After you’ve been in a car accident, it’s not uncommon to be in shock.
It’s normal to be shaken up and perhaps even confused—and, early on, you may not even realize the extent of your injuries.
When these injuries are the result of another person’s negligence, their insurance company may pressure you to accept a quick settlement, right when you’re struggling to deal with potentially serious injuries and consulting with medical professionals.
Plus, life may feel overwhelming if you can’t work and are watching medical bills and living expenses pile up.
In some circumstances, you (or a loved one) may be eligible for compensation for your injuries.
For a free consultation with Anaheim car accident attorney Joshua Glotzer, call (747) 241-8288 or send an online message today.
Within the city limits of Anaheim, there are an average of 5,004 collisions annually, with 43% of them having at least one party injured in the crash. When looking at Orange County and its three million-plus residents, accident and injury numbers increase significantly.
But, when you or a loved one are injured in an accident, statistics don’t really matter. What’s important is for you to know how to reach out for help from experienced Anaheim, California car accident lawyers.
After the accident takes place, the other party’s insurance company may offer you a basic settlement—or they may say you aren’t entitled to any compensation at all. The reality is that this insurance company has its own interests at heart, not yours.
That’s why it makes sense to talk to an Anaheim car accident attorney as soon as you can, post-accident. That way, your rights can be protected from the get-go.
We’ll investigate the specifics of your case and aggressively negotiate for the compensation you deserve or represent you in court if the insurance company won’t agree to a fair settlement.
Each case is unique, of course, and the specifics of yours will guide how we would proceed. Most accidents, though, have one or more of these underlying factors.
At any given time, a good percentage of drivers are likely distracted by one or more things, which is why many experts believe distraction is the biggest underlying cause of auto accidents and resulting injuries. Let’s face it. We’re a nation of multi-taskers.
Ways drivers get distracted include:
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 3,100 people lost their lives in 2019 because of distracted driving alone and this is likely to be a conservative estimate. Plus, it doesn’t account for the untold bodily injuries and pain and suffering that distracted driving can create in non-fatal accidents.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, a full 60% of drivers admit that they’re behind the wheel when feeling quite tired while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has data showing how one in every 25 adult drivers actually dozed off while on the road in just one month’s time.
Not surprisingly, this plays a significant role in vehicle crashes, with NHTSA recording at least 91,000 collisions in 2017 where drowsy driving played a role. This led to approximately 50,000 injuries and 800 fatalities. Just like with distracted driving, drowsy driving is likely to be under-reported because no test exists to determine driver fatigue. This means that data relies on self-reporting and many drivers aren’t willing to admit they drove while exhausted.
This takes place when someone shows a willful or wanton disregard for others on the road, negligently driving in a careless manner.
Reckless driving is a criminal offense. Although often punishable as a misdemeanor, it can lead to more serious consequences, including jail time of five to 90 days, a fine of up to $1,000—or both.
When someone drives recklessly, this can involve:
Then there are situations where an impaired/drunk person was driving. That leads to nearly a third of all the traffic deaths in the United States. If you’re the victim of an accident involving a reckless driver, it’s time to contact an auto accident attorney in Anaheim.
Weather can play a key role in automobile crashes, including high winds that can cause visibility issues; rain that, besides, impacting visibility, can create wet pavement; fog, and more.
Auto defects can also contribute to accidents, especially when there are issues with tires and/or brakes. Problems with vehicle suspension can prevent someone from effectively navigating the road, which can be especially problematic when obstacles exist.
Car accidents can be attributed to one main factor or, in other cases, several reasons can play a part. What’s important to you as an accident victim is that you are fairly treated and get the compensation you deserve for injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and so forth.
Car accidents occur every day on California roads and can result in many types of injuries. Some of these injuries are minor while others are life-threatening. It is important to seek immediate medical attention no matter what types of injuries you sustain. Here are the most common car accident injuries.
For the most part, when someone has been in a car accident they probably want to get the whole ordeal over with as quickly as possible. This means you probably want to get back home to rest, sort out the claim with the insurance companies, and move on. This is totally understandable. However, it is important that you understand why you should leave the insurance company up to your Anaheim car accident lawyer.
Many people believe that an insurance company’s purpose is to help out financially when it comes to making a claim. However, it is important that you understand that the most important thing to an insurance company is the bottom line. This should not make you jaded or cynical. An insurance company is merely a business. Their business is resolving your claim by shelling out as little cash as possible.
What will likely happen after a car accident is you will get a call from the other party’s insurance company asking to speak with you. They will likely ask you how you are doing, how you are recovering from the accident, and they will likely ask you to explain how the accident happened. This all seems innocent, right? The insurance agent you are speaking with probably does have some level of concern about your injuries–after all, they are human. However, they will likely use what you are saying against you, especially if you state that you are “feeling fine” or “recovering well.”
The best thing you can do when an insurance company gives you a call after a car accident is to pass them on to your lawyer. You can confirm obvious, non-injuries facts for them, like your name and age. However, you want to let them know you will not be answering any other questions until you speak with your lawyer.
You may think that you are legally obligated to speak with them and legally obligated to have the phone call recorded. In fact, they may present it as if you are under a legal obligation to answer their questions and have the conversation recorded. However, no matter how short your conversation with the insurance agent is, always state you are not okay with them recording your conversation.
Never accept a settlement from the insurance company without speaking with your lawyer first. Your lawyer will know a ballpark regarding reasonable compensation. They will be able to tell you if a settlement offer is acceptable or not. If the insurance company calls you stating they want to settle, tell them to give your lawyer a call. Directing this toward your lawyer is in your best interest.
If you or a loved one are involved in an accident, you can count on the Anaheim personal injury lawyers at Glotzer & Leib to represent you in the same way we would for our own family members.
We’re available to discuss your case, 24/7, with a free, 100% confidential consultation. Our legal team will tirelessly work with one goal in mind: to ensure you get the full amount of compensation you deserve, whether that’s through a negotiated injury settlement or a jury award.
For your free consultation with an experienced car accident attorney in Anaheim, call (747) 241-8288 or send a message today.
When you get into a car accident, you may need to talk to a trusted car accident lawyer Anaheim, CA residents rely on for legal advice, especially if you have suffered many serious injuries. It is a terrible experience to go with you and it can be even worse if you have financial expenses that you need to figure out how to take care of. Hiring a skilled car accident lawyer may be the right decision if you need urgent assistance with a car accident claim. On top of hospital bills and lost wages, you can have other unexpected expenses especially if your property was damaged or destroyed. If you have recently been in an accident, consider obtaining a car accident lawyer and find out how you can maximize your settlement amount by contacting Glotzer & Leib, LLP.
What are common types of car accident scenarios?
There are many types of car accident scenarios that can result in many types of injuries, as a lawyer knows. From head-on collisions, rear-end accidents, and T-bone accidents, there are many ways that a car accident can occur. Many car accidents happen because of distracted driving, while some happen because a driver chooses to drive recklessly. If you have been injured in a car accident, you have rights as a victim and can take legal action. If you need urgent legal assistance after getting into an accident, it would be best for you to contact a lawyer so that they can help you and give you the personalized guidance that you deserve.
What happens if the at-fault driver does not have insurance?
If you get into a serious car accident, there is a chance that the driver who is at-fault does not have car insurance. You could be wondering what your options would be if you ever get into such a situation. You can get fair and full compensation for economic and non-economic damages if your insurance policy includes uninsured motorist coverage. A car accident lawyer will also explore other ways that your losses can be covered so that you do not have to pay out-of-pocket if the driver does not have insurance, such as arbitration or seek a percentage of their wage.
What if I don’t get enough compensation?
Insurance companies do not usually give you a fair offer if they can help. They do not have your best interests in mind, so don’t expect them to go out of their way to get you the compensation that you deserve. If you happen to get a settlement offer that is much lower than what you are entitled to receive, let an experienced and qualified Anaheim car accident lawyer know so that they can negotiate with the insurance company. As long as you don’t accept the low offer, a lawyer will be able to help you. They can argue for the amount that you are entitled to recover.
When is the right time to hire a lawyer?
The right time to hire an experienced and qualified lawyer is as soon as possible. There are many ways that a lawyer will be able to help you with your car accident case. You should not assume that you have no options if you have been in a car accident. Don’t wait until the last minute to act and explore your legal options. There is limited time to file a claim especially involving personal injury cases. If you do not seek a lawyer you could potentially risk minimizing your full compensation amount. Request a consultation with a top-rated Anaheim car accident lawyer now so that you can get the legal help that you need from Glotzer & Leib, LLP.
“Mr. Glotzer represented me after I was involved in a car accident. I was badly injured,but the insurance company refused to offer me a reasonable settlement. I decided to find an attorney and decided to hire Josh.
His law firm did a great job on my case. They were very responsive to all my questions and obtained a great resolution for me. I received way more money than was originally offered. I would recommend their firm to friends and family.”
“Mr. Josh Glotzer is a great attorney. Over the last 15 years he has helped me on a number of cases with professionalism, and more importantly a positive outcome in my favor. I have referred him to a number of friends and colleagues, all of which have been equally as happy with his legal representation. I trust him and confident in legal ability. I highly recommend his law firm.”
“Don’t try to deal with insurance companies on your own. They strung me along for almost two years before I gave the case to Glotzer & Leib. Josh and his team quickly obtained a settlement that netted me many times what the insurance company was offering. Thank You!”
“My wife was in a car accident last year and Josh did an amazing job representing her. It’s very refreshing to see someone in his profession that actually cares and puts his clients first. He’s the best in the business and I feel so fortunate that I was referred to him. Keep up the great work and thanks for everything you did for my family!”
“I was in a rear end car accident last year and hired Mr. Glotzer’s office. It wasn’t a big case but their office helped me with my property damage claim and did a good job resolving the injury portion of the case as well.”
