Wednesday, June 27, 2007

California Car Accident Lawyers - Auto Accident Attorneys in California (CA)

California Car Accident Lawyers

In the United States, an accident occurs every 10 seconds. It is said that 60 percent of the people involved in car accidents do not wear a seat belt. Under-aged drivers are usually involved in an automobile accident. Car accident lawyers state that a person should take reasonable care in operating a car, as the ‘law of negligence’ is applicable. California Car Accident Lawyers provide the following guidelines to the victims of car accidents:

  • The victims are required to call the police immediately.
  • The site of the accident should be secured and traffic should be redirected.
  • The guilty driver’s name, address, phone number and proof of his insurance should be recorded.
  • The details of the witnesses should also be recorded.
  • Medical attention should be sought soon after the accident, as traumatic injuries are not immediately apparent.
  • The victim should report the accident to his insurance company but should refrain from giving details to the defendant’s insurance company until he has contacted an attorney.

The injured person could claim compensation by proving that the other party’s negligence was the cause of his suffering and damage. In many cases, the injured party might not be aware of the specific rules but he might know that accidents are caused by the carelessness of the other parties. In this case, he should contact a car accident lawyer in California, who would be able to cite the violations of the rules by the defendant.

There are many car accident lawyers in the United States who use a contingency fee arrangement where the client need not pay the fees unless he is compensated for his loss. If the accident is caused due to intoxication by the defendant, it is essential to contact the car accident attorney immediately.

It is noted that auto-accidents cause considerable fatalities among Americans in the age group of 6 to 33. The auto accident attorneys in California reveal that nearly 6,000,000 accidents occur every year. It is advisable for a person involved in an accident to consult his lawyer before filing a suit on the negligent driver for damages. The statistics show that 40 percent of the negligent parties drive after the consumption of alcohol.

California Auto Accident Attorneys

The auto accident attorneys in California work towards protecting the rights of the clients. Sound medical information can help an auto accident lawyer defend his client’s case more effectively. The California auto accident attorneys say that accidents cause a yearly loss of nearly 150 billion dollars. It has been declared illegal in the state of California to drive without insurance. It is always desirable to purchase a policy that includes the coverage of ‘Uninsured and under-insured’ motorists.

It is necessary to get the names of all the parties involved in an auto accident to file a successful claim. The photographs of the accident sites are also essential. The injured party should seek medical attention immediately after the accidents, as medical records are vital evidence of the accident and its severity. The damages caused by auto accidents could lead to head and brain injuries, bone injuries and paralysis.

The California auto accident attorneys state that the following acts are considered ‘negligent’ in cases of auto accidents:

  • If the defendant drives at excessive speed
  • Failure to look out for the other vehicles.
  • If a person has some defects in his vehicle
  • If the defendant drives on the wrong side of the road
  • Failure to maintain the headlights or brakes
  • Failure to provide proper signals
  • Intoxicated driving

California auto accident attorneys advise their injured clients to seek compensation for the following damages:

  • Actual Damages: It includes property damages as well as medical expenses.
  • Economic Damages: It includes loss of wages.
  • The clients can also claim compensation for their emotional pain and suffering.

The Californian law states that the citizens should be financially responsible for their accidents. The minimum limits of liability insurance in California accidents are as follows:

  • A person should pay $15,000 for the death or bodily injury caused by him in an accident.
  • He should pay $30,000 for all the injured persons in an accident.
  • A property damage of $5,000 should be paid for one accident.

All the drivers in California should carry statutory limits of minimum liability insurance. The Californian drivers should prove their financial responsibility by depositing a cash amount of $35,000 with the department of motor vehicles. The plaintiff should prove that the defendant’s negligence caused the injury.

http://www.clearleadinc.com/site/auto-attorney-ca.html