At Nordean Law, we strive to keep our community safe. We pursue justice for the injured and we share critical information on how to keep you and your family safe.
Follow the link below for the best tips to prevent accidents of all kinds. If you have a specific question, or if you were injured in an accident, reach out to one of our attorneys today.
The turmoil following a car accident can be immensely challenging, often bringing a host of unexpected stress. Not only physical pain, but you have to go through emotional distress, financial challenges, and legal issues.
If you recently had a car accident in Sunset Beach, our experienced car accident lawyers can provide expert legal guidance and support during this challenging time. We will investigate your case, accurately assess the full scope of your compensation—including intangible losses—and tirelessly advocate for a just settlement on your behalf.
At Nordean Law, our proficiency, personalized approach, results-driven focus, and widespread presence set us apart.
Here’s how these qualities make a difference:
Our team of Car Accident Lawyers specializes in handling car accident cases. We have in-depth knowledge of the laws, regulations, and insurance policies related to motor vehicle accidents.
With years of experience representing clients in car accident cases, we understand that every case is unique. Our personal injury lawyers take a personalized approach, carefully assessing the specific circumstances of your accident to build a strong strategy tailored to your needs.
We recognize the emotional distress that often accompanies car accidents. Our team provides compassionate support to our clients throughout the legal process, ensuring you feel heard and understood.
Our primary goal is to secure the best possible outcome for you. Whether through negotiation or litigation, we are dedicated to maximizing your compensation. Nordean Law has recovered compensation of up to $8,700,000 for our clients.
With offices in multiple locations, we make it easier for clients to access our legal expertise, no matter where they are. Our lawyers in each location have an in-depth understanding of local laws and legal nuances.
Understanding the potential cause of a car accident is important to determine liability. Though accidents are often the result of complex interplay between different reasons, here are some common causes:
Drivers are responsible for the safety of passengers, pedestrians, and other road users while operating vehicles. Unfortunately, some drivers fail to uphold this responsibility. They engage in reckless driving practices, including speeding, aggressive maneuvers, tailgating, or ignoring traffic laws. Additionally, some drivers choose to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, impairing their capacity to make sound judgments on the road.
Drivers with less experience struggle with fundamental driving skills, leading to difficulty controlling the vehicle, especially in emergencies. Likewise, inexperienced drivers may make poor decisions, such as failing to yield the right of way, misjudging the speed of oncoming vehicles, or following too closely behind other cars. These errors in judgment can result in collisions.
Improper road conditions can cause car accidents in several ways, creating hazards and challenges for drivers. For instance, Uneven road surfaces, potholes, and other defects can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles, which may result in an accident.
Bad weather conditions can significantly heighten the risk of car accidents due to reduced visibility and decreased traction. Rain, snow, fog, and heavy precipitation can limit a driver’s sight, complicating the detection of other road users. Additionally, these extreme weather conditions often result in slippery roads, posing challenges in vehicle control, particularly when braking and turning.
Car accidents can happen when key components or systems fail while driving. Malfunctions in crucial parts like brakes, steering systems, or accelerators can compromise the driver’s ability to control the vehicle, hindering their ability to react appropriately to traffic conditions.
It is important to identify and understand your injury sustained in a car accident so that you can accurately claim compensation for both present and future medical expenses.
Here are some common injuries in a car accident:
Whiplash typically occurs when a car is struck from behind, causing the occupants’ heads to snap backward and forward abruptly. This motion can strain and damage the neck’s muscles, ligaments, tendons, and soft tissues.
These injuries happen when a person comes into contact with sharp or abrasive objects during an accident. Scrapes and cuts can range from minor surface wounds to deep injuries requiring medical treatment, such as stitches or surgery.
Car accidents can cause the body to twist or turn as it reacts to the crash’s forces. These movements can stress the soft tissues, leading to back, neck, shoulders, and other injuries.
Amputation is the surgical removal of a body part, typically a limb, fingers, toes, or other extremities. In high-speed accidents involving significant force, a person’s limbs can sustain extreme trauma. This trauma can include crushing injuries, severe fractures, and damage to blood vessels and nerves, which requires amputation.
Car accidents often involve a loss of control over the situation, leading to feelings of helplessness and vulnerability. This loss of control can contribute to the trauma experienced during and after the accident. The victim may develop conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), driving phobia, or depression, all stemming from the traumatic impact of the accident.
Fault in a car accident is typically determined through an investigation that involves gathering evidence, examining the accident scene, and reviewing applicable laws.
Here are the elements that help in identifying the at fault party after the car accident:
After an accident, law enforcement officers often respond to the scene and create a police report. This report typically includes statements from drivers and witnesses, a diagram of the accident scene, and other accident details. It also includes the police officer’s assessment of the fault.
Witnesses can describe the vehicle movement pattern, driver’s behavior, or other external factor like weather that caused the accident. This information is valuable firsthand evidence in complex cases where the fault is disputed.
Statements of all the involved drivers describe how the accident occurred, injuries sustained, and property damage. This information is important when seeking compensation for medical expenses and vehicle repairs. Drivers’ statements can also help prevent insurance fraud by ensuring that the information provided by all parties involved is consistent and accurate.
Evidence at the accident scene, such as the position of vehicles, damage patterns, and debris, can explain how the accident occurred and who may be at fault.
The lawyers will call the accident reconstruction experts in more complex cases or when a dispute is at fault. These experts use physical evidence, skid marks, vehicle damage, and other data to recreate the accident and determine how it likely occurred.
Traffic regulations and laws help establish road rules that drivers must follow. Failing to follow these rules can be a significant factor in determining fault. Disregarding a red traffic signal or not using a turn signal indicates responsibility in such accidents.
Records and history can reveal a pattern of behavior or conduct that can indicate fault. For example, a driver with a history of traffic violations or accidents may be more likely to be at fault in a new incident.
In some cases, both parties involved in an accident may share fault. The state of California follows a comparative negligence system that assigns a percentage of compensation to each party based on their fault in the accident.
Fault may not always be clear-cut, and disputes can arise. In such cases, legal professionals negotiate settlements or litigate matters in court. If you are involved in a car accident, we advise you to seek legal counsel to protect your rights and interests.
Since every car accident is unique, we must assess each case carefully to reach a fair outcome. What may be considered fair compensation for one accident may not be appropriate for another, even if the circumstances seem similar. In general, there are a few common aspects that must be covered in every accident:
Medical expenses: All medical expenses related to the accident, including hospital bills, doctor visits, surgeries, physical therapy, and prescript medicines.
Future medical costs: Anticipated health care expenses for long-term or permanent injuries requiring ongoing medical treatment.
Property damage: The cost of repairing or replacing the vehicles involved in the accident.
Lost wages: Compensation for income lost due to the accident, including missed workdays or reduced earning capacity.
Pain and suffering: Reparation for non-economic damages such as physical pain, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life.
Legal costs: Attorney fees and any other legal expenses incurred in pursuing the claim.
As a general guideline, many personal injury claims are resolved within a few months to a few years. However, some cases may take longer. Here are some factors that can influence the timeline:
Calculating the damages for minor injuries is easier. However, estimating the expenses for serious injury requiring long-term treatment takes time. When the injury is serious, settlement negotiations often occur when we know the full extent of the injuries.
If there is a dispute over who is at fault for the accident, it can prolong the settlement process, as establishing liability requires extensive investigation and negotiation.
If the case goes to court, the settlement timeline can be extended significantly due to court schedules and legal procedures.
The negotiation process, including the back-and-forth between parties, can influence the timeline. Some cases are settled relatively quickly through negotiation, while others may require extensive discussions.
Cooperative insurance companies are more likely to engage promptly in negotiations and settlement discussions. They may make an initial settlement offer without unnecessary delays. However, some insurance companies may take a long time to respond to inquiries, requests for information, or settlement negotiations, leading to delays.
Taking the right steps following an accident ensures your safety and helps in insurance claims and potential legal processes.
Here are some steps that you should take after the accident:
If it is safe and your vehicle is still operable, move it to a safe location away from traffic to prevent further accidents and hazards. If moving the vehicle compromises your safety, wait for the arrival of professionals.
Turn on your vehicle’s hazard lights to alert other drivers that you are experiencing an emergency or have been involved in an accident. This helps to make your vehicle more visible to other motorists and reduces the risk of additional collisions.
Overall, checking the injuries is a vital first step in responding to an accident. It ensures the health and safety of you or anyone else involved in the accident.
Even if you don’t believe you are seriously injured, we advise you to seek a medical evaluation after an accident. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent but turn destructive later. Some of such injuries might need early treatment for recovery.
Calling 911 ensures a coordinated and efficient response to an accident, covering medical, legal, and safety aspects. 911 operators can dispatch emergency services if a fire, fuel spill, or blockage occurs. They bring medical personnel if any injuries occur. They also call the police to document the accident officially.
Exchange information with the other drivers involved, including names, contact details, driver’s license numbers, and insurance information. Having the other driver’s contact and insurance information allows for accurate record-keeping. This is important if you need to contact them later or have disputes about the accident. It also lets your lawyer or court contact the other party involved.
Photograph the accident scene, including vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, and any relevant signs. Also, note the vehicles’ make, model, and license plate numbers. Having this tangible evidence can enhance the credibility of your claim.
Furthermore, note the the time, date, location, and a descriptive account of how the accident happened, to provide a clear and detailed narrative.
Immediately after an accident, individuals are often in shock or stress, which might lead to inaccurate statements. It’s crucial to avoid hasty statements or assumptions about an incident, as it can lead to unfavorable outcomes.
Keep copies of all documents related to the accident, such as the police report, medical records, repair estimates, and correspondence with insurance companies. If applicable, do not have your vehicle repaired until the insurance company or an adjuster has inspected it. Preserved evidence can clearly illustrate the circumstances of the accident, helping in the determination of who is at fault.
If you are unsure about your rights or if the accident involves serious injuries, consult a personal injury attorney. They can provide guidance and protect your legal interests.
At Nordean Law, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive legal support for your car accident case. Our approach is personalized to each client’s unique situation, ensuring that your needs and best interests are at the forefront of our efforts.
Here’s what we do to secure justice for you:
We’re proud to have helped countless clients across California achieve justice and compensation.
"After my car accident in Irvine, I didn’t know where to turn. This team took care of everything, from dealing with insurance to getting me a fair settlement. Highly recommend!"
"I was injured in a truck accident on the freeway near Riverside. They fought hard for me and won my case in record time. Professional and caring every step of the way."
"Nordean Law is working in my injury case and can't thank them enough. Sam and his team have been reaching and keeping me informed with all pending matters. I appreciate that because with all that is currently going in right now, I need some stress off my shoulders. Thank you Nordean Law!!!"
"The best lawyer in the area! He and his team will take great care of you. They are very good with taking questions and answering them without lying to you. I will use Sam and his firm for any cases I might encounter. Highly recommend!!"
"If you are worried about your claim you should contact Nordean Law. Sam Nordean and his team are not only true professionals with integrity, but also sincerely care about their clients well being and state of mind throughout the process."
