A car accident can be an overwhelming experience. Not only can it leave you with injuries that take a long to fully heal, but also can leave you burdened with expensive medical bills and prolonged and stressful negotiations with insurance companies. The good news is that if your car accident was caused by another party, you don’t need to worry about bearing the stress and burden of pursuing compensation. A Yucca Valley car accident lawyer can explain your rights under the law and provide options for recovering your losses. If you or your loved one was injured in a car accident in Yucca Valley, California, you should get in touch with the experienced accident lawyers at Crockett Law Group for your free consultation and case evaluation. 
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Car Accident Statistics
According to the most recent data, Yucca Valley had a total of 6 fatal accidents involving 13 vehicles, 20 persons, and resulted in 6 fatalities. The number of fatal accidents involving pedestrians and drunk individuals stood at 1 each. Don’t allow yourself or your loved one to be treated as just another statistic. Stand out from the crowd by hiring the competent Yucca Valley car accident lawyers at the Crockett Law Group.How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
The vast majority of car accident lawyers, including those at Crockett Law, work on a contingency fee basis. The contingency fee arrangement refers to an agreement with the lawyer whether their fee is contingent upon the outcome of your case. If you win and recover a settlement, the lawyer collects their free from that. If you don’t win, you don’t owe the lawyer anything.What Should I Do After a Car Accident
Contact Police
Call the police as soon as you are able to so that you can report the accident. An officer will be dispatched to investigate and write a report that can be highly valuable when it comes to supporting your claim for compensation later.Check on Other Involved Parties
If you are not too hurt, check on the rest of the passengers in your vehicle along with the driver and passengers of other vehicles involved in the accident. If anybody is injured, call 911 for help. However, you must never leave the accident scene until the police arrive.Exchange Information
Ensure that you exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver, which includes their full names and contact details, insurance provider and policy details, accident location, and the driver’s license and license plate number.Record the Scene
Use your phone to take photos and video footage of the accident scene including the property damage and injuries. It can also be a good idea to write down your memories of the accident and collect any details that could be relevant to your case.Never Admit Fault
You must never apologize or admit fault for the accident even though you might believe that you were responsible. Keep in mind that any admission that you make in relation to the accident can and will be probably be used against you.Seek Medical Attention
Ensure that your injuries are checked out immediately. Seeing a doctor ensures that your injuries are fully treated and that there are no complications. You will also have a record of your injuries that can be useful when it comes to establishing cause.Call a Car Accident Lawyer!
Getting the compensation that you deserve after a car accident can be challenging. This can be particularly true if the at-fault driver didn’t have insurance or had insufficient insurance. Hiring a lawyer can increase your chances of recovering the compensation you deserve.
Further Reading
When Should I Get a Lawyer for My Auto Accident?
- You should hire a lawyer to represent you following an auto accident in these situations:
- You suffered severe and permanent injuries
- Your loved one lost their life from injuries sustained in the accident
- A government agency’s negligence caused your accident
- The other driver’s insurance provided is offering you a low-ball settlement
- It is obvious or just possible that the accident was the result of someone else’s actions
- You suffered injuries and/or significant damage to your vehicle
Why Do I Need a Lawyer?
Settlement Negotiation
A lawyer understands the laws pertaining to auto accident claims as well as how to negotiate with the insurance company to ensure that you receive fair and just compensation. If you attempt to negotiate with the insurance company without a lawyer, you will be at a disadvantage.Case Preparation/Filing a lawsuit
If the insurance company isn’t willing to offer a reasonable settlement, your lawyer will file a personal injury lawsuit to help you recover the compensation you are entitled to. It is often this action that compels the insurance to offer a reasonable settlement before going to court.Trial Preparation and Representation
If the matter ends up going to court, your car accident lawyer will be right by your side through it all. They will fight tirelessly for your right to fair compensation and are not afraid of insurance companies and their tactics.What Type of Damages Can I Recover?
Economic
Economic damages refer to anything that’s quantifiable in monetary terms and essentially took money out of your pocket, from paying medical bills to losing days off work for recuperation or medical treatment. Examples of economic damages include:- Past, current, and future medical bills
- Property damage
- Lost wages
Further Reading
Non-Economic
Non-economic damages essentially cover anything that’s not easily quantifiable in monetary terms. Non-economic losses are often catastrophic and overwhelming for the victim. Non-economic damages include the following:- Loss of consortium
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
Punitive
Punitive damages are only awarded in rare cases where the car accident victim was harmed by reckless or egregious conduct. Punitive damages aren’t intended to compensate the victim for losses incurred, but rather to punish the wrongdoer and discourage similar misconduct.How Much Can I Expect to Receive for My Damages/ What’s the Average Settlement?
The settlement amount depends on the losses of the victim, the responsible party’s insurance policy, and the laws applicable to the case. Still, the average settlement amount for car accidents resulting in physical injuries is about $21,000 while that of accidents resulting in property damage only is about $3,200.How is Fault Determined
To prove fault in a car accident claim, you will have to demonstrate the following 4 elements of negligence:- The other driver had a legal duty to operate their vehicle safely
- The other driver breached this duty
- The other driver’s actions resulted in the accident
- The accident directly caused injuries and monetary losses
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
If you have been injured in a car accident, you have 2 years to file a claim in California. Failure to file the claim within this 2-year period means losing the right to file a personal injury claim, no matter how strong it might be.How Can a Lawyer Help Me File My Insurance Claim?
If you are wondering what a lawyer can do for you that you can’t do yourself, here’s a brief breakdown of how they can help:- Plan a legal strategy to obtain maximum compensation
- Identify all parties that have a potential legal liability to you
- Determine the value of your claim
- Gather the necessary evidence to prove your claim
- Negotiate with insurance providers
- File and litigate a lawsuit
- Collect the money owed to you
What Can I Do If Insurance Denied My Claim?
If the insurance company denies your claim, you should:- Seek an explanation for the denial in writing
- Talk to your lawyer about filing an appeal
- File a personal injury lawsuit
