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When a car crash disrupts your life in Truckee, the road to recovery can be long and traumatic. Medical bills pile up, insurance companies push for quick settlements, and the emotional toll can be overwhelming.

At Porter Simon Sierra Injury Lawyers, our experienced legal team understands what you are up against. We’ve helped people throughout Truckee and the surrounding areas hold negligent drivers and insurance companies accountable. Our Truckee car accident attorneys know how difficult it is to navigate the aftermath of a collision, and you can trust us to guide you through every step of the process, from the initial consultation to settlement or trial.

Do I Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident in Truckee?

Whether or not you need a car accident lawyer depends on the nature of the accident. If the accident was a fender bender with no injuries, then you likely don’t need legal representation. However, if you’ve suffered an injury in an accident caused by someone else, particularly one that results in major medical expenses or a long recovery, contacting a lawyer is your best course of action to protect your rights and your financial future.

Although California is an at-fault state, which means that the at-fault driver’s insurance company is responsible for paying your damages, the process is rarely straightforward. The unfortunate reality is that insurers’ primary goal is to make a profit. They are known to downplay injuries or question a claimant’s account of the accident in order to deny a settlement or offer one that is far less than the claimant’s damages are actually worth.

A car accident attorney at Porter Simon Sierra Injury Lawyers can help you fight back against these tactics. Furthermore, they can ensure that you don’t leave money on the table when it comes to recovering compensation for future medical treatment and the pain and suffering you’ve endured due to the accident.

How Our Truckee Car Accident Lawyers Can Help

At Porter Simon Sierra Injury Lawyers, our car accident attorneys are well-known throughout Truckee and the surrounding area and have a steady track record of securing million-dollar settlements and awards. Our legal team knows what it takes to negotiate with insurers and build strong arguments for our clients. When the other side sees that you are represented by our team, they will know they are in for a fight.

We’ll dig into the details, chasing down evidence ranging from police reports to traffic camera or dashboard footage to build the strongest case possible. We’ll also help you chase down every single cent you’re eligible to recover. If the other party will not negotiate in good faith, rest assured that we are ready to take your case to trial and do whatever it takes to win. That includes enlisting the services of medical professionals and other experts who can provide key testimony to support your case.

Compensation We Fight to Recover After a Truckee Accident

The first step in recovering fair compensation involves accounting for all losses. Some of the most common car accident damages we fight for include:

• Medical Expenses: Hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, medications, and future care needs
• Lost Wages: Income lost due to recovery time or reduced earning capacity from long-term injuries
• Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life
• Property Losses: Repair or replacement of your vehicle, as well as other damaged belongings like electronics or personal items

We take a comprehensive approach, calculating both immediate expenses and long-term losses to make you financially whole.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Truckee

Whether you’ve just been involved in a crash in Truckee or want to prepare yourself in the event you experience one, here are the most important steps to take to protect yourself:

Get to a Safe Place

Take a moment to orient yourself to your surroundings. If your vehicle is in the middle of the road and is still working, move it to the shoulder or the closest parking lot to minimize your risk of being struck by another vehicle while you wait for help. Secondary crashes can lead to further injuries or fatalities.

Address Your Medical Needs

Next, check yourself and any others involved in the crash, including the other driver, for injuries. If they are present, seek medical treatment by calling 911. Even if you believe you are uninjured or your injuries are only minor, let EMS evaluate you or plan a visit with your doctor to ensure nothing is missed.

Talk to Law Enforcement

Law enforcement will respond to the scene, and they will want to speak to you. While you must answer the responding officer’s questions, be very careful about what you say. Don’t ever admit fault or take the blame for the crash. When in doubt, stick to the bare facts.

For example, you can tell the officer what direction you were driving and where the other vehicle impacted your car. However, it’s okay to say “I don’t know,” especially if guessing at an answer may negatively impact your case.

Document Everything

Don’t ever assume that a detail doesn’t matter. While you wait for law enforcement and EMS to get to the scene, take photographs of everything you can. This includes your vehicle, the other vehicle, the accident scene, the debris field, and traffic control equipment like stop signs and stoplights.

You should also talk to witnesses and get their contact information, if possible. The more information you can pass along to our attorneys, the better. We will sort out important facts from nonessential details.

Keep Detailed Records

Keep a copy of every document related to your case, including:

• Medical records
• Medical bills
• Receipts for fuel
• Estimates from the repair shop
• Tow truck and rental car invoices
• Emails from insurers

We can use these documents to calculate damages and pursue a fair settlement on your behalf. If you can’t find a particular document or didn’t receive a physical copy, don’t worry, we can take care of it. However, try to bring as much evidence as you can to help our attorneys conduct an accurate evaluation.

Schedule a Consultation With a Truckee Car Accident Lawyer

Once the dust has settled, schedule a free consultation with our firm to discuss your car accident claim. During the consultation, we’ll review the facts of your case and discuss potential compensation options. Don’t worry about paying us anything upfront. In addition to offering free case reviews, we also use a contingency billing model. This means you won’t owe us anything unless we win your case.

How Common Are Collisions in Truckee?

According to the most recent available data from the California Office of Traffic Safety, in 2022, there were 51 fatal and injury crashes in Truckee. Alcohol was involved in about 20% of cases, and speed played a role in 11 incidents. Out of 104 similarly sized cities in California, Truckee ranked number twenty-one for the most fatal and injury crashes.

Truckee Car Accident Lawyer: FAQs

How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost in Truckee?

Our car accident lawyers operate on a contingency basis, which means that you won’t pay us anything unless we win. If we recover compensation on your behalf, you will be charged a percentage fee. Don’t let concerns about cost keep you from pursuing justice. Partner with our firm and let us take it from there.

How Long Does a Car Accident Settlement Take With a Lawyer?

Our attorneys will strive to resolve your case quickly so that you can access the compensation you need. However, there are no set timelines that apply to all cases. Claims with clear fault and minor injuries may resolve in as little as three to six months. More complex cases could take 12 months or longer.

Should I Get a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident in Truckee?

Talk to our attorneys if you were involved in an accident in Truckee, even if it was minor. Our team offers free consultations, so you have nothing to lose. We want to make sure you receive fair compensation for your injuries.

What if I Was Partially at Fault?

California uses a comparative fault system, which means that you can recover compensation even if you were partially responsible. Our attorneys will review your case during your free consultation and discuss how the comparative fault system may impact your ability to recover compensation.