Car Accident Attorneys in Riverside Providing Legal Support for Their Clients

The Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), operated by the California Highway Patrol, reports that there were 187,211 car accidents in 2019 that involved injury. Over 269,000 people were injured in those crashes. If you are one of the many people who have been injured on California roads in the recent past, you are likely exploring your options for recovery and compensation.

Each car accident case is unique, so it is important that your case is built specifically for the circumstances of your crash, injuries, and prognosis. If you are considering taking legal action, our car accident attorneys are here to answer your questions and help you craft a strong case for compensation. Contact us today to start the process and schedule your free consultation.

Types of Car Accidents That Occur in California

Even with the enhanced safety features of new vehicles, accidents and injuries occur every day, and many are preventable.

Negligent and aggressive driving behaviors lead to car accidents like the following:

• Head-on collisions
• Rear-end collisions
• T-bone accidents
• Sideswipe accidents
• Rollover accidents

After a serious car crash, injured victims face many hurdles on their path to recovery, including property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You will need a Riverside car accident attorney who is familiar with the accident claim process and will advocate for you in each step along the way. Contact the Accident Network Law Group to discuss how we can help you with your car accident claim.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents can be caused by any number of things, but there are some causes that are more prevalent than others. Below are the most common causes of accidents:

• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Speeding
• Following too closely
• Aggressive driving and road rage
• Improper passing
• Failure to yield
• Distracted driving
• Defective vehicle equipment
• Poorly maintained roads

Inclement weather also causes many accidents in California. Heavy rain, strong winds, icy roads, and fog create hazardous driving conditions, increasing the likelihood of car accidents.

Injuries Caused by Car Accidents

While high-speed accidents often cause serious injury and even death, severe injuries can occur even in low-speed crashes. Not only that, but some injuries do not present symptoms right away. Head injuries like concussions, for example, may be asymptomatic at first or show only subtle signs of injury. Additionally, increased adrenaline levels after an accident can mask the pain temporarily.

Among the many types of injuries that accident victims may experience, the following are some of the more common injuries:

• Whiplash
• Broken bones
• Lacerations and cuts
• Bruises
• Spinal cord injury
• Emotional distress
• Internal bleeding
• Amputation
• Traumatic Brain Injury

Seeking medical attention after an accident is crucial, even if you aren’t sure you need any treatment. Doing so is the best option to ensure your health and safety, as well as help build your injury case later on.

What to do After a Car Accident

There are certain things you need to do after a collision in addition to getting immediate medical care for your injuries.

California requires that you report the accident to the police or California Highway Patrol if anyone is injured or killed. Drivers are also required to move their vehicles off the street when possible. Failing to remove your vehicle from the flow of traffic and to a safe location off the road could cause your car to be impounded.

Once it is safe to do so, you should collect evidence from the scene. This can include taking pictures of your damaged property and the scene, as well as asking witnesses for their contact information and taking notes on any details of the crash that you may need to remember later.

You must also exchange insurance and contact information with any drivers or pedestrians involved in the accident. Be careful not to say anything that could suggest liability.

After you have taken care of all the immediate requirements, you may want to think about filing a legal claim for compensation. For most car accidents, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is two years from the date of the accident. There are some exceptions to this, such as if a government vehicle was involved. Speak with a car accident lawyer sooner rather than later to find out when your deadline for filing is.

Who is Liable for Damage?

Liability is a crucial element of a personal injury case, and determining who was at fault for your car accident will play heavily in the outcome. California is a comparative negligence state, which means that liability is divided between all the parties. Percentages of responsibility are assigned to each person involved in the accident, which will then dictate the amount of compensation that you may be entitled to.

Consider the following example:

Clark rear-ends Jenny on an exit ramp. Clark was driving distracted, which is why he hit Jenny’s car. However, Jenny was going too slow and impeding the flow of traffic. The court determined that Clark was 75% at fault and Jenny was 25% at fault. If Jenny is awarded $30,000 for her injuries, that amount will be reduced by 25%, which is her portion of fault. Jenny would receive $22,500.

Determining fault is not always straightforward, and there are nearly endless factors that can impact this process. Were there any witnesses? Was the weather bad? Are there conflicting reports of the incident? Were alcohol or extreme speed involved? These and many other questions will impact who is ultimately responsible for the damages after an accident.

What Compensation is Available After a Car Accident?

You may be able to receive damages after being injured in a car accident. In California, there are two types of damages available – economic and non-economic. Economic damages include any losses you suffered as a result of the accident and your injuries. They are easy to quantify. Economic damages include medical expenses, property damage, and lost wages.

Non-economic damages are more difficult to calculate but are just as important in a car accident case. They include damages like pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement.

A third category of damages, called punitive damages, is also an option in California car accident cases, but they are less common. These damages are only awarded if the person liable for the accident acted with oppression, fraud, or malice. They are intended to punish the person responsible and not compensate the victim.

Generally, it can be difficult to prove the extent of the damage done for your case without the proper legal help. It also takes a lot of time to go through the process. Typically, getting to a final settlement, or judgment, with those responsible to compensate you may require patience. You may also need the help of an experienced car accident lawyer to negotiate a settlement on your behalf. We know what goes into a successful settlement. The evidence we have investigated and analyzed can be used during negotiations to gain leverage during talks. Our personal injury attorneys in Riverside, CA can use their experience and training in personal injury law to make the most out of your case. Reach out to our accident attorneys at The Accident Network Law Group as soon as possible to maximize the potential settlement for your injuries and to fight to protect your rights.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Settlement Offer From a Car Accident?

Of all of the moving parts of a personal injury claim, waiting to receive a settlement from the insurance company for your injuries can be one of the most frustrating aspects. Even though you have done nothing wrong throughout the entire process and even though you may not have been at fault for your car accident, an insurance company may try to hold up your process to delay having to payout your damages. These tactics are often seen to buy time but that doesn’t mean your rightfully deserved compensation is not coming. Patience is critical during this time. It’s important to note that your car accident claim is unique. Just because other claims similar to yours were delayed by an insurance company’s unwillingness to meet in the middle, does not mean that yours will. However, if your claim is delayed due to the negligent party dodging settlement talks and using delay tactics to deter you from pursuing further action, all is not lost.

It is impossible to accurately predict how long your case will take because each car accident case is unique. Some factors that can impact the timeframe are:

• The extent of your injuries
• Number of people involved
• Settlement versus litigation

Settlements can be received after a few months or over a year later, and litigation can last years.

A car accident lawyer can help protect you from such tactics and aggressively fight back to get your case resolved as quickly and efficiently as possible. If the negligent party in your claim is not insured or underinsured, it can also complicate and delay you from getting the damages you are owed. In general, however, you can receive a settlement anywhere between a few months to over a year or two.

Every case is different, so any estimate is a rough estimate and not a guarantee. However, generally, you are likelier to receive a settlement sooner than later if you enlist the help of a car accident attorney. A car accident lawyer can help keep your case on track, address any issues that may arise, and battle on your behalf to get you the best possible outcome for your case. Insurance companies like to play hardball to make it difficult for others to receive the damages they rightfully deserve.

We know these tactics and maneuvers all too well. Trust us to guide you through the intricacies of your case and let us help you triumph over the insurance companies and get the financial award you earned. Give The Accident Network Law Group a call and schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

What Factors Into How Much Compensation I Am Eligible for?

One of the most important parts of your recovery can be being able to afford the proper medical care you need to aid in your recovery process. Depending on your medical insurance company, you may have to pay a lot of your medical bills out of your own pocket. Because car accident injuries can be severe, it is possible that a costly surgery procedure is necessary to get you back on your feet. Although it is necessary, it can really hurt your pocketbook to have to pay for those medical expenses. These expenses can factor into your case when trying to get the compensation you deserve.

Ability to Work

Aside from medical expenses, motor vehicle accidents can affect your ability to work. Lost wages can impact your ability to maintain and provide for you and your family. If you have a spouse and children you are responsible for taking care of, lost wages can have a really negative impact on your overall quality of life. This loss of income can also factor in when it comes time to pursue damages for your injuries.

Pain and Suffering

An overlooked facet of an auto accident is how your injuries can lead to significant pain and suffering. Pain and suffering is essentially any turmoil of difficulty coping with the physical and mental pain of handling your injuries and auto accident. A severe auto accident injury can be excruciatingly painful to deal with. Imagine breaking bones and tearing ligaments in your leg and having to relearn how to walk again. The time and effort it may take to rehab that injury can take a major toll not only on your body but on your mind. Claiming you have endured pain and suffering can add another reason that you are due compensation for your injury. Proving pain and suffering is much more difficult than it is to prove a lost income or medical expenses.

Because your decline in income can be proven using paystubs and your medical expenses can be proven using invoices, those factor in more commonly when it comes time to negotiate a settlement for your auto accident case. However, just because proving pain and suffering is more difficult does not mean it is impossible.

Our car accident lawyers have experience handling car accident cases, and we have dealt with pain and suffering claims before. Eyewitnesses and even invoices from a psychologist can help prove your pain and suffering. Generally, showing you made an effort to seek mental help while dealing with your injuries can provide you the edge towards proving pain and suffering. Of course, all cases and circumstances are different. That is why it is critical to have an accident attorney on your side from beginning to end. Our car accident attorneys at The Accident Network Law Group can provide you with the experience your case deserves and help you maximize your potential compensation by fighting for you and your rights every step of the way.

Is It Worth Hiring an Attorney for an Auto Accident?

Whether you sustained a smaller injury or severe injuries in a car accident, you don’t deserve to pay the price for the negligent actions of another. Car accidents are difficult to deal with, especially if your life is being affected by injuries you have sustained. Even though you are lucky to escape with your life, a vicious car crash can leave you in a much worse position than you were before, and at no fault of your own. You should not have to stand for these injustices.

Our law firm can do whatever it takes to make things right for you and your family. After tending to your personal injury and getting your immediate priorities out of the way, you should contact a car accident attorney to demand justice from those responsible for your injuries. Our law firm has a team of seasoned personal injury attorneys that can analyze the particulars of your auto accident claim and put together an effective plan that will get you the compensation you deserve.

Every auto accident is unique, but our law firm has taken on many auto accident cases, giving us an insight into the process of getting you the most compensation possible. Experience is a major key when it comes to legal representation. Not every attorney is skilled in the art of negotiation and personal injury law. Our attorneys understand what it takes to get you the results you need to thrive once again. We can provide you with valuable legal advice and guide you from the very beginning. Personal injury claims can be stressful to handle on your own or with inexperienced legal guidance. Our law group strives to provide you with excellent legal help and high-quality service, as well. We will keep you in the loop throughout your process so you can retain your peace-of-mind. Your auto accident may have put you at a disadvantage in your life, but The Accident Network Law Group will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact our law firm today by calling (951) 554-1010 to schedule a free consultation for your auto accident.