Orange County Car Accident Lawyers
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Our Orange County Car Accident Lawyer Is Here To Help After An Accident
Orange County is found in the Los Angeles Metropolitan area in Southern California. As of 2010, it was the 3rd most populous county in the state, with 3,010,232 residents. It has a larger population than 21 states in the nation. Santa Ana is the county seat, and along with Anaheim and Irvine, these cities are the most populous in the county. Six of Orange County’s cities are found on the Pacific Coast, including Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, and San Clemente. Orange County has a total of 34 incorporated cities.
Options for shopping in Orange County include regional shopping malls, big-box power centers, and smaller strip malls. Located in Costa Mesa, the South Coast Plaza is the largest mall in the state, the third-largest in the United States, and 31st in the world. There are also several specialized shopping and entertainment centers geared toward Orange County visitors. For example, Downtown Disney and Anaheim GardenWalk.
Orange County is home to many significant tourist attractions, including Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Mission San Juan Capistrano, Modjeska House, Yost Theater, Balboa Island, Angel Stadium, the Honda Center, and several beaches along more than 40 miles of coastline. Many Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies are located within Orange County, such as Western Digital, Pacific Life, First American Corporation, Allergan, Epicor, Quicksilver, Gateway Inc., and Broadcom.
Our Orange County car accident lawyer offers a personalized approach to handling victims’ cases. We study their needs and goals to come up with tailored strategies for pursuing a claim. We understand how stressful and overwhelming this time can be for those who are injured and their loved ones. We’re here to learn what we can do for your claim so you can focus on your recovery.
We have handled many injury cases in California for decades, including car accidents. As such, we are experienced in investigating these cases, estimating how much compensation victims might be able to pursue, and negotiating with insurance companies on their behalf.
Our car accident lawyers in Orange County, CA, are committed to helping you understand your legal rights. We aim to assist you in pursuing the compensation you may be entitled to. Contact us at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free initial case review and discuss your options.
Our client was driving with his wife and son on a two-lane highway when a drunk driver crossed the double yellow lines, causing a head-on collision that claimed the life of a loving wife and mother.– Arash Khorsandi
Dangerous Roadways And Freeways In Orange County
Unfortunately, the freeways necessary for Orange County residents to travel are hotspots for fatal car accidents in this area. Each year, two million car accidents happen in the United States. In 2018, 33,654 people lost their lives because of car crashes. Out of those, 3,563 individuals were killed in California accidents. Southern California is notorious for its congested freeways.
In 2011, Cypress had four fatalities on its surface streets. Although Orange doesn’t have as many, motorists should always watch when traveling to Villa Park and Chapman. In Santa Ana, accident fatalities are common along Harbor Boulevard, south of the 22, and the surrounding areas. Irvine also sees fewer deaths.
The intersection of Magnolia and Brookhurst in Huntington Beach is also a key area for a few fatalities each year. Several people have also lost their lives to crashes in Dana Point and Newport. If you or your loved one was injured in a collision resulting in injuries or fatalities, speak to a skilled auto accident attorney near Orange County. They can assist you in investigating the cause of your accident and gathering evidence to build your case.
Keep in mind that motorists aren’t the only ones injured in accidents. According to preliminary numbers from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) between January and June of 2019, California had the highest number of pedestrian deaths at 519. Pedestrian accidents can occur because of:
- Distracted driving
- Driving while intoxicated
- Reckless driving
- Crowded streets
Do You Need An Orange County Car Accident Lawyer?
From 2008 to 2013, 18,000 people on average in Orange County were injured or killed in car accidents annually.
Negligent driving, including distracted driving, driving under the influence, and reckless driving, is the cause of most accidents. If you were recently in a car crash, you might be wondering if you need an attorney in Orange County. The answer depends on the details of your car accident and whether someone suffered an injury.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries from a car accident, you need to understand your rights. Our skilled Orange County accident lawyer can help you by offering legal guidance and dedicated representation. Call (888) 488-1391 so they can review your case and explore your options.
Car Accident Statistics
As the third-most populous county in California, Orange County has the highest number of motor vehicle accidents. According to the California Highway Patrol, the following statistics were calculated for Orange County car accidents in 2013:
- Total Auto Accident Fatalities: 128
- Total Auto Accident Injuries: 13,541
- Accidents Involving Alcohol, Fatalities: 51
- Accidents Involving Alcohol, Injuries: 1,265
- Accidents Involving Pedestrians, Fatalities: 38
- Accidents Involving Pedestrians, Injuries: 773
- Accidents Involving Bicycles, Fatalities: 13
- Accidents Involving Bicycles, Injuries: 1,315
California had 2,628 fatal collisions resulting in 2,835 fatalities in 2011 alone. There were 159,115 accidents that caused injuries, accounting for a total number of 225,602 injured individuals. Nearly 5 percent of all deaths and more than 6 percent of all injuries occurred from accidents within Orange County. Ranked by cities, the highest number of car accident injuries and fatalities occurred in Anaheim, followed by Santa Ana.
If you were in a car accident that was not your fault, reach out to an experienced car accident lawyer in Orange County, CA. After an accident, a personal injury claim can be complicated and require many steps to pursue. If you are not aware of the legal requirements and deadlines, you could lose out on the compensation you may be eligible to seek.
What Causes Car Accidents
Like most people, you can probably come up with several reasons as to why car accidents happen. Being mindful of the common causes can help you minimize the risks and take steps to create better habits behind the wheel.
Here are the most common causes of accidents in Orange County:
- Distracted driving is a significant factor in accidents. Whether a driver uses a GPS, texts, eats, or does all three of these actions at once, multitasking while driving puts many people at risk.
- Another common cause is speeding. Speeding is dangerous because it increases the risk of a motor vehicle accident. It also increases the chances that severe injury or death will occur.
- Reckless driving happens when drivers do not obey traffic laws or extend common courtesy to others with whom they share the road. In turn, other motorists must dodge their vehicles.
- Rain can also be a significant factor in accidents and severe injuries here in Southern California.
- Inexperienced teen drivers often lack the skills to avoid accidents while behind the wheel.
- Low visibility while night driving, especially in areas that lack street lights, increases the risk of an accident.
- Sometimes the risk isn’t the driver but the car. Vehicle design defects can lead to accidents or injuries.
Other causes of accidents here include:
- Unsafe lane changes
- Wrong-way driving
- Road rage
- Potholes
- Drowsy drivers
- Unsafe turns
- Tailgating
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- High winds
- Tire blowouts
- Fog
- Sharp curves in the road
- Street racing
- Loose objects in the car
Being aware of these factors when it comes to vehicle crashes can help everyone drive more defensively and take action to avoid accidents. However, if a negligent driver caused your accident, you can consult an Orange County car accident lawyer from Arash Law.
Largest motorcycle settlement in Tulare County in 2021; client suffered spinal and wrist injuries.
– Judd Ross Allen
Common Injuries In Victims Of Car Accidents
Injuries will often result if a smaller car crashes with a big rig. The same is true if a vehicle hits a pedestrian or bicyclist, as they have little protection if they are hit. If you were hurt in a car accident near Orange County, an experienced attorney can help you understand if you can pursue compensation for your injuries. The most common types of severe motor vehicle injuries include:
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Motor vehicle accident victims are at risk of hitting their heads. If that happens, there can be a wide variety of symptoms depending on which portion of their brain was injured. Brain injuries can impact your cognitive functioning, making it challenging to process information or convey your thoughts. Physical impairments involving balance, coordination, and speech are also common after a TBI.
Some brain injury victims will have personality changes as well as emotional and behavioral problems. While time can heal some TBI victims, for others, it might take months or years before they recover. Still, others may have permanent impairments as a result of their TBI from a motor vehicle accident.
Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
Direct trauma to the spine and twisting motions can damage the delicate spinal cord tissue. If severe enough, this damage can destroy the communication pathways between the nerves of the spinal cord and various parts of the body.
The severity and impact of a spinal cord injury will determine which parts of the body are affected. An injury higher up on the spine will cause more disability than one located lower in the spine. Some spinal cord injury victims will experience paralysis that takes away their ability to move or feel any sensations in the affected limbs. This type of injury can also cause the victim problems with their:
- Respiratory function
- Bladder
- Bowels
- Sexual function
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries include injuries to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. They are common in the neck, shoulders, back, knees, and other joints. Car crashes often cause individuals to twist in ways that they normally would not, resulting in a sprain or strain to the soft tissue.
Surgical intervention is sometimes necessary if there is a soft tissue partial or complete tear. Recovery from these injuries can take a long time and requires significant rehabilitative therapy. In more serious cases, people who sustain soft tissue injuries may not ever return to their previous capabilities and activities.
Broken Bones
Broken bones are common injuries, even for individuals who were not in a car accident. However, that doesn’t make them any less severe. Any suspected broken bone will need medical attention. Permanent complications such as disfigurement of the bone and nerve damage are more likely if the appropriate medical care is not received.
Even minor broken bones can require the victim to stop using that part of the body for weeks or months until their medical providers are sure that it is healed. Some broken bones can be of greater severity than others. For example, compound fractures require surgical intervention. Surgeons may need to use hardware such as plates, screws, or pins to hold the bone in place while it heals.
In these cases, the recovery period will be much longer. A second surgery may even be necessary to take out the hardware after the bone heals. At the same time, other individuals live the rest of their lives with screws, pins, or rods in place. If a break is severe enough, it may permanently restrict the use of that body part.
Amputations
In some accidents, a victim’s limb can be completely crushed, irreparable, or their arm or leg can be severed in such a way that it cannot be reattached. These injuries are often seen in motorcycle, bicycle, and pedestrian accidents, since limbs can be pinned under vehicles, crushing them so severely that they require amputation. Any type of amputation will completely alter a person’s life. They will need to learn how to function and take care of themselves without their limb. Victims are also more likely to experience pain and suffering as a result of these injuries.
Internal Injuries
An injury doesn’t have to be visible to be traumatic. Motor vehicle accidents can result in acute internal trauma, which is sometimes life-threatening. To stabilize the victim, injuries such as punctured lungs, broken ribs, internal hemorrhaging, and organ damage require emergency trauma care. Emergency surgery and an extended hospital stay are typical for people with internal injuries. A long recovery period is to be expected.
These injuries can be considered catastrophic if they cause lasting disabilities and impairments. Perhaps the most severe of them are spinal and head injuries, as they can impact several body systems and abilities. Another point to remember is that the cost of living for victims with these injuries may increase exponentially.
Injured individuals will have medical bills to pay and suffer other losses, whether they have a catastrophic injury or a broken wrist. The bottom line is that no matter how severe or far-reaching an auto accident injury is, you may have the legal right to file a claim if your accident was caused by negligence. Our Orange County car accident lawyer can connect you with healthcare professionals who can identify any hidden injuries, help assess the extent of your losses, and provide the necessary medical documentation to support your case.
Damages Injury Victims Can Seek
Losses from a car accident are often numerous, especially if you are seriously injured. Losses, also known as damages, can be economic and non-economic. Our Orange County personal injury lawyers can assist in pursuing these common types of damages incurred by accident injury victims:Medical Expenses
Your medical bills will vary based on the nature of your injury and the treatment you will need. Medical expenses can include:- Ambulance transport
- Emergency care
- Hospitalization or time in the ICU
- Surgical procedures
- Physical therapy
- Medication
- Medical equipment
Lost Income
Victims who are seriously injured may not be able to work. Even if they are not hospitalized, their doctors might require them to have limited physical activity. Injuries can also keep people from doing their jobs effectively. For example, a back injury could prevent you from working a job that requires heavy lifting. For every hour of work you miss, you lose income through no fault of your own. Victims whose injuries cause disability may have to accept a lower-paying job or might never be able to return to any type of gainful employment. If this happens, they may seek compensation for future lost wages as well.Non-Economic Damages
Other damages are unrelated to the financial aspects of your injury. Instead, they are for your intangible losses, which are inherently difficult to measure. Non-economic damages can include:- Physical pain and suffering.
- Emotional trauma.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
- Dealing with permanent disfigurement, scarring, or disabilities.
Pursuing Compensation For Orange County Motor Vehicle Accident Victims
To seek damages for your injuries, another person or party must be at fault for the accident. Legally, this means that you or your car accident attorney in Orange County must prove that they were negligent, which led to your injuries. Negligent vehicle operation makes them liable for any damages they cause by their carelessness.
When driving a motor vehicle, drivers are expected to act with reasonable care, no matter the circumstances. Reasonable care while driving means obeying all traffic and safety laws, staying alert, and operating in a way that keeps others safe. Someone who exhibits negligent driving behavior may be held legally responsible for covering a victim’s damages.
It is important to note that the standard of care can change, depending on the specific circumstances. A driver can be driving within the legal speed limit. However, if the roads are slick or there is poor visibility, the reasonable standard of care would be to decrease their speed. In court, whether the defendant acted with reasonable care or not is determined on a case-by-case basis.
If the lack of reasonable care causes an accident, an injured party can bring legal action to seek compensation for their losses. A car accident claim can be initiated by:
- A driver injured by another driver.
- A pedestrian on the sidewalk.
- A passenger in an automobile.
- A bicyclist or motorcyclist.
However, it is a complex process to sue another driver for your injuries. A seasoned Orange County accident lawyer can help you establish how the other driver’s actions or inactions may have contributed to the accident. This process is not as easy as it might sound.
It involves an extensive investigation, including interviewing witnesses, assessing police reports, and even getting help from an accident reconstructionist, if necessary. You can bring your case to Arash Law so one of our lawyers can see if they can start building your claim using these steps.
Parties Who May Be Liable For Car Accidents In Orange County
Risky driving behaviors often lead to severe accidents, injuries, and even deaths. The carelessness or poor driving habits of another driver are sometimes not the only reason that accidents occur. Other factors can lead to devastating accidents. These can make other parties responsible for your injuries, such as:
- Car Manufacturers or Parts Suppliers — If an accident was caused by a mechanical failure, the manufacturer of the car or supplier of the part could be responsible for the injuries under product liability laws.
- A Mechanic — If someone improperly repaired the car and caused an injury, they could be held liable.
- An Intoxicated Driver — A bar, bartender, or social host may be liable for serving a minor guest who gets behind the wheel of a vehicle and causes an injury.
If the accident was partially or wholly the fault of a person who was not directly involved in the car accident itself, proving negligence can be tricky. If a car malfunctioned, causing an accident, an automotive industry expert would be needed to testify as to how the car part was inherently defective and led to the accident.
When you hire a car accident lawyer in Orange County, CA, they can consult expert witnesses who provide further analysis of the accident’s cause. A skilled auto accident attorney near Orange County can also assist in gathering evidence and sending a preservation of evidence request to the appropriate parties.
Auto Insurance Requirements
Accidents can still happen, even if every driver takes the proper precautions and uses reasonable care while driving. Recognizing this, California requires that all Orange County drivers have auto insurance to operate a vehicle legally. California is an at-fault state, meaning that car insurance pays for damages you cause to other motorists up to your policy limits.
California mandates that drivers purchase and maintain at least the following minimum auto insurance coverage:
- Bodily Injury Liability Coverage — $30,000 per person, up to $60,000 per accident.
- Property Damage Liability Coverage — $15,000 per accident.
Drivers can also purchase additional coverage. For example, uninsured motorist coverage helps pay for damages if you are hit by a driver who does not have insurance. This coverage can be waived. If you choose to carry this coverage, the minimum uninsured motorist coverage is:
- Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage — $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident.
- Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Coverage — $3,500 minimum.
After The Car Accident FAQ
What Should You Expect After A Car Crash?
Many accident victims have never experienced a severe injury related to a car crash before. They may be in shock and not know what to do or what to expect after an accident. Here are some examples of what to do after a car accident:
- Seek Medical Attention — Your health and well-being are priorities when an accident occurs. It is crucial to have a doctor diagnose and begin treating your injuries as soon as possible after they occur. Seeing a medical professional is best for your health and documenting your injuries for your claim.
- Contact an Orange County Car Accident Lawyer — After your injuries are stabilized, your next step can be to contact an Orange County car accident attorney. Our dedicated California law firm can begin an investigation and help you determine what rights and options you have at this time.
- File an Insurance Claim — More often than not, the first step for your Orange County car accident lawyer is to file a claim against the insurance company of the negligent driver or company that caused your accident. Insurance companies often conduct their own accident investigations, which means that they may not know the full extent of your damages when offering you a settlement. We know how to inform insurance companies of your losses so they can be factored into the settlement we’ll negotiate on your behalf.
- File a Personal Injury Claim in Court — If they cannot agree on a settlement with insurance companies, your car accident lawyer in Orange County can file a personal injury lawsuit in California civil court. There are many phases of the litigation process, including:
- Pleadings
- Discovery
- Settlement negotiations
- A jury trial (in some cases)
Having an experienced lawyer can be beneficial for your case if your claim needs to be taken to court. They can leverage their litigation experience and skills to advocate for your right to pursue compensation in this setting.
What If I Am Partially At Fault For The Car Accident?
Under California’s comparative negligence law, you may still be able to seek compensation, even if you are partially at fault for the accident. However, keep in mind that California courts will decrease any potential monetary award based on your percentage of responsibility in the wreck. For instance, if you are 25 percent responsible for your accident, and your claim is worth $100,000, you may only receive up to $75,000.
How Long Do You Have To File A Car Accident Lawsuit?
In California, an injured individual has two years from the date of their accident to file a claim. This deadline is commonly referred to as the statute of limitations. Some exceptions may apply. For example, if your claim happens to be for property damage only and not for injuries, you have three years from the date of your accident. An Orange County car accident lawyer can explain the timeframe for your specific case and help you file a valid claim within the statute of limitations.
Who Is Liable For A Rear-End Accident?
In most cases, if you are hit from behind, the driver who hits you is responsible for your damages. No matter why you were stopped, the driver following you should always leave enough space to stop safely without hitting you. They are responsible for maintaining a safe distance; you cannot control that.
Sometimes this is not the case, however. For example, if both of your brake lights were out or faulty, and the driver rear-ended you, comparative negligence may come into play.
I Have Car Insurance, Why Do I Need An Orange County Car Accident Attorney?
Even if you have car insurance, you may still need an attorney to help with a few challenges you may face after a crash. Since California is an at-fault state, the negligent party’s auto insurance will be your primary source for pursuing compensation.
As such, one common challenge will be that you may receive initial settlements that fall short of your actual damages. You may also potentially encounter disputes regarding your claim’s actual value.
A skilled car accident attorney in Orange County can calculate the potential value of your losses and use that estimate to help you decide whether to review, counter, or accept the settlements you’re offered. In cases where the at-fault party is uninsured or their policy cannot fully compensate you, a lawyer can also help you explore the possibility of filling in the gaps with your own car insurance, typically by leveraging uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if you have it.
Should I Accept The Settlement Offer I Already Received?
Insurance adjusters may offer you a settlement soon after your accident. However, it is likely that the offer you receive is less than what your claim is worth. This is because adjusters may not know the full extent of your damages at this time.
By accepting this offer, you may give up your right to pursue further compensation in the future, even if you discover you have more losses than initially thought. The experienced car accident lawyers at Arash Law can assist you in estimating the potential compensation you may be entitled to, so you can better study the offers you receive after an accident.
My Car Accident Injuries Put Me Out Of Work. How Do I Pay A Lawyer Now?
Many injured victims may shy away from speaking to a car accident attorney in Orange County due to a lack of financial resources, especially at such a financially insecure time. We want everyone to get the legal help they need to pursue fair compensation for their injuries. The last thing you need to worry about after an accident is paying for an attorney’s services.
As such, we take all of our cases on a contingency fee basis only. Rather than charging clients up front, we only ask them to pay attorney fees if they’re awarded compensation. This fee structure aims to help victims in need of legal assistance pursue the damages they may be entitled to, regardless of their financial situation.
We may still charge case-related expenses in addition to our attorney fees. Our lawyers will review the payment structure with you to help you understand any other costs you might be responsible for as a client.
Hurt In An Accident? Call Our Experienced Car Accident Lawyer In Orange County
Victims harmed in a car accident caused by negligence have the right to file a claim in Orange County. We recognize that dealing with the legal intricacies of your case while injured can be overwhelming. Our Orange County car accident lawyer is dedicated to handling the claims process so you can focus on your well-being.
Arash Law’s car accident lawyers in Orange County, CA serve victims in many cities, including Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Buena Park, Dana Point, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, San Clemente, Stanton, Villa Park, Westminster, and Yorba Linda. We also serve accident victims elsewhere in the state.
For decades, our attorneys have been managing various injury cases across California. We have the knowledge, resources, and experience to help you pursue compensation you may be entitled to. Call Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 or complete our online form to book your free initial consultation.
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