Visalia Car Accident Lawyer – The Accident Helpers
Visalia is one of the most beautiful California cities, and it seamlessly blends rural and modern. Its proximity to Sequoia, Fresno, and Bakersfield has attracted many, but its homely feel and real sense of community keep them.
But like most Californian cities, Visalia’s roads can get very busy, drivers can be reckless, and all of that could lead to accidents. Unfortunately, these car accidents have been on the rise.
According to the Visalia Police Department Annual Report for 2023, there were 1049 collisions in the city, compared to 918 collisions in 2022. Of the 1049, 14 killed people, and 558 (over half) caused injury.
On average, this translates to about three collisions daily, with 1 of those collisions causing injury. If you are ever in a Visalia car accident, you should know that you are entitled to compensation for your injuries and any damage to your car or any other property.
According to Californian law (Cal. Veh. Code § 17150), the owner of the motor vehicle that caused your accident is liable and responsible for any death, injury, and property damage resulting from the accident, so they must compensate you.
What To Do If You’ve Been Involved
in A Car Accident in Visalia
These days, getting compensated means getting a settlement from an insurance company since most drivers have auto insurance.
However, to prevent insurance fraud and other such things, it has become necessary that any person claiming compensation must show what damages they suffered that necessitate compensation and that these damages were caused by the accident.
Californian law also requires that people involved in an accident meet certain steps that would prevent the loss of life as much as possible. To ensure you get compensated and you do not break state law, here’s what to do after an accident in Visalia:
Ensure Safety
Under Californian law, every driver involved in an accident must immediately stop if the accident causes injury or death to someone. But if it causes just property damage, they must stop at the nearest location where their stop won’t impede traffic or threaten the safety of other motorists (Cal. Veh. Code §§ 20001 & 20002).
Once an accident occurs, it may be challenging to immediately assess and determine whether you must stop on the scene or at a different location where your stop won’t impede traffic.
Therefore, it may be best to stop on the scene, whatever the case, and carefully assess the accident’s aftermath before deciding whether to remain or move to a safer parking spot. Failing to stop after an accident will make you guilty of a hit & run, whether you were directly responsible for the accident or not. And depending on the type of damage caused by the accident, a hit-and-run charge could make you a felon.
Call 911 if there has been an injury
If the accident has caused the death or injury of any person, you’ll be required to carry out the duties placed upon you by Cal Veh Code §§ 20003 & 20004. The most pressing of those duties is that a driver must reasonably assist anyone injured.
The easiest and most reasonable assistance is to first alert trained emergency medical personnel of the injury. According to the Visalia police department, any emergency must be reported by calling 911, so you must do that.
In certain instances, you may also be required to provide transportation assistance to help the injured person reach medical assistance as soon as possible.
Exchange & provide information
Californian law is clear on what it considers relevant information in the aftermath of a car accident. It includes the name and current residential address of the driver, the owner, and any occupants who may have been injured in the accident.
It also includes one’s vehicle registration number, driver’s license, and evidence of financial responsibility (typically your insurer’s name and policy number).
After an accident, you will be required to exchange all relevant information apart from the names and addresses of the injured occupants with the other driver. If an investigating law enforcement officer requests all pertinent information, you must also give it to them.
Document the scene
The process of gathering the necessary evidence for a successful claim must begin after the accident. Therefore, you must document the scene to preserve relevant information about the accident.
To effectively document, take note of the location, date, time, notable landmarks, and any relevant factors. You should also use your mobile phone to take pictures and videos of things like your injuries (if you have any), the damage to your car, and the damage to the other car(s).
Consult a car accident lawyer
A car accident lawyer is familiar with personal injury, insurance, and negligence law. It is important to consult one because navigating the aftermath of a car accident can be confusing due to these different laws.
With the advice of a car accident lawyer to rely on, you can rest assured that you are not breaking any laws and that you are properly enforcing your rights.
How Can a Car Accident Lawyer in Visalia Help?
There are specific areas where a car accident lawyer could be especially helpful. They are:
Protect your interests
This is crucial, especially in a state like California, where the vehicle’s owner responsible for the accident will be liable. In many car accidents, the owner is also the driver or is associated with the driver, so their interests may be similar.
However, in some instances, the driver and the car owner may not share similar interests, which could make the situation more complex.
Even when interests are similar, one party to the accident may allege that the other was at fault, while the other claims differently, making it necessary to first determine fault.
Gather necessary evidence
For many accidents, drivers may be able to provide evidence, like pictures and videos of the accident’s aftermath. However, that is not always enough to make a successful claim.
In other accidents, the drivers may not have any concrete evidence of their claims, only one person’s word against the other.
In all instances, your Visalia car accident lawyer will be responsible for gathering as much concrete evidence as you’ll need to ensure you can make a successful claim.
Negotiate with insurers
Depending on the type of accident, your existing coverage, and the damages you have sustained, your lawyer may advise you to claim with your insurer or the other driver’s insurer.
In either case, insurers are notorious for not wanting to pay the full extent of claims since they are for-profit companies. At this stage, your lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company, leveraging their experience and legal knowledge.
Their goal is to ensure that you get the best possible compensation. Studies have shown that car accident victims who get a lawyer are more likely to receive a higher average compensation than victims who don’t.
How Much Is My Palmdale Car Accident Claim Worth?
Estimating the exact worth of a Visalia car accident is difficult. However, to get a better sense of how much your claim may be worth, it is essential to ask the following questions:
- Was I responsible for the accident in any way?
- If yes, what proportion of the accident was I responsible for?
- How much have I incurred in medical and property repair expenses? Have I lost any wages as a result of this accident?
- Have I suffered genuine pain and suffering due to this accident?
- Have I been emotionally distressed by this accident?
- Has my ability to earn in the future been diminished by this accident?
Estimating the value of your claim with the help of a car accident lawyer will help you arrive at a more accurate estimate since they can provide you with the legal definitions of the issues you must consider to answer these questions properly.
Can Someone Sue You if You Have Car Insurance in Visalia?
Yes, another party may sue you if you have car insurance. If the other party believes that you were responsible for the accident, they will likely first try to claim with your insurer, and if your insurer fails to settle the claim, they can sue you directly.
Situations like these where one party is convicted, the other is responsible, and they both proceed to court for a final determination are rare.
Once both insurers understand that each party is claiming with the other’s insurer, they will utilize their in-house dispute resolution services to try to reach a compromise that both parties are comfortable with.
However, you should also remember that if you are sued, your liability coverage will require your insurer to pay for your legal representation.
Contact the Accident Helpers Today
At The Accident Helpers, we connect you to Visalia’s best and most experienced car accident lawyers! All you have to do is contact us and give us the details of your accident.
We will immediately provide you with options for skilled lawyers who have successfully handled cases similar to yours. Our services won’t cost you a dime, so contact us today!
