & run crashes to distracted driving. Other car accident cases we handle are:

Distracted driving

At Crockett Law Group, we handle car accident cases involving distracted drivers. When drivers are distracted by their smartphones, they often get into avoidable accidents. Other common dangerous distractions include personal grooming, eating or drinking, looking after children in the back seat, and more. We can help you hold a negligent driver liable.

Drunk Driving

We also help victims of drunk driving accidents pursue compensation for their damages. We can help you sue a drunk or intoxicated driver for causing you harm.

Hit & Run Accidents

Finally, we deal in hit-and-run accidents. A hit and run accident occurs when a driver flees the scene of an accident after being involved in a collision without providing contact information. We can help you sue a driver for a hit-and-run accident.

Very helpful, knowledgeable and best of all polite. He oriented me on what to do in my situation.

Jerry Lopeza
California Accident Victim

Indian Wells Car Accident FAQs

Call an Indian Wells Car Accident Lawyer Today!

Prioritizing your health after a car accident is important. However, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pursue compensation for your financial and non-financial losses. At the Crockett Law Group, we can give you peace of mind if you let us pursue compensation on your behalf. We are dedicated to serving and recovering damages for our Indian Wells clients.

Get in touch with the Crockett Law Group Indian Wells car accident lawyers at (888) 965-3827.

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