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A car accident can happen unexpectedly in Laguna Hills for myriad reasons. Despite any driver’s efforts to drive defensively and safely, no one can predict how others will behave on the road. Unfortunately, California has a very high accident rate compared to most other states, and each year thousands of people suffer severe injuries from all types of car accidents.
HELPING CAR ACCIDENT VICTIMS RECOVER IN LAGUNA HILLS
If you experience a car accident in Laguna Hills because of another driver’s negligence or misconduct behind the wheel, it is essential to know how to hold them accountable for the damage they’ve done. You may have several options for recovery, including an auto insurance claim and a personal injury suit filed against the at-fault driver. Whatever your case entails, you have a much better chance of recovering as fully as state law allows with an experienced Laguna Hills car accident attorney working on your case.
Zwick Law is a team of Laguna Hills attorneys with years of experience handling all types of car accident claims. We take a client-focused approach to legal counsel, learning as much as we can about each client we represent. We know that no two accident cases are exactly alike and that anyone can face a wide range of legal complications as they seek compensation for the damages inflicted on them. If you are struggling in the aftermath of a car accident that was caused by someone else, we can help you ensure accountability and the fullest recovery possible under state law.
HERE IF YOU'VE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT
PROVING LIABILITY FOR YOUR RECENT ACCIDENT IN LAGUNA HILLS
California is an at-fault (or tort) state when it comes to resolving car accidents, so before securing any type of compensation for the losses you suffered you must be ready to prove the exact cause of your accident. A few common causes of accidents in Laguna Hills leading to legal disputes include:
Inattentive driving. Cell phone use behind the wheel and other types of distracted driving are the leading causes of all vehicle crashes in the country. Your Laguna Hills car accident attorney will know what evidence you need to prove that the other driver was distracted behind the wheel.
Drunk or drugged driving. Driving under the influence (DUI) is illegal, and the penalties for conviction depend on the severity of the offense and whether the defendant harmed anyone with their actions. Jail time, fines, driver’s license suspension, and mandatory drug and alcohol counseling are just a few possible penalties a defendant could face, and their penalties automatically increase if they cause severe bodily injury or death with their actions.
Speeding, which not only increases the chances of an accident happening but also the severity of any resulting damages. Excessive speeding could result in a reckless driving charge for the at-fault driver.
Moving violations that disrupt the flow of traffic. Illegal turns, failing to stop at red lights or stop signs, improper intersection movement, and failure to yield the right of way are just a few ways moving violations can cause accidents.
No matter how your recent accident happened in Laguna Hills, you will need an experienced attorney’s assistance to gather the evidence needed to prove liability. If any witnesses saw your accident happen firsthand, their statements will be very valuable to your case. In addition, your Laguna Hills car accident attorney may seek to obtain the at-fault driver’s cell phone records, their vehicle’s computer data, and recordings from nearby traffic cameras to help you firmly establish liability for the accident.
DAMAGES AND COMPENSATION IN A LAGUNA HILLS CAR ACCIDENT CLAIM
Once you prove exactly how your accident happened, the next thing you must do is prove the full extent of the damages that the defendant caused. Under California law, defendants are responsible for all the economic damages they inflicted with their actions, which may include:
Medical expenses for treatment of physical injuries. Car accidents can easily cause severe physical injuries, some of which require extensive long-term treatment and rehabilitative care. A guilty defendant is legally responsible for all medical care you require because of their actions.
Lost income. Your car accident injuries may mean that you cannot work for a long time, leaving you unable to earn income. A guilty defendant must pay for your lost wages during your recovery. If you developed a permanent disability from the accident that prevents you from returning to your job, the defendant would be responsible for repaying the future income you are no longer able to earn.
Damage to property. Your initial auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver may yield compensation for some of your vehicle repair bills, but if your car is a total loss and the actual cash value of the vehicle exceeds the defendant’s insurance coverage, you can include the remainder of your property damage in your personal injury claim.
Beyond these economic damages, the plaintiff in a Laguna Hills car accident case also has the right to claim compensation for their pain and suffering. Nothing limits the pain and suffering compensation in motor vehicle accident cases in the state. Your Laguna Hills car accident attorney will help you determine how to maximize this part of your recovery.
Other variables may influence the total compensation you receive. So, if your accident happened because of illegal misconduct, the defendant may face punitive damages and/or restitution along with their liability for your civil damages. In addition, if you share fault for the accident, this may diminish your recovery. To secure as much compensation as state law allows for your car accident, contact our firm. Having an experienced Laguna Hills car accident attorney represent you in your recovery efforts can help ensure you are treated fairly and receive the compensation you are owed.
CONTACT US TODAY
Zwick Law has years of experience handling all manner of car accident claims on behalf of our clients in the Laguna Hills area, and we’re ready to leverage this experience in your case. It’s natural to have lots of legal questions after an accident caused by someone else, and our goal is to help you approach your recovery efforts with confidence and peace of mind. Contact us today to arrange a case review with our team and the legal service we provide.
FAQS ABOUT LAGUNA HILLS, CA CAR ACCIDENT LAWS
Your recovery from a recent accident may involve an auto insurance claim followed by a personal injury suit. The time it takes to complete your recovery efforts depends heavily on whether the defendant accepts liability for the accident as well as the extent of the damages you suffered. The right Laguna Hills car accident attorney is an invaluable asset for shortening the time it will take you to secure the recovery you rightfully deserve after your accident.
California law allows you to seek full repayment of all the economic losses you suffered because of the defendant’s actions, and you can also claim pain and suffering compensation that reflects the severity of your experience. The total value of any personal injury claim heavily depends on the economic damages suffered by the plaintiff and the nature of the defendant’s actions that led to the injury in question. Your Laguna Hills car accident attorney is crucial for maximizing your recovery.
The state’s pure comparative fault rule comes into play in any civil case in which the plaintiff shares liability with the defendant for causing the claimed damages. Your attorney can assist you in leveraging the evidence and witness testimony in play to minimize your fault percentage. When the judge assigns fault to a plaintiff in any civil case, their fault percentage is how much will be deducted from their final compensation. For example, a plaintiff who bears 10% fault for their personal injury will lose 10% of the total compensation won from the defendant.
California law requires all drivers to have auto insurance that includes property damage liability coverage and bodily injury liability coverage. While not required, it is advised for drivers to also purchase additional uninsured motorist coverage, allowing them to claim against their own policies when uninsured drivers cause accidents. If you do not have uninsured driver coverage and the at-fault driver does not have auto insurance, you would proceed directly to filing a personal injury claim against them.
You have no reason to worry about legal expenses when you select Zwick Law for the management of your car accident case. Our firm represents clients for personal injury cases and charges a contingency fee, meaning we only collect a legal fee from a client after we win their case. Our fee is a portion of the total compensation obtained for the client, and they keep the rest. If, for any reason, we cannot secure compensation on your behalf, you pay nothing. Therefore, there are no risks when you pick an experienced Laguna Hills car accident attorney to handle your case under a contingency fee agreement.
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