A Checklist Of Must-Do's For Families And Victims Of Catastrophic Accidents
California personal injury laws define catastrophic injuries as severe, life-altering injuries. These could lead to permanent disfigurement, mobility loss, capacity to perform their jobs, loss of income, and significant emotional distress. These are often attributed to devastating accidents that prevent victims from returning to their everyday lives.
Thus, when someone is negligent and causes your accident, you must file a California catastrophic injury claim ASAP. Negligent parties and their insurance companies are liable in paying for the losses you suffer, so don't agree to low-balled offers that devalue or trivialize the permanent difficulties you'll suffer from the accident.
What Do You Need To Do After A Catastrophic Accident?
Victims are sometimes too injured to do all the steps in non-fatal car accidents. For example, you might not be able to get out of your car, find witnesses, or walk around the scene of the accident. However, there are a few things you can do even with limited mobility:
1. Call 911
If you can, get your phone and call 911 immediately. In most cases, witnesses will make the call soon after the accident happens, but you might be in a situation where you're in some remote location or you're out late at night with no witnesses. So, make sure it's the first thing you do right after a collision, crash, or fall.
2. Tell Your Doctor Everything
Doctors will sometimes ask conscious patients about what they feel. If you can do so, make sure you tell them as they ask to get all the details right. Remember, your medical record will be evidence of all the injuries and losses you incur from the accident, so you need to ensure you get it as detailed and complete as possible when possible.
3. Don't Accept Immediate Insurance Offers
Insurance companies are still businesses. It would be more beneficial to them if they paid you less compensation. So, don't agree to something as crucial as your compensation claim while you're in pain, panicked, or stressed. All these factors might lead you to agree to unfair offers or admit fault in the accident.
Instead, have someone else—a family member and a California Personal Injury Lawyer—talk to the insurance company.
4. Contact A California Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
A Personal Injury Lawyer in California could do all the negotiations, investigations, and case-building on your behalf. Unfortunately, many victims of catastrophic accidents cannot do regular tasks for a time, so having someone who knows their way around California personal injury laws is the best way to ensure you get the maximum compensation equivalent to the losses you incur.
What If A Loved One Dies Due To A Catastrophic Accident In California?
When a loved one dies due to someone else's negligent actions, the surviving family is usually left with financial and emotional losses. This allows qualified members of the family to file Wrongful Death claims for the loss of their loved ones, enabling them to recover the following damages:
Medical bills
Funeral, burial, and/or cremation expenses
Economic losses (as a result of the loss of a loved one)
Emotional distress damages
Losing a loved one is emotionally devastating and can significantly affect the remaining family's income. Hence, California's Wrongful Death claims will enable them to sue a responsible party and get compensation to help them recover and move on.
Hire Top Catastrophic Injury Attorneys In California Right Now!
Our Top Personal Injury Lawyers In Los Angeles have helped plaintiffs get the payouts and representation they deserve. We ensure you're matched up with a California personal injury lawyer with the right expertise, experience, and reputation. For a free initial consultation, you may contact us via our 24/7 live chat (or our case submission form).
