Los Angeles Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents can cause total damage to your car and serious, permanent injuries to you. Though auto crashes happen so often, they usually leave us with so many repercussions and questions that it turns out to be to a great degree hard to oversee what you've experienced. You don't need to persevere alone through the series of demands that comes with collisions while figuring out how to take care of yourself, your loved ones, your funds and legitimate rights. At the point when a mishap happens, hiring an experienced attorney who specializes in car accidents is your best option. Contact Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney at any time (24/7) at 424-231-2013 for a free legal consultation to get answers for all of your pertinent questions and pass the mallet to us to fight the legal battle for you.

Since an auto collision is totally unforeseen, the effects can be overwhelming. In a minute, our lives can be flipped around and can take an enormous toll monetarily, physically, and emotionally. In the consequence of an accident, there are particular moves that you can make that will help protect your legal rights while at the same time positioning you to recover. These tips will get you on the track to a quick recovery.

• Get medical help

You ought to dependably assess the physical condition of those involved in the accident and call emergency help if needed. Ensure that you give emergency responders all the details on the crash and any symptoms you might have. Just like many individuals involved in car accidents, you may get an adrenaline rush that will make you underestimate the severity of your injuries. Ask for a complete examination and follow all the doctor’s instructions to the letter. This will help you recover quickly and at the same time avoid giving the other parties involved a chance to claim that you were partially accountable for your ailments just because you didn’t follow the instructions of your doctor.

• Collect evidence

If you are in a good condition to collect evidence, then you should do so right after the accident has happened. Record exhaustive contact data for everybody included incorporating their names, driver’s license number, insurance information, and addresses. Additionally, take photographs of the crash scene. This should cover the areas of the accident scene that you think led to the wreck and the parts of your auto that were damaged. It's also a smart thought to keep vehicle parts that broke off in the accident. Your car accident lawyer will look at these parts and may accumulate significant information on how the mishap happened.

• Call the police

After the car crash, you should call the police to record a report that will contain details of the collision. Remember to ask for a copy of the report from the officer. This is vital as it will help your lawyer to prepare your claim.

• Do not admit anything, let your car accident lawyer do the talking

What you say to the other parties involved or the insurance agents can have adverse negative effects on your ability to make claims. Instead, you should let your lawyer do the talking. An experienced car accident lawyer who has handled hundreds of car collision cases will have the aptitude to quickly assess your case while at the same time sending their investigators to the accident scene to gather and analyze data. Having an awesome legal advisor is the best move you can make to win compensation from those responsible.

There are many types of car accidents and these include:

• T-bone wrecks
• Rear-end collisions
• Vehicle rollovers
• Hit and run accidents
• Intersection accidents
• Head-on collisions
• Intersection accidents
• Frontal impacts

There are different factors that lead to these types of fender benders. Here are the most common causes of car accidents in Los Angeles.

• Driver negligence

In most of the accidents that happen daily, one driver is usually at fault. This, therefore, means that they take decisions that are considered unreasonable or careless when they should be acting reasonably to protect others from harm. Examples of careless drivers’ actions include driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, taking unnecessary risks, over speeding and turning incautiously on red lights. With the rise of technology, people are now watching TV, checking on their social media pages or applying makeup while driving. This is called distracted driving and it is the number one cause of car accidents today.

• Poor road conditions

If you were involved in an auto crash because the road was poorly engineered, built or maintained, then the concerned government entities can be held liable for the crash. However, such claims against government entities can be quite complicated and require the expertise of an established car accident attorney.

• Defective auto parts

In other circumstances, the companies that designed, built or sold your car can be held responsible for the accident simply because they put a product on the market that doesn’t work properly as it should. Good examples of reasons that can make the manufacturer to held responsible for an accident include SUVs that roll over, an airbag that won’t deploy and faulty brakes.

When you have been involved in a car accident and you are possibly recovering from the injuries, the last thing in your mind should be trying to settle your case by dealing with the insurance company on your own. The process can be overwhelming because it requires comprehensive knowledge and expertise to properly communicate with all the individuals involved. This is why you need a car accident lawyer who can manage your claim properly. When you select Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney to represent you, you will get a well-trained team of professional personal injury lawyers who have many years of experience in car accident cases. Our work is to put together an irrefutable list of the damages that you have encountered. It is in our best interest to ensure that you recover full compensation and regain your financial losses that were as a result of the crash.

There are different factors that help determine the value of your settlement. These include:

• The amount of damage to property/car
• The degree of injuries that you sustained
• The size and type of your insurance policy and that of the at-fault party

Most individuals look to their insurance companies to help them get on their feet again when accidents happen. However, one important thing that you should keep in mind is that the claim adjusters are employees of the insurance company and therefore work to maximizing the profits of the company. With this said, their main purpose is to find you the lowest amount that you can be paid while at the same time trying to find more reasons why they should not cover the damages and injuries your policy should pay for.

When your insurance or the other involved party’s insurance company get to know about your car accident, the first thing they might do is to try to call you. In this case, therefore, it is best if you do not talk to them. Such companies are good at manipulating innocent comments because they want you to appear as the one who caused the accident and your injuries are not severe. They will try to give you appealing offers whose value, in the actual sense, is worth far less than what you actually need. It is important to understand that car accidents can have both short-term and long-term effects on one’s life. If you accept to settle for the amount the insurance company is offering you, you will be able to cover the current bills yes, but what if you get medical complication at a later time? This is why you should never talk with the insurance companies directly. It is therefore vital to have a skilled car accident lawyer who can get medical documentations from the doctor concerning your short- and long-term medical needs. With this information, it would be easier to determine the amount you need to cater for all your medical needs that arise as a result of the accident.

When you have been involved in a car crash, you will most probably be in a state of shock for a significant amount of time. In other cases, you could be injured severely from injuries such as paralysis (of the legs and lower body or of all four limbs), neck and spinal injuries, deep cuts, internal bleeding, organ damage and other psychological traumas that could drain you and your loved ones financially and medically.  In such situations filing a lawsuit could be the least of your concern. However, if you contact us immediately, it could be your saving grace. To file a lawsuit for injuries and damages in Los Angeles and even the rest of California, you will have a two-year deadline from the day of the accident. It is, therefore, important to collect the necessary evidence as soon as possible. The earlier you contact Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney the better it will be for your case.

Car accidents come with both seen and unseen damages and costs. Our work is to look at all the elements surrounding your case. Contact us and get a free car accident case evaluation that will help you understand what your case is worth. Our experience in the field of accidents and personal injury helps us seek recovery for all types of damages and this includes:

Economic damages- These are physical damages with direct costs associated with them. Examples include:

• Medical and rehabilitation costs
• Loss of wages
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Loss of necessary home services

Non-economic damages-These losses are less tangible and do not have a direct cost but still, the victims have to be compensated because of the adverse negative effects that they have on one’s life. Examples of non-economic damages include:

• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of loved ones or companionship
• Mental torture

When a car accident misfortune happens, you should contact Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney to represent you because the insurance company will not hand you the amount you deserve. Their main goal is to maximize their profits and pay you as little as possible and this will hinder full recovery. We understand what you have been through and to avoid bringing you more traumas, we offer a free case evaluation. Our main goal is to ensure that you get your life back. If you or a loved one has been in a car accident and need legal help, please contact us today at 424-231-2013, we are there for you.

At the Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney Law Firm, we have helped several clients that are in search of answers and sound legal advice. The period after a car accident is often confusing and stressful, and it only makes perfect sense to consult a team that understands the Los Angeles personal injury law and can protect your rights. As personal injury attorneys, our job isn’t only limited to helping clients to familiarize with the laws, but to also hold their hands throughout the claim process, from the occurrences before the crash to uncovering the next steps that you should take in your case. Head-on collisions rear-end accidents, and rollover crashes among many others, our car accident attorneys can assist you to make a claim.

Car crashes range from minor to severe accidents, and each case presents its unique challenges. However, because there’s so much at stake, it’s wise to have a seasoned attorney in your corner. Otherwise, you risk missing out on the monetary compensation that you rightfully deserve. At Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney, we know the seriousness of car crashes and our experienced attorneys have successfully abetted many victims in their car accident claims. If the car wreckage was caused by the ignorance of another party, then you want us by your side.

You will only be able to get the compensation you truly deserve by making the most of your car crash. Remember you have rights, and we will fight to protect them.

Auto accidents often occur in different situations. Sometimes they occur due to bumper-to-bumper traffic or over speeding; however, car wrecks can also occur at parking lots and side streets. How a car collides with another car, pedestrians and other objects can influence the resulting injuries.

1. Rear-end Auto Accidents

A recent survey by the National Safety Council indicated that there are over 5 million accidents each year. Out of these accidents, 2.5 million are rear-ended types of accidents. This explains why rear-end accidents are the most common accidents that we handle at our law firm. In most cases that we have handled, rear-end accidents have adverse consequences. Victims often sustain neck, head injuries or other serious injuries because of the force exerted by the striking vehicle from behind. Keep in mind that the costs associated with rear-end crashes can add up very quickly, especially if you’re incapacitated and unable to work for several weeks or months after the accident.

You won’t go wrong by contacting our experienced Los Angeles rear-end auto accident attorney. They know what to look for after the crash to help them build a solid legal case. From assessing any skidding marks on the tarmac before the crash (this is often an indication of a distracted driver) to analyzing your medical reports from your doctor after the accident, our qualified attorneys will conduct a comprehensive analysis to ensure that your rights are protected. Almost always in a rear-end accident, the rear-most driver is at fault. Although sometimes liability can easily be determined, insurance companies can delay to take the necessary action or in some situations offer a low settlement. Our professionals are aware of all these techniques that are employed by insurance adjusters. We can help you recuperate faster by dealing with the insurance company on your behalf.

2. Head-on Crashes

Of all the accidents that we handle, head-on crashes are more serious. Although these accidents encompass only 2% of all accidents, they comprise over 10% of auto accident fatalities. In most cases, even at slow speeds, head-on collisions can be disastrous. In a case where two cars that are moving in opposite directions crash, the force involved is significant, and the occupants of the vehicle can strike objects. When involved in such an accident, the hospital bills will quickly accumulate due to intensive therapy, medical care, and medicines. You also won’t be able to work for long periods when recuperating.

Common causes of Head-on Crashes

• Using cellphones
• A sleepy or fatigued driver
• Collateral accidents
• Senior drivers
• Intoxicated drivers

If you’ve lost a loved one or sustained injuries in such an accident, our experienced head-on collision Los Angeles attorneys can assist you and ensure that your case is given the attention it deserves. We understand that you’re in pain or might be emotional after losing a friend or loved one, and that’s why we want to take over all the legal procedures and give you enough time to heal after the accident. If you’re unable to visit our Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney Law Firm, we can come to you. 

3. Hit-and-Run Auto Accidents

This is a type of accident whereby the driver who crashes into another car, private property, or a pedestrian leaves without rendering any first aid services to the other driver or passengers, and without identifying himself. According to the NHTSA (Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety), a total of 11 accidents out of 100 traffic accidents involve hit and run auto accidents. Out of these accidents, 4.3% are disastrous.

According to the California law, hit and run accidents are defined as “fleeing a scene of an accident without offering aid.” Aid includes contacting the police, assisting any injured persons, or calling fire rescue in case their help is needed. Aid also involves providing insurance information and identification to the other driver. In Los Angeles, leaving the accident scene is a crime, and it can be classified either as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances and is punishable by paying a hefty fine or incarceration in prison or both. In some rare cases, the driver can avoid incarceration and perform community service.

The biggest problem with hit and run accidents is that most of the drivers who flee the scene are never caught because they hit, run, and then hide. The guilty driver escapes very quickly that the victim may not get a chance to identify the make, year, model, or the color of the car. Therefore, because there isn’t enough information to identify the driver, he or she easily gets away.

After the driver flees the accident scene, you’re left to deal with the consequences with your insurance company. If you’re in such a situation, then you need to seek for compensation from your uninsured motorist cover. In case you’re a bicyclist or pedestrian that has been struck by a driver who escapes the scene of the accident, you can get compensation through your personal insurance cover. Most hit-and-run accidents happen for the obvious reason that the driver doesn’t want to be caught. However, a survey conducted by the criminal section of the American Bar Association revealed some common reasons:

• The driver doesn’t have insurance
• The driver may have been drunk
• He or she didn’t have a license, or the license is suspended
• The driver has unsettled criminal charges
• The car is owned by a company, and the driver doesn’t want his employer to find out
• The driver is moving drugs or stolen property.
• Illegal drivers

When you find yourself in such a situation, the first step should be to call the police and contact us immediately. Our attorneys will work with you and try to identify the other driver by talking to eyewitnesses, CCTV footage, and even use the number plate that you picked before the driver fled. In most cases business owners won’t agree to voluntarily give you the video camera tapes; however, your attorney can subpoena them in the lawsuit.

Even if you have the driver’s license vehicle registration number, and can trace the owner of the car via the department of motor vehicles, the police won’t arrest the driver if there isn’t enough implicating evidence. However, this information will be helpful when filing an insurance statement against them. Unfortunately, the California motor vehicle department doesn’t keep any records that can help you match the car to the insurance company.

In other instances, even if you identify the owner of the car, through the license plate, they may fail to step up and take responsibility for causing the accident. If he fails to take responsibility, then it means that he won’t share his insurance details, and in such a case it’s advisable that you have an attorney. When your attorney feels that the evidence and damages are substantial to build a solid case, then a lawsuit will be filed, and your attorney will subpoena the owner of the car for his deposition. In the recorded statement that is done under oath, your attorney can demand that the owner gives the name of the insurance company and the driver who was driving the vehicle when the accident happened. In California, lying when under oath is regarded as perjury which is a felony. This means that unless the owner has a hard-core criminal record, he’ll most likely give up the name of the driver or possibly himself, and the name of the insurance company if he has one.

4. Side-impact Crashes

Also referred to as T-bone collisions, these accidents have been reported by the National Safety Council to come second after head-on car crashes in causing serious fatalities and injuries every year. During such a crash, the side of a car is impacted by the rear or front of a fixed object or another car. This type of accident often causes serious injuries to the occupants. However, the impact will vary depending on the part of the car that is smashed into, the speed of the car, and its safety features, for instance, material, airbags, weight, and construction of the car. The occupants sited on the part of the vehicle that is struck often sustain worse injuries than they would in rear-end or front crashes.

When the T-bone collision force exceeds that of the body’s ability to absorb shock, it causes injuries that range from whiplash and sprains to organ damage, fractures, and in some cases even death. The impact of the crash can also lead to secondly crashes with stationary objects or other cars. Some of the common occurrences involve your car slamming into concrete lane boundaries, bridge abutments, and trees. When the impact is very strong, your car can easily topple and roll over.

If you have sustained hard injuries, there’s too much at stake, and you need an aggressive attorney who can collect evidence and the negligent driver’s insurance. Your attorney will file a lawsuit to legally subpoena important evidence in your favor, and also take avowed depositions of the witnesses, driver, doctors, and passengers. The written questions (interrogatories) and the requests for all legal documents that they draft will give your attorney more information that is crucial in your case.

5. Rollover Car Accidents

A vehicle rollover can cause serious injuries to passengers. This explains why more fatalities have been reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration than in any other types of accidents. According to the NHTSA, over 10,000 people die every year in such accidents. Accidents of this nature can occur due to many reasons. Sometimes, the car may have design flaws and in other cases, reckless drivers cause such accidents.

SUVs, pickup trucks, and other similar cars often rollover because of design flaws, and fighting big automobile companies can be a daunting process. That’s why you should contact us to assist you. With an experienced attorney working for you, you’ll be able to take a strong stance from the very beginning. This means that you’ll take charge and won’t necessarily have to do what insurance companies and vehicle manufacturers tell you to do.

In case you or a loved one is injured in a car crash, contacting a Los Angeles personal injury attorney experienced with car accident cases is the most important step that you can make to protect your rights. The Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney Law Firm represents people injured in auto accidents. Immediately after the accident, call us at 424-231-2013 to schedule a free case evaluation, or you can submit a quick case evaluation form.

Despite technology advancement in the car industry and road safety measures within the last ten decades, the Institute if Highway Safety has reported that over 3,000 Californians die in car crashes each and every year. In the year 2013, there were over 500,000 accidents that involved injuries, fatalities, and property damage. As such, all drivers should view auto accidents as legitimate and safety hazards. Interestingly, most of the accidents that occur in Los Angeles are due to driver error. A recent survey that was directed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicated that over 90% of car accidents around the country are attributed to driver error. Other causes of car accidents such as vehicle failure or weather only account for less than 6% of all car accidents.

In case you have been involved in a car accident, contact an experienced attorney from Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney Law Firm as soon as you can. Most people in Los Angeles depend on their cars to shuttle them through the busy days, and each day, major freeways are swamped with traffic. The Freeway I-5 in the year 2013 recorded over 20 billion miles driven, while freeway I-10 and I-110 are the busiest freeways in the country. Freeway I-405 has over 350,000 cars that travel on it every day. With so many people on these roads, at all times of the day, accidents are bound to happen.

Although you should drive your car carefully and follow all traffic laws to avoid accidents, just being careful doesn’t mean that all other drivers on the road will be careful. Therefore, if you’re involved in a car crash, it may not be your fault meaning that you shouldn’t be held liable for the ignorance of other drivers and the damages caused. If you’re in such a situation, ensure that you protect yourself by filing a car accident claim. Car accidents can cause several types of damages, frustrations, and pains, and it’s only prudent that you protect your life above any other thing. Below is a comprehensive list of common causes of car crashes and some tips on how to avoid them to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Not paying enough attention to traffic and road conditions is the main cause of car accidents in Los Angeles. Despite the large information that is received in the media, car crashes caused by inattentive drivers have continued to rise over the years.

When operating your motor vehicle, you should always pay enough attention to the conditions around you. You can only be able to do so by not checking messages, making calls, grooming, eating or engaging in any other activity that may divert your eyes off the road. While driving your car at a speed of 60mph, it means that you’re traveling 88 feet per second, and the three or four seconds that you may take to check your phone, it means that you will have driven your car 200 to 300 feet blindly. In such a case, if the traffic or road conditions change suddenly, you will have insufficient time to react to the changes. This can easily result in an accident that can kill or injure you and your passengers.

Statistics indicate that a high percentage of drivers around you aren’t paying enough attention to the road and traffic conditions. Due to these facts, don’t put your life and the lives of those you love in the hands of such drivers that don’t pay enough attention to traffic conditions around you. 

It goes without even saying that driving and drinking don’t mix, and statistics have proven this. More than 300,000 people drive while drunk on a daily basis. Yet, out of over 100 million drunken driving incidents every year, only about 1.5 million drivers get arrested.

Drunk driving causes serious problems. According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), someone is injured in every two minutes due to alcohol-related car accidents. Furthermore, about 27 people die every day in car accidents that are caused by drunk driving. The bottom line is that drinking and driving don't make any sense. Therefore, if you have been drinking, ensure that you don’t get behind the wheel. Instead, you can call a friend who hasn’t been drinking to drive you home or take a public means or a cab. Do anything else that won’t put your life or other road users at serious risk of death or serious injuries.

We always say hurry hurry has no blessings, and this is the case while driving. Exceeding the set speed limit is the second common cause of car accidents in Los Angeles. This doesn’t come as a surprise because it’s simple physics. The faster you drive, the more ground you cover within a short time. However, the reaction time is calculated in seconds. This means that the faster you drive your car, the less time you have to react in a dangerous or serious situation. While speeding, it becomes difficult and sometimes impossible to take the necessary action to avoid a car crash.

To avoid car crashes, make it a rule of thumb never to speed. Speeding may make you feel like you will arrive at your destination faster, but at the same time, you’re increasing the odds of being involved in a car crash.

Driving recklessly is a phrase that is often used to describe different driving manners. It can involve failing to keep the proper intervals with the other vehicles in front of you or changing lanes without looking carefully and many other actions that violate the driving safety standards and Los Angeles traffic laws.

Keep in mind that several reckless driving incidents occur as a result of driving aggressively. Most of the time drivers can and do become aggressive and use their cars to vent their frustration. Although aggressive driving doesn’t change the behaviors of other road users and doesn’t change traffic conditions, it increases the chances of harming the driver and other road users when involved in a crash.

According to the California State Police, an aggressive driver is anyone who operates a vehicle in a bold, selfish manner, without caring for the safety and rights of the street and highway road users. Examples of such behaviors include:

• Rude or aggressive gestures
• Tailgating aggressively
• Preventing other drivers from moving their motor vehicles
• Physical assaults
• Verbal abuse
• Changing lanes unsafely or in a frequent manner
• Failing to yield the right of way
• Failing to adhere to traffic signals

In case you come across such aggressive drivers, use the following tips to protect yourself and those you love:

• Keep a safe distance
• Remain calm
• Don’t overtake them unless you have to
• Only change lanes when it’s safe to do so
• If you are unable to change lanes and the aggressive driver is tailgating dangerously, remain where you are, don’t respond to their unfriendly gestures, and maintain proper speeds.
• In case the situation gets out of hand, ensure that you call 911 to report the aggressive driver.

Driving when fatigued or when you need to sleep is as dangerous as driving after drinking. This is because at this time your vision is impaired meaning that your ability to react is also impaired. According to the National Traffic Safety Administration, drowsy drivers cause over 100,000 accidents each year. In most cases, these effects are compounded when you drive at night when tired and need some sleep. The risk of such accidents is greatest from around 11 p.m. to around 7 a.m. because most people are used to being asleep at this time. However, some other drivers often get drowsy from noon to around 2 p.m.

When driving in such a condition, you’ll only make things worse for yourself. According to professionals, when you feel sleepy while driving, first pull over and rest for a couple of hours. Although you won’t make your destination as planned, you’ll increase the odds that you will arrive at your destination in one piece.

Some of the common symptoms of fatigue include frequent yawning, heavy eyelids, varying vehicle speeds without any reason, drifting the vehicle, misjudging traffic conditions, daydreaming, and feeling irritable and fidgety. Other than ensuring that you’re well-rested before you start your journey, the MAA (Motor Accidents Authority) gives some tips to help you avoid car crashes that are often related to fatigue:

• Get enough sleep before you take a long trip.
• Take a break when driving after every two hours.
• Avoid driving for long distances after work.
• Pull over when you feel drowsy, uncomfortable, or when you lose concentration.
• Switch places with your co-driver when possible.
• Consult your physician on the medication you’re taking and inquire if it can affect your driving.

The ability to judge distance is most of the time impaired at night. Almost always, the human eye needs light to see, and driving during the night causes several accidents. It’s estimated that over 90% of all decisions made by drivers are based on what they see. Although your eyes can see in inadequate light during the night, the combination of road lights and headlights with the darkness can cause several problems to your vision. Therefore, you should be very careful when driving at night to avoid car crashes.

When one of our clients gets involved in a car accident when driving at night, our lawyers will first investigate if there was any illumination or lighting (street lights and any other lighting and how powerful it was) where the accident occurred. Our accident attorney will also investigate for other visual obstructions that may have led to the car accident. Almost always, our attorneys visit the accident scene to recreate the conditions that may have led to the car accident.

Snow, rain, fog, and ice often deteriorate traffic conditions, restricts visibility, and the road surfaces become slippery. During such conditions, it becomes very difficult to maintain sufficient control over your car. Therefore, when the weather conditions change and get worse, your driving skills should change for the better. In bad weather, you should maintain slow speeds to allow a greater stopping space when you brake. It makes sense to allow yourself more time to ensure that you get to your destination safely. You cannot change the weather when driving, but you can ensure that you drive safely depending on the conditions you encounter.

Sometimes heavy rain and thick fog can reduce your visibility to an unsafe degree. When you’re driving in such weather, it’s important that you be cautious or even pull over and out of the traffic lanes if you’re unable to maintain control of your car.

The law requires car manufacturers to design and also engineer vehicles that meet the set minimum safety standards. Although there are advancements that have been made to improve safety and efficiency of cars, there are some problems that develop with the functionality and design of cars. This is referred to as product liability, and it’s one of the top causes of car crashes.

Even with the safety standards and extensive testing conducted by vehicle manufacturers, our experienced car accident attorneys are aware that there a significant number of defective vehicles on the road.

When the unfortunate happens, and you are involved in a car crash, the best thing you can do is to seek legal representation. Our experienced attorneys will hold your hand throughout the process and help you avoid costly mistakes when dealing with an insurance company. Keep in mind that you’ll only have one settlement for your personal injury case, and you should do everything possible to maximize your settlement.