If you’ve done the responsible thing and purchased auto insurance then you’re fully covered for an accident, right?

The answer is often no.

Unfortunately, many drivers find out the hard way that they are not adequately covered for car accident expenses. Keep reading to understand how this happens and what you can do about it.

California Car Insurance Laws

According to the California DMV, the required liability insurance minimums for private passenger vehicles are as follows:

• $15,000 for injury/death to one person.
• $30,000 for injury/death to more than one person.
• $5,000 for damage to property.

What Insurance Companies Often Don’t Tell You

Many drivers think that because they have purchased insurance plans that meet the minimum requirements for California, they are good to go in the event of an accident. But often, insurance companies neglect to explain that even if you have minimum coverage, you’ll most likely still face significant expenses after an accident.

Why?

1. Liability insurance (the only required car insurance in California) covers damage that you caused to another person or vehicle. It does not cover injuries or property damage for yourself or your family. To cover personal injuries, you must buy additional coverage. You can buy medical coverage separately as “MedPay” or buy it included in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) along with coverage for property damage and other accident expenses.
2. Insurance limits are often too low.

How Can You Better Prepare For An Accident?

Although accidents can come out of nowhere, you can be better prepared by understanding the details of your insurance policy.

• Discuss and study your plan carefully before signing anything.
• Pay attention to your policy’s limits for each kind of coverage. The limit is the maximum amount that your insurance will pay. Any costs above those limits will come out of your pocket.
• Consider how far your limits will go. For example, a property damage limit of $5,000 won’t suffice if the other car is totaled.
• Consider buying “Med Pay” or PIP. These are additional policies that are not required in California.

Understanding MedPay and PIP

MedPay only covers medical expenses for you and your passengers.

PIP can cover a range of accident-related costs, regardless of who was at fault. Most PIP policies cover:

• The cost of personal medical treatment.
• Compensation for lost earnings.
• In the event of a death, funeral expenses to those covered by the insurance policy.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

When you’re in a serious accident, wishing you had more insurance coverage is the last thing you need! California’s comparative negligence law says that you can claim compensation from the other driver even if you share fault in the accident. However, don’t count on this compensation to cover all your accident-related costs. California law requires that your compensation is reduced based on the percentage of fault that you contributed. Consider a PIP policy that will give you the confidence you need!

 

 

One of the types of compensation available in personal injury claims is called “pain and suffering.” Pain and suffering can be a significant chunk of your personal injury compensation, but it can also be complicated to claim. Below is your guide to successfully calculating and claiming pain and suffering.

According to Nolo, there are two types of pain and suffering: physical and mental.

Physical pain and suffering is the pain from actual physical injuries. It includes not just the pain and discomfort that the accident victim has endured, but also the negative physical effects that he or she is likely to suffer in the future as a result of the accident.

Mental pain and suffering results from the accident victim’s physical injuries, but it is more of a by-product of those bodily injuries. Mental pain and suffering can include mental anguish, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, fear, anger, humiliation, anxiety, shock, anger, depression, loss of appetite, lack of energy, sexual dysfunction, mood swings, sleep disturbances, and more. Severe mental pain and suffering can even cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mental pain and suffering can be summed up as any kind of negative emotion that an accident victim suffers as a result of enduring the physical pain and trauma of the accident.

Like physical pain and suffering, mental pain and suffering can also cover the negative mental conditions that the victim will likely suffer in the future as a result of the accident.

How Do Judges Award Pain and Suffering in California? 

According to FindLaw, because there is no dollar amount immediately associated with pain and suffering, awards are considered non-economic (or “general”) damages.

Some of the factors that may be considered when attempting to place a dollar value on pain and suffering include:

• How much will the injured party’s daily routine be limited or altered?
• Will the injury impact relationships at home or work?
• How does the pain or injury affect sleep or other lifestyle factors?
• Will the injury impact the victim in the long term?

However, pain and suffering is never simple. There are many more factors that a judge could use to determine pain and suffering compensation, some of them having to do with your personal character traits or history. It’s important to have an attorney’s help if you want the outcome of your case to be in your favor.

Because pain and suffering is so complex, victims often walk away with less than they deserve. But this doesn’t have to happen to you!

How to Successfully Claim Compensation

The best way to ensure maximum compensation is to start working with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

Were you involved in a car accident or other injury in San Diego? If you’ve been injured in any type of accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, it’s time to claim the full compensation you deserve. We’re here to help you avoid settling for anything less!

Car accidents are never convenient, especially when there is injury and damaged property involved. If you’re in a car accident, it might feel like a natural next step to call the insurance company. But if anyone involved is injured, or if there’s any kind of significant damage done to vehicles or property, you need to think before talking to the insurance company.

If the accident caused you injuries or property damages, it makes sense to start thinking about a claim. However, filing an insurance claim or giving a statement to insurance adjusters without getting legal advice could actually hurt your chances of getting compensation.

Why? Because when you contact an insurance company to make a claim or give a statement, they can use the information provided and the words you use to try to convince you to take a lower settlement than you deserve.

When you’re suffering from injuries and dealing with damages caused by someone else’s negligence, you could be facing long-term medical bills and other expenses that aren’t fair. You need the maximum compensation you can get, which isn’t what the insurance companies want to give. Instead of trying to make your case with the insurance company, tell your story to a personal injury attorney who truly cares about your wellbeing.

An insurance company will try to give you the minimum payment possible. A personal injury attorney will fight to get you the maximum payment possible!

What If I Already Talked to My Insurance Company?

Maybe you are reading this and feeling stressed because you’ve already talked to your insurance company. Maybe you’ve already made a claim or already given a statement. Don’t worry, it’s not too late to get the compensation you deserve. The legal team at Jeffrey E. Estes and Associates is highly experienced in dealing with the unfair practices of insurance companies. If you’ve tried to get the compensation you need, and your insurance company has denied it or tried to get you to settle for less, we’re here to help! If you’re wondering if the settlement offered by insurance adjusters is fair, we can give you the clarity you need.

How Much Compensation is Fair?

This question seems more simple than it is. You might come up with an estimate based on doctor’s bills, vehicle repair or replacement costs, and hours missed at work. But it’s more complicated than that. Many accident victims aren’t aware that they can also claim compensation for future medical costs, future rehabilitation fees, future lost wages, and even pain and suffering damages.

Pain and suffering is perhaps the most difficult area of compensation to calculate, and according to Law.com, it can include aches, pain, temporary and permanent limitations on activity, potential shortening of life, depression, embarrassment from scarring, and more.

A personal injury attorney can help you understand exactly how much compensation you’re entitled to and help you navigate the process of claiming it in San Diego, CA.

What Should I Do After An Accident?

The most important first step is, of course, to stop at the scene of the accident. It’s illegal to drive away from the scene of a car accident, and doing so will certainly not help your claim for compensation.

1. Check if you are injured. If you or someone else is injured, call 911 or ask someone to call 911 immediately. If you are injured, try not to move. Wait for help.
2. Check on other people involved in the accident.
3. If you are not seriously injured, move to safety. If you can’t move your vehicle, just move yourself!
4. Call 911. In California, it’s required by law to report to the police any accident that causes injury (however minor), death, or property damage over $1000, according to FindLaw.
5. Exchange information with the other driver(s). You only need to exchange:

• Full name and contact information
• Insurance company and policy number
• Driver’s license and license plate number
• Make, model, and color of the other vehicle(s)
• Location of accident

  Do NOT admit fault or discuss details of the accident with anyone.
  Document the accident. This will be very important in your compensation claim later.

• Get the badge numbers and names of responding police officers, recommends USAttorneys.
• Get a copy of the accident report.
• Take pictures of your vehicle from different angles, showing the damage done to both cars. It’s also a good idea to take pictures of the other car’s license plate.
• Get names and addresses of all parties involved, including any passengers in the other vehicle.
• Talk to witnesses, and take down their contact info.

  Call a personal injury attorney.

After being injured in a car accident in San Diego, CA, contact a personal injury attorney who can help you get the compensation you deserve!

6 million – that’s the average number of car accidents per year in the United States, according to Driver Knowledge.

3 million people in the U.S. are injured every year in car accidents.

In the U.S., 2 million people sustain permanent injuries every year because of car accidents.

90 people die every day from car accidents.

Even minor car accidents can be unaffordable. And accidents that lead to serious injuries can be almost inconceivably expensive. If you’ve recently been in a car accident and you want to understand just what kind of expenses you might be looking at – keep reading. And remember that you don’t have to be stuck with struggling to pay off the bills your whole life. If you were injured because of someone else’s negligence, you are entitled to make a personal injury claim for compensation. Keep reading to understand how much the average accident costs and how to get the compensation you’re owed.

What Affects the Cost of a Car Accident?

According to SuperMoney, many factors will determine the cost of a car accident:

• The severity of the crash
• The damages sustained to the vehicle
• The physical injuries suffered by passengers and others
• The number of passengers injured
• The value of the vehicle
• The value of any other property affected by the crash
• Where the accident took place
• Other variable factors

What Are the Average Costs of Car Accidents?

Car accidents get their high costs from repair and replacement expenses, medical bills, and more. Car accidents are the leading cause of personal injury cases in the United States, according to AllLaw. Even minor injuries can lead to expensive therapies and recovery processes. But what’s important to remember is that even if there are no injuries – accident victims could still be facing the cost of expensive consultations, check-ups, and second opinions as they confirm that they aren’t injured, as the numbers below show. Even when no injuries are apparent, these visits to medical professionals are essential – as many serious injuries do not manifest immediately. And let’s not forget the cost for PTSD therapy for victims who were in traumatic accidents.

The National Safety Council notes that the calculable costs of motor-vehicle crashes are wage and productivity losses, medical expenses, administrative expenses, vehicle damage, and employers’ uninsured costs. According to the National Safety Council, the average economic costs for car accidents per person are as follows:

• Car accidents resulting in death: $1,615,000
• Car accidents resulting in physical disabilities: $93,800
• Car accidents resulting in evident injuries: $27,100
• Car accidents resulting in possible injuries: $22,300
• Car accidents resulting in no injuries: $11,900
• Car accidents resulting in property damage only: $4,400 (per vehicle)

These are average costs. Remember that your car accident could be much more expensive depending on the circumstances.

When considering the cost of car accidents, you must acknowledge the costs that go beyond just economic expenses. There are comprehensive expenses related to the value of lost quality of life as a result of the accident. When you or a loved one is disabled or traumatized because of an accident – you sacrifice far more than the costs of medical bills. If you lose a loved one in a fatal accident, the sacrifice is even higher. Attorneys can argue these “pain and suffering” costs as part of your claim. According to the National Safety Council, the average comprehensive costs per person involved in the car accident are as follows:

• Car accidents resulting in death: $10,562,000
• Car accidents resulting in physical disabilities: $1,155,000
• Car accidents resulting in evident injuries: $318,000
• Car accidents resulting in possible injuries: $147,000
• Car accidents resulting in no injuries: $48,700

Beyond Medical Bills: Other Costs to Consider

In the aftermath of accident injuries, many people only consider medical bills. But while medical expenses can be a big part of car accident costs, you also need to consider lost wages due to missing work because of your injury – and more!

Did Someone Else Cause Your Injury?

Insurance agencies will try to get you to settle for a claim far below what you’re entitled to. Don’t settle before talking to a qualified personal injury attorney. And don’t underestimate the comprehensive expenses you can rightfully be compensated for.

If you’re the victim of a car accident in San Diego, it’s time to act. A personal injury attorney can help you understand what your injuries and damages are worth, and how to navigate the sometimes confusing and overwhelming process of claiming compensation from both insurance companies and the negligent party. Get started today! See what your claim is worth and get professional legal help in your fight for justice!

There are many drivers who struggle to see in the dark which makes driving at night much riskier to do. But apart from the fact that some drivers simply struggle to see, apparently there is another contributing factor that is making it more difficult for motorists to operate when it is dark outside as well—cloudy headlights. According to NBC San Diego, discolored or cloudy headlights are a problem for many Californians and as well as for others across the U.S. Greg Bannon, who is AAA’s director of Automotive Engineering and Industry Relations said that if you “walk through any parking lot, it is evident that deteriorated headlights are a problem for most vehicle owners.” Read more