Whenever you get in a car, you trust other drivers and hope they follow the rules and drive responsibly. Unfortunately, even if you drive carefully and take every precaution, you sometimes get involved in a car accident that isn’t your fault. Then and there, your struggle to protect your legal rights begins.
In addition to suffering physical and emotional damages, you now have to take steps toward seeking the compensation you deserve. Being a reputed car accident law firm in California, Nordean Law can help you deal with the aftermath of a car accident that’s not your fault. Our Orange county car accident lawyers are best at winning our clients a fair settlement from the liable party.
Steps To Take Immediately After a Car Accident That Wasn’t Your Fault
Following a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you must take specific steps immediately to protect your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation. Although the other driver may seem cooperative and admit fault, it is still important that you follow these steps to ensure a favorable outcome for your personal injury claims.
Safety First
The first step after a car accident that wasn’t your fault is to prioritize safety. Turn your hazard lights on and move your car to the side of the road if possible.
Check for Injuries
Once you are safe, you should check if you or your loved ones are injured. If anyone is hurt, call an ambulance immediately and wait for medical assistance. Don’t attempt to move an injured person unless you must save their life, as it could cause further harm to them.
Call the Police Immediately
Regardless of how minor the accident may seem, you must always call the police immediately after a car accident with injuries. It might be wise to consider hiring a lawyer for a minor car accident. A legal representative can assist in navigating the legal process and ensuring your rights are safeguarded.
Gather Information & Evidence
Upon arrival, the police gather all the important information about the accident, including the at-fault driver’s name, phone number, and insurance information. They take photos of the accident scene, car damage, and other relevant images. You should try keeping the eyewitnesses on the scene until the police arrive. With all the information gathered, the authorities will create a police report.
File a Written Report
First responders create a written report of the incident. In non-injury accidents, you must file a report with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within ten days unless you contact the police at the time of the incident.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Your insurance agent will ask for details about the accident, including the vehicle- and contact information of the liable party. They may send an adjuster to assess the damage to your car. You should not admit fault or make any settlements to the liable party before you speak to your insurance company or a car accident lawyer in California.
Consult With a Car Accident Lawyer As Soon as Possible
Even though the accident wasn’t your fault, you must consult with a car crash lawyer to increase your chances of receiving full compensation for your injuries and damages. Nordean Law provides the best car accident attorney to help you navigate the complex legal process and fight with insurance companies on your behalf.
It’s important to note that there are time limitations for taking legal action after a car accident. If you’re unsure about when it is too late to hire a lawyer for a car accident, it’s recommended to contact a car accident attorney in your area who can provide specific guidance based on your situation.
Read more about how to find A Right Car Accident Lawyer In California?
What To Do if You Become Injured in a No-Fault Accident?
Even though you were involved in a car accident that’s not your fault, it’s possible that you or the ones with you sustained injuries. You must first seek medical attention if you become injured in a no-fault accident. You should seek medical help as soon as possible, as delaying it can worsen your injuries. Besides, it can also affect your chances of receiving fair compensation later.
Below are listed the things you should do if you become injured in a non-fault accident:
- Call for an ambulance
- Exchange information
- Document your injuries
- Keep medical records
- Speak to a personal injury lawyer
What To Do if You Lose Your Vehicle in a No-Fault Accident?
It is also possible that you lose your vehicle in a no-fault accident. It is certainly a frustrating experience, especially when your vehicle is your primary mode of transportation. However, if you take the right steps, you can adequately get compensation for the loss of your vehicle.
The compensation may just be about damage limitation. Instead, you can also claim for your losses that occurred because of not having your vehicle. An expert attorney can further elaborate and discuss your case to ensure justice.
Making up for your losses isn’t always sufficient, but it does add massive help in uplifting you during these tough times.
Follow these steps to receive fair compensation for your loss:
- Report the loss to your insurance company
- Document the loss
- Hire a car accident lawyer
- Explore your options for replacement transportation
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How Does Car Insurance Work When You’re Not at Fault for an Accident?
You’ll still need to deal with your insurance company when you’re not at fault for an accident. Don’t worry. Your insurance company wouldn’t increase your rates if the accident wasn’t your fault. However, you’ll need to notify them of the accident, cooperate with their investigation, and provide all the relevant details about the incident.
Besides medical bills and other expenses, the at-fault party’s insurance company should pay for your vehicle repairs or replacement. This is known as a third-party claim.
Following a car accident, the insurers of both parties investigate the accident to determine which driver is liable. If the case is clear-cut or one party admits fault, then the auto insurance of the at-fault driver is responsible for compensating the other party for the damages.
When you have a car accident, you may expect the other driver to have car insurance. But this is not always the case. If the liable party does not have car insurance, you can file a compensation claim with your insurance company. You can file a lawsuit against the negligent party as well.
Insurance companies may try to settle for less than you deserve, so you must hire a car accident lawyer in California who can protect your right and help you negotiate a fair settlement.
Do You Need a Car Accident Lawyer in California?
After having a car accident that’s not your fault, you may wonder whether you need to hire a car accident lawyer. While it’s not a legal requirement, when you have a car accident lawyer in California, you can build a strong case to get fair compensation for your damages.
A car crash lawyer navigates the complicated legal process and deals with insurance companies on your behalf. Hiring a car accident attorney in California means taking the burden of dealing with paperwork and legal procedures off your shoulders. It provides you with the time and space to focus on your recovery.
Conclusion
Being involved in a car accident that was not your fault is undoubtedly an overwhelming experience. However, when you follow the right steps after a car accident, you can protect your rights and increase your chances of receiving fair compensation for your injuries and other damages. You can double these chances when you hire a lawyer after a car accident. That’s not your fault. Nordean Law is here to advocate for your rights. Call us at 888 527 1267 and book a free consultation today.
