Stockton Car Accident Lawyer

Motor vehicle accidents are one of the most common causes of serious personal injury in California. The Stockton car accident lawyers at Venardi Zurada LLP represent victims seeking financial compensation for their injuries arising from the negligent acts of drivers and other parties who contributed to a preventable crash. So if you have been recently involved in a car accident and need legal advice on what steps to take next, contact us right away to schedule a free consultation.

Determining Fault for a Car Accident in Stockton

California is a fault-based state when it comes to car accidents. Put simply, a negligent party is financially responsible for any injuries and other losses suffered by the accident’s victims. In most Stockton car accident cases, negligence is the result of reckless or careless driving. Some examples include:

• distracted driving;
• driving under the influence of alcohol;
• excessive speeding;
• failing to yield the right of way;
• running a stop sign or red light without stopping; and
• texting while driving.

Of course, establishing fault for a car accident is not always cut-and-dry. Two or more drivers–including the person seeking compensation–may be at-fault for what happened. Under California law, however, even a partially responsible driver can still receive some compensation from the other driver. This is because California follows a “pure comparative fault” rule in personal injury cases. This means that a party’s financial liability is always in direct proportion to their respective fault.

Seeking Compensation for a Car Accident in Stockton

California law requires all drivers to carry a minimum amount of automobile insurance. This coverage provides compensation if the driver injures someone else in an accident. If the victim’s damages exceed the limits of the insurance policy, however, they can seek to recover the excess against the negligent driver’s personal assets. In certain cases, the victim may even have a claim under their own insurance policy if they purchased uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.

Compensation for a car accident in California includes both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include any out-of-pocket losses sustained by the victim, such as their medical bills, lost income due to missing time from work, and the ongoing costs of their physical therapy. Economic damages also cover expected future losses, such as the victim’s diminished earning capacity and long-term health care needs.

Non-economic damages are meant to compensate victims for their pain and suffering, disfigurement, and the overall impact of the car accident on their mental health and well-being. If the victim is married, their spouse can also seek non-economic damages to cover the loss of their partner’s “consortium” and companionship.

Contact Our Stockton Car Accident Lawyers

Recovery from a car accident is often a long and difficult process. It exacts a physical, emotional, and financial toll on the victim and their family. Seeking full compensation from the person who caused such injuries is often a critical step in this recovery process. If you need legal advice or representation from an experienced Stockton car accident attorney, call Venardi Zurada LLP today at (833) VZ FOR ME to schedule a free confidential consultation.

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