Motor Vehicle Accident Guide

Transcription

1 Motor Vehicle Accident Guide 9454 Wilshire Boulevard Penthouse Beverly Hills, California t f info@etehadlaw.com

2 Table of Contents Cover Page i Table of Contents ii Introduction 1 Your Health Should Always Come First 2 Do s and Don ts Following an Accident 3 Understanding Your Auto Insurance 5 Accident Sheet (for Your Vehicle) 7 ii

3 Introduction Have you been involved in a motor vehicle accident? If so, you re not alone. Hundreds of thousands of people are injured in motor vehicle accidents every year in California. And, if being hurt wasn t bad enough, insurance companies are constantly trying to dupe victims into settling their claims for pennies on the dollar. Don t be fooled! If you ve been involved in an accident, you re entitled to full and adequate compensation for all of your medical expenses, property damage, lost income, and pain and suffering. We know how frightening and challenging serious injuries can be for you and your family. One of the most important and fulfilling aspects of what we do is ensuring that our clients have access to the best physicians and medical providers available. It s important to us that you can take comfort in the fact that you re being taken care of by the best and brightest. Aside from your physical and mental well-being, we also know the financial hardships that can result from serious injuries. That s why we fight tirelessly for you and your rights against the unlimited resources of big insurance companies. We know how to maximize your settlement and get the results you deserve. Disclaimer: The information you obtain from this guide is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Contact us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. 1

4 Your Health Should Always Come First When you ve been involved in an accident, never hesitate to seek medical treatment. If you believe you re injured, don t risk it. Allow an ambulance to take you to the hospital and verify that you re okay. Don t be deterred by the cost because if the other party is at fault you can get reimbursed. If an ambulance doesn t respond, you can take yourself to the hospital if you think it s appropriate. Often, pain and symptoms of common injuries don t present right away and can get progressively worse over the hours and days following an accident. If you experience this, don t wait too long to see a doctor. Receiving timely and proper treatment for your injuries will speed your recovery. Also, if you wait too long to seek treatment, insurance companies will use this against you, arguing that you must not have really been injured. If you don t have health insurance or if you don t know a doctor in your area let us know, we can help! 2

5 Do s and Don ts Following An Accident Do Seek Medical Treatment: Never gamble with your health. Always seek timely medical treatment when you ve been injured following an accident. Do Take Pictures: As the old adage goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. They can be extremely helpful in preserving evidence and conveying the severity of the accident, the extent of damage to the vehicles involved, and any visible injuries you may have suffered. Always make sure you obtain the other driver s license, insurance, and vehicle information. Do Keep Us Informed: Your cooperation is paramount in ensuring that your case progresses smoothly. It s crucial that you respond to our inquiries promptly. If you learn of or remember any additional information regarding any aspect of your accident, let us know right away. You should also advise us if you change medical providers, see new or additional providers, or if you re having trouble keeping your appointments. 3

6 Do s and Don ts Following An Accident Do Keep a Journal: Record any disruptions in your life or personal relationships caused by your injuries. Even restrictions like taking walks, driving, going grocery shopping, or other household chores are important. Don t Sign Anything: Don t sign any papers or fill out any forms unless we tell you to do so. Whenever you re in doubt, it s best to give us a call first. Don t Discuss: Don t discuss your case with anyone, not even your own insurance company. Honest and innocent remarks can easily be distorted and manipulated. If anyone tries to contact you regarding your accident, it s best to get their information and advise them that your attorneys at Etehad Law will be in touch with them. Don t Post on Social Media: Always be mindful of what you post. Anything you share on services like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Snapchat can be discoverable and used against you in defense of a personal injury lawsuit, even if your account is private. 4

7 Understanding Your Auto Insurance If you own a vehicle, you must have auto insurance. California law requires all private passenger vehicles to have the following minimum liability insurance: $15,000 for bodily injury, per person; $30,000 for bodily injury, per incident; and $5,000 for property damage. It s important to know that your minimum liability insurance compensates the other party for any personal injuries or property damage they suffer because of your negligence. Also, if someone is injured in a car accident where you re found to be at fault, your minimum liability insurance may not be sufficient to cover all of their damages. If this happens, the other party may decide to pursue your personal assets. That s why we always recommend you obtain at least enough coverage to safeguard your assets against any potential liability. 5

8 Understanding Your Auto Insurance No matter the situation, you need to protect yourself and your family from an uninsured motorist (UM) or an underinsured motorist (UIM) who only has a minimum liability policy. To do so, we strongly recommend that you obtain, at least, the following coverage in addition to an insurance policy which meets or exceeds the minimums required by California law: $30,000 or more for UM/UIM bodily injury, per person; $60,000 or more for UM/UIM bodily injury, per incident; $10,000 or more for collision; $5,000 or more for non-excess and non-reimbursable medical payments; and Rental coverage. 6

9 Accident Sheet When you ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident: 1. If the police or deputy sheriffs respond, let them know you re hurt, otherwise they won t take a report. 2. If an ambulance and paramedics arrive, allow them to treat you at the scene and transport you to the nearest hospital. 3. If possible, take pictures of the scene, all the vehicles involved, their license plates, the drivers, and each driver s license and insurance information. 4. Call your attorneys at Etehad Law, Date: / / Time: Location: Police Report No.: Driver 1 Driver 2 Name: Driver s License: Insurance Co: Policy Number: Name: Driver s License: Insurance Co.: Policy Number: 7