Civil Lawsuits Following a Motor Vehicle Accident in California
Following a motor vehicle accident in California, you may be able to pursue legal action against the at-fault party, who failed to exercise ordinary care on the road and caused injuries, damages, and other related losses. However, before pursuing this legal claim, it is crucial to understand what these lawsuits entail. That is why, in the blog post below, we will review what legal options you have after a motor vehicle accident in California.
Proving Fault After a Motor Vehicle Accident
California has never adopted no-fault laws. This means that before anyone recovers financial damages after a motor vehicle accident, the accident victim needs to show that another party or individual was at fault for the crash and the harm involved. For these reasons, after an accident, gathering evidence, including photos and videos of the accident, is so crucial.
Financial Damages Following a Motor Vehicle Accident
If a motor vehicle accident victim can show that another party was responsible for their injuries and losses, they may be able to recover financial damages for the following losses:
- Medical bills
- Ongoing medical expenses
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Personal property losses
- Replacement services
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
Depending on the circumstances, the court may also award punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages. However, unlike the above damages, which are designed to compensate the victim for their injuries and losses after an incident, punitive damages are only awarded to punish the wrongdoer for their particularly harmful actions and serve as a deterrent to others who may consider committing similar acts in the future.
How Much Time Do You Have to Bring a Legal Claim After an Accident?
To be able to bring a civil lawsuit following a car accident, you need to ensure you file your claim before deadlines expire. These timelines are known as the statute of limitations and dictate how long people have to pursue legal action after an alleged offense. If these individuals do not file their cases within the allotted period of time, they can be stopped from pursuing further legal action. In California, individuals have approximately two years to file a lawsuit after a motor vehicle accident. However, exceptions may apply to these accidents that can impact these deadlines.
That is why, following a motor vehicle accident, consider reviewing your case with an experienced California civil litigation attorney. These legal professionals can not only determine if you have a valid claim but also figure out how much time you have to file your case and ensure that proper legal motions are prepared and submitted before time runs out.
Have You Been Involved in a Car Accident? Contact Herrera Clifton Hess Today
If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident in California, you might have numerous questions regarding your legal options and the remedies you can seek. Fortunately, when you work with a skilled civil litigation attorney, you will not have to handle this complicated legal claim alone.
At Herrera Clifton Hess, our legal team is here to review your questions and concerns, assist you in navigating these intricate civil cases, and provide you with the guidance and support you need. For these reasons, if you want more information about your options after a car accident, contact Herrera Clifton Hess today to review your case for free and learn how our attorneys can help you.