Santa Cruz Car Accident Attorneys

Santa Cruz Car Accident FAQs

At Van Der Walde & Associates, our main priority is ensuring that accident victims receive the compensation they deserve for their Santa Cruz car accidents. We represent accident victims in Santa Cruz and throughout Northern California, and offer free case consultations for all of our clients. As a service to his clients, Paul Van Der Walde has answered a few of the most Frequently Asked Questions regarding Santa Cruz car accident.

Why should I hire a Santa Cruz car accident attorney?

The details surrounding a Santa Cruz car accident may often appear to be relatively straightforward, but it is important to remember that car accident cases can also be very complicated. For instance, a single car crash may not be the result of motorist error, but could be the fault of an auto part manufacturer responsible for a defective part. Regardless of the scenario in which you are involved, the best course of action always involves retaining the services of an experienced Santa Cruz CA car accident attorney who will thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding the accident, determining whether or not negligent action of any kind played a role in causing it.

Next, it should be noted that compensation for Santa Cruz car accident injuries is not always a given. Insurance companies will attempt to lowball accident victims, negligent motorists will vehemently deny any and all wrong doing, and a host of other factors, including stress associated with escalating medical bills and time away from work, may negatively impact the results of your case. However, the experienced car accident attorneys at Van Der Walde & Associates are here to help.

Those injured in Santa Cruz car accidents cannot afford to mount an ineffective case. Accident victims are generally afforded one chance at attaining compensation for their injuries, and that chance should not be taken without the assistance of a skilled injury attorney. Whether it is representing one's case before a court of law, or simply negotiating with insurance companies to be awarded the compensation they deserve, accident victims should not attempt to wade the waters of litigation on their own. At Van Der Walde & Associates, our Santa Cruz personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning that we do not receive payment until you have been compensated.

How much can I expect to be awarded for my Santa Cruz car accident case?

Every car accident is different, and as such compensation varies a great deal. The most important aspect of any case though, the basis in which damages will be awarded, is whether or not negligent action caused the accident. If reckless behavior and disregard for traffic rules is determined to have caused an accident, then the motorist responsible for such action will be held liable for such action in a court of law. Similarly, if it is determined that an auto manufacturer's negligence (via distributing a defective product to consumers) is what led to a Santa Cruz car accident and the consequent injuries, then the manufacturer can be held liable for damages.

The amount of compensation an accident victim receives greatly depends on the severity of injury sustained, and how that injury is going to impact their well being for the rest of their life. That is, if a broken bone is suffered during a car accident, compensation for such may include compensatory damages for medical bills, physical therapy fees, and work wages lost as a result of the accident. However, if catastrophic brain injury is sustained during a Santa Cruz traffic accident, then damages awarded for such injury may include not only medical bills and therapy fees, but also future wages lost, future living and care expenses, and damages associated with a diminished quality of life experienced not only by the injury victim, but also the injury victim's family.

Plain and simple, damages are awarded when negligence leads to personal injury. According to California law, auto accident victims are entitled to compensation for damages associated with their accident. The greater the negligence, the more responsible for an accident the party deemed negligent will be, and damages awarded will reflect such. Costs associated with personal injury, property damage, and how the accident affects an accident victim's daily routine, such as time away from work that results in loss of wages, can all be sought after in a Santa Cruz car accident case.

Should I settle with the insurance company after my Santa Cruz car accident?

That might be the best option, but it is not recommended that you do so without first consulting with an experienced Santa Cruz traffic accident attorney. Although we enter into agreements with insurance companies stipulating that payment into a policy will result in compensation in the event of injury, insurance companies ultimately have their best interests in mind, not the victims. While settlement offers from insurance companies may seem as though they're fair and adequate, unexpected expenses, or those expenses that are more difficult to predict, can often render an insurance settlement less than adequate. To ensure that an accident victim always receives the compensation they deserve, the best course of action always involves retaining the services of an experienced Santa Cruz car accident attorney.

What's the best thing I can do to ensure that I receive the compensation I deserve?

Retaining the services of a skilled car accident lawyer in Santa Cruz should be step one. At Van Der Walde & Associates, our experienced car accident attorneys will fight to ensure that your injuries are properly documented, and that you receive the compensation you deserve. We will hold negligent parties accountable for their actions, and will seek compensatory damages on your behalf to help cover the costs associated with your injuries. For more information on how Van Der Walde & Associates can get you the compensation you deserve, please don't hesitate to contact us today for a free case consultation.