Multi-Vehicle Accidents
Let Our Experienced Santa Ana Car Accident Attorneys Deal with the Insurance Companies for You
Protecting your legal rights after a multi-vehicle accident presents unique challenges. Multiple parties could be liable for the accident, and this could mean that you need to file multiple claims to recover the financial compensation you deserve. As a result, experienced legal representation is essential, and you will want to speak with a Santa Ana car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Our lawyers have extensive experience representing clients after multi-vehicle accidents. We are familiar with the challenges involved, and we know what it takes to recover just compensation for our clients.
Seeking Just Compensation After a Multi-Vehicle Accident in Santa Ana, CA
When you get injured in any type of car accident, your costs can start to add up quickly—and they can continue to add up for a very long time. As a result, seeking the full compensation you deserve is essential. But, this is easier said than done—especially in multi-vehicle accident cases—and this makes it critical to have an experienced Santa Ana car accident lawyer on your side.
Here are some more important facts about seeking just compensation after a multi-vehicle accident in Santa Ana:
1. You Need to Identify the Specific Driver (or Drivers) that Are Responsible
Seeking financial compensation for a multi-vehicle accident starts with identifying the specific driver (or drivers) that are responsible. Even if there is no question that the accident was not your fault, you still need to be able to prove who was at fault in order to establish financial accountability.
Proving fault in a multi-vehicle accident starts with conducting an on-scene investigation. You should hire a Santa Ana car accident lawyer to conduct this investigation as soon as possible. But, in addition to gathering forensic evidence at the scene, your lawyer may need to gather other forms of evidence as well—including phone records, traffic or surveillance camera footage, and witness testimony, among others.
2. You Need to Determine if Any Non-Driver-Related Factors Played a Role in the Crash
While driver negligence is a common factor in multi-vehicle accidents, these accidents can involve a variety of other factors as well. If any non-driver-related factors played a role in your accident, this could provide you with additional claims for financial compensation. Some examples of these types of factors include:
- Road defects (i.e., potholes and sinkholes)
- Vehicle defects (i.e., brake and tire failures)
- Failing to conduct necessary vehicle maintenance or repairs
- Improperly loading or securing truck cargo
- Hiring inexperienced or unqualified drivers
In addition to playing a role in causing multi-vehicle accidents, non-driver-related factors can also play a role in increasing the severity of accident victims’ injuries in some cases. For example, if your injuries were worse than they should have been because your airbag failed to properly deploy, this could provide you with an additional claim for financial compensation as well.
3. You Can Seek Full Compensation from a Single At-Fault Party if Possible
No matter how many drivers (and/or other parties) share responsibility for your injuries, you can seek full compensation from a single at-fault party under California law. If one at-fault party has enough insurance to fully cover your present and future losses, then you can file a single claim with that party’s insurance company. This can streamline the claims process, and it can help you avoid many of the challenges that might otherwise arise.
4. You Can Seek Compensation from Multiple At-Fault Parties if Necessary
But, if no single at-fault party has enough insurance coverage to pay full compensation, you can file claims against as many at-fault parties as necessary. While this can be complicated, it is critical that you recover as much compensation as possible. You can rely on your Santa Ana car accident lawyer to deal with the insurance companies for you, and your lawyer can help you make informed decisions about when (and if) to settle your claims.
5. Once You Accept a Settlement, Your Claim is Over
This raises another key point: Once you accept a settlement, your claim is over. As part of the settlement, you will waive your right to seek additional financial compensation. As a result, you must not let the insurance companies talk you into settling before you know the total value of your claim. Accident victims’ losses are often far greater than they realize, and the insurance companies often take advantage of this to settle claims for a fraction of what they owe. You should not accept any settlement offer until you have discussed your case with an experienced attorney.
6. Obtaining the Full Compensation You Deserve Can Take Time
Due to the complexity of multi-vehicle accident cases, obtaining the full compensation you deserve can take time. Asserting your legal rights is a multi-step process, and each step presents its own challenges and opportunities. The key is to ensure that you are making informed decisions throughout the process, and this requires experienced legal representation.
7. You Can Hire a Santa Ana Car Accident Lawyer at No Out-of-Pocket Cost
The good news is that you can hire an experienced Santa Ana car accident lawyer at no out-of-pocket cost. Our law firm, like others, handles car accident cases “on contingency.” This means that you do not pay any up front or monthly legal fees, and you do not pay anything at all unless we help you recover just compensation. We do this so that accident victims can get the help they need without having to worry about the costs involved.
Speak with a Santa Ana Car Accident Lawyer About Your Case for Free
Were you seriously injured in a multi-vehicle accident in Southern California? If so, our Santa Ana car accident attorneys can help you seek the financial compensation you deserve. To speak with one of our experienced attorneys about your case for free, call 714-400-2000 or tell us how we can get in touch online now.