PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS IN NEWARK, CA

The steps you take immediately after an accident can impact your health and the outcome of any potential personal injury claim. A few essential steps you should take include:

• Call 9-1-1. Check yourself and others involved in the accident for visible injuries. Then, report the accident to law enforcement. If anyone needs medical attention, request it during your call.
• Exchange information with the other party. Get the other party's name, contact, driver's license number, and insurance information. You should also write down their license plate number and vehicle identification number (VIN).
• Gather evidence. Take photos and videos of the accident scene, including both vehicles, interior and exterior property damages, and any visible injuries. You should also document other relevant factors, like weather and road conditions. If there are witnesses, request their names and contact information.
• Seek medical attention. After leaving the accident scene, you should get a complete medical evaluation. Even if your injuries seem minor or you feel fine, some injuries may not immediately show symptoms. Additionally, medical records will be critical for your potential claim.
• Contact a Newark personal injury attorney. Contact a personal injury lawyer in Newark to discuss your unique situation and potential legal options. A lawyer can assess the viability of your claim and help you protect your legal rights from the beginning.

You should notify your own insurance company about the accident as soon as possible. Your insurance policy likely requires you to report an accident within a specific timeframe. Failing to adhere to your policy requirements could jeopardize your coverage.

We recommend consulting with an experienced Newark personal injury lawyer before talking to the other party's insurance company. An attorney can help you protect your legal rights and even handle communications on your behalf.

However, whether you are speaking to your insurance company or the other party's, you should approach the conversation with caution and stick to the basic facts of the accident. Our personal injury lawyers in Newark offer the following tips:

• Decline giving a recorded statement
• Provide factual information about the accident, like parties involved, time, and place
• Avoid speculating about how the accident occurred
• Do not talk about your injuries
• Avoid apologizing or saying anything that the insurance company could construe as admitting fault
• Do not accept a quick settlement

Yes, you can still seek and recover compensation after an accident, even if you were partially at fault. California is a pure comparative negligence state, meaning you can recover compensation even if you are 99 percent at fault for an accident. However, your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault. 

For example, if you were 60 percent responsible for the accident, you could still recover 40 percent of your total damages. In this example, suppose your total damages were $100,000. Your compensation would be reduced by 60 percent, leaving you with $40,000.

If there are questions or disagreements about liability in your case, then you should contact a personal injury lawyer in Newark. An attorney can ensure the insurance company does not unfairly place blame on you, work to minimize your liability, and negotiate for the maximum compensation possible.