Palm Springs Car Accident Lawyer
Over 20 Years of Experience Providing Trusted Representation
California is by far one of the most dangerous states for drivers. If you've been seriously injured in an accident, it is in your best interest to contact an attorney as soon as possible. An experienced auto accident attorney can help you establish the facts of your claim and ensure that you recover maximum compensation.
On This Page:
- Why Choose Christopher C. Vader PC?
- Steps to Take After a Car Accident
- Why Hire an Attorney?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Choose Christopher C. Vader PC?
- We have over two decades of legal experience
- We have recovered more than $50 million in verdicts and settlements
- We are a nationally recognized trial attorneys
- We offer free, initial case evaluations to all potential clients
At Christopher C. Vader PC, we are dedicated to righting wrongs that have been committed against our clients. You should not be left paying for another person's negligence or recklessness.
If you've been seriously injured in an accident, give us a call at (760) 537-4457 and arrange your free consultation today!
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
It doesn't matter if you were in a Palm Desert car accident today or a Cathedral City crash yesterday, you need to know what to do after a car crash. We understand that even minor accidents can be unnerving and may leave you feeling distressed. If you are injured in an accident, you may want nothing more than to put the entire experience behind you as quickly as possible. However, you may be entitled to file a claim for compensation for your losses, and following a few simple steps now can increase the ease of the ensuing legal proceedings
If you have been injured in an accident, be sure to do the following:
- Take photos and collect witness contact information at the scene of the accident.
- Report the incident to the police, your insurance company, and the DMV.
- Seek medical attention and keep the record of your visit, as it can provide proof of the extent of your injuries.
- Keep track of expenses incurred, typically medical bills and car repair costs.
- Secure the assistance of a Palm Springs car accident lawyer.
Taking these five steps after your auto accident will help protect the integrity of your claim and improve your chances of recovering maximum compensation.
What Are Some Common Causes of Car Accidents in California?
Determining the cause of an accident is key to pinpointing who is liable for the damages of an accident. While most accidents are caused by human error, there are times where a city or company can also be held liable for damages.
Common causes of accidents include:
- Drunk driving
- Aggressive driving
- Distracted driving
- Poor road conditions
- Weather conditions
- Traffic violations
- Teen drivers
Whether you were rear-ended because another driver was texting on their phone or t-boned in an intersection because of aggressive driving, you should not be left paying for another person's negligence. Arrange a free consultation with Christopher C. Vader PC and start pursuing fair compensation today.
What Are Some Common Types of Injuries Caused By Auto Accidents?
With the number of people who drive in California, it isn't a question of "if" you're in an accident, but "when" you're in an accident. With that said, there are varying degrees of damage. Some auto accidents result in no injuries and very little vehicle damage, while others result in totaled vehicles and serious injuries.
Common types of injuries include:
- Soft tissue damage
- Head and brain injuries
- Amputation
- Disfigurement
- Spinal cord injuries
- Orthopedic injuries
Often the injuries that result from car accidents in Palm Springs are expensive to treat and take time to heal. At Christopher C. Vader PC, our Palm Springs car accident attorneys have over two decades of experience handling these types of claims and are prepared to fight for your maximum compensation.
Reach out and schedule your free case consultation today by calling (760) 537-4457.
Why Hire a Car Accident Attorney?
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a motor vehicle, we may be able to provide trustworthy legal counsel and help you obtain reparations for the damage you have sustained. If you were involved in a car accident in Palm Springs, we may be able to help you take care of the important things, such as:
- Gathering evidence and build a case to prove liability for the accident
- Finding compassionate doctors in accordance with your insurance guidelines
- Interacting with the insurance companies involved in a way that protects your rights
- Pursuing full compensation for the injuries you have experienced
When you bring an attorney to the negotiating table, insurance companies are far more likely to give you a more accurate value assessment of your claim. Our experienced legal team has been handling these types of claims for decades and understands what it takes to recover a fair settlement. If an insurance company is unwilling to settle, then we are not afraid to take your claim to trial.
Learn What Our Clients Have to Say About Us!
"Great lawyer, I don't regret having him represent me at all.
Got the full amount the insurance policy was for. "
- A.P.
Who Do You File a Lawsuit Against in a Car Accident?
When filing a personal injury claim after a car accident, you may wish to file a claim against one or multiple parties whose negligence contributed to your injuries. This may include the other driver, a commercial driver (or their employer), a car or truck manufacturer, a government agency responsible for maintaining roadway safety, or a number of other parties.
If you are unsure who is responsible for your damages, meet with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss potential defendants in your case.
What Damages Can You Recover After A Car Accident?
While how many damages an injury victim will recover for depends is different in every case the types of damages available in a car accident claim are the same. These types of damages are:
- Economic
- Non-Economic
- Punitive
What Are Economic Damages?
The purpose of economic damages is to compensate the injury victims for the financial losses they suffer as a result of an accident. This can include medical expenses and lost wages due to the inability to work.
What Are Non-Economic Damages?
Non-economic damages are responsible for the more intangible losses such as pain and suffering and mental anguish.
What Are Punitive Damages?
Punitive damages are different in that their main purpose is to punish the negligent party for their wrong behavior.
California Negligence Law
California is an at-fault state when it comes to determining liability for the damages caused by a car accident. This means that anyone injured in an accident can pursue reparations from those legally at fault. Because California drivers are required to have liability insurance coverage in order to operate a motor vehicle, drivers and passengers harmed in an accident can typically secure compensation for their losses.
While determining liability after an accident is easy when only one party caused an accident, what about cases where the injury victim bears part of the responsibility for causing an accident? In these cases, California’s negligence law still applies, but another rule is also applied.
This rule is called the pure comparative negligence law, and it states that an injury victim who is partly responsible for an accident is still eligible to recover compensation, but their total compensation amount will be reduced by the percentage of fault the injury victim is found to be responsible for. For example, if an injury victim is found to be 15% at fault for an accident their total compensation amount awarded to them will be reduced by 15%. If you have a case, contact our firm right away to get started.
Have more questions? Don’t hesitate to contact an Palm Spring car accident attorney from our firm today! We are ready to help you.
Car Accident FAQs
Can I File A Car Accident Claim After Insurance Pays?
Since most insurance settlements state specifically that the amount stated in the agreement will be the only compensation paid to you, once you agree to a settlement amount it’s difficult to recover any further compensation.
This is why it is important to speak to an attorney about your case before signing anything with an insurance company. If you have already signed an agreement, you may still have options. Call our firm today to learn what we can do for you.
What Do I Do After an Auto Accident in Palm Springs?
Regardless of the type of auto accident you are involved in, there are several steps you should take in order to protect your rights. A few simple actions now can be invaluable later in the legal proceedings, during which time you may be required to prove you were injured as a result of negligence. This is especially true if a dispute over liability arises or if there is disagreement over the amount you should be awarded.
After an accident, make sure you do the following:
- Exchange contact and driver insurance information with the other party.
- Take pictures at the scene of the accident.
- Collect contact information of any witnesses.
- Document the injuries and medical expenses caused by the accident.
- Report the accident to the police, your insurance company, and the DMV.
Get Started on Your Case Today
We handle each case with extreme care, making ourselves available for in-person meetings with clients. We offer free case consultations in order for you to witness our legal competence and extraordinary commitment to protecting your rights. We want to provide the support you can depend on during this trying time.
Speak to a Palm Springs car accident lawyer today in a free initial consultation by calling us at (760) 537-4457.