What is Personal Injury (PI)?

Personal Injury (PI) is a term that encompasses claims by individual persons for damages to their physical and financial health, emotional well being, and to their reputation. The most common type of PI case involves bodily injury resulting from an auto accident but encompasses matters such as slip and fall accidents and dog bites.

What other reports are required besides the police report?

In addition to filing a police report, any driver involved in a motor vehicle accident in California must within 10 days of the accident file a combined accident report and verification of financial responsibility form known as an SR-1 with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This is required whenever there is injury in the accident or where there is $750 or more of property damage. You need Adobe Acrobat Reader version 4.0 or higher to view this form which you can download here.

What information should I obtain from the other driver at the accident scene?

Be sure to get the other driver's name, address, and license number and expiration date. Also get the driver's telephone number and insurance company's policy number and expiration date. Write down the other car's make, model, and license plate number, and ask to see the registration for the other vehicle. Additionally, get the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of any passengers in the other car and any witnesses. Additionally, you can also print out the accident report records form we have provided for you to keep in your car for your convenience.

What should I carry in my car in case I am involved in an accident?

Every automobile owners in California must carry a copy of their vehicle registration and proof of insurance. Additionally, you can print out the form we have provided to keep in your car to record additional informations in the event that you involved in an auto accident.

In an auto accident, which insurance company will cover my immediate medical bills?

This can get complicated because you may have policies with two insurance companies-your regular health insurance, and the medical payments coverage on your automobile insurance. The other driver's car insurance may be obligated to reimburse you also.

What items are included in a PI claim?

Key items included wage loss, loss of earning capacity, medical expenses, damages for pain and suffering, anxiety and emotional distress. This is not a complete list of claims for damages however.

Who pays my medical bills after the case is over?

In PI cases, settlements or judgments typically involve a single payment or schedule of payments. These settlements do not generally involve open-ended responsibility of the defendant to continue paying the injured person's medical bills. It is recommended that the injured person preserve a portion of the settlements received to pay for future medical expenses arising out of the accident.