Santa Ana Car Accident Attorney
Car accidents are such a frequent occurrence in California that it is not surprising to find yourself involved in one. A negligent driver can cause your life to be changed forever in only a split second. The consequences attached to a car accident can be so great and overwhelming that consulting with a Santa Ana, CA personal injury attorney is a sensible and smart thing to do. At the Timothy J Ryan & Associates law firm, you will find that our car accident lawyers are ready to offer you relief from the stress of the motor vehicle accident.
Our personal injury lawyers will take care of all the phone calls, paperwork, court dates, and documents, lifting that heavy weight off your shoulders. Our experienced Orange County car accident attorney has one priority, and that is to see you concentrating on recovering your health and getting the compensation you deserve after a Santa Ana car accident. Set up a consultation with our law firm today to talk about your motor vehicle personal injury case and learn all about the legal options open to you. It is a no-obligation meeting that will point you in the right direction. Call our law firm today.
Work with a Santa Ana Car Accident Attorney
Your Santa Ana car accident lawyer at Timothy J Ryan & Associates law firm will handle all aspects of your car accident case. We will be your voice when it comes to negotiating with the insurance company and also:
We Will Offer Sound Advice
Being involved in a Santa Ana car accident immediately puts hundreds of questions in your mind, and trying to find the correct answers may leave you feeling overwhelmed. That is why your auto accident attorney will help you understand the value of your car accident claim and the damages that may be included in it. We will be by your side at all times and guide you as to where to go and who to see throughout the process.
As a car accident victim, the moment you hire your Orange County experienced car accident attorney, we will handle all communications with insurance companies, the attorney representing the other party, and anyone else involved with your case. Let your personal injury law firm handle all the stress while handling your medical appointments and your recovery from your serious injury.
We Will Conduct A Thorough Investigation
Although you may have talked to your auto accidents lawyer about your accident during your initial consultation, our traffic accidents team will conduct an extensive investigation to gather even more information and crucial evidence to support your claim. Our personal injury law firm may find it necessary to call upon accident reconstruction experts to determine or confirm precisely how the Orange County accident took place and who was at fault. Your personal injury lawyer has the contacts and resources needed to conduct a proper accident investigation and will work tirelessly to make sure that, in the end, you will be fully and fairly compensated for all the damages related to your serious injuries.
We Will Work to Discover How Much Compensation You Deserve
Every Orange County motor vehicle case is different and has its unique characteristics. How much compensation you receive after a car crash will depend in large part on the type, extent, and severity of your injuries sustained. It is not uncommon for insurance companies to contest the amount of a car accident victim’s medical bills and other losses not to pay the total amount. We have experience correctly evaluating medical documents and other evidence after traffic accidents and will not stop until you receive adequate compensation.
It is common for car accident cases to settle out of court through careful and insightful negotiations. Your car accident lawyer’s help throughout this process will be invaluable because we will ensure that your case is not undervalued, and we will not let you settle for less than you deserve. We always have your best interests at heart and have the necessary negotiating skills and experience to fight for your rights.
We Will Advocate For You in Court
Should your car accident case end up in court, we will be by your side every step of the way. We will be your voice with the judge, jury, and lawyer for the defendant. Always remember that the other party will have legal representation, and it is important for you to be well represented as well. Let our Santa Ana car accident attorney give you a free car accident case evaluation and get started on the road to recovering what you deserve.
Compensation For Your Car Accident
When you are injured in a car accident and suffer injuries and other losses, you need the help of a car accident lawyer to come up with a figure that will cover the damages of your case. Depending on the particular circumstances of the case, you may be entitled to recover compensation in the following forms:
Economic Damages
Economic damages are easier to calculate because they are backed up by bills and other documents such as medical records. They include the medical expenses associated with having to recover your health after the accident. These may include not only doctor’s visits and treatments but also surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and even transportation to and from the appointments. They also include lost wages since you likely have been unable to return to work since you got injured. Your lawyer will also calculate your future earnings potential should your injuries cause long-term health issues that may force you to either stop working or start working at another job that pays less. If your car was damaged and you suffered other personal property losses, they will also be included in your economic damages.
Non-Economic Damages
Some items are harder to quantify, such as pain and suffering, emotional trauma, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and other intangible feelings that may have become your constant companions since the motor vehicle accident. Your personal injury lawyers will use a formula to calculate the value of these damages when giving you legal advice.
Punitive Damages
Should your automobile accident case end up in court in Santa Ana, CA, the judge may also decide to award punitive damages. These are usually awarded in cases where the injuries are so severe and the other driver’s negligence so significant that the judge may decide to punish the driver with these damages. The purpose is to discourage others from engaging in this type of grossly negligent behavior.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Santa Ana, CA
As a car accident victim, you have to think of the possibility of a personal injury lawsuit. Therefore, there are some essential steps for you to take to make sure your rights are protected in a personal injury claim. After a Santa Ana car accident, the most important aspect is checking yourself out and verifying that you are not hurt. If you are, you should call 911 and request an ambulance to take you to the nearest emergency room. If your injuries allow you to stay at the scene, here is what you should do.
Check For Injuries
If other passengers are in your car, make sure they are all safe and have not been injured. If possible, look into the other party involved to see if an ambulance is needed. If the vehicles are in the middle of the road and risk being hit again by oncoming traffic, see if they can be moved off the road or onto the shoulder. Otherwise, request help from the authorities regarding motor vehicle accidents.
Call 911
You need to remain at the scene of the accident until the police arrive. They will look at the situation and determine what happened and who might be at fault for the accident. They may ask you questions and, although you should always answer, there is no need for lengthy explanations, nor do they need to hear your theories about what happened. Keep your answers short and to the point. Once the police have finished with their report, request a copy. Your car accident lawyer will need this document when preparing your claim, and your insurance company may also want to see it.
Exchange Contact Information
When the other driver leaves the car accident scene in Santa Ana, CA, it becomes more difficult to find out who they are and how to get in touch with them. Take advantage of the time that you are by your vehicles to exchange contact information. Make sure to request their phone and address and take down information on the car, the model, make, and plate. Also, get their driver’s license number and information on their insurance companies.
Document the Accident
Taking pictures of the vehicles and anything else you consider might have played a role in the car accident is something else you can do while at the scene. Collect as much evidence as possible, including interviewing any witnesses and getting their contact information. You might need to get in touch with them in the future should you end up filing a claim.
Call Your Insurance Company
Car accident victims should make sure to inform their insurance company about their traffic accidents. Give them the basic details of the accident and inform them about your injuries. Refrain from making comments as to who was at fault, and do not run the risk of incriminating yourself. Always speak with your lawyer before contacting any insurance companies.
Common Car Accident Injuries
It is common for car accident victims to suffer devastating injuries that are accompanied by hefty medical bills. Among the most common injuries in traffic accidents for crash victims, we find:
Whiplash
When involved in a collision, your head might be thrown forward, causing your neck to bend unexpectedly at an unnatural angle, only to be pushed back again seconds later. The pain associated with whiplash can last for days or weeks following car crashes.
Broken Bones
Although bones are quite strong, they tend to break during car accidents, especially when they are hit with excessive force and forced to move in unnatural ways. Bone breaks are painful and many times do not heal properly. You may even require reconstructive surgery and months of therapy.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Lacerations, abrasions, bruises, cuts, sprains, and more, are just some examples of injuries associated with car accidents. You can suffer a combination of them, and some may be a sign that something deeper has also been affected.
Injuries to the Spinal Cord
A healthy spinal cord transmits messages from the brain to the rest of the body. When trauma is involved, whether from penetration of a sharp object or a strong hit, spinal cords may be injured. These are worrisome injuries because they can end up derailing an individual’s life. Consequences of spinal cord injuries may imply partial or complete paralysis, requiring victims to rely on adaptive devices for the remainder of their lives. People who suffer injuries to their spinal cords may end up requiring help to perform even the simplest activities of daily life.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
The brain is extremely delicate and is made up of many intricate parts. When your brain suffers an injury in an auto accident, the effects on your life can be devastating. From one minute to the next, your life can completely turn upside down, having you lose all possibility of going back to work and forever dealing with lost wages. Your family might have to carry the burden of helping you with all daily life activities, and you may have to deal with memory loss, cognitive disabilities, unpredictable shifts in behavior, and more.
Common Reasons for Car Accidents
Distracted driving is one of the main reasons why car accidents happen. Distracted driving may mean being hit by a drunk driver but also by someone going over the speed limit. Or maybe by someone who is texting while driving, looking at their phone, applying makeup, yelling at the kids in the back seat, or driving while tired.
Whether you were involved in a drunk driving accident or the crash happened for any other reason, the team of lawyers at Timothy J Ryan and Associates has the expertise and knowledge you need at this time. You want a personal injury lawyer that knows the legal system, has had experience handling cases like yours, and will be by your side from beginning to end, always fighting for your rights and for the compensation you deserve.
When you schedule an initial consultation, you will immediately feel the difference in how your lawyer listens to you and the care and compassion offered. Our attorneys understand that you are dealing with a difficult situation in which you may not have any experience and also know that your main focus needs to be on recovering your health. Let us take care of the legal side while you take care of yourself. Call us today for a no-obligation consultation and let us hear about your case. You will be glad to get some of your worries off your shoulders.