La Canada Flintridge car accidents happen every day across California, from busy city streets to major highways. When a crash occurs, state law determines who is responsible and what compensation may be available. Learning about how these laws work can help you protect your rights after an accident.
For example, California follows a fault-based system for car accidents. This means the driver who caused the crash is generally responsible for paying the resulting damages through their insurance coverage. As a result of this framework, proving who was at fault is one of the most important parts of any car accident claim.
Continue reading to learn more about California’s car accident laws and how an attorney can help you recover compensation.
California’s Comparative Fault Rule
California uses what is known as a “pure comparative fault” system. Under this standard, more than one party can share responsibility for a crash. You can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault, but your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you are found to be 30% responsible for an accident, your total compensation would be reduced by 30%. This system is more flexible than the laws in some states that bar recovery if you share any fault at all.
However, insurance companies still try and shift the blame to protect their profits and reduce their liability. This makes it important to have an experienced car accident lawyer on your side who can respond to allegations of shared fault appropriately.
Key Traffic Laws That Often Impact Accident Claims
Many car accident cases involve violations of common traffic rules. When a driver breaks one of these laws and causes a crash, that violation may support a claim for negligence.
Some examples of important California rules of the road include:
- Obeying posted speed limits at all times
- Yielding the right of way when required
- Stopping at red lights and stop signs
- Avoiding distracted driving, including texting
- Driving under the influence
Breaking any of these rules can increase the likelihood of a crash and expose the driver to financial liability.
How Long Do I Have To File a Car Accident Lawsuit in California?
Another important law to keep in mind is the statute of limitations. Generally speaking, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit in court. If you miss this deadline, you could lose your right to recover compensation entirely.
However, note that there are exceptions that can change this time limit for some cases. Getting legal advice as soon as you can is the best way to protect your legal rights.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer With Onyx Law Firm for a Free Consultation
California car accident laws can be relatively victim-friendly, but it can still be difficult to recover maximum compensation without an attorney on your side. Contact Onyx Law Firm today to learn more about your legal options by calling (844) 669-9529. We offer a free consultation and work on contingency, which means you only pay attorney’s fees if we successfully handle your case.