A serious car accident can turn your life upside down in an instant. Beyond the physical pain and emotional toll, you may find yourself facing overwhelming medical expenses, lost income, and a long road to recovery. In these situations, securing compensation from the at-fault party can be crucial. Fortunately, a seasoned car accident lawyer in Costa Mesa can help.
At Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys, we understand the challenges accident victims face in the aftermath of a collision. Our experienced Costa Mesa personal injury lawyers have helped numerous clients recover millions of dollars in damages.
If you’ve been hurt due to someone else’s negligence, don’t wait to contact us online or give us a call and set up your free, no-obligation case review.
Why You Need a Car Accident Attorney in Costa Mesa to Help Establish Liability
Before you can obtain compensation, it’s essential to determine who was responsible for your accident. Identifying liability is the foundation of any personal injury claim, but proving fault isn’t always straightforward. Multiple parties may share blame, and each may deny responsibility.
A skilled Costa Mesa car accident attorney can conduct a thorough investigation to uncover the truth and hold the right parties accountable. Common parties that may bear liability for a car accident include:
- Another driver involved in the crash
- A mechanic or repair shop that performed negligent maintenance
- The manufacturer of a defective vehicle or auto part
- A third-party driver whose actions indirectly caused the collision
- The government entity responsible for maintaining safe road conditions in the area where the crash occurred
Once liability is established, your attorney will gather evidence, interview witnesses, and consult with accident reconstruction experts, if necessary. They will then proceed to file all legal documents within the deadlines set by California’s personal injury statute of limitations.
Be Wary of Early Settlement Offers
It’s not uncommon to receive a settlement offer from the insurance company soon after your accident. While this offer may seem generous at first glance, it’s important to remember that initial settlements are often far below the actual value of your claim. Insurers aim to minimize their financial liability and count on accident victims feeling pressure to accept a quick payout.
Accepting a lowball offer means giving up your right to pursue additional compensation later, even if your injuries turn out to be more severe than initially thought. That’s why you should always consult a qualified attorney before agreeing to any settlement. A lawyer will assess the full scope of your compensatory damages and advise you on whether the offer is fair.
While most car accident cases are resolved through settlements, it’s critical to prepare as though your case could go to trial. Demonstrating a willingness to take your case to court strengthens your negotiating position and may motivate the opposing party to offer a more favorable settlement.
Have you been involved
in an auto accident?
Our car accident lawyers in Los Angeles
and Beverly Hills are here to help.
(310) 526-8383
Use Caution When Dealing With Insurance Companies After a Costa Mesa Car Accident
After an accident, dealing with insurance companies can be one of the most frustrating tasks you will face. If handled improperly, it can lead to your claim being devalued or denied. While the insurance adjuster may come across as friendly and sympathetic, their job is to reduce the company’s liability and pay you as little as possible.
Insurance companies are skilled in using subtle tricks to get claimants to downplay their injuries or make statements that can be used to minimize their claims. They may delay communication, misrepresent policy terms, or ask misleading questions to elicit damaging responses. To protect yourself, avoid speaking to the insurance company until you’ve retained legal counsel.
Once you hire a lawyer, all communications with the insurer must go through your attorney. This not only prevents the insurer from taking advantage of you but also ensures your legal rights are protected at every step of the claims process. If an insurer acts in bad faith, you may have grounds to file a bad faith insurance claim lawsuit and seek additional damages.
Understanding California’s Pure Comparative Negligence Rule
California uses a pure comparative negligence system to assess liability and determine compensation in personal injury cases. Under this system, even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you can still pursue compensation. However, your award will be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault.
For example, suppose that your total damages amount to $100,000, but you are found to be 20% responsible for the accident. Your recoverable compensation would be reduced to 80% of the full value of your losses, leaving you with $80,000.
This system benefits victims by allowing them to seek partial compensation even when they share some responsibility. However, insurance companies may try to exaggerate your degree of fault to limit their payout. Having a strong legal advocate by your side can help ensure that any fault assigned to you is fair and evidence-based, not just a tactic to reduce compensation.
Injured in a car crash?
Our car accident lawyers in Los Angeles and
Beverly Hills are here to help.
(310) 526-8383
Contact a Trusted Costa Mesa Car Accident Attorney Today
The sooner you speak with a qualified attorney after a car accident, the better your chances of building a strong case and recovering full compensation. At Omega Law Group, we are proud to serve injured individuals in Costa Mesa and surrounding areas.
Our Costa Mesa car accident lawyer team is committed to providing personalized attention and aggressive representation to all our clients. When you contact us, we’ll start with a free consultation to review your case, answer your questions, and outline your legal options.
Whether through settlement negotiations or a trial, we will fight tirelessly to ensure that you receive the financial support you need to move forward. Let our family take care of your family.
