How To Get The Highest Settlement With a Car Accident Attorney in San Luis Obispo

Car accidents are the most common type of personal injury cases, as car accident attorney I have represented hundreds clients injured in motor vehicle accidents. Here are some important statistics on car accidents in California. The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) compiles traffic accident data from a variety of trusted sources. Having last updated their information in December 2012, they report that traffic fatalities in California increased 2.6 percent in 2011. Furthermore, California has been the #1 state in the United States for traffic related fatalities for several years running. In fact, accidents involving a vehicle are the leading cause of accidental death in people who are younger than 35 years old. Approximately 30 percent of all California drivers who cause California car accidents are found to be driving with blood alcohol levels above the legal limit of .08.

What Type of Car Accidents Qualify For Compensation

All personal injuries that are due to the negligence of another human being and/or company qualifies for compensation. This includes all types of car accidents that harm someone and are due to negligence. So, this would include head on collisions, being hit from behind, being hit from the side, and being hit with a vehicle while crossing the street. Negligence can occur when a driver is intoxicated, driving over the speed limit, driving carelessly, and driving while distracted with a cell phone call or texting. Personal injuries due to the negligence of another can also occur on buses and other public vehicles. Personal injuries can also be the result of design defects in vehicles such as those that cause rollover accidents. All types of injuries due to the negligence of others while driving any type of vehicle qualify for compensation. A local car accident attorney will be able to assist in the legal process.

What Type of Compensation Are You Entitled To

If you and/or a loved one are the victim of a car accident, a California car accident attorney will review your case and educate you regarding your legal rights. For example, if you have been injured in an auto accident you are entitled to receive compensation for your past, current, and future medical bills. This includes compensation for the costs of rehabilitation and counseling. You are also entitled to be compensated for all lost wages, emotional distress, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment of life, material damages, and pain and suffering. If a loved one has been killed, the closest family member(s) is entitled to compensation for the loss of their loved one. At The May Firm, we represent victims of auto accidents. Let a local car accident attorney at The May Firm educate you regarding California car accident laws and your rights for compensation.

Car Accidents California – What Should You Do If There Is an Accident

Here are a few steps to take if you are involved in a California car crash to ensure you get the highest settlement as possible:

1. Call the Police Immediately

Many people make the mistake of not calling the police immediately. This can be for any number of reasons. Some people mistakenly believe they should just let their insurance company handle it. An accident can be very upsetting and even put you into a state of mild shock. This can impair your judgment, at least initially. Some people even become a bit disoriented after an accident and not even know it if they have been hit on the head. Developing a definite plan ahead of time can help you know what to do without having to think too much should an accident occur. If you can’t call the police yourself, be sure to ask someone to do so. An early police report can help document the case.

2. Take Pictures If You Can

Pictures often prove to be some of the best evidence in a personal injury case. If you have a camera enabled cell phone or any other type of camera on hand, try to take as many pictures as possible and as soon as possible before the accident scene is modified in any way. Try to get pictures from multiple angles and include the nearby witnesses in some of the pictures when possible so you can prove they were on the scene. If you don’t have a camera, ask someone nearby if they can take pictures. You may also want to call a friend to take pictures if they can get to your location quickly. If the car accident occurs in a busy location, you can check with nearby businesses to see if their security cameras picked up all or part of the accident. If you are unable to obtain this information, let a San Luis Obispo injury attorney assist you.

3. Collect Witness Information

It may become important in your case for your attorney to interview witnesses. In order to do so, your attorney will need to know who they are and how to contact them. Therefore, it is important for you to try to get the contact information of everyone nearby who can potentially serve as a witness to what happened. At minimum, try to get their full name, phone number, and email address. Even if you only obtain a phone number or a name, our San Luis Obispo CA attorneys will be able to locate the witnesses to obtain a statement. It is critical to obtain as much information as possible as soon as possible to properly prosecute a personal injury case.

4. Get Immediate Medical Attention

Even if you don’t think you are badly injured, you should still get examined by a qualified medical professional as soon as possible. Don’t wait even a day. Some injuries cannot be felt or seen immediately. A doctor will know how to test for these types of injuries and can start any treatment that you need. It is also important to your personal injury case to get any potential injuries documented as soon as possible. If you do not have medical insurance, the auto accident lawyers at The May Firm will assist you in obtaining the best medical care.

5. Immediately Call a Good Personal Injury Attorney

First and most importantly, you should never talk to anyone from the insurance companies before you talk to an attorney. By their profit driven nature, they are not on your side. If you and/or your family member is the victim of any type of auto accident, you should immediately call a lawyer for car accident injury attorney and let them contact the insurance companies on your behalf.
Some people keep the name of a good car accident law firm in their glove box just in case they need it. If you’re involved in a car accident, you may not have time to look up a phone number in the yellow pages or on the internet. The May Firm’s phone number is 805-980-7758. Feel free to place our phone number in your glove box and we’ll be happy to help you immediately should you become the victim of any type of car accident.
A good car accident attorney can ensure you get the full compensation you deserve. If you try to negotiate with insurance companies yourself or represent yourself in court, it is almost guaranteed you will not get the compensation you deserve, if you get any compensation at all. In fact, it is not uncommon for the insurance company to try to blame you. If you have been injured in a California car accident, we know what to do and we will help. A car accident attorney at The May Firm will provide you with a free case consultation.

The automobile accident attorneys at The May Firm have made a solid commitment to never represent insurance companies. Instead, they represent injured parties and have successfully settled hundreds of personal injury cases winning millions of dollars for their clients. All cases are taken on a contingency basis. This means that we do not get paid unless we win your case. When you and/or a family member has been injured, this can be a very stressful time. Having an attorney on your side can remove some of this stress so you can focus instead on recuperating and/or taking care of the needs of your family. If you need the services of a San Luis Obispo CA car accident attorney, call The May Firm, we know how to deal with insurance companies and others to ensure you get the compensation you are entitled to.