Q: How Much Can Someone Sue for in a Car Accident Case?
A: Insurance is typically the first option for recovering your losses from an unexpected car accident. However, if the at-fault driver does not have insurance or their insurance cannot fully compensate the victim’s losses, the victim can file a civil suit to seek compensation for all outstanding damages. Under state law, the victim of a personal injury has the right to
seek full compensation for their medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Q: How Long Does It Take to Resolve a Car Accident Lawsuit?
A: The time required to complete any civil claim for damages in California depends on whether the defendant accepts liability for their actions, the scope of the harm done to the plaintiff, and the total amount of compensation the plaintiff is seeking from the defendant. If the parties involved are willing to settle the case, it may only take a few weeks, but if litigation is necessary, this will take much longer to resolve.
Q: Will a Driver Go to Jail for Causing a Car Accident?
A: If a driver caused an accident through negligence or failure to meet a duty of care, they are unlikely to face criminal charges. However, if they caused the accident by driving under the influence (DUI) or any other illegal misconduct, criminal charges are all but certain. Penalties for breaking laws increase significantly when this behavior causes bodily harm or death. Your attorney can advise you as to how a criminal case from the state could impact your recovery efforts after an accident.
Q: Do I Need to Hire an Attorney After a Car Accident?
A: If another driver injured you in an accident they caused, an experienced attorney can significantly improve the quality of your recovery when you pursue compensation for your losses. In the event you caused the accident, you will likely face legal recourse from the driver you hit, so hiring a defense attorney is a good idea if you want to minimize the damages you need to pay to the plaintiff.
Q: What Happens When Drivers Share Fault for an Accident?
A: It is possible for liability to be contested in a car accident claim, and once the facts are revealed to all parties involved, it may turn out that both drivers share liability for the incident. California follows the pure comparative negligence rule, so when more than one driver shares fault for an accident, each liable party will have a fault percentage assigned to them. If a plaintiff holds partial liability for their accident, the percentage is subtracted from their case award, and they keep the remainder of the damages sought from the defendant.
Ultimately, any car accident has the potential to raise difficult legal questions for the drivers involved. If you recently experienced a
car accident due to the negligence or intentional misconduct of another driver, you need an experienced attorney who can help you recover as fully as possible.
Contact Kreeger Law Firm to learn more about the professional legal services we offer to car accident victims and start working toward your recovery.