FAQ: The Top 5 Questions Our Clients Ask Before Hiring Our Firm

At Queen Yasmine Personal Injury Law, we represent clients who have suffered serious injuries as the result of an accident or someone else’s negligence. Here are the Top 5 questions our clients have before hiring our firm:

1) Do I Need a Lawyer after a Car Accident?

The short answer to this question is no, especially if your car accident does not involve injuries. If you were involved in an injury accident, however, we highly recommend talking with a lawyer. Unless you’re a skilled negotiator and have connections with top local doctors, you likely won’t be able to recover nearly the settlement you’d otherwise receive with a legal team backing your case. Hiring a lawyer after a car accident provides our clients with two primary benefits:

We are able to work with medical providers on matters like billing and care to ensure our clients can focus on recovery. The price of intensive chiropractic treatment can cost many thousands of Dollars. Our firm helps negotiate these rates, and can usually delay billing until treatment is resolved, or a client’s settlement has been reached. We can also refer our clients to some of the best doctors in California, ensuring our clients are treated properly for their injuries.
We reduce stress after an injury accident. After an accident, the last thing any of us wants to do is negotiate with an insurance company who is trying to get us to accept the cheapest settlement possible. Thanks to years of experience, our lawyers know what your case is worth, and will fight to ensure you receive just and fair compensation for your injuries. Again, we take care of the stress, so you can focus on recovery.

2) How Much Money Will I End Up with After a Car Accident Case?

The value of a client’s injury claim is determined on a case-by-case basis. There are several factors that need to be evaluated in order to come up with a proper figure, including:

Medical CostsThe number of visits and the type(s) of treatment(s) will determine the cost of medical bills. High medical bills will usually hold more weight for insurance companies reviewing your claim versus a one-time medical evaluation with no follow-up treatment.

Severity of InjuryThe type of injury/injuries sustained could play an important role in the settlement amount. Third-party insurance companies evaluate whether the client suffered soft-tissue injuries if surgeries were recommended by doctors, if there were any broken bones if the client will need ongoing care, etc.

Property DamageInsurance companies will take into consideration the damage done to your vehicle. For example, “fender benders” might be judged harshly by insurance companies due to a perception of low-level damage.

Third-Party Policy LimitsThis is an important determinant. People choose different tiers of coverage when shopping for insurance in order to keep their costs down. A $15K third-party policy can only settle for that figure, not more. It’s important to note that not all third-party insurance companies tender the full policy.

Whether the Client has an Underinsured Motorist/Uninsured Motorist CoverageAfter receiving a settlement from the third party insurance company we sometimes discover the figure isn’t sufficient to cover a client’s medical costs. We then review whether the client has uninsured or underinsured coverage:

Underinsured Motorist Insurance (UM): Under this policy, your insurance pays for injuries sustained by the negligent party, if that party has low policy limits (minimum liability insurance).
Uninsured Motorist Insurance (UIM): This policy allows you to obtain compensation for injuries incurred by the at-fault party or a hit-and-run driver.

It’s a great idea for everyone driving on California roads to have a UM/UIM policy. This helps protect you if you’re ever involved in an accident with a person who has basic coverage, no coverage, or who leaves the scene of an accident.

3) What Do I Do with My ER/Hospital Bill?

At the time of your ER visit, use your health insurance or MedPay coverage to pay for the cost of treatment. If you do not have health insurance and you report to the hospital that you will be “self-paying,” you will need to pay your bill in full or set up a payment plan. If you avoid paying for your bill, it could end up going to a collections agency. We help our clients pay for medical bills by fighting against insurance companies to get our clients' compensation. Without our help, third party insurance companies typically pay out the minimum compared to a settlement reached with the help of an attorney.

4) Can You Help Get My Car Repaired After an Accident?

We understand that most of our clients are worried about their car after an accident. However, we represent the injury component of a case. We cannot make official decisions for clients regarding repairing and/or replacing a vehicle. We can direct clients to their property damage adjuster to assist with property repair.

5) What Types of Cases Do You Handle?

We have taken on various personal injury cases including:

Victims of severe car accidents. For example, when a victim is rear-ended at a traffic stop and the impact was hard enough the cause immediate pain and injuries.
Slip and falls that have occurred on business or private property. For example, if a shopping center failed to notify its customers their floors were wet, and our client slipped, fell, and suffered injuries due to negligence, they would seek our representation.
Victims who have suffered from dog bites. For example, a vicious dog that is unrestrained by its owner and attacks and bites you.

These are the top five most common questions asked of our San Diego injury law firm. Do you have a question that we can answer? Please give us a call or send an email to speak with a lawyer about your case!

The staff at Queen Yasmine Personal Injury Law would like to congratulate our very own Attorney Yasmine Djawadian for her recognition and achievement in bring recognized as a member of the Top 40 Under 40 by the Association of American Trial Lawyers! This is a prestigious recognition for civil plaintiff and/or criminal defense attorneys under the age of 40 who are the top trial lawyers from each state or region.

In addition to such a distinction, those who receive the acknowledgment are selected by invitation only. To qualify, attorneys must “exemplify superior qualifications, trial results, and leadership.” Ms. Djawadian works tirelessly and aggressively to represent her clients while protecting their rights. To date, she has recovered over $45 million in settlements or verdicts for her clients. Congratulations, and we look forward to many more years of relentless advocacy, favorable outcomes, and superior client services.

Rainy Seasons and Slip and Falls

When it comes to slip and fall accidents, wet weather presents additional hazards. Whether property owners fail to clean up wet, slippery floors or standing water obscures uneven surfaces, you are more likely to slip or trip and fall during the rainy season.

Although wearing slip-resistant footwear, paying attention, and walking carefully during rainstorms can prevent some slip and falls, property owners have a duty to keep their premises safe. Property owners should provide doormats, remove water regularly, and warn visitors of wet conditions. They should also have drainage systems for their roofs, paved areas, and yards, so storm runoff does not create dangerous conditions in parking lots or other locations.

What To Do If You Slip and Fall on a Wet Floor

Anytime you sustain an injury on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to compensation under premises liability laws. To have a valid slip and fall lawsuit, however, one of the following conditions must be true:

The owner created the hazard
The owner knew about the dangerous condition and failed to correct it
The owner should have known about the hazard and corrected it prior to the incident

During storms, property owners should routinely check for potential hazards on their property. They should also take preventative measures, like putting out yellow cones and warning guests of dangers. A “wet floor” sign can go a long way toward preventing slip and fall accidents during the rainy season. This is especially true on freshly mopped floors, which may not appear wet at first glance.

Proving Negligence

Like all other personal injury lawsuits, slip and fall cases deal with negligence. Property owners owe their guests a duty of care, and if they fail to uphold this duty and keep their premises safe, they can be liable for any injuries that occur.

A successful lawsuit can help victims recover funds for medical bills, missed work, and more – it can also account for emotional losses like pain and suffering. At Queen Yasmine Personal Injury Law, our legal team will investigate the circumstances of your accident and uncover any negligence that exists.

We fight aggressively and passionately to help ensure the best results for you and your family. Attorney Yasmine Djawadian has recovered over $45 million for injured clients and is available 24/7 to recover on your behalf, as well.

You won’t face any legal fees unless you win your case, so go ahead and call our firm today or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.

Queen Yasmine Car Accident Frequently Asked Questions

California is an at-fault state. What does that mean?

It means that the whoever is at fault for the car accident is liable for covering the damages and losses to the other party or parties. When the at-fault driver has insurance, which is required in California, his or her insurer must provide a settlement to those who were injured. Obtaining a settlement that is fair and that fully takes into consideration the magnitude of your injuries and losses can be difficult. Insurance companies like to settle quickly and cheaply. They will use tactics designed to get you to agree to a settlement that works for them, not for you. That is why you need an attorney.

What if the other driver didn’t have insurance?

All drivers are required to carry auto liability insurance. However, we know that all drivers do not comply with this law. When you have been involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, all is not lost. You may be able to file a claim under your own insurance if you have an uninsured motorist clause for this purpose. This clause will then provide compensation once it is proven that the other driver was uninsured. Insurance companies are required to offer this option. Underinsured coverage is another option that covers you in cases where the at-fault driver had liability insurance but it was not enough to fully compensate you for the damages and losses you sustained. In both cases, you will be filing a claim with your insurer who will investigate the situation, determine liability, assess the damages, and resolve the matter. This is like any other claim wherein you must provide all necessary and supporting evidence. Having an attorney negotiate your case can make a difference in what you finally receive.

What types of compensation is available in a car accident claim?

Each case is different with its own set of circumstances. In general, what you can obtain will depend on the extent of your injuries, damage to your vehicle, and other factors. In general, the types of compensation that may be available include monies for all expenses related to your medical care from hospital stays to outpatient care, prescription medicines, medical equipment needed, physical and other required therapies, and long-term care where permanent injuries have been sustained. You may also be compensated for your pain and suffering, property damage, lost wages or income due to the inability to work, lost earning capacity if permanently disabled, and emotional trauma. Queen Yasmine Personal Injury Law can identify the types and amounts of compensation that will apply to your claim so that you can seek recovery for their full extent.

Why not go at it alone and accept what the insurance company offers me?

This is not advised because insurance companies commonly offer lowball settlements designed to uphold their high profit margins. Additionally, your injuries may be more extensive and require more treatment that you can safely predict. With a low settlement, you may not be able to pay for long-term medical and other out-of-pocket expenses arising from your injuries long into the future.

What should I do right after an accident?

Remain as calm as possible. Call the police and 911 if you or anyone else has been hurt. You are also required to exchange identity and insurance information with the other driver. You should also get the identity of any witnesses to the accident. Merely state the facts. Take photos with your phone if you are able so that you have documentation of the scene. Write down any details of it that you can to further remind you of what happened. All of this can be useful in your claim.

Will it be necessary for me to go to court?

Most car accident claims are settled outside of court through negotiation with the insurance company. This is often a lengthy and detailed process. Only when the insurer refuses to offer a settlement amount that reflects the full value of your injuries and losses will litigation in court be necessary. At Queen Yasmine Personal Injury Law, we are known for our persistence in pursuing a full and fair settlement. We are always prepared to go to court when it is in your best interests.

Why is it important to get medical treatment after an accident even if you feel okay?

The reason for this is because often injuries do not show up for days or weeks later. You may initially feel okay until these injuries begin to surface when you didn’t expect them, causing pain, discomfort, and putting you out of work. Medical professionals are trained to recognize this fact and can advise and treat accordingly. If you do not have these injuries addressed within a reasonable time period, you may lose the right to be compensated for your current and future medical expenses.

Queen Yasmine Pedestrian Frequently Asked Questions

Where do pedestrian accidents mostly happen?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA0, the majority of these accidents occur in urban areas like San Diego. They mostly take place on open roads as opposed to intersections. Three quarters of these accidents happen at night when visibility is difficult.

What is the most likely cause of a pedestrian accident?

One of the most likely causes is inattentiveness. When a driver does not put his or her full attention on the task of driving, it puts everyone in the proximity in danger. This inattentiveness can be the result of daydreaming, talking to others, uncertainty about the route taken, texting while driving, talking on a cell phone, reading maps, drinking or eating, handling children or pets, adjusting GPS, radios, CDs, or other devices, or any other number of behaviors. Typical driver maneuvers that lead to pedestrian accidents include making left or right turns, U-turns, or backing up in parking lots, on driveways, or other locations.

What should I do immediately after a pedestrian accident?

Get medical help even if you think you are not injured. Injuries may take hours, days, or even weeks to materialize. Call 911 and the police to report the accident. If you are able, get the contact information of witnesses. Get the driver’s license as well as insurance information.

Is it possible that a pedestrian could be at fault in an accident?

Everyone using the streets and highways should exercise caution and a duty of care to others. This includes pedestrians. It is possible that a pedestrian could be at fault if he or she was negligent in some way. This could include jaywalking by darting out into the street to cross it instead of using designated crosswalks. Also if a pedestrian was under the influence of alcohol or drugs and thus impaired, it might be determined that the pedestrian was at fault. Pedestrians who walk while staring at cell phones might also be found negligent. In a pedestrian accident, one or the other or both parties may be at fault.

What can a pedestrian do to improve safety?

In cities, walk on sidewalks. When there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as opposed to walking with your back to it. Stay as far as you can from traffic lanes. Keep your attention on what you are doing as opposed to engaging in distracted activities like cell phone usage. At night wear reflective vests or clothing if you can.