Car Accident Lawyer Rancho Cucamonga
Rancho Cucamonga has a tragic history of accidents. In 2021, the city reported 514 vehicle crashes, among which 676 were fatal and 12 were injurious, according to a report by the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) in the Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS). If you or your loved one were involved in a car accident, we understand how overwhelming it can be to understand the insurance policies in a short period while still recovering.
Our expert car accident lawyers Rancho Cucamonga are here to help you attain fair compensation for your car accident injuries. We provide specialized legal support and guidance through the complicated procedure of filing a personal injury claim and the litigation process.
"We never lose sight of the pain and suffering of your recovery, not to mention emotional trauma that lasts for years."
Do I Need A Lawyer For A Car Accident Claim In Rancho Cucamonga?
A legal consultation is an essential stage of a personal injury case. Stepping into your claim process without a legal advisor can lead to misunderstandings and mistreatment of your inexperience by the defendant’s insurer. After seeking medical help, you must take your case to a car accident attorney. They will review the facts and navigate you through the best approach. They may suggest independently pursuing it under their guidance at all stages if it is a minor case with relatively minor injuries and less compensation.
Most car accident cases are associated with much compensation and detailed insurance policies. A lawyer will help calculate a deserving amount of compensation and build your case around it. Here are some scenarios that demand legal representation if:
- There were significant damages or severe injuries.
- You sustained serious injuries that require rest, compromising your work wages.
- The fault was shared among more than one involved party.
- The defendant’s insurance company is offering you a low amount.
- You do not have experience or familiarity with personal injury cases and compensation amount determination.
- The defendant’s insurer is not transparent about their investigation.
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Common Causes Of Car Accidents
There are two major scenarios of car accidents. First, the driver acts negligently in a situation that could have been prevented if they had made better decisions. Second, unfortunate circumstances by other drivers or road conditions are out of their control.
Here are some common causes of car accidents in Rancho Cucamonga:
Drunk Driving
Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol can cause severe accidents. A drunk driver fails to properly coordinate their attention and hand movement or take in the road or traffic condition before them. It impairs their judgment and reaction time, putting surrounding vehicles and pedestrians in danger.
Speeding
In areas with heavy traffic, especially during rush hours, driving above the speed limit can increase the risk of serious accidents. In fact, speeding is one of the leading causes of accidents, according to SWITRS data, where the driver’s excessive speed caused 30% of the accidents in the city in 2021.
Reckless Driving
Drivers who carelessly weave in and out of traffic, speed aggressively, is involved in tailgating other vehicles, or ignore traffic signals or direction indicators, are more prone to collisions.
Distracted Driving
Drivers using their phones to text or call, eating, or performing activities that divert their attention off the road can be extremely dangerous. It is one of the major causes of car accidents.
Vehicle Malfunctions
If a car is not maintained properly or a part is defective by the manufacturer, it can contribute to devastating accidents.
Weather Conditions
Unpredictable weather conditions like heavy rain, snow, storms, thick fog, smog, etc, can make it challenging to drive. The road becomes slippery and prone to road damage, or the road vision is blurred. The environment is under threat of objects flying in windshields during windy weather.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Based on the SWITRS 2021 report, around 37% of the accident victims incurred severe or visible pain, while 58% had complaints of pain. Some commonly reported injuries from car accidents in Rancho Cucamonga are:
Head and Brain Injuries
Head injuries range from mild wounds or concussions to severe brain damage or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). They can also result in serious long-term consequences like memory loss or disability.
Cuts and Bruises
Mild cuts and bruises may require stitches and can cause disturbing pain. While severe ones, also called lacerations, can result in deep tissue damage.
Spinal Injuries
Spinal injuries can cause immense difficulty in everyday activities. If there is a severe impact on the spinal cord, there is also the chance of paralysis of the lower body.
Whiplash Injuries
Especially during rear-end collisions, a forceful impact is made from the back of the car. The occupants experience sudden back-and-forth jerking that can lead to mild to severe soft tissue damage and stiffness in the neck and shoulder area.
Fractures
Fractures of legs, ribs, arms, and spine are common in car accidents. It leads to swelling of the fractured part, causes extreme pain, and makes moving difficult.
Chest Injuries
Chest injuries include broken ribs, internal bleeding, internal injuries, organ damage, etc. The fall is more on the severe end and can have serious, long-lasting effects.
What Should I Do Immediately Following A Car Accident?
Here are some immediate steps to take in a car accident in Rancho Cucamonga.
- Seel medical help. In most cases, severe or visible injuries are addressed by emergency care paramedics. But even in mild to no pain, visit your doctor to ensure all injuries are addressed and prevent any chance of them being discovered later.
- Report the accident to the police. If paramedics were called, the police would also arrive at the scene. But if not, you must call and report the accident to the authorities.
- Take photos or videos of the accident. It will later support your statement when investigating. At the same time, exchange contact information with other involved parties and witnesses of the accident. Note down the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and driver’s license numbers.
- Do not admit fault at the scene. At this point, leave the investigation to later, after you have talked to a lawyer. If you say the wrong thing, it can give the defendant an upper hand and hold you back from the compensation you deserve.
- Contact your insurer to inform them about the accident, and contact a car accident attorney to seek legal advice for the best approach to the case.
California Car Accident Laws & Regulations
As an at-fault state, the California car accident laws ensure that a defendant of a car accident is held accountable for their fault in an accident that has caused injury or damages to the plaintiff.
Minimum Insurance Requirements and Financial Reporting
All vehicle owners must have auto insurance that meets the minimum insurance requirements by the state according to the CVC Section 16056 (a). It includes
- Injury or death to one person: $15,000
- Injury or death to more than one person: $30,000
- Property damage: $5,000
Having no insurance is counted as a traffic offense, and the ‘No pay no play’ law is applied. A defendant who has no insurance must still cover the damage compensation. While a plaintiff with no auto insurance can only recover compensation for monetary damages.
Along with that, the CVC Section 16028(a) demands all drivers to have evidence of their insurance, either as a physical document or electronic file at all times.
Accidents and Reporting
A driver involved in a vehicle accident must not leave the scene without addressing the situation, as per the CVC Section 20002 (a). They must stop, assist the injured party and exchange the required information. If they fail to comply, there is a fine of $1,000 or a penalty of six months in jail.
At the same time, according to the CVC Section 20008The involved parties must report the accident to the local police or the California Highway Patrol (CHP) within 24 hours of the accident.
What Are The Potential Damages Can You Recover From A Car Accident Injury Claim?
The recoverable damages depend on the type and extent of your bodily injuries and property damage. There are three types of damage compensations.
Economic Damage
Economic damages are measurable financial losses resulting from the accident, all out-of-pocket costs like medical expenses, property repair costs, lost work wages, legal fees, etc.
Non-economic Damage
Non-economic damage is the subjective and intangible losses you experience from the accident. They include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment in life, emotional distress, loss of affection or consortium, degradation of the quality of life from disability, etc.
Punitive Damages
Rather than covering for a type of loss, punitive damage is charged by the court to punish the at-fault party if they were being reckless or acting negligently that caused the accidents. They are rare and only amount to cases where the defendant is guilty of extreme negligence or malicious conduct.
Contact Our Top-Rated Rancho Cucamonga Car Accident Lawyer
Handling a personal injury case on your own can be overwhelming and challenging with limited experience. Without legal support, insurance companies often see it as an opportunity to take advantage of your naivety. You need to work with a top-rated law firm that can help you attain maximum compensation for all you had to suffer.
Nordean Law has a team of expert car accident lawyers in Rancho Cucamonga who can help you through the process of filing a personal injury claim and negotiating a fair deal. We work with vast resource materials and bring in expert witnesses to build a solid case that strongly back your statement. When we handle all conversations with the defendant’s insurance company, there is no chance of misunderstandings, and a fair recovery is ensured.
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When We Win, We Pay You.
Conclusion
Whether the defendant is offering you a compensation amount you are not satisfied with or you are lost on how to file a personal injury claim for your or your loved ones’ accidental injuries, a car accident attorney Rancho Cucamonga can help you in many ways. We will conduct a thorough investigation and deal with the defendant’s insurers to protect your rights and help you attain the settlement amount you deserve after suffering through the consequences of someone else’s fault. Call us at 888.527.1267 for a free consultation today.
FAQs About Car Accidents In Rancho Cucamonga, CA
What is the Statute Of Limitations of car accident cases in California?
According to the California Statute of Limitation, the deadline for filing a lawsuit for personal injury is 2 years and for property damage is 3 years from the accident date. If the injury was discovered later, the statute of limitation is 1-year from the discovery date.
Should I get a lawyer for a minor car accident?
It is best to seek legal consultation even for minor car accidents, as a Rancho Cucamonga car accident lawyer will help you figure out the best navigation for your accidental injury claim case.
What is the accident was partly my fault?
California applies the pure comparative negligence rule if the involved parties share the accident fault. That means if you were at 20% fault in the accident, you are still eligible to recover 80% of the damage compensation.
What should I do if an insurance company calls me?
If the defendant’s insurance company calls you, you must be careful about what to say. Having a lawyer on your side is best for navigating the conversation. The insurance adjuster may take a recorded statement, try to make you admit fault, or offer a low settlement. Have your lawyer review their words and identify the best response that doesn’t compromise your stand in the case.
Should I call a police after a car accident?
Yes, you must call the police within 24 hours of a car accident as per the law.
How long will it take to resolve my case?
Investigating the evidence and negotiating a settlement with the defendant’s insurance company can take a week to six months. If the case goes to court, the trial date can take up to six months to two years.
Can a car accident lawyer help me if I don't have a car insurance?
If you don’t have car insurance, you are only eligible to recover economic (monetary) damages. You will not receive any compensation for non-economic damages. Yes, your lawyer will be able to help you undergo the procedures to attain the compensation amount you deserve.
Can a car accident lawyer help me if I've been injured in a hit-and-run?
While hit-and-run accident cases are more complex, a car accident lawyer can work to search for the defendant driver and claim compensation for your losses. In cases when the defendant is not found, you will still receive compensation, most likely from your insurance.
What is the average car accident settlement in California?
On average, the car accident settlement amount is around $21,000. However, a standard amount cannot be determined as it is unique to every case based on the type, liability, severity, and extent.
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