Altadena Car Accident Attorneys

Motor-vehicle wrecks are one of the leading causes of unintentional injuries and deaths in the country. If you were hurt in an accident—or lost a loved one in a crash—you might be entitled to compensation for the damages you’ve incurred. Our Altadena car accident attorneys can guide you through the claims process and help you fight for a fair settlement. At HPIL, we’ve represented more than 5,000 clients, helping many of them secure six- and seven-figure financial awards. To arrange a free case review, contact us today on our 24/7 phone line at 1-800-GO-HARRIS.

Common Types of Damages in a Motor-Vehicle Accident Claim

Most damages in a car accident case are categorized as “compensatory”. Simply put, awards for such damages are meant to reimburse accident victims for any losses stemming from the wreck. If you were seriously hurt in a car crash that wasn’t your fault, a financial award should help restore you to the same or similar financial position you were in before the accident. As such, a personal injury attorney will attempt to attach a fair price tag to the collision’s financial impact.  Estimating the value of past medical expenses, property loss, and repairs is relatively simple; however, many other types of damages are not as easy to quantify. For instance, some victims experience mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and humiliation after the accident—damages which could all be factored into a car accident claim. Unlike your repair bills, there are no receipts or invoices for the agony you’ve endured in the wake of the crash, so your lawyer will have to rely on other methods to approximate the value of such losses. Here are a few examples of damages that may be available to you and your family in your claim: 

• Lost Wages: Even minor injuries can leave victims unable to work for days or weeks after the accident. If you suffered a catastrophic injury, it’s possible you may never be able to work again. As such, you could miss out on thousands—if not hundreds of thousands—of dollars in earnings. Fortunately, lost income could be factored into the potential recovery for your case. Your attorney may want to see evidence of lost earnings, such as letters from your employer, paystubs, and tax returns, and may need to consult with expert witnesses such as economists and vocational experts to estimate the value of both past and future lost wages.

• Medical Expenses: Even with a comprehensive health insurance policy, you and your family could still be on the hook for thousands of dollars in medical expenses after the accident. From the initial visit to the emergency room to the cost of prescription medication to regular physical therapy sessions, your medical bills can add up at an alarming rate. As a result, your medical costs will likely form a significant percentage of your eventual settlement. A damages award can include compensation for both the care you’ve received to date and the estimated cost of treatment you’re likely—due to the accident—to require in the future.

• Property Damage: If the accident was caused by another party, you may be able to seek compensation for the damage caused to your car.

• Pain and Suffering: Car crash victims often experience significant pain in the days, weeks, and months following the accident. This long-term suffering can take a serious toll on your emotional well-being, making it difficult to focus on important tasks or enjoy fun activities. As such, you may be able to seek compensation for pain and suffering. Your attorney might recommend starting a personal injury journal to track your pain levels, symptoms, medication side-effects, and other aspects of your recovery. This journal can help illustrate the severity of your injuries and help build a case for intangible losses such as pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.

Why Might the Insurance Company Dispute My Claim?

When you file a car accident claim, the insurer has a strong incentive to challenge your case to reduce the amount they have to pay out. While there are strict laws in place to ensure that insurers negotiate claims in good faith, any mistakes you make after the accident could give the insurance company ammunition to dispute your claim.  Let’s look at a few reasons why an insurance company might dispute your claim:

• You Did Not Seek Medical Treatment in Time: After an accident, taking care of your health should be your top priority. As such, you should visit the doctor as soon as possible so that you receive a prompt diagnosis and can begin your recovery. Delaying the diagnosis, or skipping a medical evaluation entirely, could lead to the insurer disputing your claim. For instance, they may assert that you failed in your responsibility to take reasonable steps to mitigate damages and are thus liable for some or all your damages.

• You Provided a Recorded Statement to the Insurer: In the weeks following the accident, the insurer may contact you for a recorded statement. While they may assure you that they just want to hear your side of the story, these interviews are often designed to elicit certain responses that could be used to challenge your case. Once you’ve hired an attorney, you should let them oversee all dialogue with the insurer and other opposing parties so that you don’t say something that could harm your case.

• You Made Mistakes: Even minor missteps could bring your claim crashing down. As such, it’s important to consider your actions carefully as anything you say or do could affect the outcome of your claim. For instance, posting about the accident online could give the insurance company evidence to dispute liability and damages. Alternatively, failing to track your damages could make it difficult or even impossible to prove some of your losses. At HPIL, our attorneys can guide you through the claims process and advise you on how to avoid costly mistakes and errors that might otherwise affect the outcome of your case.

Speak to a Car Accident Attorney in Altadena Today

The emotional, physical, and financial consequences of a serious car wreck can often be devastating. If you were injured in an accident, turn to the attorneys at HPIL. The initial consultation is free, and you won’t owe us a cent in attorney’s fees unless we win your claim. Contact us today at 1-800-GO-HARRIS or switch over to our online contact form HERE to schedule a free case review.