Do I Need a Car Accident Attorney for a Broken Bone in Los Angeles?

The immediate aftermath of a car accident can be a bewildering time. But it is so important that you follow the proper steps to keep people safe and protect your own rights. First, you should call 911 as soon as you are able. Make sure to request a police report. 

Then, if you can, you should obtain the names, numbers, and information of any other drivers or witnesses. If you have your phone on you, take photos of the scene, your injuries, and any damage to your vehicle.

Then, seek immediate medical attention. And once you have taken yourself out of harm’s way, call an attorney to discuss your next best steps. 

Even if you are partly to blame for the accident, you may still be entitled to a settlement because of California law. 

California is a comparative fault state. This means that your losses will be reduced by whatever percentage of the fault it’s determined you carry. So if you sustained $10,000 in losses but were 20% at fault, you would still receive $8,000 in damages. 

This is different from many other states; in California, you are allowed to pursue compensation unless you are determined to be 100% at fault for the accident. So even if you are only entitled to 1% of the losses you accrued, you could technically still pursue that amount in court.

In California, you are required by law to wear a seat belt when traveling in a vehicle. However, your failure to follow this law does not affect your ability to file a lawsuit if you have been injured in a car accident. 

However, you should keep in mind that this information will be considered relevant throughout the process. Ultimately, you could receive less of a settlement than you would otherwise be entitled to.

After an accident, it’s not uncommon for you to receive phone calls from the other driver’s insurance provider. Although you are well within your rights to take the call and describe your experience with the accident, doing so may not be in your best interests.

Instead, it’s better to ask either your own insurance provider or your hired legal counsel to speak with the provider instead. That way, nothing you say can be taken out of context and used to decrease the amount of money you are entitled to. 

If the other driver’s provider has asked to record your call, simply refer them to your lawyer and end the conversation. 

The cost of a lawyer is a common concern for anyone pursuing a claim after a car accident injury. After all, if you are struggling to manage medical bills and lost wages, can you really afford to hire an attorney to help you through it all?

Fortunately, the right attorney will not demand any payment unless a settlement is reached. At Morgan & Morgan, we like to say that The Fee Is Always Free because we don’t require any payment until the case is won. 

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