Ventura Personal Injury Law 

There are a number of things you can do in the first few days and weeks after an accident to protect your right to compensation should you want to file an injury claim. Except for filing a formal claim against a government entity, there’s no single step that you absolutely must take to obtain a fair settlement, and no set order in which you must proceed. However, the more of the following suggestions you can follow, the more smoothly your claim process is likely to flow.

1. Write down as much as you can about the accident itself, your injuries, and any other losses (such as wages) you’ve suffered as a result of the accident.
2. Make notes of conversations that you have with people involved in the accident or the injury claim.
3. Preserve evidence of who caused the accident and what damage was done by collecting physical evidence and taking photographs.
4. Locate people who witnessed the accident and who might be able to help you prove your case , and
5. Notify anyone you think might be responsible for the accident of your intention to file a claim for your injuries.

If you have no success reaching a settlement with an insurance company, you may be forced to consider bringing a lawsuit in small claims or other court. But you must be aware of the laws, called “statutes of limitations,” that limit the time in which you have to file. The general statute of limitations in a California personal injury case is two years from the date of the injury. If you miss the deadline, you will lose your right to recover compensation in court, and will be forced to abandon your claim altogether.

Contact us to schedule a free consultation to go over your situation in detail. Our experienced attorneys will be able to assess your case and set reasonable expectations based on your situation and local laws. Essentially, in most situations, you will have a case if someone acted carelessly under the circumstances and caused your injuries. Applying this standard is more complicated than it sounds, however, which is why it is important to consult an attorney.

You should not speak with an insurance adjuster for someone else involved in the litigation. They may seem friendly and sympathetic, but they are almost certainly trying to coax statements from you that would reduce or eliminate the liability of their insured. Tell the insurance adjuster to contact your attorney, if you have retained an attorney, or contact your insurance company, if you do not have an attorney. The same points apply if an attorney for someone else contacts you.