Car Accident Law FAQ

If you have been involved in an accident, you probably have questions. If you don’t see the answers you need here, please call our office.

Car Accident Frequently Asked Questions

Individuals involved in a car accident may have many questions in the aftermath. While every situation is unique, some of these questions may come up in a variety of circumstances.

To get the clearest picture of your specific situation, we recommend discussing the incident with a skilled car accident attorney. Cohn & Swartzon offers free consultations to answer questions and help you understand your legal options for filing a claim and recovering compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Call the police. Even if the damage appears minor, you need to obtain a police report. Police reports can indicate who the officer felt was at fault, and this can play a vital role in your injury claim. Insist that the police be called and always wait for them to arrive. This is essential for protecting your rights.

After calling the police, seek medical attention. At any sign of pain or injury, you must get it checked out by a qualified physician. This will help you on the road to a full recovery, and it will help you and your attorney determine the full amount of compensation to file for.

It is a serious criminal offense to leave the scene of a traffic accident without lending aid to individuals in need. If you are the victim of a hit and run, stay calm and remain focused. Take in as much information as possible and retain as many details about the situation as you can.

Consider the following factors, and then contact the police:

  • Was a man or woman driving the vehicle?
  • Can you identify the car’s license plate number?
  • What was the color, make, and model of the car?
  • Were any witnesses present to see the accident?
  • What kind of compensation am I eligible to receive?

Usually, accident victims may receive compensation for:

  • Costs of medical treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, etc.
  • Loss of wages in the present and future from work disability
  • Loss of ability to earn a wage or seek gainful employment
  • Damages to property and out-of-pocket expenses

As a general rule, injury claims are able to compensate for any and all losses and expenses incurred in an accident caused by a negligent individual. However, every accident is a unique situation. You should not assume what you are entitled to, and you should not file a claim without reviewing your case with an attorney who can help you protect your entitlements.

Economic and noneconomic damages are two separate categories of financial compensation in an injury claim. Economic damages deal with injuries and property damage. Noneconomic damages, also known as punitive damages, deal with secondary effects, such as pain and suffering.

Economic damages include:

  • Medical costs
  • Lost wages
  • Damage to car and property
  • Out-of-pocket expenses

Noneconomic damages include:

  • Loss of consortium
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Mental pain/anguish
  • Loss of companionship

Several parties may be responsible, such as:

  • The negligent driver that caused the accident
  • The insurance company who covers the damage
  • The car manufacturer of a defective or faulty part
  • A third party that contributed to the circumstances

Establishing negligence is one of the most important aspects of an injury claim. If another driver’s reckless or careless behavior caused the accident, they may be held responsible for your compensation. Negligence is a vital element of figuring out how to proceed in a personal injury claim.

A skilled accident attorney can do the following:

  • Help you assess the cost of your injuries and damages
  • Assist you in identifying who is at fault in the accident
  • Determine an effective course of action to claim compensation
  • Protect your rights and entitlements throughout the legal process

A legal professional can guide you through the legal procedures and help you ensure that you make a strong claim for financial compensation that not only offers a strong chance of success but also awards the amount of compensation you deserve and will need to make a full recovery.

Cohn & Swartzon LLP Gets Results in Car Accident FAQ

1000s of clients served throughout California

$150 million+ in verdicts, judgments, & settlements

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Jialin dong
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Very nice!
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Garth Nobis
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Engaged Mr. Swartzon to handle the details of my accident. A car hit me while riding my bicycle. Referral came from my insurance agent who has known Saar for years. Communication with Saar and his team was timely. Expectations and fees were clearly stated. The negligent driver's insurance company proposed an unsatisfactory (tiny) settlement for pain and suffering. Saar took various actions and raised the settlement so my portion was 10x the original proposal, after his fees. I was pleased with the outcome. Other than me providing information and paperwork from medical providers, they did the work in handling the claims.
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Masuda khan
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Awosome people. I was recommended by a total stanger to this Lawfarm in a desperate need. I was was not disappointed. Awesome people and awesome service. I highly recommend this company.
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Kristin Hobson
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I was involved in a horrible car accident that was completely no fault of my own, and it has been an incredibly difficult and stressful experience. From the very beginning, Jason has been nothing short of exceptional. He has taken the time to walk me through every step of the process, answer all of my questions, and make sure I understand what is happening along the way. Most importantly, he has taken so much of the stress and worry off my shoulders during what has been an already overwhelming experience. I am incredibly grateful to have Jason in my corner. His professionalism, compassion, communication, and dedication have made a difficult situation so much easier to navigate. I would absolutely recommend Jason to anyone who finds themselves in need of a personal injury attorney.
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Sandy Wessel
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Oz Tannebaum was professional, personable, and knows the legal system. He handled my case very well. I would recommend him highly to anyone who needs an excellent personal injury attorney.
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Ruth Stinson
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Cohn & Swartzon are great Attorneys, they keep me updated on my case from the beginning to the end. So friendly an helpful through it all ! I would recommend them a 100%! I had a great experience with this Law Firm.
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Justin
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Jason & Tiffany were fantastic to work with following a no-fault accident I was involved in. They were thoughtful and professional, and helped navigate case complexities with ease while empowering me to make decisions. I was always confident in their counsel and was very pleased with the eventual outcome. I'd highly recommend Cohn & Swartzon to others.
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Suji Lee
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We had a great experience having Saar as our personal injury attorney. After being in a car collision that resulted in a total loss of the vehicle, we got in contact with Saar and his team. It took about 2 years for the settlement to come through, but it was well worth it. While that may seem like a long time, our lives moved on right after the accident, and it was easy to trust the rest in the legal team's hands. They even sent out an investigator when the dashcam on our car was unretrievable. They were communicative throughout the process, even to let us know that we had to wait and what we were waiting for. I appreciated that they fought hard to make sure that a favorable and just outcome would be had. Saar and Megan were great from the beginning to the end!
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Crystal Khieu
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I can’t say enough good things about my experience with Cohn & Swartzon. From start to finish, they were absolutely amazing and incredibly helpful throughout my entire personal injury case. They explained every step clearly, always kept me updated, and truly cared about my recovery — not just the case. Their professionalism, compassion, and attention to detail made a difficult situation so much easier to handle. I always felt supported and confident knowing they were fighting for me. Thanks to Jason and his team including Anson for all their hard work, we achieved a great outcome that I’m very grateful for. If you ever need a personal injury attorney who genuinely cares and delivers results, I highly recommend them!
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