Encino Car Accident Lawyer

Encino Car Accident Attorney

A car accident can be one of the most traumatizing and life-altering experiences an individual has while on the roads of California. Whether it’s a minor fender-bender or a more serious collision with injuries or fatalities, the emotional and financial toll can be difficult to deal with alone. Hiring an Encino car accident lawyer can help reduce these burdens by taking on legal responsibilities and maximizing the amount of compensation you could receive in the end.

At Freeman & Freeman, LLP, our law firm stands ready to offer compassionate yet effective legal representation for anyone in our community who has been involved in a car accident. Our trusted Encino personal injury lawyers understand how complicated these cases can be, which is why we know the value of hiring someone who has investigated and represented these types of cases before. Connect with us today to secure compensation for your injuries and losses.

What Damages Can I Be Compensated for in an Encino, CA Car Accident?

Because the impact of a car accident can leave victims with so many different injuries to deal with, the possibilities for compensation range widely. The final amount will depend on the circumstances of your own case and how well you and your attorney are able to present evidence to validate your injuries and losses in Encino.

Some of the most common damages to be compensated for include:

Medical Expenses

One of the largest financial burdens people face after a car accident is medical expenses. These can quickly accumulate depending on how bad your injuries are and what type of treatment is necessary for recovery. This can include expenses for an ambulance, emergency room services, surgeries, and time spent at the hospital recovering. You can also be compensated for ongoing medical treatments, such as physical therapy or chiropractic care.

Lost Wages

If your injuries are so severe that it prevents you from being able to work for a certain period of time, it’s possible to be compensated for the lost wages that you normally would have earned. This can extend beyond your base salary to include any bonuses or commissions that you also missed out on. If your injuries are so bad that you are unable to return to work, you can also attempt to earn compensation for these future earnings.

Property Damage

There are many different pieces of property that can also be damaged in a car accident. The most common example is your vehicle, which may need a number of repairs to restore its condition unless it’s been completely totaled. In that case, compensation can be requested for the fair market value of your vehicle at the time of the accident. Other property can include electronic devices, luggage, or any other items of value you can quantify to the California court.

Pain and Suffering

There can be a lot of physical pain and emotional distress after your car accident that lingers. When an attorney seeks compensation for pain and suffering, they are trying to address the non-economic damages that their client has endured from the accident. This can include mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. If your injuries prevent you from participating in hobbies you once enjoyed, this can also be included in the calculation.

Loss of Consortium

If the effects of the car accident impact the relationship you have with your spouse, there could be room here to request additional compensation. This specific form of damage can only be calculated if there has been a clear loss of companionship or affection as a result of the injuries you sustained in the crash. Any significant change to your marital relationship must be proven to the court with evidence to increase your chances of being awarded loss of consortium funds.

Punitive Damages

If it can be proven that the at-fault individual’s behavior was intentional or unnecessarily reckless, the court could also award punitive damages to the plaintiff. These funds are meant to punish the wrongdoer and prevent them from engaging in similar behavior in the future. This differs from the other forms of traditional compensation, which are meant to cover a victim’s losses.

What Evidence Can Help Secure Compensation?

To maximize your compensation award, you will need to work with your car accident attorney to legally collect and present evidence that substantiates the claims you make. The more comprehensive your package of evidence is, the better your chances are to successfully prove liability and demonstrate the extent of your damages that are worthy of compensation.

Some of the most helpful pieces of evidence to collect include:

Police Reports

In most cases where law enforcement is called to the accident scene, they will create a report. This will include specific details of the incident, such as where and when it happened, who was involved, and what they observed. If any citations were issued, the details behind that will also be included in the police reports. This can be a really beneficial piece of evidence to present to the court, as it can help provide an objective account of what happened.

Photographs and Videos

Because most people in court were not physically present to witness the car accident, it can be helpful to bring in visual evidence to help them feel as if they were there. Between any photos that were taken of the accident scene and any surveillance footage that caught the incident on camera, this can all be used to better understand the condition of the vehicles involved, how they were positioned, the condition of the roads, traffic signs, and other critical details.

Witness Statements

Anyone nearby who witnessed the car accident can provide important testimony about how the accident happened and what the aftermath looked like. Having these unbiased accounts can be really beneficial, as the court is more likely to favor an explanation from someone who doesn’t have any stake in the outcome of the case. Because these statements can be so valuable, be sure to collect contact information from everyone at the scene as soon as you can.

Medical Records

Having a comprehensive set of medical records to review can help demonstrate how much damage the accident caused and what treatments you needed to reach a full recovery. These records can include a doctor’s specific notes on your condition, diagnostic test results like X-rays and CT scans, and also surgical reports that detail what type of medical invention was necessary for recovery. These reports can also establish a link between the accident and your injuries.

Repair Estimates and Property Damage

To receive as much compensation as you need, you will need to calculate and quantify the extent of the damages. Go to a local auto shop and request a repair estimate so you can share with the court how much money is needed to restore your vehicle back to its pre-accident condition. If your car is totaled, an appraisal of its current fair market value will be useful. This can help the court to assign specific dollar amounts to your compensation package.

Expert Testimony

Sometimes, it may be necessary to bring in a specific professional to help establish certain facts in the case. For example, bringing in an accident reconstructionist who can analyze all of the evidence available and provide their professional opinion on what happened can be a valued testimony. Similarly, a medical professional can share more insights on the long-term impact of their patient’s injuries, which can help the court assign a figure to their long-term needs.

How Can an Auto Accident Lawyer Help in Encino?

Hiring an auto accident lawyer can help you through the complicated legal journey that is likely ahead of you. Their understanding of these cases can help to speed trials and maximize compensation awards.

Some of the most common areas of positive influence a lawyer can add to your case include:

Legal Knowledge and Experience

If you are in the middle of dealing with injuries and stress, hiring someone with significant legal knowledge and experience representing similar cases can be a huge help in interpreting the laws and applying them to your case. An attorney will take the time to explain the legal steps involved in achieving the outcome you are looking for. This can help restore some peace of mind, knowing that every decision you make is well-informed and intended to achieve your goals for the case.

Thorough Investigation

Hiring an attorney to represent your accident claim can help ensure a thorough investigation of your case is conducted. This will help ensure all relevant pieces of evidence are collected and are legally admissible for court. Your attorney will spend time reviewing the police report, interviewing witnesses, analyzing photographs, and consulting with other professionals to build the strongest case possible.

Accurate Valuation of Your Claims

A car accident lawyer can help determine the true value of your claim. This is a more sophisticated process than just adding up your medical bills and repair costs. They will look into every angle of your case, including future medical expenses, lost earning potential, and the impact the case has had on your quality of life to ensure that all damages are accounted for. This can help make you feel confident that no money is being left on the table after your case closes.

Negotiating with Insurance Companies

It can be difficult to negotiate with insurance companies, especially if it is something you haven’t been trained to do. A car accident lawyer has the knowledge and experience to understand the common tactics that insurance companies use and how to not only anticipate but overcome their tactics to reduce your settlement. Having an attorney will ensure you have an advocate on your side to negotiate for a full and fair car accident settlement.

Encino Car Accident Law FAQs

Q: How Much Do Car Accident Lawyers Charge in Encino, CA?

A: Many car accident attorneys will work on a contingency fee basis, which means they will only be paid for their time and effort working on your case if you win. Their specific compensation will be a certain percentage of the final settlement that is agreed upon before they take on your case. Some other attorneys may not wish to work based on a contingency and would rather charge by the hour, per service, or require a retainer fee before starting to work for you.

Q: How Much Can I Expect From a Car Accident Settlement in Encino, CA?

A: The total amount of money you can expect from your car accident settlement depends on many different factors, like the severity of your injuries and the total amount of property damage calculated. Other factors that can influence a settlement amount are the insurance policy’s limit of the at-fault driver and how well your attorney can negotiate with other stakeholders, like the opposing counsel’s attorney or insurance company. All of this can influence a final settlement.

Q: How Long After a Car Accident Can You Claim Injury in California?

A: You have two years after the car accident to file a personal injury claim in California. This is called the statute of limitations. If you attempt to file a car accident claim after this two-year period, the case will not be advanced as you have forfeited your right to seek compensation. This is why it is advised to hire an auto accident lawyer as soon as you can after your accident to ensure you don’t miss any important deadlines.

Q: What Happens If I’m at Fault in a Car Accident in California with Insurance?

A: If you are at fault for causing a car accident in California, your insurance company will typically cover any reported damages up until the limit of your policy. California operates under the principle of “fault,” which means whatever individual is found responsible for driving and causing the accident is liable for funding all damages. Liability coverage can also pay for the other party’s medical expenses and damage. This may increase insurance premiums afterward.

Contact Freeman & Freeman, LLP Today

If you have been recently involved in a car accident in Encino, California, and are looking to secure legal presentation, connect with the attorneys of Freeman & Freeman, LLP as soon as you can. We have been proud to secure compensation for those who have been injured from auto accidents in our area for many years and would be honored to help you with yours. Contact us to begin the process and see how we can help.