It can be hard to know what you should do to protect yourself in the seconds, minutes, and hours immediately after an auto accident, let alone what kind of legal action you can pursue in the weeks and months ahead. However, if you believe you can prove that a specific individual directly caused your crash through their irresponsible behavior, and thus is at fault for your injuries, filing a car accident claim in Woodland Hills against them may be your best course of action.
However, this is not a simple process even under the best of circumstances. For support from a knowledgeable car accident attorney at Valero Law Group, call as early as possible in your case proceedings. In the meantime, here is a brief overview of what the process involves and what you should consider when preparing to file a lawsuit.
How Do I File a Civil Lawsuit?
Typically, starting a car accident case in Woodland Hills or elsewhere involves negotiating with car insurance providers, each of which may have slightly different procedures for claim filing, which a skilled legal professional can help navigate. However, to file a lawsuit directly against the person at fault for a car crash, the injured person must submit a complaint form to the court in the county where the wreck happened, or sometimes the county where the “defendant” named in the lawsuit lives.
In California, a civil “plaintiff”—meaning the person filing the lawsuit—must complete and submit a “summons” form and a “cause of action” form alongside their initial complaint. Guidance from capable legal counsel can be crucial to ensure that all the necessary paperwork for a claim is completed correctly and sent to the appropriate place. Call to learn how Valero Injury Law can help with this process.
Important Evidence To Gather Before Starting a Claim
During the very early stages of the claim-filing process after a car crash in Woodland Hills, a prospective plaintiff must gather and preserve as much evidence as possible to support their claim. It is essential to gather evidence that the named defendant was responsible for the wreck, including witness testimony, copies of police accident reports, surveillance or dashboard camera footage, and photographs of the crash scene.
It is equally important to have comprehensive evidence detailing the effects the accident has had and exactly how much money the defendant should be held liable to pay as a result. Once again, a skilled lawyer’s support can be crucial in finding and effectively utilizing medical bills, pay stubs, receipts, invoices, and testimony from loved ones to demonstrate the financial and personal losses the plaintiff incurred due to the wreck.
Contact a Woodland Hills Attorney For Help Filing a Car Accident Claim
The actions you take immediately after a serious auto accident can have a profound impact on the rest of your life, so it is worth knowing about your options in advance. Unfortunately, knowledge alone can only take you so far through the civil court system. Legal experience will soon become the deciding factor in whether your case can proceed efficiently and what amount of money you receive for your damages.
Fortunately, you have support available from Valero Law Group. The team will come to you wherever you need help, fight your case in a civil courtroom if needed, and only charge you once they get a favorable case result on your behalf. Call today to learn more about the help available to you when filing a car accident claim in Woodland Hills.
