Auto Accidents

CA Auto Accident Law Firm Fights for Full Compensation

Inland Empire Auto Accident Lawyers Advocating Strongly for Clients

Motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of accidental injuries in California. Even the safest and most careful of drivers could still end up in a serious crash. An auto accident can affect your life physically, emotionally, and financially. A negligent driver has the potential to cause damage to your vehicle and serious injury to you or your passengers. After an accident, you may need legal representation that will aggressively fight on your behalf.

If a client has been injured in an auto accident, the skilled Inland Empire personal injury attorneys at the Law Office of Joseph Richards, P.C. in the Inland Empire may be able to help secure the compensation a client deserves for past and future medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, and emotional distress. We draw upon vast experience to obtain results for clients throughout the Inland Empire. Call us now at (888) 883-6588 for a free, no-obligation initial consultation. 

Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in the Inland Empire

There are many different ways in which an auto accident can occur. That being said, the vast majority of car crashes could have been prevented with proper safety precautions. Studies find that human error is responsible for more than 90% of all motor vehicle collisions. The most common causes of an accident include:

• Distracted driving
• Texting and driving 
• Running red lights
• Running stop signs 
• Following too closely 
• Speeding
• Drunk driving
• Reckless driving
• Weather conditions
• Auto part defects

Every serious crash requires a comprehensive investigation to determine exactly how and why it occurred. Our tenacious attorneys have the necessary skills to advocate for clients after an auto accident. We are proactive: Our law firm is ready to investigate a crash, ensuring that a client has all of the evidence and information that is needed to establish liability. 

An Overview of California’s Motor Vehicle Accident Liability Laws

Were you hurt in a wreck in Orange County, Riverside County, or San Bernardino County? If so, it is imperative that you know your rights and duties under state law. Here are four key things our clients know about the car accident claims process and car accident liability laws in California: 

• You Must Stop Your Vehicle and Exchange Information: California requires all motorists involved in a collision to stop their vehicle, exchange information (driver’s license number, insurance policy details, etc.), and remain at the scene of the accident. You should generally wait until law enforcement arrives unless there is a medical emergency. In California, all motor vehicle collisions that result in injuries or fatalities must be reported.

• Liability for a Car Accident Based on Fault: California is an at-fault motor vehicle accident state. Simply put, this means that the party deemed responsible for causing an accident will be responsible for the resulting damages, including any injuries. Drivers are the most likely party to be found at fault for a collision—but other parties, including truck companies and vehicle manufacturers, may be found liable as well.  

• California is a Comparative Negligence State: Not all car accidents in Orange County or the Inland Empire are the fault of one person. The state of California uses a comparative fault standard for motor vehicle accident liability. Each party involved in a car wreck is liable for their proportional level of fault. If a driver is found liable for 90% of a crash, he or she is liable for 90% of the total damages. 

• A Two-Year Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Injury Claims: You should not wait to get started with the car accident injury claims process. The sooner you initiate the process, the better position you will be in to get justice and compensation. In California, there is a strict two-year statute of limitations for auto accident injury claims. 

Aggressively Negotiating Insurance Claims

Whether an injured person files a claim with an at-fault driver’s insurance company or their own, getting the compensation deserved will be a struggle. Insurance companies, their adjusters, and their attorneys are determined to pay the minimum amount of accident compensation whenever possible, especially for serious and catastrophic claims. Often, the insurance company’s reticence rises to the level of actionable bad faith. But even when an insurer seems to be cooperative, people need an aggressive, experienced lawyer to achieve the best outcome possible.

The simple reality is that you cannot rely on an insurance company—including your own insurer—to look out for your best interests after an accident. You have no obligation to give a recorded statement directly to an insurance company representative immediately after a serious accident. They are investigating potential benefits you might be owed under an insurance policy, true, but they are also looking for things that they can use against you to deny or reduce the value of your claim. Protect yourself by working with an experienced California car accident lawyer. 

Experts in Various Fields Support Damages Claims

To establish liability for the accident and substantiate injury severity, attorneys may bring in top experts in various fields. A team might consist of trauma doctors, chiropractors, forensics engineers, mechanics, and collision reconstruction analysts, who help document cases and obtain the best possible recovery. Having articulate experts deliver compelling testimony about the cause of an accident and the extent of injuries might enhance prospects for a full, fair recovery. After a car accident in California, you could be entitled to get financial compensation for: 

• Motor vehicle repairs or motor vehicle replacement 
• Ambulance costs and emergency room treatment 
• Hospital bills and other medical expenses 
• Lost wages and loss of earning potential 
• Pain and suffering & mental distress
• Physical disfigurement or physical impairment
• Wrongful death of a family member 

Contact Our Aggressive Auto Accident Attorneys in the Inland Empire

At the Law Office of Joseph Richards, P.C., our talented Inland Empire car accident lawyer has the skills, experience, and expertise that clients can trust. If you or your family member was hurt in a collision, we are ready to help your family schedule an appointment for a free consultation about how to secure justice and compensation.  To schedule a free consultation, please call (888) 883-6588 or contact us online. From our law offices in Santa Ana and Corona, we are able to advise car accident victims in Orange County and throughout the Inland Empire.

Disclaimer: No outcome can be guaranteed in a personal injury claim. This website is for informational purposes and no attorney-client relationship has been created.