Newport Beach Car Accident Lawyers
Put 100+ Years of Combined Experience on Your Side
2018 statistics for car accidents (gathered by the NHTSA) indicate that there were over 3,500 traffic fatalities in California in the last year alone. Out of these fatal accidents, about 2,000 involved a single vehicle, 350 involved a large truck, and 900 involved an intersection-related accident. With so many drivers on the roads in California, accidents are inevitable, and oftentimes these accidents are caused by driver negligence.
The Newport Beach car accident attorneys at Manning Law, APC have extensive knowledge of personal injury law and experience representing injured clients. We have a reputation for being able to effectively negotiate on your behalf. Our attorneys have represented clients in virtually all types of auto accidents, including rear end, T-bone, hit and run, and uninsured or underinsured motorists.
Why Hire Manning Law, APC for Your Car Accident Case?
- Initial consultations are free
- 100+ years of combined experience
- Personalized and tenacious representation
Need a Newport Beach car accident lawyer? Call (800) 783-5006 to learn about your legal rights in a free initial consultation.
Common Car Accident Injuries
In 2017 alone, 1.8 million injuries resulted from police-reported car crashes, according to data from the NHTSA. Add to that the injuries that may not have been reported, and it is evident that car accidents are a massive national health crisis.
When it comes to car accidents, even small collisions can often lead to catastrophic injuries. After an accident, it is vital that you seek medical attention for those that need it. Often, the adrenaline of a car accident can mask symptoms, so it’s essential to calm down and assess how you feel. Here are some of the common car accident injuries and their symptoms.
- Whiplash & soft tissue injuries: Whiplash is common in rear-end collisions, which account for 40% of car accidents in the country, according to the NHTSA. When your car absorbs an impact from the rear, your head and neck often violently jerks forward. When your neck strains to stabilize your head, it can cause multiple small tears in your muscles. This ends up causing symptoms of pain, tightness, decreased range of motion, and headaches. These symptoms can begin presenting themselves mere minutes after an accident or may not be noticed for a few days. It all depends on the person. You may need to see a medical professional if you suffer from whiplash, but in the meantime, icing the area can reduce swelling and pain.
- Head injuries / concussions: Head injuries can be severe and require close monitoring. What first may appear to be a mild concussion can be something much more serious, like a hematoma. Someone with a head injury should seek medical attention and should be closely watched for worsening symptoms. If you experience a persistent headache, sleepiness, pupil irregularities, slurred speech, nausea or vomiting, or loss of consciousness, you should go to the emergency room and seek treatment.
- Broken bones: Broken bones can be caused by the force of impact or by being compressed during a collision. Bone fractures can cause severe pain, bruising, and may require surgery in some instances. The most commonly broken bones in car accidents are arms, hands, fingers, legs, ankles, feet, toes, collarbones, noses, faces, and jaws.
- Cuts and scrapes: Cuts and scrapes are relatively typical injuries from car accidents. The immense amount of force caused by car accidents can cause loose objects to fly around the interior of your car. Cell phones, bags or purses, and hard water bottles can easily cause a cut during a car accident. Even your airbag deploying can cause cuts. Some cuts won’t require serious medical attention, though stitches may be necessary.
Some types of car accident injuries are not immediately noticeable, but can present themselves over the course of several days. It is extremely important that you see a doctor immediately following any type of collision to ensure that your injuries are tended to. This is also important for filing a personal injury lawsuit later because you will need documentation of any injuries you received in the accident.
Is California a Fault or No-Fault State?
California is a fault state when it comes to car accidents. This means that when an accident occurs, the driver who is found to be responsible for the accident will also hold the responsibility of covering any damages via their insurance company (up to policy limits).
If you have been injured in a car accident caused by someone else, you have several options for pursuing compensation:
- You can file a claim with your own insurance company if your policy covers it
- You can pursue a third-party claim with the other driver's insurance company
- Or you can pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the driver themselves
Regardless which course of action you decide to pursue, you will be better off having a car accident lawyer on your side who can help ensure you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.
Car Accident Personal Injury Damages
Damages in car accident cases can vary widely, depending on the severity of the injuries and damage. You can seek compensation for your medical costs, future medical care, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. If you have lost a loved one in an auto accident, you may be able to pursue additional compensation by filing a wrongful death claim. If you are involved in an accident, take steps to gather as much evidence as possible.
After an accident, you should:
- Document all damage to your car
- Have your doctor document your injuries
- Get the names and contact information of any witnesses
It is common for insurance adjusters to contact the injured person with a settlement offer, following the accident. It is in your best interest to consult with an accident lawyer as soon as possible after an accident, and certainly before accepting any offer, to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your loss. Our attorneys will assess your injuries and calculate the monetary, physical, mental, and financial cost and fight to recover the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in California
Serious traffic accidents stem from many different factors, but the one thing they have in common is that they can inflict death, injury, and property damage. Victims and their families may consider seeking damages from the responsible parties, but they should first seek proper legal representation. No matter the cause, Manning Law can help you determine the viability of a legal case and establish the best course of action moving forward.
There are many factors that can contribute to car accidents in California. Some of the most common include:
- Reckless driving: This involves dangerous acts such as weaving in and out of traffic, cutting people off, tailgating, etc.
- Distracted driving: Distracted driving involves any act that diverts a motorist's attention away from the road, such as eating, conversing with passengers and, despite laws restricting such activity, using personal mobile devices.
- Speeding: Speeding can both increase the possibility of an accident and worsen its consequences if an accident occurs. In 2018 alone, 927 deaths were caused by speed-related accidents in California.
- Impaired Driving: When drivers are impaired, it means the use of illegal or even legal drugs and, of course, alcohol has been consumed. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 1,069 fatalities occurred in 2018 as a result of alcohol-impaired driving.
- Improper Lane Changing: This often occurs when a vehicle changes lanes without properly checking to see if it is clear for them to do so.
What to Do After a Car Accident
Your actions in the immediate aftermath of a car accident can have a considerable impact on any insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit you may need to pursue. To protect your rights and your health, be sure to do the following:
- Stop: Never flee the scene of an accident, even a minor one. Doing so can not only prevent you from recovering compensation but can also expose you to serious criminal penalties. Always stop and render aid.
- Call for help: Call for an ambulance if anyone involved in the collision is seriously hurt or unresponsive. Once you have summoned medical help, call the police. The police will be able to help you get the accident scene under control and create a report of the incident.
- Tell the police what happened: When the police arrive, tell them exactly what happened to the best of your ability. Avoid speculation and stick to the facts. If they ask you if you are injured, say you are not sure instead of no. It is not uncommon for car accident injuries to go unnoticed for hours or even days after a collision due to the adrenaline rush of the situation.
- Collect evidence: If you have access to a smartphone, take photographs and/or videos of the accident scene, the damage to the involved vehicles, skid marks and tire tracks, debris, traffic patterns, weather conditions, and any other details that help paint a picture of what happened. If you can, get photos of any injuries you have suffered before they are treated.
- Exchange information: The police will typically handle the collection and exchange of information between the involved parties. If the police do not respond to the accident, you will need to get this information yourself. This should include the names, addresses, phone numbers, insurance information, and license plates of all involved motorists. Be sure to get the contact information of any witnesses to the crash as well.
- Report the accident: Almost all auto insurance policies require you to report your involvement in a crash as soon as possible to be eligible for coverage. Tell them you were involved in a crash and provide enough information to open a claim, but do not submit a statement or discuss the crash until you have had a chance to speak to an attorney.
- See a doctor: If you have not received emergency medical care or been rushed to a hospital, seek a full medical evaluation as soon as you can after it is safe to leave the accident scene. Tell your doctor of any aches or pains you are experiencing and tell them you were involved in a car accident. This will help to establish a medical record of your treatments as well as identify any hidden injuries you may have sustained.
Time Limits for Filing Car Accident Claims in California
In California, there is a two-year statute of limitations for car accident injury claims. If you do not file a claim within that time period, you may not be able to recover damages for your injury. We encourage you to contact our Newport Beach car accident lawyers earlier rather than later, so we have plenty of time to gather and preserve evidence to support your claim.
Car Accident Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it really necessary to hire a car accident attorney?
How much is my car accident claim worth?
Can I get compensation for pain and suffering?
If I hire an attorney for my car accident case, does that mean I have to go to court?
Do I have to accept the insurance company's settlement offer?
Can I seek compensation if I was injured as a passenger?
What should I say to the insurance adjuster?
- Do not consent to any recorded statements.
- Stick to the facts and only provide the basic details of the crash.
- Do not speculate. If you don't know the answer to a question, tell them you cannot remember or that you are unsure.
- Stay calm and level-headed, as expressing your frustration will only serve to hurt your claim.
- Avoid answering any specific questions about your injuries. Only provide basic details, such as telling them that you have been injured and that you have sought medical help to determine your required treatment.
- Take notes about your conversation to help ensure your words are not misconstrued.
What if I was partially to blame for the crash?
The police issued me a ticket at the accident scene. Does this mean I'm at fault?
How can I afford to hire a car accident lawyer?
Blogs from Our Newport Beach Car Accident Lawyers
Have more questions about car accident statistics and lawsuits in California? Check out some of our latest blog posts for safe driving tips and up-to-date information about California car crash lawsuits:
- 4 Tips to Avoid Distracted Driving
- Who is At Fault in a Car Accident in California?
- What Rights Do You Have if You Are in a Car Accident in California?
Don’t wait to seek legal advice. Call (800) 783-5006 or complete an online form to schedule a free consultation with a car accident attorney in Newport Beach.