The trauma of a car accident can be hard to deal with, especially when you are not at fault. A significant number of such cases are reported in Orange County each year, of which many are attributed to negligent and reckless driving. If you sustained severe injuries in such a traffic mishap and are confused about your rights, you need to speak to an attorney immediately. For the uninitiated, California follows a fault-based system, which means that an at-fault driver is liable for injuries to victims. Before you file a claim with the other party’s insurer, here are some facts worth knowing.
You have to take action in time
The statute of limitations determines the time cap for filing a lawsuit after a traffic accident. As per the statute in California, you have to act within two years from the date of injury. If your family member was killed in an accident, you have two years to pursue a wrongful death claim, but in this case, the clock will start from the date of death. The two-year deadline may sound enough, but in real life, considerable work is involved before you can take the matter to court.
Your fault is a pertinent variable
If you were also accountable for the same crash, the outcome depends on your fault. When you are entirely responsible, the result is evident. Still, in California, you can file a lawsuit even when you are mostly liable or have a fault share higher than the other party. However, the percentage of your fault will determine the final outcome. The laws may sound confusing, which is also another reason to meet an attorney who can guide you on whether you should proceed ahead.
Injury lawyers are easily accessible
A good injury lawyer in Orange County will not charge anything until you win or settle the case. This is a standard arrangement for personal injury claims/lawsuits, and you should ideally have a lawyer from day one. Top firms will also not charge anything to review the initial facts, which will help determine the next steps. Once the lawyer is handling the case, you don’t have to worry about filing the insurance claim or talking to the adjuster. They are responsible for every other step, including investigating the car accident.
Take the first step towards winning your car accident claim – Call an attorney now and discuss the available evidence and details.
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