How Much Is a California Claim For Pain and Suffering After a Car Accident Worth?

Personal injury claims for pain and suffering after a car accident are becoming increasingly common. These cases are taken seriously because car accidents are traumatic events that cause untold emotional repercussions and serious injuries too. If you are considering making a claim of this nature, you will naturally wonder how much compensation is owed. The answer is case-dependent and will be determined by the extent of injury and suffering.

 

How Are Pain and Suffering Defined in CA?

Pain and suffering are somewhat unquantifiable, however, there are a few ways to determine the amount a plaintiff has suffered. Factors such as the severity of injury and the scale of consequences it inflicted all have an important part to play and will be taken seriously. If you can show that you have lasting physical pain, event-specific anxiety, depression, your life has changed for the worse, or you are working through PTSD then this is grounds for movement. Though, these are not the only circumstances that can be put forward.

 

When a Loved One Dies

If you are filing a lawsuit because you have lost a loved one, there are different things to take into account. You may not have suffered from any injury yourself, but the very fact that you are grieving the life of someone you love is more than enough justification for bringing a case into action. Talk to our wrongful death attorney experts at Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys to understand more about how to begin this type of legal journey.

 

When There is No Physical Injury

It is possible to set a lawsuit or insurance claim into motion if you have no physical injury to evidence. If you have been through something traumatic, and there have been substantial impacts on your mental health which continue to affect your ability to re-engage with typical life, you have a case.

 

Common Ways to Prove Pain and Suffering

If you are wondering how to prove pain and suffering, our team can help. The following factors are frequently assessed in this type of case, and anything you can offer to prove a single one will be useful when it comes to determining the final compensation amount.

 

Medical Records

Medical records are official accounts of the physical injuries you are claiming for. If there are no physical injuries, then a statement from a doctor or healthcare official like a psychologist will be beneficial as well. This will be a big part of how the case is assessed so while you are not legally obligated to provide such details, the act of not doing so will decrease the amount of compensation you are entitled to.

 

Therapist Reviews

Therapist reviews will confirm that the emotional pain you are claiming is valid. They are bound by client confidentiality but you can request a statement on your behalf that supports the claim in question. This should detail the extent of your sessions and all of the ways you have been impacted through their professional lens.

 

Proof of Life Pre-Accident

The main reason these claims are brought to life is because the victim has suffered in life after the accident. They may not be able to work, or even go out and enjoy time with their friends. You can prove this through photographs and witness statements of how you were before the accident, and by representing what life looks like now. If you are staying in the house more often, for example, this will be straightforward enough to prove.

 

Family and Friend Accounts

You can also ask family and friends to provide accounts to support your claim. These should detail how you were before you were injured or emotionally scarred, and the ways you have changed since it took place. These will be crucial bits of evidence because the people you are closest to always have the deepest insight into your personality and well-being.

 

Are There Any Limits on What You Can Claim?

In California, any good car accident lawyer will know that there are no limits to what you can claim. This means everything should be on the table for discussion and that you receive an appropriate, proportionate sum for your losses. This doesn’t mean you can request a ridiculous, unrealistic sum but it does mean that is possible to assign a complete amount to what you have been through and work with the process to get what you deserve.

 

Two Common Methods

There are two common methods that are used in both insurance claims and lawsuits. These options aim to assign a monetary figure to the pain and suffering you have experienced both during and after the incident occurred.

 

Multiplier

The multiplier method considers every single economic hit you have taken and puts it against a scale of 1-5. This scale represents the degree of suffering you have entailed and factors in things like the extent of pain and emotional toll of the accident in question. Your personal injury accident attorney will be able to determine the correct number that your circumstances should be defined as.

 

Per diem

This is a calculation method that considers the daily dollar amount that you could claim post-accident. For example, if you have been forced to take time off from work and are therefore losing income at a rapid rate, this is relevant. Each day you have lost will be calculated and become a part of your settlement figure.

Pain and suffering are entirely personal things. What you feel is unique to you, and nobody should dismiss this without a thorough investigation. When an accident takes place or you face life without a loved one by your side, our attorneys can help you make the right decisions and seek justice.

Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys are here to help. Make an appointment at our law offices to discuss the case with our team of professional experts or pick up the phone and make a call to begin the conversation.

How to Cope If You’ve Been Injured in a Lyft Crash

Millions of people use Lyft daily as a simple way of getting from A to B. However, Lyft drivers are just like any other motorist, meaning their vehicles can be involved in crashes. Whether you were hit by a Lyft vehicle or a Lyft passenger, the experience can be traumatic and leave you with serious life-changing injuries that can impact your mental well-being, financial circumstances, and much more. In the aftermath of the accident, you’ll need to learn how to manage your emotions, injuries, and cope with life.

 

Attempt to Remain Calm at the Scene

Coping after being injured in a Lyft crash begins immediately after the accident. Even though emotions will be running high, you need to stay calm and get to a safe place if you can. Whether you’re a passenger in the Lyft vehicle or you’re another motorist, make sure you collect the vehicle and driver details, wait for the police, and collect any witness information.

 

Liaise with Police Where Necessary

California state and many others require all accidents to be reported to the police, so you should make sure you wait for them to arrive. The more accurate information you can supply to the police, the more substantial official evidence there will be for our Lyft accident lawyer to successfully claim compensation on your behalf. However, even if emotions cause you to miss vital details, we will conduct a thorough investigation.

 

Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Injuries from Lyft accidents can vary from minor to serious, but it’s important to have a medical assessment and keep the records regardless of how severe it feels. In some cases, serious conditions don’t present for a few days. However, if you fail to have a medical assessment as soon as you’ve left the scene, our expert Lyft car accident lawyer may struggle to seek the compensation you deserve. After all, the absence of records allows the defense to argue the injuries happened after the crash.

 

Keep a Record of All Financial Losses

Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may have to take time off work or even have to leave your job altogether. The absence of work will leave you in financial distress, which is where your emotions can get the better of you if you don’t have control measures in place. Even though you’re at a loss financially, you stand a fantastic chance of winning a settlement to cover all damages, especially when you have an expert Lyft accident attorney from our team on your side. As well as loss of earnings, your financial losses may include:

  • Medical expenses
  • Interest on missed loan payments
  • Vehicle repair or replacements
  • Travel expenses arising from the crash
  • Lost wages

Speak to Your Employer

Your injuries might force you to take time out of work or leave employment completely, which will leave you without wages. However, we recommend talking to your employer to find out if they can help. For example, if your position involved lots of activity, they may facilitate a faster return by creating a remote working opportunity with very little moment.

 

Explore Government Benefits

If your Lyft accident injuries leave you disabled, you’ll have to adapt to a whole new way of life, which can be a daunting prospect. However, you may be eligible to receive disability benefits from the government, which can help eliminate some of the financial uncertainty and allow you to focus on making positive changes. As well as financial benefits, you may find a number of support groups to attend, which can make you feel much less alone.

 

Report the Incident to Lyft

Lyft drivers are covered by liability insurance, which allows the company to pay compensation when their drivers are at fault. Therefore, whenever the Lyft driver’s insurance doesn’t cover the damages, Lyft’s policy will kick into action. However, you’ll need to prove beyond doubt that the Lyft driver was at fault, which Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys can do by conducting a thorough investigation before putting together a strong compensation claim.

 

Let Us Notify Your Insurance Company

To avoid saying anything that will harm your case, let an experienced Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys liaise with them after the initial accident notification. Our expert team knows how to communicate with insurance companies using the language they speak – and we know how to circumvent their crafty tactics to avoid paying out.

 

Consider Mental Health Support

Being involved in a Lyft accident can have a detrimental impact on mental health as well as physical, which can make coping with life much more challenging. Therefore, we recommend speaking to a counselor or therapist to help overcome any mental distress. While our Lyft accident lawyer CA can offer you support throughout the proceedings, nothing will compare to the benefits of seeking out mental health support.

 

Focus on the Here and Now

When you’re facing a long road of recovery, financial distress, and potential post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it can be difficult to remain focused on the present and move forward. To help with this, we recommend exploring mindfulness to bring yourself back to the here and now. If you have a look at your smartphone’s app store, there are plenty of fantastic tools to facilitate guided meditation and relation.

Being involved in a Lyft accident can leave you with physical injuries and mental distress, alongside potential life changes and financial hardships. If you’re searching for a Lyft accident lawyer near me, let Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys fight for the compensation you deserve. Although we’re based in Los Angeles, we have offices in California, Texas, and Nevada. With zero cost for a free consultation, contact us today.

How Can a Los Angeles Truck Accident Lawyer Help Me?

How can a Los Angeles truck accident lawyer help me? That is an important question if you or a loved one has been affected by a truck accident in which you were the driver or victim. Compensation can help you cope with the aftermath, and this can be extensive. Without a vehicle accident lawyer experienced in handling truck accident claims managing your case, you are unlikely to be fully compensated. We look at how a truck accident injury lawyer can assist you with your case.

 

The Role of a Truck Accident Attorney

It is a serious accident when someone is hit by a truck because these vehicles weigh so much compared to a normal car. An incident can cause anything from mild to severe trauma and injuries, even leading to wrongful death. You will need the expertise and resources of the best wrongful death lawyers in California for such cases.

It is important that you collect detailed information and proof to use in your claim case. This must be supported by a legal team comprising a road accident lawyer with decades of experience in such matters. Your accident injury lawyers will undertake the following steps on your behalf:

  • Analyze how severe the case is
  • Work out how much you should be compensated for all aspects of the claim
  • Undertake negotiations with the other party
  • Defend your rights

Determining How Severe a Case is

Factors that road traffic accident lawyers use to determine how severe a case is include the following:

  • The party who is liable for the traffic accident
  • Any negligence on the part of the truck driver
  • Compliance with the safety standards that the truck driver’s company failed to uphold
  • Any other contributions to the cause of the accident

Where more than one party is responsible for the crash, this can push up the amounts that can be claimed, and your accident injury lawyers will be in the best position to determine this and carry out the calculations. You will need to have substantial proof of liability to make your claim against the guilty party/parties.

Under no circumstances should you accept a preliminary settlement from the insurers of the truck driver and the company they work for before the claim for restitution has been made. This may make you appear guilty, and your road accident lawyer will warn you against this. Always be guided by your road traffic accident lawyers in every aspect of the case. The same applies if a loved one was killed in the accident and you and your wrongful death lawyers are fighting this on behalf of the deceased person.

 

Calculating the Cost of Damages

A claim for damages after a truck accident includes economic items and non-economic damages like pain and suffering, which can be harder to calculate. In the case of a fatality, a wrongful death settlement lawyer is essential to getting the best possible settlement for the bereaved family or partner of the deceased. Either way, your road traffic accident lawyers will do the necessary calculations and file a claim for you.

The economic charges that result from a truck accident are:

  • Lost wages. If you have a permanent or temporary disability, you will need to recover future earnings as well.
  • Medical Expenses. This includes both past and future medical expense for potentially the rest of your life.
  • Property Damage. Your own vehicle and other property might have been damaged in the crash and needs to be paid for.
  • With the likelihood of your or a loved one having physical injuries, you will have to pay medical expenses for tests and treatment, such as by medical practitioners, specialists, physiotherapists etc., as well as an account for hospitalization and occupational therapy in a special clinic.

Non-economic damages include:

  • Mental suffering
  • Physical Pain
  • Loss of Enjoyment of life
  • Physical disfigurement
  • Anxiety
  • Grief

You are entitled to claim for all these damages. How they are calculated may differ from state to state. This is another reason that you need the expert help of a road accident lawyer California. They will also advise you on timeframes within which a claim must be lodged.

 

Negotiating the Full Value of Your Compensation Claim

You will be up against the legal team for the trucking company. It is essential that you refrain from making any statements or offering information if they contact you. Remember that they are experts in getting the opposition to implicate themselves or getting the claim amount reduced.

It is also necessary for your own legal team to negotiate your compensation and keep the focus on the facts and the claim amount they have calculated for you.

 

Fighting for Your Rights

Once your accident injury lawyers have accepted your case, they will fight for your rights. It is important that you listen to their legal advice and act accordingly. Remember that these are legal instructions provided by road traffic accident lawyers and not just ‘good advice’ offered by a friend.

Your vehicle accident lawyers must be experienced attorneys in truck accident cases and competent in every way to take on your case. They will know how the state operates and what the deadlines are for each stage. This will enable them to submit the necessary documents in time, and in doing so, this will prevent the case from being dismissed.

Armed with this information, you can obtain the best truck accident or wrongful death lawyers California if the victim perished due to the accident. Alternatively, if you are the victim, you need the best truck accident lawyers to ensure that deadlines in court and the legal process are complied with, that you get excellent advice, and that you achieve a settlement which is a fair and just compensation for your suffering and expenses. Most truck traffic accident lawyers will not charge you for the initial appointment and usually only once the settlement has been upheld in court so that you need not worry about legal fees while the case is being heard. This makes it vitally important that you choose an attorney with the willingness to fight your case on your behalf.

Here at Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys, we have the experience and expertise necessary to take on your truck accident claim. With the right backing, you can take comfort that you are receiving the best legal care.

What to Do After a Car Accident in California

A California car accident is generally an unexpected and traumatic event that leaves most of us overwhelmed and with many questions about what to do next. Do I need to call the police? What information do I need from the other driver? How do I protect my rights? From notifying law enforcement to consulting with a California car accident lawyer, we have outlined a step-by-step guide of what to do after a car accident in California below.

 

Step 1: Stop and Stay at the Accident Scene

You must stop and stay at the accident scene until it is appropriate to leave. If someone has sustained injuries, needs assistance, or was killed, and you leave, you could be charged with a hit-and-run. You should stay until the police arrive. If the accident only caused property damage, you can leave after you have exchanged important information with the other driver.

 

Step 2: Check for Injuries and Ensure Everyone’s Safety

Your top priority after a car accident in California is to check yourself for any visible injuries and check on the safety of the other parties involved. If you or anyone else is injured, call 9-1-1 immediately to request emergency medical attention.

 

Step 3: Call Law Enforcement to Report the Accident

Even if the accident seems minor, you should call 9-1-1 to report the accident. Authorities will decide whether to come to the accident scene. If police officers arrive at the scene, they will investigate the accident and create a police report.

A police report can be significant evidence if you need to file a car accident claim. It includes information about all parties involved and an unbiased account of the accident, which can help establish fault.

 

Step 4: Exchange Information With the Other Driver(s)

You should exchange important contact information and insurance details with the other driver. If the crash included multiple vehicles, exchange information with every driver involved. Our California car accident attorneys recommend obtaining the following information:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Phone number
  • Driver’s license number
  • Information about the vehicle, like its year, make, and model
  • License plate number
  • Insurance company name
  • Insurance policy number

 

Step 5: Document the Accident Scene and Your Injuries

If possible, take pictures of the accident scene to preserve evidence. You should take photos of the vehicles involved and any injuries sustained. Also, write down details about the accident, like the date, time, location, road conditions, and weather conditions.

 

Step 6: Talk to Witnesses

If there were any witnesses to the accident, try to get their names and contact details. Witness statements can be invaluable for determining accident liability and supporting your potential car accident claim.

 

Step 7: Seek Medical Attention

You should seek a complete medical evaluation as soon as possible after leaving the accident scene. Even if you feel fine right now, some injuries may not be immediately apparent due to adrenaline or delayed symptoms. If you sustain injuries, you want to receive medical treatment immediately. Additionally, medical records serve as critical evidence for your potential accident claim.

 

Step 8: Inform Your Insurance Company About the Accident

Your auto insurance policy likely requires you to report the car accident to your insurance company. Provide your insurer with the necessary information about the crash. However, we do not recommend providing a detailed statement or making any assumptions about the cause of the crash or the severity of your injuries. Anything you say could be used against you if you need to file a claim with your insurer.

 

Step 9: Report the Accident

If law enforcement does not come to the accident scene, you may be required to report the accident to your local police or the California Highway Patrol (CHP), and the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You must report the accident to the local police or the CHP within 24 hours if anyone was injured or died in the accident.

Additionally, in California, you must report a car accident to the DMV using its SR-1 form within 10 days if any of the following factors exist:

  • Anyone involved in the crash sustained injuries, no matter the severity
  • Anyone involved in the crash died
  • The accident resulted in property damages exceeding $1,000

 

Step 10: Consult With a California Car Accident Lawyer

After a car accident, we recommend scheduling a consultation with an experienced California car accident attorney. An attorney can answer your questions and help you determine whether you may have a viable claim to obtain compensation for your injuries and damages. Getting an attorney early in the process is beneficial for multiple reasons. For example, an attorney can help you preserve evidence, communicate with the insurance companies on your behalf, and protect your best interests.

 

Get a Free No-Risk Consultation With Our California Car Accident Lawyers

At Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys, we help car accident victims get the compensation they need and deserve after serious accidents. We have offices throughout California and encourage you to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with us about your situation. Call us at (888) 779-1180 or contact us online to discuss your potential legal options.

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What to Do After a Motor Vehicle Accident

Being involved in a motor vehicle accident can be a stressful experience, often leaving accident victims feeling overwhelmed and unsure of the next steps to take. However, your actions after an accident can significantly impact your health and your potential auto accident claim. Therefore, knowing what to do after a motor vehicle accident is critical to protect yourself and your claim. Below, our motor vehicle accident lawyers cover essential steps to take after a serious accident.

 

1. Call 9-1-1 to Report the Accident to Law Enforcement

The initial shock and adrenaline may distract you from any immediate pain, so look for any visible injuries before moving or getting out of your vehicle. Then, if you are physically able, check on any passengers and the other motorist.

You should call law enforcement to report the accident. If anyone needs medical attention, request emergency medical responders at this time. Police officers may come to the scene to investigate the accident and create a police report of the crash.

2. Exchange Information With the Other Driver

Once you have addressed immediate safety concerns, you need to gather and exchange information with the other driver. Our motor vehicle accident attorneys recommend obtaining the following contact and insurance information:

  • Name
  • Contact details
  • Driver’s license number
  • Insurance provider
  • Insurance policy number
  • Make and model of the other vehicle
  • License plate number

If there are any witnesses to the accident, request their contact information too.

3. Preserve Evidence by Documenting the Accident Scene

Before you leave the accident scene, spend time documenting the accident with pictures. These photos may be critical evidence to support your potential accident claim. Important things to photograph include:

  • Visible injuries
  • Vehicle damages
  • The other vehicle
  • Road conditions
  • Weather conditions

4. Get a Medical Evaluation

Regardless of how you feel, always get a complete medical examination after an accident. We recommend getting one during the first 24 hours after an accident.

Certain injuries, like whiplash, may not show symptoms right away. You want to make sure you do not have any injuries that may get worse if untreated. Additionally, a medical evaluation gives you the necessary medical documentation to support your claim.

5. Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company

In the following days, contact your insurance company to report the accident. Be factual and avoid speculating about accident liability or your injuries. You should avoid providing a detailed statement until you have consulted with an experienced attorney.

6. Discuss Your Situation With a Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer

Consider contacting an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney soon after the crash to discuss your case. If you have suffered injuries and damages due to the accident, filing an accident claim may be your only way of recovering your costs. An attorney can help you understand your best legal options for protecting your legal rights and moving forward.

 

Get a Free Case Review From Our Motor Vehicle Accident Attorneys

At Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys, we help accident victims seek justice and compensation for their injuries. Our law firm has extensive experience and success in handling motor vehicle accident cases throughout California, Nevada, and Texas. We may be able to help you on your journey to recovery too.

Our firm provides a free, no-risk consultation to discuss your unique situation and your options for recovering compensation. We can also determine whether we can help you. Call us at (888) 779-1180 or contact us online to schedule yours.

 

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What to Do After an Accident With a Semi Truck

Navigating the aftermath of an accident with a commercial truck can be an overwhelming experience. However, the steps you take at the accident scene and days after the crash can affect your ability to recover compensation for your damages. Your actions are critical to protecting your potential truck accident claim. Our truck accident lawyers highlight what to do after an accident with a semi-truck below.

 

Step 1: Check for Injuries and Call 9-1-1 to Report the Accident

Your first concern should be the safety and health of yourself and everyone involved in the accident. Before checking on passengers and other involved parties, check yourself for any visible injuries. Then, if you can, check on others.

Call 9-1-1 to report the accident and request emergency medical assistance if needed. Police will ensure that medical responders come to the accident scene. Additionally, police officers may come to the site, investigate the crash, and create a police report.

A police report is official legal documentation of the accident. It may include information about involved parties, witnesses, a summary of what happened, and other details of the crash.

 

Step 2: Gather and Exchange Important Information

You should exchange information with the semi-truck driver and any other involved parties. You should gather the following information:

  • Truck driver’s name
  • Contact information
  • Driver’s license number
  • Insurance company and policy number
  • Name and contact information of the driver’s employer
  • Commercial truck’s license plate number
  • Any other identifying information about the truck

Additionally, if there were any witnesses to the accident, request their names and contact information. Their statements may be essential for your claim.

 

Step 3: Document the Accident

Use your phone to take photographs and videos of the accident scene. By taking pictures, you are preserving evidence of the crash. This evidence may be critical to proving liability and protecting your potential truck accident claim.

Our semi-truck accident lawyers recommend taking photos of the following things:

  • Any visible injuries
  • Interior and exterior damage to your vehicle
  • Commercial truck
  • Nearby road signs or landmarks
  • Road conditions
  • Weather conditions

 

Step 4: Get Medical Attention

After you leave the accident scene, you should get a complete medical evaluation as soon as possible. Even if you feel fine, a medical evaluation is critical for a couple of reasons. First, you want to ensure that you get medical treatment if you have internal injuries or injuries that are not showing immediate symptoms.

Second, you want medical documentation. Medical documentation is critical for proving that your injuries resulted from the semi-truck accident.

 

Step 5: Consult With a Commercial Truck Accident Attorney

Commercial truck accident cases can be complex. Semi-truck accidents typically result in catastrophic injuries or death, so damages are generally significant. Additionally, many parties are typically responsible for ensuring a truck is safe and may be liable for your damages.

A semi-truck accident attorney can help you understand your legal rights and protect your claim from the beginning. Your attorney can help you preserve critical evidence, talk and negotiate with insurance companies, and fight for your right to compensation.

 

Schedule a Free Case Review With Our Semi Truck Accident Lawyers

Have you or a loved one suffered damages in a commercial truck accident? You may be entitled to compensation for your damages, such as medical bills and lost wages. Contact our semi-truck accident lawyers to discuss your legal options during a free, no-obligation consultation.

At Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys, we fight for California, Nevada, and Texas accident victims to help them secure the compensation they need and deserve. Call us at (888) 779-1180 or contact us online to discuss your situation today.

 

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5 Essential Questions You Should Ask Your Car Accident Lawyer

lawyers for auto accidents

One of the most important decisions you will be making after being a victim of a car accident is to hire a lawyer that you can trust. Hiring lawyers for auto accidents will skyrocket your probability of getting the maximum claims and compensation from the party at fault.

 

Road To Success With Your Lawyer

Best lawyers for auto accidents will work closely with you and you with them. That means complete transparency is expected and all of the information and minute details of the accidents should be divulged. Considering the pain and suffering you experienced, going religiously to the doctor seems to be an effort but this has to be done. All the documents which will include medical records and bills have to be organized and submitted. Rest assured though that your auto accident injury lawyers will provide all their knowledge, experience and resources to get what you deserve.

 

What Are Your Choices After Being In a Car Accident?

One thing that comes up in your mind when you were involved in an auto accident is what are my choices to address the situation and what is the best option for me.

When you are hurt, you may:

  • Handle everything on your own, pay your medical bills and even future medical expenses (seems less complicated but not the best option for your best interest).
  •  Work for an injury claim with the responsible party with bodily injury liability, you will get what they will just give.
  • Take advantage of an injury claim such as workers’ compensation plan as provided by another form of insurance.
  • File a lawsuit against the responsible driver, their insurance company and if needed another third party.

Your auto accident injury lawyers will explain to you all the choices that you have, the advantages and disadvantages and set expectations on what is required for the recommended option. Ask all the questions to get all the information you need as best lawyers for auto accidents would like you to have the confidence that when you hire them, you know they have your best interest in this battle.

 

What Are The Chances Of Getting The Compensation I Deserve Compared To Other Cases?

Your auto accident injury lawyers are not clairvoyant. However, based on their past experiences and knowledge, they may provide you with an educated guess.

When lawyers for auto accidents evaluate your case, they look into other cases similar to yours. Using a hypothetical “generic” case, the cause of the accident, the injuries, medical diagnosis, treatment and even documentation is easy to determine and accomplish.

In cases such as this, then the insurance company at fault may settle a reasonable amount as they want this to be settled at the shortest possible time.

Reality bites though that this easy and ideal situation where everything will be settled without much of a fuss only exists in our minds. Every case has its own peculiarities. Investigation will take time and the party at fault will do everything to look into loopholes to negate your claims to ensure compensation will be at the minimum.

There are many factors to be considered in determining what would be the amount of claims and compensation. And this is what lawyers for auto accidents will look into and further delve into things that will work best for your case.

 

What Should I Be Ready With Considering The Process of Claiming Compensation?

Just like any situation in life, it is always best to prepare for the worst (in this case a very tedious task and process for you) so it will be easier to digest whatever tasks that have to be done.

Most cases are settled out of court. This doesn’t mean that it is as easy as it sounds. A settlement is reached as your lawyer was able to present a very compelling case on your behalf. As expectations have been set, there will be a back and forth discussion for both parties.

Your auto accident injury lawyers need to prepare for litigation, just like you, they need to prepare for the worst. So it may seem like a walk in the park as all the hard work has been done.

Generally, knowing all these facts and processes will give you a more realistic gauge in terms of timeline on how long your case may go or your claims and compensation be settled.

 

How Many Cases Have You Handled Similar To Mine?

To increase your confidence that you are hiring the best lawyers for auto accidents, you have to ask the number of cases that the firm handles that is similar to yours and what were the results of these cases.

Of course you want someone who is not just an expert in auto accidents in general but also handles more cases that are like yours. That means getting an idea how efficient and effective your lawyer will be in handling your case. Again, this will give you more confidence with your firm. Not only do they know the law, but they had the numbers where they practiced legal strategies and arguments to get what you deserve.

No one can guarantee 100% success but you need the highest probability to win.

 

What Is The Next Step I Need To Take?

After gathering all the answers to these questions, analyzing all the information at hand and analyzing all the facts by weighing all the pros and cons of your options, the ball is in your court as to what path or legal path you will take.

Consider what is important to you; how things will impact you and your loved ones, what is the best scenario for you to recover and have the quality of life you desire.

Once you hire a lawyer, you will be guided on the step by step tasks that need to be done including visiting a medical specialist for a comprehensive accurate and medical diagnosis. You will also be advised not to discuss the case to anyone and be extra careful speaking to insurance companies. Remember, they have their own interest to protect which may be different from yours.

 

Work With The Best, Hire The Best

Call Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys and ask all these questions as time is of the essence. You need to unburden yourself of all these worries, instead, focus on your health as Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accicent Attorneys will do all the work on your behalf, for your best interest.

How to Obtain a Police Report After a Car Accident?

Being in a car accident is always a traumatic experience for the victims, even if their physical injuries are not as severe as they can be. Irrespective of the accident’s severity, there are certain steps that must be taken on the victim’s part to boost their chances of getting the compensation they deserve later.

One of those steps is obtaining a police report soon after the car accident. Stay with us as we discuss the process while keeping the various factors in mind.

 

Ensure that the Accident is Reported As Soon As Possible

Every car accident will lead to a police report, provided that the accident was reported in the first place. It does not much matter who made the call, as long as a call to emergency services was made, there will be a police report about the accident.

Even if nobody called emergency services but the victim managed to reach a hospital, the hospital will call the police. If one or more people died in the accident, that too will inevitably have an associated police report. In rare cases, the victim may consider their injuries to be minor at the time and decide it is unnecessary to report the crash to the police.

If a car accident remains unreported, it should be remedied as quickly as possible because it will make it difficult for the victim to claim on their car insurance coverage. If you are not seriously injured, stay on the scene, wait for the officers, give them the bare facts of the case, and refrain from going into any details, allegations, or admittances at all. It can be beneficial later to give the police your perspective as objectively as possible.

Note that you are not required to answer any question about the accident without consulting your vehicle accident lawyer first. Get the police report number from the officers before leaving the scene. If they are unable to provide you with a report number before you leave, you can ask for their names and batch numbers, so that you can contact the department later and get a copy of that report.

 

Obtaining a Copy of the Police Report: The Process

Contact the insurance provider first to find out if they have already procured a copy of the police report. If they have, that can potentially help you avoid a lot of hassle. If that is not an option, then the party will need to contact the police directly to receive a copy of the auto accident report.

The victim or someone on their behalf can contact one of the officers to get an update on the police report and when it will be ready to collect. The process may take anything between a few days to a few weeks, but once it is ready, the party should be able to pick up a copy of the police report at any time after. There are three ways to get a car accident report directly from the police:

  1. Direct pickup
  2. Receiving a mailed report
  3. Receiving an online report

If the attending officers were able to provide a report number, the party should be able to get the same information and the police report from the accident location’s traffic division or website. In case the victim passed away, or if they were not in a state to talk with the responding officers at the time, the party will need to either visit the police station or the traffic subdivision nearest to the accident location.

If they don’t have specific information like the responding officers’ batch numbers, names, or the police report number, the party will need to provide other information to the station. Information such as the time, location, car model, owner’s name, plate number, etc. will help them in finding and then procuring a copy of the accident’s police report.

Can Your Car Accident Attorney Help You with Matters Regarding the Police Report?

Your car accident injury lawyer will guide you through every step of the process. They will also take steps to expedite the entire drafting and procurement process. Just in case you don’t have a road accident lawyer working with you on the case yet, contact Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys.

The lawyers at Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys can help guide you through the claims process and obtain the police report for you.  Remember that a consultation with Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys is free, and if they take the case, Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys will also not charge any fees before winning the compensation that you deserve.

 

How Important is it for You to Obtain the Police Report?

This is a very important question as the importance of a police report is highly unpredictable. A police report usually provides many key facts relating to the incident.  A police report will help the parties establish who was at fault for the crash.  A word of caution though, a police report is not always accurate.  Many times a police report will contain errors that may shed new light on who was at fault for a crash.  If you were found at fault on a police report you may still have a case. Contact Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys to analyze the police report in your case if you every question the accuracy of the police report.

In most cases, the prosecuting and defending automobile accident lawyers play big roles in deciding whether the police report will be admitted as evidence by the court or not. It may all depend on which lawyer can argue their case for or against the police report’s admissibility the best.  Even if the police report does not come before the jury, it is still an important piece of data in your case.  Contact Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys to obtain the police report from you case.

4 Steps to Take When Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit

When someone is physically and/or psychologically harmed by the action of another, that harm is legally termed as an instance of personal injury. If someone victimized by such an action sues the responsible party through their personal injury attorney, the ensuing case is called a personal injury lawsuit.

Note that in order to launch a successful personal injury lawsuit, it is not necessary for the responsible party to have caused intentional harm to the victim. As long as their actions led to harm, they can be held liable for paying compensation.

Therefore, if you or someone else in your family has been harmed by the actions of a third party, there could be a viable opportunity to seek compensation from the responsible party. The task may seem daunting for obvious reasons at first, but this step-by-step guide will simplify the process for you.

Carefully Collect All Documents

You should pay extra attention to collecting and safely filing all documents related to the incident. At the very least, make sure that you have copies of:

  • The initial police reports, further communications, and investigative reports.
  • The insurance report, communications, and documents.
  • All medical prescriptions, test reports, medication, bills, receipts, and more.
  • Damage assessment reports from experts.
  • Photos, videos, statements, written reports, names, etc. related to the scene of the incident.
  • All of the above directly or indirectly related to the final incident or its aftermath.

Given how varied the cases can be, there is no universal list of documents that can comprehensively include everything. Do not consider any document to be unnecessary without consulting with your personal injury accident attorney first. If you have not yet connected with a personal injury law firm, just keep collecting everything related to the incident for now.

Get to Know the Different Types of Personal Injury Lawsuits

As already explained, any intentional or unintentional injury caused by a third party can qualify as an instance of personal injury. All legally acknowledged instances of personal injury are broadly divided and subdivided into various classifications. It is advisable that you take some time and learn about the different categories and subcategories.

Having only the basic knowledge should be enough for you to identify your own case’s probable category. The following list should provide you with a decent idea about what we are discussing here.

Vehicular/Motor Accident Lawsuits: Personal injuries suffered by a victim after being involved in an auto accident. This includes car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, boating accidents, train accidents, and pedestrian accidents to name just a few.

Product Liability Lawsuits: Personal injury caused by a design or manufacturing defect in any product from vehicles and commercial safety equipment to medical tools and construction equipment.

Medical Negligence Lawsuits: Personal injury caused by negligence in medical diagnosis, treatment, procedure, prescription, and/or aftercare.

Work Related Personal Injury Lawsuits: Negligence in workplace safety standards that are responsible for personal injuries from instances of slip and fall, fall from an elevated surface, electrocution, projectile, struck by an object, etc.

Personal Injury Caused by Assault/Abuse: If the personal injuries were caused by intentional assault and/or abuse, you still have the right to sue the alleged assaulter/abuser for compensation separately in a civil court. The criminal charges on them will be tried separately in a criminal court.

Find the Top Personal Injury Attorneys

You can also save yourself the trouble of searching online with keywords and receive a free consultation directly from one of the top personal injury attorneys California has to offer. Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys specialize in all areas of personal injury claims, ranging from car, truck, and motorcycle accidents to bad faith insurance claims and all claims related to work-related injuries.

It’s a quick, free, and easy way to know if you have a strong personal injury lawsuit on your hands. If a personal injury accident lawyer from the firm does take up your case, they will guide you through every step of the process from that point on. The best part is that Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys only charge their fees after securing the due compensation for their clients and not before. There are Statutes of Limitations that apply to all personal injury claims, so act as quickly as possible.

Get to Know the Legal Process

After you start working with your or personal injury lawyers, they will help you with:

  • Obtaining all essential documents.
  • Finding the legally responsible party.
  • Categorizing and establishing the case against them.
  • Employing investigative measures to gather further evidence.
  • Assist you in getting the right medical care for your injuries.
  • Filling out the applicable form for personal injury, property damage, wrongful death.
  • Serving notice of the claim.
  • Initiating and negotiating an out of court settlement discussion, if possible.
  • Filing a lawsuit, if the above is not applicable or in case the negotiations fail.
  • Trial.

If your case goes to trial then your personal injury attorney will represent you at the trial with the goal of helping you receive the highest possible compensation for your injuries, treatments, medication, lost wages, emotional damages, and more, depending on the case’s particulars.

Texting and Driving Can Lead to Fatal Crashes

Texting while driving is a deadly, dangerous habit that has sadly become all too common on the roads. Over three thousand people died on the road because of distracted driving in 2020, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). And around ten percent of those deaths were the result of somebody deciding to send a text while behind the wheel.

It’s a sobering statistic, and it’s clear that there’s a real need to address the problem. Texting might be the way that we’ve all gotten used to keeping in touch with one another but combine it with overseeing a vehicle and you have a very serious, deadly weapon that can lead to all sorts of distressing, traumatic situations.

In this post, we’ll look further into the dangers of texting while driving, the laws in place to prevent it, and what we can do to reduce it and prevent the accidents that it causes.

 

The Dangers of Texting and Driving

Sending or reading a text message while driving can seriously impair a driver’s ability to react to hazards on the road. While you are texting, you are not giving your full attention to the vehicle and the road ahead of you. When texting, the driver must divide their attention between the road and their phone, which can make it difficult for the driver to quickly react to any hazards that they encounter on the road such as lane changes, drivers in front of them suddenly stopping, or pedestrians. A driver who is texting has slower reaction times, which can make avoiding accidents harder.

Texting while driving can significantly increase the risks of a collision. It can cause drivers to take their eyes off the road for extended periods, leaving them unaware of what is going on around them. Texting while driving can also impair your ability to stay in control of the vehicle, leading to drifting out of lanes that can be seriously dangerous.

Plus, texting will divert the driver’s attention from their speed, which could lead to driving at an excessive speed, or slowing down to a dangerous speed, creating a hazard on the road.

 

Laws Against Texting and Driving

There are various laws, and penalties, for texting and driving that vary depending on the state and jurisdiction. Some states passed laws that prohibit all drivers from texting and driving, while others only prohibit certain groups of drivers, such as teenagers, from using a smartphone while driving. There are various penalties for texting while driving, which could include fines and jail time.

A survey in 2019 by the NHTSA showed that Americans continue to use their electronic devices while behind the wheel, regardless of the laws and warnings that it can lead to accidents, injuries, and even death. According to Ray RaHood, the U.S. Transportation Secretary at the time, there is no way to text and drive safely.

In 2012, there were very different results from another NHTSA national survey, on Distracted Driving Attitudes and Behaviors. 74% of drivers supported a ban on hand-held cell phone use while driving, while a huge 94% of respondents supported a ban on texting while driving. They believed that drivers committing these offenses should be fined no less than $200.

 

Texting and Driving Laws in the States We Cover

The states we cover and their laws on texting while driving are as follows:

California: Drivers are not permitted to use a cell phone for calling or reading and writing text messages while driving on a public road. However, drivers are permitted to use cell phones for calling and texting if they do so through a handsfree system. All drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using a cell phone when driving, even when a handsfree system is used.

Nevada: Drivers of all ages are prohibited from texting, accessing the internet, and using hand-held devices for any other reason while driving. There are some exceptions – hands-free devices are permitted, and drivers are also permitted to touch their phones to ‘activate, deactivate, or initiate a feature or function’. It’s also legally permitted to use a phone while driving if reporting a hazard, crime, or emergency.

Texas: In Texas, it’s illegal for drivers to use cell phones, including for texting, when driving and the car is moving. All uses of handheld devices are banned when driving through a school zone, and drivers with a learner’s permit are not permitted to use a cell phone in any manner while behind the wheel during their first six months of driving. Drivers who are under the age of 18 are not permitted to use any kind of handheld device while driving.

 

Preventing Texting While Driving Through Educating Drivers

An accident caused by texting while driving is often one of those things where you might think ‘it will never happen to me’. However, the dangers of using your phone to send a message while behind the wheel can happen to any driver, no matter how long you have been driving for or how good you are as a driver.

Drivers can use several strategies to avoid the temptation to text and drive, including switching off or silencing the device while driving. If you must respond to a text message while driving, it’s also a good idea to designate a passenger to respond on your behalf. Keeping your phone out of reach while driving, if you can, can also help reduce the temptation to use it. If you use your phone for GPS directions, it can be worth checking your phone’s system for driving mode, which will prevent you from getting distracting notifications or calls coming through when using your phone to follow a route.

Educational programs and campaigns can also be effective when it comes to raising awareness on the dangers of texting and drivers. For example, AT&T’s ‘It Can Wait’ campaign encourages people to promise not to text and drive. Many schools also run programs to educate teens on the dangers of texting while operating a car before they get behind the wheel.

If you’ve been involved in a car accident through somebody’s driving and texting, we know how frustrating and distressing this situation can be. At Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys, our lawyers are well-versed in the laws and have won many cases for clients affected by a driver who was texting behind the wheel. Call us today at 877-557-4221 to discuss how we can help you.