Skip to main content

Month: April 2023

How much is a personal injury case worth?

Settlement for damages following an accident is unique to each situation. It’s tempting to cut further costs and attempt to handle your claim yourself, but you do yourself a disservice by going it alone. A personal injury lawyer can help you get the maximum value of your claim, and the benefits of hiring a professional negate the costs.

How Much Is My Personal Injury Claim?

The impacts of a car accident or workplace injury over which you have little control are scary. Financial effects on an injury victim may include: 

  • Medical expenses including past, current and future surgeries, hospitalizations, therapies, prescriptions and rehabilitation. 
    • Brain injuries, back injuries, whiplash and fractures are severe injuries that may appear over time. Wait until you have reached maximum recovery improvement to assess future medical bills.
  • Lost income or earning capacity – Medical treatment, recovery and trauma may require time off work, potentially a leave of absence. Serious injuries may mean not being able to work again.

Online multipliers can give the fair value of your claim for economic losses. What about the impact of the accident on your quality of life? How do you quantify these types of damages:

  • Physical pain and suffering.
  • Emotional distress and trauma.
  • Loss of consortium from loved ones.
  • Loss of enjoyment of life.

Trying to represent the value of these non-economic damages is subjective, making these harder to fight for and prove in settlement negotiations.

An experienced personal injury attorney has a reasonable idea of what you can ask for and expect to win. Consult a lawyer with expert medical professional connections to get an accurate estimate of the value of your case. You deserve total compensatory damages for your suffering, not an amount that will run out before your medical care ends.

Factors Affecting Your Personal Injury Settlement

An accident lawyer has seen it all when negotiating personal injury cases. Having one of these professionals in your corner means no surprises await when you file your claim.

Elements impacting your personal injury lawsuit may include:

  • Fault – California is a comparative negligence state, so you can receive damages proportional to your role in what happened. An accident lawyer can argue the other’s part in matters such as slip and fall injuries or premises liability cases. 
  • Statute of limitations – The specific period for filing usually begins on the accident date. Get started immediately, even if injuries seem minor, to avoid running out of time. 
  • Recovery time – Permanent disabilities and loss of earning capacity increase economic damages. Associated costs may include rehabilitation, lifestyle alterations, and long-term pain.
  • Failure to mitigate damages on your part can affect your claim. See a doctor immediately and follow medical advice to avoid exacerbating your condition.
  • Insurance coverageInsurance adjusters purposely underestimate your expenses to avoid a payout. They may argue that you’re responsible, you had a pre-existing health condition, or that you are misrepresenting your damages. If the other party is uninsured, you may have to file a claim against your insurance policy. Remember, these large companies are in business for profit, not to protect you. 
  • Evidence – To argue liability, you need solid facts that prove negligence by the other party. Attorneys can provide legal advice on what to gather. They are connected to expert witnesses to support your argument to win a trial verdict.

This list isn’t exhaustive, but it is daunting. Personal injury claims are difficult to pursue, and receiving money for your pain takes time. 

Is My Personal Injury Claim Worth It?

This is a question only you can answer. You are the expert on what you have lost in the aftermath of an accident. Besides the apparent effects of an accident on your life, there are many things to consider. Mova Law Group – Personal Injury Attorneys recommends a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys. We will review your accident case and establish a realistic estimate of your damages.

Filing a personal injury suit can help you regain the money spent on medical costs. You may feel empowered and able to take back control of your life.

Working with an experienced personal injury lawyer maximizes the amount of compensation you may receive. Attorneys won’t lowball your settlement amount as an insurance company will. We handle the draining and complicated legal process, giving you time to return to living your life.

Experienced legal representation is more likely to win larger settlements than when accident victims represent themselves. You don’t have to invest in us up-front either. The law firm of Mova Law Group – Personal Injury Attorneys operates on a contingency fee basis, so we only collect payment when the settlement satisfies you.

So, what is your personal injury claim worth? Wouldn’t you agree that you owe it to yourself to find out? At no risk or initial obligation, as well as a higher likelihood of success, the benefits outweigh any potential drawbacks. Contact Mova Law Group – Personal Injury Attorneys today to learn more.

https://www.movalegal.com/contact-us/

How To Safely Use Cruise Control

The safety of Tesla autopilot cars is a hot debate topic, with recalls and self-driving accidents making recent headlines. On the other hand, cruise control features have been around for a long time and offer real perks. Cruise control has many benefits for drivers. With each new vehicle model released, technological advances like adaptive cruise control systems make driving on long road trips safer and less strenuous.

How Does Cruise Control Work?

Most vehicles have a conventional cruise control feature that allows the driver to set a desired speed and leave it. The system disengages from the set speed when the driver presses the brake pedal or the steering wheel’s cancel buttons. A set button allows the driver to take their foot off the gas pedal and save their energy. Cruise control increases fuel efficiency on long drives as the car maintains a constant speed. Drivers must still follow other vehicles at a safe distance and be prepared to slow down or stop as necessary.

Adaptive cruise control is an option in many new cars and SUVs. With a set cruising speed, the auto’s cameras will maintain a safe following distance from other cars and reduce or increase vehicle speed to avoid collisions. This cruise control feature has the same fuel economy as conventional versions since the accelerator pedal pressure doesn’t fluctuate.

Is Using Cruise Control Safe?

Yes, cruise control is safe, but only as much as the person using it. Regarding machinery, it is best to treat the system like it’s a novice driver requiring continual monitoring.

A driver must always be aware of the road around them. Follow these safety tips and avoid using this feature when:

  • The driver is feeling fatigued and wants to relax. If there’s a concern about falling asleep at the wheel, avoid driving entirely, and don’t let the car take over.
  • The driver is distracted or intoxicated.
  • There are poor weather conditions. Rain and puddles can cause a car to hydroplane when on cruise control. The vehicle’s electronic monitoring system may disengage cruise control if the computer detects rapid wiper motion or a wheel leaving the road.
  • Road conditions are uneven. Dirt roads, off-roading, potholes, and other street issues can cause the vehicle to lose its grip on the road. Once engaged, Antilock Brake Systems connected to cruise control can shut off the system without warning.
  • Driving through the city or a heavy traffic area. Cruise control is not helpful if many traffic lights, residential areas, other cars, and construction zones require quick system disengagement to obey the speed limit.
  • Attempts to use the cruise control failed. This failure is a sign of a mechanical or electrical issue. If cruise control won’t take over the first time it’s attempted, put the car in neutral and pull over.

With a safe speed, proper focus, and attention to the driving conditions, you should encounter few issues while using cruise control settings.

What if Cruise Control Fails?

What if you did everything right: You read the owner’s manual, heeded all safety tips, and were still in a collision? The vehicle is not at fault, but its manufacturing or repair may have flaws.

Handing over some control of your car’s speed to a machine doesn’t absolve you of responsibility if you get into an accident. However, experienced personal injury lawyers can help you in the aftermath of a collision if you use the cruise control feature.

Insurance companies will consider your choice to give up control of the vehicle as reckless and even “gross negligence.” Using cruise control could be seen as not adhering to the standard of care needed for others on the road. If a malfunctioning cruise control system is to blame for your collision, this can reduce your liability.

A Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

After a crash, hiring an experienced car accident attorney is in your best interest. They can explore the vehicle history to see if the model of the car had cruise control issues or if a mechanic did not properly repair the system. Using this evidence and expert witness testimony, they can prove you are not at fault for this rare incident. 

A Mova Law Group – Personal Injury Attorneys attorney will take your product liability case on a contingency fee basis. We will immediately advise you of your legal options in a free consultation and help you recover damages.

An accident while using cruise control shouldn’t damage your good driving record. You should not have to pay when you are at the mercy of an automobile.

https://www.movalegal.com/contact-us/

What You Should Do After a Car Accident

Knowing even a few steps of what to do (and not do) after a car accident can help in these stressful situations. Your actions can help you get the compensation you are entitled to, no matter the collision’s severity.

The moments immediately following an accident are chaotic and confusing. No one expects to be in a car crash, and despite the best intentions, being fully prepared is almost impossible. 

Here are some good practices to keep in mind in any vehicle collision.

1. Take a Deep Breath and Survey the Scene

Safety is the top priority at the time of the accident. Put on your hazard lights, and if you can, move all vehicles to the side of the road to avoid a larger collision. Help any passengers remove themselves from the cars unless they are too badly injured.

2. Call 911

Even if you or any others involved feel okay, it’s essential to call 911. Emergency medical teams can provide the help needed, and a police officer must document the accident. A police report must be filed immediately as evidence to proceed with a legal claim later. Not only that, it is the law. Failure to report an accident can result in a suspension of your license. If you leave the scene of an accident and don’t exchange information and report the accident, you risk a hit-and-run charge.

3. Document the Accident

Take pictures of the scene and your car’s damage with your cell phone before roadside assistance clears the scene of the accident. 

Get contact information from any witnesses present. Be sure to ask what they saw in the lead-up to and after the crash.

Keep interactions with the other party brief and objective so you don’t worsen an already tense situation. You must exchange the following with them:

  • Full name.
  • Phone number.
  • Driver’s license number and license plate number.
  • Insurance card with your car insurance policy number.

Do not admit fault to anyone, even if you feel you are to blame. California is a “fault” state, so the at-fault driver could end up paying damages to the other party. Liability for an accident can split legally, so don’t let yourself get taken advantage of.Police will speak with you, the other party, and witnesses and create an accident report from the recorded statements.

4. Seek Medical Attention

You may feel stunned and run on adrenaline out of shock, which may mask any injuries. Further complicating matters, serious injuries don’t always appear immediately and may worsen without treatment. Watch out for:

See a doctor as soon as possible to document any accident-related physical issues. Doing so ensures a quicker recovery and means your treatment is on record for insurance claims.

5. Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

If the accident was not (entirely) your fault, you could be entitled to a financial settlement. Compensation may cover:

  • Medical bills, both current and future.
  • Repairs for vehicle damage.
  • Rental cars, if yours is a write-off.
  • Property damage.
  • Pain and suffering.

A personal injury lawyer is of valuable help here:

  • They are familiar with deadlines for filing reports and claims
  • They can accurately estimate your damages.
  • They can work with your doctor to inform you about your medical treatments or connect you with health professionals if needed.
  • If required, they have expert connections for trial use (medical witnesses, accident recreation specialists, etc.).
  • They can handle communications with all involved parties, including law enforcement and insurance agents.
  • They begin the settlement negotiation process.
  • Car accident attorneys improve your chances of receiving compensation.

6. File an Accident Claim With Your Auto Insurance Company

Trusting that your insurance adjuster has your back would be nice, but these companies want to avoid paying out money, even if you have insurance coverage. They will avoid accountability as much as possible and may try to get you to admit fault.

Have a lawyer before you call, or the other driver’s insurance company contacts you. An auto accident attorney knows what insurance information needs to be passed along and can help handle all communication on your behalf.

Why Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer?

There are many things to keep on top of after an accident, and you don’t deserve to deal with these burdens alone. If you or a loved one were in a motor vehicle crash, you are best served to focus on your recovery. 

The earlier you can secure legal representation, the smoother the claims process. Reaching out to an experienced car accident attorney should be among the first things you do if you are in a collision, regardless of the severity or who is at fault.



The experienced team at Mova Law Group – Personal Injury Attorneys in San Diego, CA knows what to do after an auto accident. We can help take some of the weight off your shoulders in this stressful time. You don’t need to worry about the cost of reaching out either – we offer a free consultation and take your case on a contingency plan basis. You don’t have to provide payment until we negotiate the settlement you deserve.

In the aftermath of a car accident, contact the law firm of Mova Law Group – Personal Injury Attorneys for risk-free, helpful representation when you need it the most.

https://www.movalegal.com/contact-us/

Resources:

-California DMV 

-Personal Injuries

Personal Injury Lawyer Personal Injury Lawyer

When to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

There is no wrong time to reach out to an experienced personal injury lawyer in the aftermath of an accident, so long as an accident victim’s claim falls under California’s statute of limitations

Does that sound unfamiliar and intimidating? This point alone highlights the benefits of having a legal professional on your side. It’s unfair to expect you to know the ins and outs of civil litigation. Insurance companies would rather you attempt to navigate the legal process alone, but you would do yourself a disservice if you did.

What Does a Personal Injury Attorney Do?

Personal injury law helps to restore you with compensation when someone else’s negligence has caused harm. Proving the intention to harm is unnecessary – the impact is the focus. A personal injury lawyer ensures insurance policy providers and the at-fault parties understand how their actions have affected you.

Liability, negligence, and fault are not easy to prove. Still, an attorney that understands and practices civil law in the state can help you do this and level the playing field, even in the face of stiff opposition.

An accident lawyer increases your chances of winning your lawsuit and receiving a larger amount of money.

A personal injury attorney can:

  • Advocate for you in various personal injury cases.
  • Give legal advice in a free case evaluation regarding your accident claim‘s viability and legal rights.
  • Provide a reasonable estimate of what you can expect to receive. Experienced attorneys can use their knowledge of past cases to give an objective monetary value for your damages (even complex concepts such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and future medical expenses).
  • Give a reasonable estimate of when to expect your personal injury lawsuit to last before reaching a settlement.
  • Provide expert witnesses with testimony to back up your claims in court.
  • Request evidence from the other party’s legal team, such as medical records, interviews, and other physical documentation.
  • Handle insurance companies and the other party’s lawyers that wish to downplay their role and blame you for your problems.
  • Navigate complicated claims involving powerful opponents, like medical providers or large production companies. 
  • Eliminate the stress of representing yourself in court and keeping up with all filings and deadlines.

Mova Law Group – Personal Injury Attorneys is a top-ranking personal injury legal firm in San Diego, CA. If you or a loved one are injury victims due to someone else’s actions, we can help.

When Should You Reach Out to a Personal Injury Attorney?

The statute of limitations for many civil cases in California is two years from the accident, but this can vary per instance. Expert legal representation will inform you of deadlines. 

Under this guideline, we recommend securing legal representation at one of the following times:

  1. Best case scenario: Contact a lawyer immediately after you are involved in the incident. This gives you the most time to prepare and win your case.
  2. You can also contact an attorney upon discovering an injury and seeking medical care. Many serious injuries from an accident don’t appear immediately but later affect your daily life and earning capacity. A personal injury lawyer can help you navigate your treatment and prepare for potential medical bills
  3. Finally, you should contact an attorney before you file your insurance claim if you still need to do so. Insurance companies may propose a lowball settlement offer or create delays in bad faith to run out the clock on the statute of limitations. A personal injury lawyer can help you fight against these insurance adjusters and third-party legal teams.


The earlier you reach out, the less hassle you face and the greater your chances of winning a fair settlement. You can reach Chris Movafagh and the personal injury law firm of Mova Law Group – Personal Injury Attorneys 24/7. Contact us today to get started on your claim.

What is the Cost of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Don’t let financial concerns convince you to pursue damages alone. You owe yourself to hire a professional, as the benefits far outweigh any costs. Experienced help is invaluable in a technical field like civil litigation.

At Mova Law Group – Personal Injury Attorneys, we operate on a contingency basis, so you only pay your legal fees once the case wraps. These contingency fees are only due upon reaching a fair compensation amount.

An initial free consultation allows you to establish an attorney-client relationship. You may inquire about their fee structure and experience with personal injury claims like yours. These initial consultations are no-risk, no-obligation meetings until you secure a law firm‘s services.

Mova Law Group – Personal Injury Attorneys is here to support you after your accident. We will fight to get you the maximum compensation you deserve! Our experienced personal injury lawyers are advocates in your corner against those responsible for your accident.

https://www.movalegal.com/contact-us/

Resources:

-California Courts