Irvine Car Accident Lawyer
Driving your car around Irvine shouldn’t be dangerous. However, serious injuries happen each day in California due to reckless and negligent drivers. What will you do if you get into a car accident? If you suffer injuries, the mounting medical bills, property damage, and loss of enjoyment of life can profoundly impact you.
Car Accident Statistics
Severe car accidents are life-altering events. Each year, more than 38,000 people die due to car accidents in the United States. Another 4.4 million people require medical attention for their motor vehicle accident-related injuries each year.
Getting in a car crash can have a devastating impact on your physical, financial, mental, and social health. A skillful car accident lawyer in your Irvine community can help you seek the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
According to data compiled by the NHTSA in 2016, there was a car accident fatality rate of 11.59 deaths for every 100,000 residents in the United States. That means, on average, 102 people die each day in motor vehicle crashes. That’s one fatality every 14 minutes. Of the 102 fatalities that happen each day, one-third of the accidents were caused by drivers who had been drinking.
Distracted driving is also one of the main causes of car crashes at a rate of one out of every five car collisions. Automobile operators are 23 times more likely to get in a crash when they are texting while driving. Each day, nine people die in a fatal accident because of distracted driving.
Irvine Car Crash Data
The city of Irvine is a fairly safe place to live, but due to its large population of more than 273,000 people and plenty of visitors, there is a lot of congestion and cars on the road. More cars on the road increase the chances of danger and collisions.
The California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) revealed in 2017 that eight people were killed and 842 were injured in Irvine car collisions that year.
The data went on to say that 19 pedestrians were injured in car crashes, 39 were injured in motorcycle accidents, 43 cyclists were injured, there were four fatalities, two of which were caused by drunk driving.
Our Irvine personal injury attorneys enjoy helping accident victims throughout California and are here to fight for your rights. Sit down with us for a free consultation to discuss the details of your claim.
Irvine, CA Car Accident Causes
Car accident attorneys help with a variety of different car accidents. Many car accidents are caused by distracted driving, speeding, and drunk driving. These are the top 10 most common causes of car accidents in the United States:
- Design and product defects in the vehicle
- Distracted driving
- Driving at night
- Drunk driving
- Inclement weather
- Reckless driving
- Running a red light
- Running a stop sign
- Speeding
- Teenage drivers
Car Accident Injuries
There are many ways to get injured in a car accident. Sometimes, the injuries are easily treated but in other cases, accidents lead to permanent mental or physical injuries.
Here are some of the most common injuries accident victims face:
- Scrapes and cuts
- Neck and spinal column injuries
- Chest injuries
- Broken bones
- Torn muscles
- Whiplash
- Limb injuries (arms and legs)
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
When you have experienced one or more of these injury types, a car collision attorney can provide assistance. Not knowing what to do after you’re involved in an accident can be nerve-wracking. However, an experienced Irvine car crash attorney can help you recuperate your damages because of the car accident.
Steps To Take After an Irvine Car Accident
After your car accident, there are a few steps you can take to protect your health and your claim. In the aftermath of your accident, it’s important to remain at the scene unless the medical treatment you need requires you to go to the hospital immediately. Irvine car accident victims are required to stay at the scene until they have finished filing the police report. You can face criminal penalties in California as a hit-and-run driver.
After an accident, it’s imperative that you get medical attention for yourself or anyone else who requires it. Don’t move anyone with severe injuries unless it’s dangerous for them to remain where they are.
Call the police after an accident because it’s illegal not to do so in some places. Once the police arrive, you will be able to file a report. Get the badge numbers and names of the officers who respond so that you can follow up and ensure your accident report is accurate.
It’s also a good idea to exchange information like drivers’ license numbers, insurance information, phone numbers, names, addresses, and license plate numbers with the other drivers, witnesses, and passengers who were involved.
Watch what you say after the accident because apologizing may appear as though you’re admitting legal liability in the crash. You don’t have to figure out who is at fault at that moment. Speak with an Irvine personal injury lawyer before you speak with insurance companies or admit fault in an Irvine car accident.
If any of the following situations apply to you, it could be beneficial to get legal advice from a car accident attorney in Irvine:
- It’s unclear who’s liable in your case
- You’re unsure if your injuries are severe enough
- Insurance adjusters are asking you for documentation from before the accident
- It’s hard to demonstrate your lost wages
- The insurance company wants to structure your settlement instead of paying you a lump sum
- There is shared liability for the accident
- You are experiencing difficulties negotiating a reasonable settlement
- The insurers are only offering low settlement offers
There are times when getting professional help is vital. If you have gone through any of the above situations, you should consult with an experienced lawyer.
Reaching Out to an Irvine Car Crash Lawyer
If you’ve only experienced minor injuries, you may not need to hire a car accident attorney. Even if you do not feel pain at the time, car accident experts recommend seeking medical assistance because your injuries may surface days or weeks after the accident.
Insurance companies want to pay out the least amount possible to accident victims. They encourage and coerce Irvine car accident victims into settling for the lowest amount possible. If you have long-lasting side effects from injuries such as a traumatic head wound, a small settlement will not be enough to pay for your rehabilitation expenses.
That’s why it’s paramount to work alongside an attorney who will be fully aware of all state and federal insurance and liability laws. Your personal injury law professional can take care of all the paperwork, court motions, and other legal procedures and help you find peace throughout the tumultuous times in your life.
Irvine Auto Accident Lawyers Offer Assistance
Your attorney is your advocate in a car accident case. They work closely alongside you to walk you through what is often a complicated process. Many insurance adjusters look to protect the interests of their companies.
Your Irvine personal injury attorney can gather evidence from the site of the crash, collect photo and video footage, review eyewitness statements, police reports, and more. Your Irvine auto accident attorney can make sure that your medical records are evaluated, and you understand the health implications of your accident. Your lawyer can also handle all the negotiations with others to get you maximum compensation and a fair settlement.
Hiring an Experience Irvine Car Accident Lawyer
An experienced Irvine car accident attorney law firm can assist you in effectively managing injury claims. Some accidents result in minor damage, but other accidents lead to significant medical costs, physical injuries, or fatalities.
If you have been in a major car accident, an Irvine car accident attorney can help you seek compensation for your damages. When you hire an adept Irvine car accident attorney, you can recover compensation for financial losses like lost wages, car repairs, and medical expenses.
After a car accident, medical bills and lost wages can quickly add up. A law office with a car accident lawyer can help you build your case and interview witnesses. If you’re involved in a motorcycle accident, then we have a motorcycle accident lawyer at our personal injury law firm ready to handle your accident claim.
Severe injuries are not something to take lightly. Each day personal injury claims are seen in courts across the country, and damages are awarded to auto accident victims like you. These damages can cover your medical bills and future medical expenses.
If you’re an accident victim dealing with a serious injury, then you need to speak with an injury lawyer right away. The injury lawyers at Timothy J. Ryan & Associates handle your personal injury case because they care about helping you with your car accident claim.
Personal injury cases happen all the time, but that doesn’t mean your insurance company is ready to make things right. Timothy J. Ryan & Associates know all of the little tricks that insurers use to discourage claims and are prepared with the perfect defense to prevent you from being taken advantage of.