Orange Car Accident Lawyer
Injured in an auto accident? We'll get the compensation you're owed.
A Top-Rated Car Accident Attorney in Orange, CA
No one gets behind the wheel of their vehicle expecting to get into a car accident, but unfortunately, they happen all the time in Orange, California. Known for our theme parks, shopping outlets, and beaches, the city of Orange sees a lot of tourism. Unfortunately, with that tourism comes an increased risk of car accidents.
Car accident victims often fall into financial debt while trying to cover their medical expenses, especially as they recover from serious injuries such as head trauma and broken bones. If you’ve been injured in a car crash and want to file a claim for compensation, the experienced car accident lawyers at Santiago Accident Lawyers are here to help.
We have years of experience handling car accident cases and provide legal representation for car accident victims. Our expert car accident attorney will negotiate with the insurance company to get clients the compensation they deserve on their road to recovery. With our free consultation, you won’t pay to speak to us about your case. Car accidents can happen anytime and anywhere, which is why we are available to help you 24/7, day or night.
Below, we answer some of the most commonly asked questions about car accidents and how an experienced personal injury lawyer can help.
Leading Causes of Car Accidents
According to the most recent statistics published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), there were 3,316 fatal motor vehicle accidents in the state of California in 2019 – many of which were caused by excessive speeding. According to a 2018 crash report published by the California State Transportation Agency and Department of Transportation, speeding caused a total of 92,170 motor vehicle accidents. This number came in at a landslide, with the second leading cause of car accidents including driver violations (34,758), then improper turns (31,767), and intoxication clocking in at 10,934.
Unfortunately, car accidents are common in the state of California, with the most common causes including:
- Excessive speeding
- Drunk or intoxicated driving
- distracted driving
- Improper turns
- Following too closely to another vehicle
- Failure to yield at an intersection
- Fatigue
- Reckless driving habits
- Road rage
- Weaving in and out of lanes
- Poor weather conditions such as fog, extreme cloudiness, or rain
Car Accident Liability
California is considered to be an “at-fault” insurance state. Simply put, this means that each driver’s insurance company will pay for damages based on each driver’s percentage of fault. This process is outlined under California’s pure comparative negligence rule, which states that while drivers can collect compensation from an accident, their award will be reduced by their own percentage of fault. For example, if you’re awarded $100,000 for your car accident injuries and related expenses, but were found to be 20% responsible for the accident, your award would be reduced by your percentage of fault, meaning your take-home would only be $80,000.
By law, vehicle owners will be financially responsible for any car accidents they are involved in. The minimum insurance requirements for drivers in Orange include:
- $15,000 for injury or death to one person
- $30,000 for injury or death to multiple people
- $5,000 to cover property damage
California also requires insurance companies to offer both uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. This will come in handy if you’re injured in a car accident with another driver who either doesn’t have an active insurance policy to pay out of or doesn’t have enough coverage to supplement your medical bills and other damages.
However, this is just the minimum insurance coverage California motorists are required to have. Drivers can obtain supplemental insurance that can help pay for damages that are above the other driver’s insurance policy. This includes collision and comprehensive coverage, payment for medical bills, and increased liability insurance.
Car accident victims are allowed to seek compensation from the other party through a personal injury claim for any amount that is outside of their minimum insurance requirements. This is because California operates on a tort-based insurance system, which means that the negligent driver who caused the crash can be held legally responsible for paying the injured party’s medical expenses or covering other expenses such as lost wages.
So even if you played a small role in the accident, you’ll still be able to hold another driver liable if their reckless actions played a more significant role in the accident. In most cases, determining liability comes down to how the other driver was negligent.
All drivers are expected to exercise reasonable caution every time they go out on the road. When they breach this duty of care they owe others, they can be held liable for the accident and subsequent injuries. For example, if they were not obeying local traffic laws, using their cell phone while driving, drinking alcohol, or speeding, they could be held liable for any injuries or damages their behavior caused.
Most Common Car Accident Injuries
While some car accidents may lead to nothing more than a few bumps and scratches, the majority of injuries aren’t so minor.
In many cases, the most common injury drivers and passengers sustain after a car accident is whiplash. It causes severe upper back and neck damage as a result of the body’s sudden jolt forward or backward in an accident. Though many whiplash injuries get resolved in a few months, more severe cases can go on for years if the spine or nearby ligaments were improperly treated or if the victim had a pre-existing neck or back condition. A long-lasting whiplash injury can leave car accident victims suffering from insomnia, memory impairment, weakness, dizziness, and long-term personality changes. Other common car accident injuries include:
While some car accidents may lead to nothing more than a few bumps and scratches, the majority of injuries aren’t so minor.
In many cases, the most common injury drivers and passengers sustain after a car accident is whiplash. It causes severe upper back and neck damage as a result of the body’s sudden jolt forward or backward in an accident. Though many whiplash injuries get resolved in a few months, more severe cases can go on for years if the spine or nearby ligaments were improperly treated or if the victim had a pre-existing neck or back condition. A long-lasting whiplash injury can leave car accident victims suffering from insomnia, memory impairment, weakness, dizziness, and long-term personality changes. Other common car accident injuries include:
- Broken bones, ribs, and other chest injuries caused by a sudden impact with the steering wheel, seatbelt, or airbag
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, skull fractures, and concussions from hitting the back of the seat, steering wheel, or windshield
- Muscle strains and sprains throughout the body from the force of the impact
- Spinal cord injuries, ruptured discs, and permanent nerve damage
- Burns if the crash ignited a fire
- Permanent disability, loss of limb(s), and/or paralysis of the upper, lower, or full extremities
These injuries are severe and can be debilitating, which is why consulting with an experienced car accident lawyer in Orange is critical to getting the compensation you need to properly recover.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Orange, CA
The first few moments after a car accident can be frightening and feel very overwhelming. However, failing to take certain steps can negatively affect your health, well-being, and ability to collect compensation. Here are some tips for what you should do after a car accident:
1. Get Somewhere Safe
If possible, it’s recommended that you pull off somewhere safe to avoid any further accidents. Try moving the car to the side of the road so oncoming traffic can go around you. If it’s unsafe to do so or your injuries are too severe, put your hazards on and wait until help arrives.
2. Call the Police
After a car accident, you should call 911 as soon as possible. Even though calling the police isn’t required by law in cases of minor accidents, it is required if the accident caused an injury or death. When the police come out to the scene, they will file a police report. This report will serve as evidence if/when you go to file a personal injury claim.
If drivers failed to call law enforcement at the scene of the accident, they will have 24 hours to do so in the event of an injury or death as outlined by the California Vehicle Code 20008.
3. Get the Other Driver’s Insurance Information
Another important step you shouldn’t overlook is collecting the other driver’s contact and insurance information. Be sure to get their full name, phone number, make and model of their vehicle. You should also jot down where the accident occurred, their license plate number, and driver’s license info.
4. Take Photos
If you have your phone on you, try to take photos and videos of the accident scene. It’s always better to err on the side of caution, so don’t be afraid to take photos of anything you think might be pertinent to your case. This includes everything such as injuries, property damage, street signs, road signs, traffic lights, weather conditions, and tire marks. The more photographic evidence you have of the accident scene, the better.
5. Seek Medical Attention
If you or your passengers are severely injured, seek medical attention as soon as possible. However, you should do this even if you feel fine. Oftentimes, adrenaline masks the severity of injuries after a car accident, which can trick you into thinking you haven’t suffered harm. Unfortunately, many injuries such as concussions, traumatic brain injuries, whiplash, and internal bleeding may not appear immediately, so going to the hospital is the best way to ensure your health and safety.
Keep in mind that when you go to the hospital, you should keep a copy of all of your medical notes, receipts, and co-pays for the visit, radiology, and pain prescriptions, as this will serve as evidence for your compensation claim.
6. Notify Your Insurance Carrier
Notify your insurance carrier, but do not speak to the other party’s insurers. The sooner your insurance knows about the accident, the sooner they can investigate your claim to see if they will provide coverage. However, it is best to consult with an experienced attorney for guidance before proceeding with further action.
Is It Worth Getting a Car Accident Attorney?
Yes, especially if you suffered severe bodily injury and have ongoing medical expenses. After a car accident, you’ll need to have an insurance adjuster look into the incident to determine whether or not they’ll pay your claim. However, many people falsely believe the insurance company is working for them. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.
Even though you’re paying into your policy, the insurance company’s main priority is to protect their bottom line. This means paying out as little as possible in a settlement. An experienced car accident lawyer in Orange will be able to communicate with the insurance company on your behalf and negotiate with them to make sure you’re getting the money you deserve.
Furthermore, your auto accident lawyer will be able to guide you through the claims process, helping you collect evidence and calculate how much your case is worth. Best of all, they’ll be able to offer legal advice, including what to expect if your case goes to trial, the likelihood of winning, and how long you have to file your claim.
How Much Is My Car Accident Claim Worth?
The worth of California car accident claims is dependent on several factors, such as if the other driver was negligent, your percentage of fault (if applicable), when the accident occurred, and the total of economic and non-economic damages involved.
For example, if your car accident injuries keep you out of work, your auto accident attorney will calculate the value of the time missed off work in order to get you financially compensated for those lost wages. This also includes loss of future earnings you’d accrue during this period, as well as the value of any paid personal or sick time.
The Santiago Accident Lawyers Difference
At Santiago Accident Lawyers, we have been the leading choice when it comes to representing and advocating for the rights of Orange County car accident victims. We have years of experience working with the most complex car accident claims and are available to speak with you 24/7. We know that car accidents can occur at any time of the day and into the late hours of the night. Being in an accident is traumatic and knowing what to do next is dire. This is why our team members are always available to assist clients.
When you’ve been injured in a car accident in Orange, whether a rear-end accident or head-on collision, you need a qualified personal injury attorney you can turn to protect your rights and interests. At Santiago Accident Lawyers, we will help you determine what your claim is worth, so you are not taken advantage of by the big insurance companies.
We have a winning success rate and offer a contingency payment structure. This means you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid when we win your car accident case – and that’s the Santiago Accident Lawyers difference.
Call us today at 714-912-6901 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced car accident attorney from our personal injury law firm.