In California, if you have been injured in a car accident as a direct result of another motorist’s negligence, you are legally entitled to file a claim against that negligent motorist to seek monetary compensation for your damages. Oftentimes, victims of car accidents do not walk away unscathed. Often, they are burdened with significant economic and noneconomic damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional distress. The immediate steps you take after a car accident can either help or hurt your case. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, contact one of our experienced and adept Santa Clara County Car Accident Attorneys who can help you seek financial compensation for your damages. In addition, please continue reading to learn about the common mistakes victims make when filing a car accident claim that could negatively impact their chances of recovering compensation for their losses.
What common mistakes should victims avoid when filing a car accident claim in California?
After a car accident, certain steps you take could jeopardize your chances of recovering financial compensation for your damages. Oftentimes, victims make the mistake of leaving the scene of the accident too quickly. It is imperative to stay long enough for police to be notified and to have a police report filed to document the accident. If you do not remain at the scene of the accident long enough, you may miss valuable details about your surroundings that could be used to corroborate your claim later on. In addition, if you do not remain at the scene you may not be able to obtain the contact information of any witnesses who observed the events before, during, and after the accident. This is critical as witnesses can help determine fault. Police must gather witness statements as they can help strengthen your case against a negligent party.
Furthermore, another mistake victims make that could hurt their case is posting about their injuries on social media. You should refrain from posting any photos, videos, or statements about your injuries on your social media as the negligent parties’ insurance company can use that information to discredit your claim. They may try to claim that you are exaggerating your injuries which could hurt your credibility. Another mistake victims make is not keeping track of their pertinent medical records that could help legitimize their claims. Moreover, victims may make the mistake of waiting too long to file their claims. In California, after a car accident, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim against a negligent party. If you fail to do so within this time frame you will be barred from ever filing one in the future. If you miss the filing deadline you will lose your right to recover compensation for your damages.
In the unfortunate event that you have been injured in a car accident as a result of negligence, please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our determined and dedicated attorneys. We can help you file a claim to meet this strict deadline to ensure you have the opportunity to seek monetary compensation for your damages.
