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?

It is true that not all car accident claims require legal help. Car accidents that result in minor vehicle damage and no injuries can generally be handled on your own without the assistance of an attorney. However, if you have suffered any sort of injury or have sustained severe damage to your vehicle, it is in your best interests to seek legal representation to guard your rights. It is important to keep in mind that insurance companies have teams of lawyers and adjusters who are ready to begin evaluating your injury claim right away. You will need to have experienced legal counsel of your own to level the playing field and maximize your chances of securing just compensation.

How much is my car accident claim worth?

Every case is different in its own right, therefore it is impossible to predict the value of your case without reviewing the details of your situation with a knowledgeable attorney. With that being said, some factors that will impact the value of your claim include the amount of damages involved, the extent and severity of your injuries, the available insurance coverage, and the strength of evidence proving the other party's fault.

If I hire an attorney for my car accident case, does that mean I have to go to court?

Not necessarily. The vast majority of car accident cases are settled through out-of-court negotiations, which your attorney will handle on your behalf. However, if a mutually acceptable arrangement cannot be reached between you and the defendant's insurance company, our firm is fully prepared to take your case to trial. Our knowledgeable trial lawyers have what it takes to maximize your chances of securing a favorable outcome, whether it be through an out-of-court settlement or litigation.

Do I have to accept the insurance company's settlement offer?

No. In fact, it is far better to discuss your claim with an experienced attorney before accepting any settlement being offered by an insurance company. In many cases, initial settlement offers are often far lower than what you would need to compensate you for the full value of your losses. An attorney can help negotiate for a fair settlement and get you the quality treatment or recovery options you deserve.

Can I seek compensation if I was injured as a passenger?

Yes. Additionally, you may be able to recover damages from multiple parties (the driver of the vehicle you were in and the other involved drivers) depending on the available insurance coverage.

What should I say to the insurance adjuster?

You will likely be contacted by the other driver's insurance company soon after your crash. Remember, no matter how friendly or helpful they may be, an insurance adjuster's main goal is to find ways to limit the value of your claim and protect the insurance company's interests - not yours. As such, it is important to always be careful when speaking to an insurance adjuster and contact an attorney for help with your claim. Your attorney can handle all communications with the insurance company on your behalf and help you build a strong claim. However, if you have not yet retained legal representation and must speak to them, it is best to follow these tips:

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?

You may still be able to recover compensation after a crash that was partially your fault under California's "comparative fault" law. Also known as comparative negligence, comparative fault laws allow injured parties to recover compensation at a rate that is proportionate to their level of responsibility. For example, if you suffered $100,000 worth of damages in a car accident but are found to be 20% to blame for the collision, you would still be eligible to receive up to $80,000 (or $100,000 less 20%). Since there is no empirical means of assigning fault in car accident cases, your eligible compensation will largely be influenced by the quality of your legal representation.

The police issued me a ticket at the accident scene. Does this mean I'm at fault?

Not necessarily. While a traffic citation can play a role in determining fault for a car accident, it is not always the deciding factor. Police do their best to assess fault at the accident scene, but they are not infallible; sometimes they get it wrong. It is entirely possible that your attorney's investigation into your collision may reveal additional evidence proving the other driver's responsibility. Likewise, signing a ticket is merely an acknowledgement that you have received a notice to appear in court, not an admission of guilt.

How can I afford to hire a car accident lawyer?

The last thing you need after being involved in a serious car wreck is to be faced with exorbitant legal fees on top of your medical bills. Most car accident lawyers, including those at Manning Law, APC, accept cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that your attorney will cover all upfront costs of taking on your case and will only be paid if they are successful in recovering compensation on your behalf. If they do not win your case, you will not pay for their services. This allows you to retain high-quality legal representation while also giving your attorney the incentive to pursue the highest possible financial award for your case.

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:

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.

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“After getting ran into with my 2 children in the car and getting hurt I called them for help. I have had nothing but a great experience with this law firm. I felt well taken care of, there was excellent communication, and great service overall. I had expected my case to take some time but it was settled in less than 5 months and am very happy with the outcome!! Julia and Joanna were a big help and really know what they are doing, very on top of everything! I highly recommend this firm. I can't thank you enough!”

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M.W.
I would give Manning Law 10 stars if Yelp allowed. I highly recommend them!
“I was in my car going to work last year and another car ran into me causing significant damage. I was injured and needed representation. A close friend of mine had used The Manning Law Office in the past and had great results so I decided to use them as well. Joe Manning handled my case and I could not have been happier with the outcome. I had numerous doctor appointments and treatments during the 1st year following my injury and Mr. Manning's senior paralegal Julia took care me like I was family. She made my doctor appts., called to check up weekly and guided me through the process during my difficult time. I would give Manning Law 10 stars if Yelp allowed. I highly recommend them!”

Carsten B.