Average Payout For a Head-On Collision

When you’re a victim in a car accident, you may be eligible for different types of compensation depending on your situation::

Economic Damages

Economic damages cover the financial losses you’ve suffered because of the accident. These are costs that can be clearly calculated, such as:

• Medical Expenses: This includes all the medical bills related to your injuries, like hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, medications, and physical therapy.
• Lost Wages: If your injuries caused you to miss work, you can claim the income you lost during your recovery time.
• Property Damage: This covers the cost to repair or replace your car and any other belongings that were damaged in the accident.
• Future Economic Losses: If your injuries are severe and affect your ability to work in the future, you can seek compensation for future medical treatments and lost earning potential.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages compensate you for the intangible losses that don’t have a direct monetary value but significantly impact your quality of life:

• Pain and Suffering: This covers the physical pain and emotional distress you’ve experienced as a result of the accident.
• Emotional Distress: Beyond physical injuries, you might also suffer from mental anguish, anxiety, depression, or PTSD, all of which can be compensated under non-economic damages.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injuries prevent you from enjoying day-to-day activities or hobbies you once loved, you can seek compensation for this loss.
• Loss of Consortium: If the accident has negatively affected your relationship with your spouse, you may be entitled to damages for loss of companionship or intimacy.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are meant to punish the person at fault for especially reckless or harmful behavior and to discourage similar actions in the future. These aren’t awarded in every car accident case but may apply if, for example, the other driver was drunk or intentionally caused the accident.

The process for settling head-on collision claims in CA

1. Report the accident: Right after the car accident, it’s a must to report it to the police and your insurance company. This ensures there’s an official record of the incident, which is important for your claim. California law requires you to report a car accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 10 days if there is an injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000.
2. Seek medical attention: Even if you feel okay, it’s important to see a doctor immediately. Getting medical attention not only ensures your health but also creates essential medical records that will support your claim.
3. Gather evidence: Take photos of the damage, get contact information from witnesses, and obtain a copy of the police report. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case will be.
4. File an insurance claim: Notify your insurance company and the at-fault driver’s insurer about the accident. This starts the official process of seeking compensation for your damages.
5. Negotiate a settlement: After reviewing the evidence, the insurance company may offer a settlement. This is where having an experienced attorney can be beneficial. We can negotiate on your behalf to ensure you receive a fair average settlement amount.
6. Consider legal action: If negotiations don’t lead to a satisfactory settlement, you may need to file a lawsuit. This step involves taking the case to court, where a judge or jury will determine the outcome.
7. Settlement or trial: Most car accident cases are settled before they go to trial, but if your case does go to court, the judge or jury will decide the final compensation. Your attorney will guide you through this process and work to secure the best possible outcome.

Please contact a San Bernardino car accident lawyer from our firm when you feel ready so we can discuss next steps