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.
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.
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.
When a driver violates California traffic laws, they increase the risk of an accident. Common violations include:
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, 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.
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.
Every car accident is different, which means the resulting injuries vary. Some of the most common injuries include:
Victims often have more than one type of injury following a car accident.
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.
The law categorizes damages into economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are your direct financial losses.
Examples of economic damages include:
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.