Is Accepting A Quick Settlement After A California Car Wreck Always Better Than Going To Trial?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. Some cases are better resolved through settlement; others may require trial to get full justice. It depends on the specific facts of your case: your injuries, the strength of the evidence, the offer on the table, and the risks and costs of going to court.
An experienced personal injury attorney will help you weigh all those factors and make an informed decision step by step. The key is to avoid rushing into anything without understanding the long-term impact.
Do I Need To Report A Minor Car Incident In California?
What’s considered minor varies quite a bit. A small fender bender with no injuries and damage below your deductible likely won’t require legal help or formal reporting. But even in these situations, you should still gather full insurance and contact information from everyone involved.
If there’s any question about injuries (especially if symptoms show up later) get checked out by a doctor and talk to an attorney. What seems minor now could very well become more serious with time.
Can I File A Personal Injury Claim In California If I Was Partially At Fault For The Incident?
California follows comparative negligence rules, meaning your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover damages. For example, if you’re found to be 30% at fault, you can still recover 70% of your losses. Insurance companies may try to inflate your share of the blame, but an experienced attorney can push back and advocate for a fair determination.
If I Was In A Hit-And-Run Incident In California, Is It Impossible To Recover Compensation?
Absolutely not. Hit-and-run victims still have options—even if you don’t know who hit you or couldn’t get a license plate.
Whether you were a driver, passenger, cyclist, or pedestrian, there are various steps you can take to get some closure and receive some compensation. There may be coverage available to you through your own insurance policy that can help, such as uninsured motorist coverage. It’s essential you speak with an attorney to explore all possible avenues before giving up on your claim.
Shawn Gozarkhah of The Law Man Group, APC has spent years helping Californians navigate the complex aftermath of car wrecks—whether it’s deciding between a quick settlement or going to trial, handling a hit-and-run, or understanding the real impact of seemingly minor injuries. His team has guided countless clients through tough calls like these, often uncovering hidden injuries or undervalued claims that could have been lost without experienced legal insight.
If you’ve been in a crash, don’t guess your next move—contact us today to protect your health, your rights, and your future.
Is It A Myth That My Insurance Rates Will Go Up In California Even If I Wasn’t At Fault For The Incident?
This is indeed a common misconception. In California, if you’re found to be less than 51% at fault, the incident is considered non-chargeable, and it shouldn’t increase your rates.
That said, insurers also consider risk factors, so if you’ve had multiple incidents in a short span (even if none were your fault) your rates could still go up. But using your coverage in a single not-at-fault crash shouldn’t be penalized. That’s what you’ve been paying premiums for.
Why Do Many Wrongly Assume Minor Injuries Aren’t Worth Filing A Claim For?
Many people dismiss early aches or pains as minor, not realizing that symptoms can, and so often do, worsen over time. Your body might initially compensate for injuries that later flare up as you return to work or daily life.
The worst thing you can do is downplay your injuries before fully understanding them. Get checked out by a doctor after any injury-producing incident, and continue your treatment until you’ve either recovered or understand your long-term prognosis.
Over the life of our firm, we’ve seen this phenomenon play out countless times. A client initially thinks their injury is just an incident of relatively normal soreness, with maybe some stiffness that follows. So they decide to do some home exercises under the assumption that they’ll feel better in a week or two.
But over time, the pain worsens. What started as minor becomes chronic. In some cases, conservative treatment doesn’t work, and the client ends up needing spinal injections or even surgery.
You owe it to yourself to take all of the injuries you suffer after a wreck seriously from the get-go. Don’t speculate what it is or how severe it may be. Let your medical providers guide you through recovery and make sure you’re not missing something serious.
Still Have Questions? Ready To Get Started?
For more information on personal injury settlement myths in California, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (818) 337-5214 today.
Shawn Gozarkhah of The Law Man Group, APC has spent years helping Californians navigate the complex aftermath of car wrecks—whether it’s deciding between a quick settlement or going to trial, handling a hit-and-run, or understanding the real impact of seemingly minor injuries. His team has guided countless clients through tough calls like these, often uncovering hidden injuries or undervalued claims that could have been lost without experienced legal insight.
If you’ve been in a crash, don’t guess your next move—contact us today to protect your health, your rights, and your future.
