With commuters flooding the roads, traffic can be heavy in La Mesa, California. This can lead to frustrated motorists, bumper-to-bumper conditions, and conditions that increase the likelihood of an accident. If you were injured in an accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your losses.
However, you might find it difficult to handle your claim on your own. Insurance companies often deny claims in hopes that the claimant won’t fight back or offer settlements well below the fair value of a claim. An experienced La Mesa personal injury attorney from the Miller & Steele Law Firm can protect your rights and fight for the fair treatment and compensation that you deserve.
California’s Car Insurance Laws
California is considered an at-fault state for car accidents, distinct from no-fault states. In no-fault states, car accident victims turn to their own insurance provider for compensation, regardless of fault. In fact, they might not even be able to sue the at-fault driver.
In an at-fault state like California, claimants file a car accident claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider. All California motorists are required to maintain liability insurance for this purpose. The minimum amounts required by law include:
- $30,000 in bodily injury for one person
- $60,000 in bodily injury for two or more people injured in an accident
- $15,000 in property damage per accident
An experienced attorney from the Miller & Steele Law Firm can handle your car accident claim and identify all insurance coverage available.
Common Types of Car Accidents in La Mesa
Unfortunately, there is no shortage of ways that vehicles can violently collide into each other or fixed objects. Each type of car accident can suggest that certain factors contributed to the accident and can involve distinct legal issues. Common types of car accidents in La Mesa include the following:
- Rear-end collisions: Rear-end accidents occur when one vehicle hits the vehicle in front of it. These accidents are often due to distracted or inattentive driving or following too closely.
- Head-on collisions: These dangerous crashes occur when two vehicles collide at the front of their vehicles. The frontal impact can lead to serious injuries and deaths because the vehicle occupants feel the combined force of both vehicles. These accidents often occur due to impaired driving or driver fatigue.
- T-bone collisions: T-bone accidents occur when the front of one vehicle collides with the side of the other, often because the turning vehicle has failed to yield the right-of-way.
- Sideswipe collisions: These collisions occur when two vehicles impact on their sides, often due to distracted driving or unsafe lane changes.
Our car accident lawyers have extensive experience handling all types of car accident claims.
Can I Still Recover Compensation If I Was Partially At Fault for an Accident?
Because California uses a pure comparative negligence rule, accident victims can recover compensation even if they were partially or mostly at fault for an accident. However, their compensation is reduced by their degree of fault, so if they are found 25% at fault for the accident, their damages are reduced proportionately by 25%.
Contact an Experienced La Mesa Car Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation
Were you injured in an auto accident in La Mesa? If so, a dedicated La Mesa car accident lawyer from the Miller & Steele Law Firm is here to help. Let our compassionate legal team handle your insurance claim while you focus on your recovery. Call us today for a free case review.