Orange County Car Accident Lawyer

When a negligent driver causes you injuries in a collision, you need to understand your options for financial recovery.

In California, you have the right to bring a legal claim for damages if another party is responsible for your injuries.

Contact a car accident lawyer in Orange County at Glotzer & Leib, LLP to learn how we can assist.

With decades of experience representing injured accident victims in Southern California, our Orange County auto accident attorneys have the expertise necessary to build the strongest case for you.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Orange County

Most car accidents are anything but accidents. One or more parties are responsible for the collision, as most are due to human error. Some of the most common causes include the following factors. 

Distracted Driving

Many people think distracted driving is texting and driving, but a distraction is anything that takes the driver’s attention away from the road.

Common distractions include looking at the GPS, changing a radio station, using the phone, eating or drinking, talking to passengers, etc.

Traffic Law Violations

When a driver violates California traffic laws, they increase the risk of an accident. Common violations include:

  • Speeding;
  • Driving too fast for current conditions;
  • Running a red light or stop sign; 
  • Tailgating; and
  • Making an illegal turn.

Drivers who engage in reckless behavior such as drinking and driving, road rage, or drag racing endanger other people’s lives.

You could be entitled to additional damages in an accident involving intentional acts or highly reckless behavior.

Your car wreck attorney in Orange County will explain whether your case qualifies or not.

Road Hazards or Adverse Weather

Road hazards, such as potholes and construction work, can also play a role in auto accidents.

Rain and fog, especially the marine layer along the coast in Orange County, can impact visibility and road conditions.

Defective Auto Parts

A defective auto part could also play a role in collisions. Some defects are widespread and stem from issues at the manufacturing plant. Other issues could result from a mechanic’s error.  

Common Car Accident Injuries

Every car accident is different, which means the resulting injuries vary. Some of the most common injuries include:

  • Whiplash;
  • Other neck injuries;
  • Back injuries;
  • Spinal cord injury, including paralysis;
  • Nerve damage;
  • Broken or fractured bones;
  • Scarring or disfigurement;
  • Internal organ damage and internal bleeding;
  • Amputation;
  • Traumatic brain injuries;
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); and
  • Death.

Victims often have more than one type of injury following a car accident.

Liability for Car Accidents in California

Before collecting any compensation for your injuries and other losses, you need to prove liability against the other driver. California is a pure comparative negligence state.

Therefore, you could be entitled to collect compensation for your damages even if you are partially responsible for the accident.

However, your overall payment would be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury determines you are 20% at fault, you could only collect 80% of your damages.

Hiring a skilled car accident lawyer in Orange County can result in a higher liability assessment against the other driver.    

What Types of Compensation Can You Collect in a Car Accident Claim?

The law categorizes damages into economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are your direct financial losses.

Examples of economic damages include:

  • Medical expenses: Expenses to date and future costs for doctors’ visits, hospitalizations, surgeries, ambulance costs, diagnostic tests, physical therapy, medications, etc.;
  • Medical devices: Walkers, wheelchairs, walkers, and other equipment;
  • Lost wages: Time you missed from work and future expected loss of earning; and
  • Property damage: Damage to your vehicle, including towing, repair costs, rental car reimbursement, and personal property damaged inside the car.

Non-economic damages do not have corresponding financial losses. They are more challenging to calculate because they are subjective.

Examples include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, diminished quality of life, and more.

Punitive damages are available in rare cases where the defendant’s actions were malicious and extreme.

Your Orange County car accident lawyer will tell you whether you qualify for punitive damages.

Steps to Take Following a Car Accident

What you do following a car accident can directly impact your future personal injury case. It’s crucial to remain calm and remember these steps:

  • Contact the police and report the accident;
  • Obtain contact and insurance information from all involved parties; 
  • Get contact information for any witnesses;
  • Take scene photographs if you can do so safely, including pictures of vehicle damage, skid marks, debris, and the surrounding scene;
  • Do not admit fault inadvertently—even saying “I’m sorry” can be construed as admitting guilt;
  • Seek medical treatment as soon as possible;
  • Report the accident to your insurance company; 
  • If the other driver’s insurance company contacts you, do not give a statement without legal representation;
  • Contact the Orange County car accident attorneys at Glotzer & Leib, LLP; and
  • Start a documentation folder with copies of everything related to your accident.

It’s crucial to seek medical treatment as soon as possible, even if you don’t believe your injuries are that severe.

If you fail to do this, the defendant’s insurance company will use that against you, claiming you were not injured or a subsequent event caused your injuries.

Hiring Orange County auto accident attorneys right after the accident is smart despite what the other driver’s insurance company will tell you.

The sooner you have legal representation, the sooner we can start protecting your rights.

How Long Do You Have to Bring a Car Accident Lawsuit in California?

Like other losses, you only have a limited amount of time to bring a lawsuit in California for an auto accident. In general, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule, including claims involving minors or governmental defendants. 

Failure to file a lawsuit within the deadline could cause you to lose your right to receive compensation.

By hiring skilled car accident attorneys in Orange County from Glotzer & Leib, LLP, you can rest assured that we will handle all the complicated legal elements of your claim.

How a Car Accident Lawyer in Orange County Can Help

While you are not legally obligated to hire an Orange County car accident attorney to represent you, we highly recommend it.

Your attorney is the one who will protect your rights and ensure you don’t inadvertently risk your potential settlement.

Most car accidents are more complicated than victims realize. You may have multiple defendants, complex legal issues, and disputed liability.

The legal team at Glotzer & Leib, LLP, knows how to build the strongest case possible. We investigate thoroughly, obtain all your records, and gather evidence to support your damages claim.

We will also handle all communication with the defendant’s insurance company or lawyers, including all settlement negotiations. 

And if negotiations don’t result in a fair settlement offer, we prepare your case for trial.

With over five decades of experience assisting Southern California injured victims, we have the skills and resources to take your case to trial. We aren’t afraid to go up against large corporations.

We have a reputation for success and will work tirelessly to get you the money you need to move on with your life.

To learn more about pursuing a personal injury claim, contact an Orange County car accident attorney at Glotzer & Leib, LLP, to schedule an initial consultation.

We offer free, no-obligation consultations, so you have nothing to lose by meeting with a member of our legal team.

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      “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.”

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      “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.”

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      “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!”

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      “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!”

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      “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.”

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    Our Location

    Anaheim Office

    Glotzer & Leib, LLP
    1020 S Anaheim Blvd, Suite 208
    Anaheim, CA 92805 (714) 306-9339

    Located across from the Anaheim City Hall, our Anaheim office allows us to provide in-depth and personal attention to our clients in Orange County.