Driving is one of the most dangerous things that most of us do daily. Although this fact can be easy to forget, one can quickly and unexpectedly be faced with this reality once they are involved in a car accident. What should you do? How can you recover from your injuries? Will the insurance company treat you fairly? These are all reasonable questions most accident victims suddenly have to consider, and California Personal Injury Law Firm, APC can help you get the answers you need. Contact our Irvine car accident lawyers today so we can get started working on your case.
Car Accident Lawyers | Seeking Justice On Your Behalf
Car accidents can be devastating, life-changing events. We understand just how quickly a crash can turn a person’s life upside down, and our job is to help accident victims pick up the pieces and move forward with their lives. For a team of Irvine auto accident lawyers you can depend on, simply reach out to California Personal Injury Law Firm, APC today.
Types of Car Accidents
Car accidents happen in a variety of ways. Often, the type of accident itself can play a crucial role in determining liability after an accident. Some of the most common types of car accidents are as follows:
- Rear-End Accidents: Rear-end accidents occur when one vehicle collides with the rear of another, often as a result of distracted driving or tailgating (driving too closely to the driver in front). These tend to be the more common type of accident.
- Head-On Collisions: These occur when two vehicles collide front bumper to front bumper, and tend to be the more fatal type of car crash. Often, head-on collisions occur when one motorist drives their vehicle on the wrong side of the road or while going the wrong way down a one-way street.
- T-Bone Crashes: T-bone crashes occur when one vehicle strikes the side of another, forming a “T” shape, and are often caused by running red lights or stop signs, or trying to “beat” a yellow light that then turns red. Passengers are particularly at risk of injury in this type of crash.
- Rollover Accidents: Rollover accidents occur when a vehicle tips over onto its side or roof, and may occur when a vehicle encounters another obstacle, such as debris on the road, or is struck with great force by another vehicle.
- Sideswipe Collisions: A sideswipe collision occurs when the sides of two vehicles make contact while driving parallel to one another, and they typically happen during unsafe lane changes or merging, but sometimes also occur due to drifting into adjacent lanes. Drifting typically is a symptom of distracted or intoxicated driving.
Causes of Car Accidents
Car accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, such as inclement weather conditions or road hazards, but they are most frequently a result of driver negligence. Some of the most common types of driver negligence that we see are as follows:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Running red lights
- Tailgating
- Drunk driving
- Failing to yield
- Texting while driving
- Reckless driving
- Running stop signs
- Fatigue
- Aggressive driving
- Ignoring road signs
- Inadequate signaling
- Poor lane discipline
If you were injured in an accident because of a driver who was doing any of the aforementioned, you may be able to pursue a personal injury claim.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
After a car accident, it is paramount that you take several steps to ensure you receive the necessary medical treatment and document how the incident occurred. Documenting the accident at the scene will play a crucial role in establishing liability, i.e. proving you were injured due to another party’s negligence. Do your best to take the following steps after an accident:
- Call 911. Law enforcement and emergency services will arrive at the scene of the accident. They will then write a report of the incident and ensure you receive any immediate medical treatment you need.
- Get the other driver’s insurance information and license plate number. Be polite, but never apologize. Keep conversation to a minimum.
- Ask witnesses for their contact information. They can provide a description of how the accident occurred and corroborate your claim at a later date.
- Take pictures or videos of the scene of the accident, including any damage caused by the crash.
- Once you are transported to a hospital and treated, ensure you keep copies of all medical documentation and bills associated with your injury.
- Hire a competent Irvine car accident lawyer who can work to gather all other information needed to satisfy the burden of proof in your personal injury claim.
The Importance of Seeking Medical Care
If you suffered an injury in a crash, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. Ensuring you receive immediate medical treatment can benefit you in a variety of ways, including the following:
- Early care will catch serious medical conditions as soon as possible, such as traumatic brain injuries, or nerve damage.
- A thorough medical record will lend additional credence to your insurance claim.
- The insurance company will not be able to point to a gap in treatment to suggest that your injuries are not as serious as you claim.
- Ultimately, what you need to do to take care of yourself and what you need to do to bolster your claim with the insurance company are essentially the same. As long as you do your part, we can do our part.
Statute of Limitations in California
After a car accident, you may feel overwhelmed and unprepared to begin the legal process. That said, as a personal injury law firm, our job is to do the legal heavy lifting while you focus on what matters most: healing. Further, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims in California is two years, so you should not delay; reach out to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers Today
Navigating the world of insurance and medical care at the same time can be bewildering. Fortunately, you do not have to do it alone. We will be with you every step of the way. Contact the Orange County car accident lawyers here at the California Personal Injury Law Firm, APC today.
