Orange County Personal Injury Lawyers
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Our Orange County Personal Injury Lawyers Advocate For The Rights Of Accident Victims
Accidents can happen anytime. Injuries sustained during the accident often lead to unforeseen expenses, pain, suffering, and stress. If you are the victim of a crash, consulting legal counsel can help you understand your options. Our personal injury lawyers can guide you in filing claims for damages. It is essential to select a personal injury lawyer with experience in handling similar cases and the necessary resources to manage your claim effectively.
(No guarantee of outcome. Results displayed were dependent on unique facts of that case, and different facts will bring different results.)
What Are The Common Causes Of Personal Injuries In Orange County
There is something for nearly everyone, but with these luxuries and activities come significant risks of injury. Tourists and residents alike can be injured while taking part in these activities, as well as on our busy roads and in foot traffic. As such, the most common personal injury clients we represent are those who have experienced traffic-related accidents.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Orange County gained nearly 200,000 residents between 2010 and 2018. This is an increase of 11.9% of the population in less than a decade. More residents mean more traffic, jobs, houses, construction, pets, and long-term care facilities for both children and older adults.
Car Accidents
Southern California’s main form of transportation is motor vehicles. Motor vehicle accidents are common in Orange County. The two most common forms of reckless motorist behavior were speeding and impaired driving. These two are the leading causes of car accident injuries and fatalities in Orange County. The combination can be extremely dangerous and may lead to fatal crashes. If a driver loses focus, it increases the risk of a crash. Anything that distracts the driver from the supposed full focus allotted to just driving itself can be fatal. If a driver has to look at his phone for directions, he should pull over before checking his phone. This may reduce the risk of a crash.
Motorcycle Accidents
Orange County’s beautiful coastline and perfect weather are some of the reasons why cyclists love this place. Orange County offers a unique travel experience for cyclists. Sadly, California provides less protection for motorcycle riders. In 2015 alone, there were 1,400 motorcycle accidents that resulted in injuries and fatalities in Orange County. Motorcycle riders report that the most common motorcycle injuries are road rash and broken bones. Even with the mandatory helmet use, motorcycle riders are at a higher risk for traumatic brain or spinal cord injury than 4-wheel vehicle drivers.
Wrongful Death
When a person dies from an accident due to recklessness and negligence, the loved ones may have difficulty accepting their fate. Surviving family members may be eligible to file a wrongful civil claim against the party at fault. Such claims may allow families to seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses, lost future earnings, and the loss of love, companionship, and financial support. By law, a wrongful death claim may be filed by a spouse, children, or grandchildren. If none of these relatives are available, other next of kin, like siblings or cousins, may have standing to file a claim.
Dog Bite
Dog bites can cause serious physical and emotional trauma. Injuries may range from puncture wounds, scratches, or crush injuries. If the dog’s vaccinations were not up to date, the victim might need rabies shots or other treatments to prevent infection. Dog bite wounds can be extremely painful and may take weeks to heal.
Types Of Compensation Available For Personal Injury Cases
There are three main categories of compensation injured victims may pursue in a claim:
Special Or Compensatory Damages
All of the unexpected expenses of the victim due to the accident fall under this category. When calculating damages, it is relatively easy to estimate a dollar amount, and it’s just a matter of collating records of the following:
- Medical Care and Treatment — This includes hospital/doctor bills, ongoing treatment, and long-term care and rehabilitation costs.
- Lost Income and Loss of Future Income — For severe injury cases where the victim won’t be able to work because of the accident, the victim may be able to pursue lost wages. In cases where injuries result in long-term or permanent disability, individuals may seek compensation for lost future income. It is also possible that this compensation is given for the rest of the victim’s life.
- Property Damage — This entails compensation for the damaged vehicle in an accident, be it repair or replacement.
- Burial and Funeral Expenses — Compensation for the funeral and burial expenses might be entitled to the next of kin if the accident resulted in the victim’s death.
General Damages
Some aspects of the damage of an accident can be harder to quantify and put a price on. It takes care of the emotional toll the victim has to go through due to the accident. The following can be included in this category:
- Pain and Suffering — This category may include claims for the victim’s physical pain. It provides compensation for the following: anxiety, mental anguish, anger, and depression that the victim may be experiencing related to the accident.
- Mental Anguish — Victims may be eligible to pursue compensation for mental anguish for cases where the accident was particularly traumatic, including compensation for life-changing injuries (i.e., witnessing the death of a loved one in the accident, paralysis, or disfigurement).
- Loss of Consortium — This category covers compensation for the spouse if the victim was killed in the accident. The surviving spouse may be entitled to compensation for the inevitable emotional, physical, and financial losses due to the death of a loved one.
Punitive Damages
In rare cases, the court may award punitive damages not to compensate the victim but to punish the at-fault party for gross negligence or malicious acts, such as driving under the influence, intentionally violating safety regulations, knowingly operating a dangerously unsafe vehicle, or engaging in reckless behavior with a conscious disregard for others’ safety.
(No guarantee of outcome. Results displayed were dependent on unique facts of that case, and different facts will bring different results.)
The Statute Of Limitations In Orange County
Injured victims in California, including Orange County, may be eligible to file a personal injury claim against the entity or person who caused an accident due to their negligence within two years from the date of the accident. This applies to injury claims, such as slip or fall, motorcycle, or car accidents.
However, certain exemptions may shorten or extend this deadline. For example, if the injury victim is a minor (under 18 years old), the two-year filing period generally does not begin until the victim turns 18.
Contact Our Orange County Personal Injury Lawyers
Being injured in an accident affects you and your loved ones. The physical, financial, and emotional toll can significantly impact your life. When an accident occurs, contact Arash Law’s personal injury lawyers serving Orange County for guidance throughout the process.
Our team at Arash Law offers a free case review to discuss your situation and provide guidance on your next potential steps. We are available to answer any questions you may have. Call us at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation.
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