thehashemilawfirm

  Car accidents can happen in an instant, but the consequences often last for months or even years. In the immediate aftermath of a crash, it’s easy to make decisions that seem harmless in the moment but end up hurting your ability to recover compensation or protect your legal rights. Understanding what not to do after a car accident is just as important as knowing what to do. In this article, we’ll look at the most common mistakes people make after a car accident in California—and how to avoid them. 1. Not Calling the Police Many people assume they don’t need to call the police if the accident seems minor or if no one is seriously injured. However, California law requires you to report accidents involving injury, death, or significant property damage. A police report can provide an objective, third-party account of the accident, which can be critical when filing an insurance claim or building a legal case. Even if you and the other driver agree to handle things privately, ...

  Determining who is at fault in an accident is one of the most critical parts of a personal injury claim in California. Whether the accident involves a car crash, a slip and fall, or a pedestrian injury, assigning legal responsibility—also known as liability—is essential for determining who pays for medical bills, property damage, lost income, and other losses. California follows a comparative fault system, which means more than one party can share the blame. Understanding how fault is determined in California can help accident victims better protect their rights and pursue compensation appropriately. What Does “Fault” Mean in a Legal Sense? In legal terms, fault refers to the party or parties responsible for causing the accident through negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. To hold someone legally liable in a personal injury case, you typically must prove that their actions breached a duty of care and directly caused harm. For example, a driver who runs a r...