HAVE YOU BEEN INJURED IN A CAR ACCIDENT?
Get the peace of mind that comes with legal representation.
Auto accidents can change everything in a second. The resulting injuries, medical expenses, missed work, auto repairs, and other hardships can be overwhelming and stressful. The team of experienced attorneys at Santiago Accident Lawyers are here to help. When you hire us, we take action right away. We will handle every aspect of your insurance claim, help you arrange medical treatment, car repair, and help resolve any other issues caused by the accident. Best of all, you don't pay us any fees unless we win your case.
SANTIAGO ACCIDENT LAWYERS
Auto accidents affect victims both physically and mentally, taking weeks to months or even years to recover from. Not only does this put a strain on injured victims, but their families are also affected. Medical treatment is costly and time will have to be taken off work, creating unforeseen financial strains. These unfortunate circumstances are all too common in the city of Orange, as well as throughout Orange County for that matter.
If you are the victim of a motor vehicle accident, like a car accident, truck accident, motorcycle accident, pedestrian accident, or another auto-related crash, you may be entitled to compensation, and with the help of a qualified Orange County car accident lawyer, you will be better equipped to obtain fair compensation.
Speak with an experienced personal injury attorney from Santiago Accident Lawyers to discuss your personal injury case and learn how legal representation can help you maximize your settlement. Schedule a free consultation with our Orange personal injury law firm, and we can begin building your winning car accident case.
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Do You Know What to Do After an Accident?
If you’re involved in an automobile accident in Orange County, there are a number of actions that can be taken to secure your safety and ensure that your legal rights are not compromised. However, after a traumatic event like a serious car accident, it can be difficult to remember what you need to do. This is understandable. If possible, try to keep these six key steps in mind.
- Move to safety. Regardless if you’re the passenger of an Uber accident or a driver in another car, make sure you are not in danger. Exit the vehicle and move to the side of the road. If possible, move your vehicle to the shoulder to prevent another serious car accident.
- Call for help. Contact the police and report the auto accident. When officers arrive, they will assess the scene and log their findings in an accident report. That report will be very helpful when your personal injury lawsuit is filed. From the available evidence, officers can determine if the other driver was at fault for the car wreck.
- Collect evidence. Before leaving the accident scene, document the crash by taking pictures of everything, like property damage, the wrecked vehicles, leftover debris, tire marks, street signs, and your car accident injuries. You can never have a shortage of documentation, so photograph everything.
- Exchange information. Contact numbers and insurance carrier information from the other driver will likely be included in the collision report. However, ensure you have your own record, as well. In addition, collect the names and contacts of any witnesses who saw the crash. A personal injury attorney will also find these details beneficial.
- Seek medical attention immediately. See a doctor as soon as possible, even if you don’t believe you are injured. You must monitor your physical condition, and only a doctor can properly diagnose you. Medical professionals can also identify hidden traumatic injuries, like concussions and internal bleeding. Also, make sure you follow the medical treatment advisable by your physician in order to prevent serious injury.
- Contact an experienced auto accident lawyer in Orange County, CA. All of the preceding steps are to prepare your personal injury case for success. Consulting with an Orange County car accident lawyer will strengthen your insurance claim, and your car accident attorney can explain how to utilize the collected evidence and medical reports to your advantage.
What Not to Do After an Auto Accident
Just like there is a list of what-to-do’s after a motor vehicle accident, there are also actions that should be avoided, as well.
- Apologizing. Saying “sorry” is a natural reaction after most car accidents, but it can also be misinterpreted as you being the negligent driver and that you are apologizing for causing the car wreck.
- Waiting too long to file a personal injury claim. California law only permits two years from the date of injury to file a claim. If the date passes, the courts will likely excuse the case, and you will lose the opportunity to recover compensation.
- Speaking to an insurance adjuster. Do not speak to the other party’s insurance company or your insurance company until you’ve consulted with an Orange County car accident attorney. Sometimes, they will request written or recorded statements that can ultimately hurt your claim.
- Thinking that consulting with a car accident attorney is the same as hiring one. Due to legal fees and hidden costs from other Orange County law firms, an injured party may be hesitant to make an initial appointment with a car accident lawyer. At Santiago Accident Lawyers, we offer a 100% confidential and free consultation. We also work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay if we cannot recover compensation on your behalf.
When we meet with potential clients, we discuss their car accident cases and provide free legal advice. This helps us determine if we are the right law firm for them. Our legal team will help build a strong case so that your compensation is maximized. Contact our experienced car accident lawyers in Orange County for a free case evaluation. We do not charge any legal fees unless we can win your case. To learn more, contact us today.
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How to Get a Copy of Your Police Report
If you’re involved in an automobile accident in Orange County, there are a number of actions that can be taken to secure your safety and ensure that your legal rights are not compromised. However, after a traumatic event like a serious car accident, it can be difficult to remember what you need to do. This is understandable. If possible, try to keep these six key steps in mind.
One of the most valuable pieces of evidence victims need is an official accident report. Therefore, ensure you contact the police immediately after the accident, so they can write a report at the accident scene. The document will not be immediately available, but you will have access to it at a later time.
The responding officer will inform you of when the full report will be readily available for you to collect and provide you with an incident number. If the police were not contacted at the time of the motor vehicle accident, you can file an accident report online here.
This can be obtained in person at the Orange Police Department or online. If your accident occurred in a different part of Orange County, contact California Highway Patrol (CHP) for further information. Only the following people are authorized to obtain a copy:
- The drivers involved in the accident
- Registered owners of the involved vehicles
- Parent(s) if a minor was involved
- Passengers involved in the crash that were initially named in the report
- The insurance company for any of the involved parties
- The car accident attorney who is representing any of the involved parties
Depending on the severity of the car crash and the number of people involved, the accident report can take weeks to complete before it’s available. There may also be a fee to obtain a copy of the report. If you are recovering from a car accident injury, it is understandable that you may be unable to go to the Orange police station. You can also receive the police report by mail upon request. An auto accident attorney from Santiago Accident Lawyers can provide further assistance and help you get a hold of all necessary documentation.
Common Types of Orange Auto Accidents and Injuries
If you’re involved in an automobile accident in Orange County, there are a number of actions that can be taken to secure your safety and ensure that your legal rights are not compromised. However, after a traumatic event like a serious car accident, it can be difficult to remember what you need to do. This is understandable. If possible, try to keep these six key steps in mind.
California is the most populated state in the US with almost 40 million inhabitants, and as one of the top populous counties, not just in Southern California but in California as a whole, Orange County drivers are more prone to car accidents. This is particularly true on busy freeways, like the I-5 Santa Ana Freeway, I-405 San Diego Freeway, and SR-57 Orange Freeway.
Car accident statistics indicate that traffic fatalities have decreased in recent years. However, reckless driving is still very prevalent in the county, as alcohol-involved car accidents reached 1,764. The most common causes of motor vehicle accidents include drinking and driving, texting, distracted driving, speeding, and deliberately disobeying traffic laws. Recklessly operating a motor vehicle can cause the following types of car accidents:
- Head-on car crash
- Rear-end car accident
- Sideswiping
- T-bone car crash
- Hit-and-runs
- Rollovers
Common Types of Injuries
The severity of these types of car accidents and other auto accidents can cause minor injuries, serious injuries, or a wrongful death. Regardless of the level of injury, ensure you seek immediate medical treatment after an accident with bodily injury claims. The following types of injuries are the most commonly experienced after an auto accident and can be compensated.
- Soft tissue injuries - strained ligaments, muscles, and tendons
- Broken bones - fractures to any bones in the body
- Burns/scarring - abrasions and cuts to the skin anywhere on the body
- Spinal cord injuries - damage to the vertebrae ranging from the neck down to the lower back
- Traumatic brain injury/concussion - trauma to the brain upon violent impact
- Internal injuries - fractured ribs or broken bones piercing organs or internal brain bleeding
- Wrongful death - crash or injuries resulting in a fatality
How an Orange County Lawyer Will Help
Many thoughts and considerations will arise after a car crash–one likely being: Do I need an attorney after a car accident?
California law does not require that victims work with a personal injury attorney after a serious accident. Additionally, not all types of car accidents will require legal representation, such as minor fender benders or parking lot car accidents. However, most car accidents are complicated and could escalate into a long legal battle.
An attorney's top priority is to help victims understand what options they have. With this knowledge, victims will be better equipped to handle their personal insurance claims. Otherwise, the negligent party will not be held accountable, and you will be left paying for the repercussions.
The Orange County car accident attorney you partner with should have experience in all aspects of personal injury law, including litigation and trial expertise. While most cases do settle before going to court, there is always a possibility that trying the case in front of a judge and jury can happen.
Santiago Accident Lawyers provides clients with peace of mind, laying down all of the groundwork so they can focus on what’s most important, their recovery. Our personal injury attorneys will build a strong personal injury case, aggressively negotiate with the insurance company, and will represent you during all potential phases of your case.
Our Orange County car accident lawyers have a success rate of 99% and have the experience to get clients maximum compensation. In addition, we work on a contingency fee basis. Therefore, if we cannot win your case, you will not owe our law firm any legal fees. We also offer a free consultation for potential clients to get to know us and our Orange County car accident law firm. Our goal from the start is to establish a promising client-attorney relationship.
If we believe your car accident case can benefit without our services and that you can still be awarded fair compensation, we will inform you. Again, not all motor vehicle accidents require representation. To discover how much your case is worth, schedule a free case assessment with our car accident lawyers today.
Types of Compensation and How Long It Will Take to Settle
Other common concerns are determining how much a car accident claim is worth and how long someone should expect the case to take. There is no exact dollar amount when it comes to determining the value of a case, as the amount can range from thousands of dollars to millions. Additionally, the severity of the accident will also affect how long the case will take to settle.
Ultimately, the more damages that were sustained will increase the case value. The higher the case value, the longer it may take to settle because the insurance company will push to reduce how much they owe victims. The best way to estimate these details is to schedule a free consultation with our Orange County personal injury law firm.
There are a number of unique factors that can be taken into account, like lost wages or when you received medical attention. While there is no exact answer to how much your insurance claim is worth, our personal injury attorneys can accurately assess your situation and provide more details about your case once we have all of the details.
However, it’s good to know that those who suffered more damages will hold a higher value when it comes to car accident cases. The worth of compensation is based on the following:
- Medical bills - Accumulated medical expenses from an ambulance ride, surgeries, or doctor’s visits, as well as any anticipated medical expenses to improve recovery. For instance, physical therapy and medications can be compensated.
- Disabilities - If you suffered injuries that cause temporary or permanent disabilities, you may require life-changing adjustments to everyday activities, like the use of a wheelchair or home modifications, all of which are reimbursable.
- Lost wages - Accident victims can be paid for any time missed from work. They can also be paid for loss of earning capacity if their injuries prevent them from returning to work.
- Property damage - Vehicle damage, repairs, or damage to other personal property can be claimed in a personal injury claim.
- Pain and suffering - Classified as "non-economic damages," pain and suffering can refer to physical or emotional torment. The purpose is to compensate victims for problems that were not previously present before the accident.
- Emotional distress - Trauma and mental anguish can result from car crashes, affecting a victim’s mood, friendships, and relationships. If you experience a diminished quality of life, post-accident, it can be claimed as damages.
SPEAK WITH AN ORANGE COUNTY AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
Consult with our experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer today. If someone else caused you serious injuries or mental pain and suffering, you do not deserve to be left paying for their wrongdoing.
Our experienced legal team at Santiago Accident Lawyers will fight to help you recover maximum compensation. Filing a personal injury claim after undergoing an automobile accident is tough on victims, especially while they’re still healing. Additionally, car accidents can be traumatizing. Know that you don’t have to go through the legal process against the insurance company alone. Allow our qualified Orange County car accident attorneys to help you with your injury claim.
HUNDREDS OF CLIENTS ARE GLAD THEY CHOSE SANTIAGO INJURY ATTORNEYS AND IT SHOWS!
"l love Santiago Accident Lawyers!! My experience was great! Everyone was so helpful and friendly. He was one of my favorites - always very helpful and knowledgeable. I met Mr. lawyer and he was so friendly and down to earth. Felt so good just meeting him! I will recommend it to all my friends and family. Thank you Santiago Accident Lawyers for everything!!"
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