California Auto Accident Attorney
We’ll review what happened and tell you what options may be available.
Or, get LIVE help now — call our free 24-hour accident hotline at (888) 488-1391
Our California Auto Accident Attorneys Offer Personalized Legal Support When You Need It
Car accidents can be a frightening, overwhelming experience. It can be difficult to know what to do, especially if you have never been involved in an accident before.
Our California auto accident attorneys work to help injury victims protect their legal rights. Read on to learn more about the common causes of California car accidents, who may have to pay for your injuries, and the most common types of car accident injuries.
(No guarantee of outcome. Results displayed were dependent on unique facts of that case, and different facts will bring different results.)
The Common Causes Of California Car Crashes
The person or company who caused your auto accident may have a legal obligation to compensate you for the injuries and losses you suffer. This is why understanding the causes of California car accidents can be helpful.
Driver Negligence
The most common cause of car accidents is a driver’s negligence. Drivers can commit many negligent acts, and traffic laws counter these errors with straightforward rules. For example, a driver must signal turns, yield to pedestrians, and not pass school buses that are letting off students. Traffic infractions are often evidence that a driver was negligent and responsible for any injuries that occurred in a resulting accident. Here are some of the most common errors drivers make that lead to a finding of negligence:
- Driving While Impaired — Every state has laws that prohibit driving a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher. While a criminal DUI case is different from a civil claim for personal injuries, evidence that a driver was drunk can constitute evidence that they were negligent. It is also important to understand that drivers can use intoxicating substances other than alcohol. For example, some drivers may use recreational drugs and get behind the wheel. Prescription medications can also be used to become impaired. This is a difficult area of the law. If a driver took their medication as prescribed, it could be difficult to prove that they were legally impaired. But if that driver caused an accident while impaired by prescription medication, a jury could find that the driver did not act with reasonable caution and was therefore negligent. This has become an important question in many auto accident cases in recent years.
- Driving While Distracted — Smartphones, navigation programs, and in-vehicle entertainment systems can take a driver’s attention off the road. These are just the new distractions in the digital age: drivers still have to deal with pets, children, food and drink, cargo, and other interruptions.
- Speeding — Speeding is another temptation that many drivers often succumb to. Speed has been found to be a factor in many fatal car accidents. It increases the force of a collision, making victims more likely to suffer serious injuries or even death when a crash occurs at high speeds. This is why drivers who were speeding at the time of an accident are usually found to be at fault for causing it.
Other Causes Of Auto Accidents
Not every auto accident is a driver’s fault. There are third parties who might be at fault or “liable” for causing a car crash, even if they were nowhere near the scene of the accident when it happened.
- Defective Vehicles & Parts — Companies that sell consumer products in the United States (including vehicles) are held to the laws of strict liability. This means that an injury victim does not have to prove that the company was negligent. So long as the product is being used as intended, the manufacturer may be liable for any injuries that it causes.
- Road Conditions — In some cases, an accident is caused by conditions in the actual roadway. Perhaps the city has left dangerous potholes uncovered. Or maybe a construction crew left open pits and other hazards that were not properly marked, thus leaving drivers unable to avoid them. These cases can lead to the city or construction company being liable for an auto accident.
Our California auto accident lawyers can help you pursue compensation for your losses if a reckless driver caused the crash. We can also connect you with doctors in your area to help you get treatment for your injuries. Call us at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free case review.
The Most Common Auto Accident Injuries
The first question most accident victims have for our lawyers is how much their claims are worth. The value of a claim is strongly affected by how serious your injuries were. A longer, more painful recovery can be grounds for more compensation for pain and suffering. Serious injuries that threatened your life (or that of an unborn child) can also increase your claim’s value.
Your potential compensation will depend on the specific circumstances of your case. It can be an advantage if you work with a personal injury attorney who understands the particular types of injuries that you have suffered.
Here are some of the most common injuries that victims suffer in a car accident:
Traumatic Brain Injuries
The CDC reports that there were 214,110 cases of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) across the United States in 2020 and 69,473 deaths in 2021. This included nearly one million children. Even if your symptoms seem mild, they can develop into a life-threatening condition.
It is important to get checked by a qualified medical professional as soon as possible after an accident. Even if you are experiencing only mild symptoms, there could be a more serious condition that needs immediate medical attention.
Head And Neck Trauma
Even if your brain is not injured, trauma to the head and neck can cause other serious and painful injuries. The neck protects the spinal cord. Broken vertebrae, sprains, and strains can injure the spinal cord, which could, in turn, lead to paralysis. The complicated system of muscles and bones in the head and neck holds a disproportionate amount of weight in your head. Injuries, even mild ones, can cause a lot of pain. Whiplash is a common condition after car accidents.
Damage To The Internal Organ
Some internal organs are more susceptible to injury than others. Your heart and lungs, for example, are protected by your ribcage. But your kidneys, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, spleen, and other organs are made up of soft tissues that can be easily damaged in a car accident. Damage to these organs can quickly become a life-threatening condition.
You also might not know that you are injured right away. The organs perform long-term functions, and it could take hours for your body to signal that they are not working properly. It is absolutely critical that you be examined by a medical provider after an auto accident. Medical professionals can monitor your vital signs, test your blood, take X-rays, and perform other necessary tests to determine whether your internal organs have been damaged.
Broken Bones
Broken bones can take weeks to heal. Broken bones are incredibly painful, and being immobilized for weeks in a cast causes the patient much inconvenience and suffering. This is just for simple breaks without complications. Complicated breaks can be far more painful and require a longer recovery with additional suffering.
Psychological Injuries
For many accident victims, the most serious injuries they suffer are psychological. You might experience post-traumatic stress from the shock of the accident. You could experience mood swings, insomnia, or other symptoms that are the natural result of being in such a terrifying accident. Psychological injuries are just as real as physical injuries, and you can also pursue compensation for them.
Common Challenges Involved In Insurance Claims
When filing for an auto accident claim, certain factors can reduce the value of your potential compensation:
Recorded Statements
You might be asked to provide a recorded statement about the accident. Keep in mind that you have the right to refuse to give one. An attorney can guide you on what you can say to protect your claim. Additionally, you can direct any communications from involved parties through your lawyer’s office.
Early Settlements
Do not feel pressured to agree to early settlements. A quick settlement might not be sufficient to cover all of your current and future losses. Consulting an auto accident lawyer might be helpful so you can estimate the value of your claim and make informed decisions.
Your lawyer might recommend waiting until your condition stabilizes or until you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) before settling a claim. This approach can help you gain a clearer understanding of your injuries and their potential long-term effects.
Private Investigations
The other party may carry out private investigations to verify your claim. They could collect evidence through surveillance, interviews, or background checks to confirm your injuries and losses. In some cases, they might check social media platforms and inspect tagged posts, photos, and videos. Such evidence can impact the value of your claim or affect your credibility as a plaintiff.
(No guarantee of outcome. Results displayed were dependent on unique facts of that case, and different facts will bring different results.)
Talk To Our Auto Accident Lawyers In California
It can be difficult to know what to do after an accident. Our California auto accident attorneys at Arash Law have helped many injury victims protect their legal rights and pursue compensation for their damages. We have years of experience handling personal injury cases and are ready to represent you in negotiations or litigation.
You may be seeking free accident lawyer advice to understand your rights. Our injury law firm offers free case reviews where you can discuss the details of your case with one of our lawyers. They will assess the validity of your claim and explain your potential legal options.
Call (888) 488-1391 to schedule your free initial consultation.
Our experienced injury attorneys serve clients in San Francisco, Riverside, Sacramento, San Jose, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sherman Oaks, and throughout California.
