Frequently Asked Questions - Harding Law, APC

General Questions

First Time Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer? Start Here

I cannot afford to pay for an attorney right now. Can you still help me?

We understand that not everyone is in a position to pay for an attorney when they need one.

That is why Harding Law, APC does not charge anything up front. We only get paid if we are able to recover compensation for you. You will get the representation that you deserve without having to pay anything up front. Give us a call. We are available 24/7.

I was in a small accident but was injured. Do you only take big cases or can you still help me?

We have been successful in representing clients who have been injured in both small and big accidents. If we believe that you will be in better hands with the representation of an attorney, we will be more than happy to take on your case on contingency basis (we only get paid if we win your case).

This accident aggravated a previous injury. Do I still have a case?

Under California’s Eggshell Plaintiff Doctrine, you have rights even if you are more susceptible to an injury than others. Therefore, even if an accident (no matter how small) aggravated a previous injury, you still have a case.

Should I call 911 after my accident?

It’s always best to call 911 after an accident. The officer that arrives should take a detailed report including the other party’s information in case we have to track them down.

Sometimes, however, the police do not show up if a serious injury was not reported or will come to the scene of the accident but will not write a report.

Should I give the insurance company a recorded statement?

Absolutely not. The at-fault’s insurance company is not entitled to a statement. You DO NOT want to provide them with information that they may use against you in the future. It is best to have an attorney on the phone.

Will my rates go up if I use my insurance for an accident I did not cause?

No. Your insurance only goes up if you are 51% or more at fault for an accident. Therefore, you should use your insurance company if you have the right coverage for an accident that you did not cause.

I don’t want to sue the at-fault party. Can I still pursue my claim?

Yes. The majority of the time claims get resolved before a lawsuit needs to be filed. Whether you pursue your claim or not, the at-fault party’s premiums will increase after an accident.

Therefore, if you do not pursue your claim, the insurance company gets to collect the premiums without having to pay on a claim.

Can I see a doctor even if I don’t have health insurance?

At Harding Law, APC, we know that not everyone has health insurance, or they may not have the best health insurance, but still want to see a doctor for their injuries.

If you were injured in an accident, we can assist you with finding a local doctor who will treat you on a personal injury lien. This means that the doctor does not expect payment until your case is resolved. You will not have to pay anything up front.

Who will be handling my case?

At Harding Law, APC, we strive to provide the best results and the best client service in every case. To ensure this, your bodily injury case will be handled by a qualified and licensed California attorney every step of the way. Unlike many other firms, we do not pass your case off to non-lawyer case managers.

General Questions

First Time Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer? Start Here

I cannot afford to pay for an attorney right now. Can you still help me?

We understand that not everyone is in a position to pay for an attorney when they need one.

I was in a small accident but was injured. Do you only take big cases or can you still help me?

This accident aggravated a previous injury. Do I still have a case?

Under California’s Eggshell Plaintiff Doctrine, you have rights even if you are more susceptible to an injury than others. Therefore, even if an accident (no matter how small) aggravated a previous injury, you still have a case.

Should I call 911 after my accident?

It’s always best to call 911 after an accident. The officer that arrives should take a detailed report including the other party’s information in case we have to track them down.

Sometimes, however, the police do not show up if a serious injury was not reported or will come to the scene of the accident but will not write a report.

Should I give the insurance company a recorded statement?

Will my rates go up if I use my insurance for an accident I did not cause?

I don’t want to sue the at-fault party. Can I still pursue my claim?

Yes. The majority of the time claims get resolved before a lawsuit needs to be filed. Whether you pursue your claim or not, the at-fault party’s premiums will increase after an accident.

Therefore, if you do not pursue your claim, the insurance company gets to collect the premiums without having to pay on a claim.

Can I see a doctor even if I don’t have health insurance?

At Harding Law, APC, we know that not everyone has health insurance, or they may not have the best health insurance, but still want to see a doctor for their injuries.

Who will be handling my case?

Vehicle Questions

Common Questions About Your Car After an Accident

My car is totaled. What next?

The at-fault party or your insurance company have the option of (1) either repairing your car or (2) paying the fair market value of your car before the accident. They will usually pick whichever costs less.

My car is in the body shop. What next?

If your car is in the body shop, you are entitled to a rental car until you get your car back.

Should I take my car out of the tow yard?

We always suggest you get your car out of the tow yard ASAP. Tow yards and junk yards charge a HUGE amount per day to store your car. Sometimes liability is not clear, so you don’t want your car in the tow yard until liability is established. Sometimes the other party has a small policy and may not be able to cover the repairs, towing charges, rental charges and storage charges. If you have collision coverage, we recommend that you get your insurance company involved immediately and have them handle your property damage.

Can I get a rental car after my accident?

Yes. Some insurance companies will set you up with a rental car. Some others will have you pay for the rental and will reimburse you the amount of a comparable later. If you have rental coverage through your insurance company, you can also get a rental car through them.

Can the insurance company offer me less than I owe for my car?

Yes. The insurance company will only pay what the value of your car is right before the accident. They will not pay what you owe on the car. For example, if you owe $25,000 on your car loan but your car is only worth $20,000, then the insurance company will only pay you $20,000 if your car is totaled in an accident.

Therefore, it is imperative you purchase GAP insurance on your vehicle. GAP insurance should cover the difference between what your car is worth and what you owe on your car.

What is an SR-1 Form?

If you are involved in a vehicle accident the California DMV will require you to submit an SR-1 one form to report the accident. This form should be submitted within 10 days after an accident.

Vehicle Questions

Common Questions About Your Car After an Accident

My car is totaled. What next?

My car is in the body shop. What next?

If your car is in the body shop, you are entitled to a rental car until you get your car back.

Should I take my car out of the tow yard?

If you have collision coverage, we recommend that you get your insurance company involved immediately and have them handle your property damage.

Can I get a rental car after my accident?

Yes. Some insurance companies will set you up with a rental car. Some others will have you pay for the rental and will reimburse you the amount of a comparable car later. If you have rental coverage through your insurance company, you can also get a rental car through them.

Can the insurance company offer me less than I owe for my car?

Therefore, it is imperative you purchase GAP insurance on your vehicle. GAP insurance should cover the difference between what your car is worth and what you owe on your car.

What is an SR-1 Form?

If you are involved in a vehicle accident the California DMV will require you to submit an SR-1 one form to report the accident. This form should be submitted within 10 days after an accident.

Data Privacy Questions

Everything You Need to Know About Data Privacy Claims

How Does a Data Privacy Claim Work?

Your data is your own. When companies misuse it or fail to protect it, it is a violation of your rights. We assist consumers in getting compensation for their illegally stolen data.

How Much is My Data Privacy Claim Worth?

Each claim is different depending on the California law that is found to apply. The California Invasion of Privacy Act (“CIPA”), for example, provides that corporations found guilty of unlawful wiretapping or eavesdropping under state law are required to pay statutory damages of up to $5,000.00 for each violation.

Violations of the California Consumer Protection Act (“CCPA”) or California Privacy Rights Act (“CPRA”) come with a statutory penalty of $7,500.00 for each intentional violation, and a penalty of $2,500.00 for each unintentional violation.

How Do I Know if I Have a Data Privacy Claim?

It can be difficult to know if you have been a victim of a data privacy violation. Additionally, people who have been wronged may not know how they can file a claim.

Explore our open cases to learn about ways in which you can hold companies accountable for data privacy violations.

What is Arbitration?

When a data privacy claim goes to arbitration, the claimant and the corporation present evidence and make arguments in support of their positions. The arbitrator then decides in favor of one side or the other. An arbitrator is like a judge, who hears the evidence and makes a ruling.

Arbitration vs. Class Action

Unlike a class action, in arbitration your claim is your own. Our clients generally will receive faster and larger recoveries from companies than in class actions involving similar claims.

Data Privacy Questions

Everything You Need to Know About Data Privacy Claims

How Does a Data Privacy Claim Work?

Your data is your own. When companies misuse it or fail to protect it, it is a violation of your rights. We assist consumers in getting compensation for their illegally stolen data.

How Much is My Data Privacy Claim Worth?

How Do I Know if I Have a Data Privacy Claim?

It can be difficult to know if you have been a victim of a data privacy violation. Additionally, people who have been wronged may not know how they can file a claim.

Explore our open cases to learn about ways in which you can hold companies accountable for data privacy violations.

What is Arbitration?

Arbitration vs. Class Action

Unlike a class action, in arbitration your claim is your own. Our clients generally will receive faster and larger recoveries from companies than in class actions involving similar claims.

Request a Call Back

Our attorneys are standing by, ready to assist you at a moment’s notice. Contact us today for a free case evaluation!

General Questions

I cannot afford to pay for an attorney right now. Can you still help me?

I was in a small accident but was injured. Do you only take big cases or can you still help me?

This accident aggravated a previous injury. Do I still have a case?

Should I call 911 after my accident?

Should I give the insurance company a recorded statement?

Will my rates go up if I use my insurance for an accident I did not cause?

I don’t want to sue the at-fault party. Can I still pursue my claim?

Can I see a doctor even if I don’t have health insurance?

Who will be handling my case?

General Questions

I cannot afford to pay for an attorney right now. Can you still help me?

I was in a small accident but was injured. Do you only take big cases or can you still help me?

This accident aggravated a previous injury. Do I still have a case?

Should I call 911 after my accident?

Should I give the insurance company a recorded statement?

Will my rates go up if I use my insurance for an accident I did not cause?

I don’t want to sue the at-fault party. Can I still pursue my claim?

Can I see a doctor even if I don’t have health insurance?

Who will be handling my case?

Vehicle Questions

My car is totaled. What next?

My car is in the body shop. What next?

Should I take my car out of the tow yard?

Can I get a rental car after my accident?

Can the insurance company offer me less than I owe for my car?

What is an SR-1 Form?

Vehicle Questions

My car is totaled. What next?

My car is in the body shop. What next?

Should I take my car out of the tow yard?

Can I get a rental car after my accident?

Can the insurance company offer me less than I owe for my car?

What is an SR-1 Form?

Data Privacy Questions

How Does a Data Privacy Claim Work?

How Much is My Data Privacy Claim Worth?

How Do I Know if I Have a Data Privacy Claim?

What is Arbitration?

Arbitration vs. Class Action

Data Privacy Questions

How Does a Data Privacy Claim Work?

How Much is My Data Privacy Claim Worth?

How Do I Know if I Have a Data Privacy Claim?

What is Arbitration?

Arbitration vs. Class Action

Request a Call Back

Call (310) 388 - 8500