If you have
sustained a
serious injury in a car accident in Palmdale or Lancaster, CA, you may
wonder whether you are entitled to compensation from another involved party.
Even if you know another party was at fault, you may not know where to begin in
order to take legal action against them. The following is some information
regarding how a car accident case is started in California.
Speak
with a lawyer
If you have
been injured, you should always consult with a Palmdale & Lancaster, CA
auto attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can evaluate whether you have a
valid claim and can advise you of your options according to the law. If you
decide to proceed, your car accident lawyer can represent you and guide you throughout
every stage of the legal process. Speaking with a legal professional is a
highly important first step to obtaining compensation.
Determine
whether insurance compensation will be adequate
In some
cases involving relatively minor injuries, the negligent party's insurance
company may be willing to cover your losses, meaning no subsequent legal action
will be necessary. Even if the initial insurance settlement offer is
insufficient, your attorney can negotiate with the insurance company to help
you obtain the settlement you deserve for your medical expenses, lost income,
and other relevant losses.
Filing a
petition for a personal injury claim
If the
insurance company refuses to offer an adequate amount even after negotiations,
you may have to file a lawsuit against the negligent party to hold them liable
for your losses. A lawsuit is initiated when you file a petition in civil
court. A petition must contain certain information, including the following:
·
Names
of the parties to the lawsuit;
·
The
facts of how the car accidents occurred;
·
The
damages you are seeking in the claim.
Drafting a
proper and persuasive petition is imperative, so you should always seek the assistance
of an experienced Palmdale, California injury attorney if you
believe you may need to initiate a case.
Steven M.
Sweat, APC
5757
Wilshire Blvd., Suite 450
Los
Angeles, CA 90036
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