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Aria Miran, esq.
Aria is a member of the prestigious Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum®. He speaks English, Farsi, and Spanish.
Nicole Dolle, esq.
Nicole has settled hundreds of personal injuries claims, known for her professional, honest, and caring approach.
John Rajaee, esq.
John is a former defense lawyer turned award-winning personal injury lawyer. He speaks English and Farsi.
Yen Quach
Associate Attorney Yen Quach started work at RMD Law in 2017 as a paralegal. Injured clients seeking justice from insurance companies can do no better than Yen.
Ryan Drakulich, esq.
Ryan is a caring and experienced litigator. He defended scores of depositions and understands what it takes to move a case in Orange County.
Ariana Martin, esq.
Ariana Martin is one of RMD Law’s skilled personal injury lawyers. She brings a lot of legal experience to the table, having worked previously in the field of insurance defense.
It is important to follow very specific safety protocols to ensure the safety of you and your family. RMD Law LLP has provided eight steps to take after a car accident in Orange County:
Do not leave your car until you have pulled over to a safe place.
File a police report if you plan to file an injury claim within two years. Call an ambulance to assist any injuries that have occurred.
Don’t admit to being at fault prematurely for the accident. Don’t admit to being “fine” after a car accident.
Take pictures of the damages as a result of the car accident. Ensure you have a clear record of the day and time.
Collect their contact details, insurance information, and notate the license plate number.
If there were any witnesses present at the time of your car accident in Orange County, make sure to get their contact information.
You have the right to file an injury claim to be paid for your injuries, medical bills, lost income, and more.
Our attorneys can help you receive maximum compensation for your pain and suffering.
The streets of Orange County, California, have seen a fair share of car accidents. In 2021 alone, the total number of car accidents in Orange County was 11,953, with 67.02% of the victims being drivers and 32.98% passengers and other roadgoers. This shows that such accidents can affect the lives of not just the person behind the wheel but also the passengers and pedestrians.
These numbers also emphasize the need for road safety in the county. Understanding the car crash situation can help you take the necessary steps, such as what to do after the car accident and how to work with a car accident lawyer. Here’s an overview of Orange County, California, car accidents, and what to do when you’re in one.
We are Orange County personal injury lawyers servicing all of California. Our attorneys regularly handle cases from all over the state.
These accidents occur when your vehicle collides with the rear-end of another, often due to tailgating, distracted driving, or sudden stops. In 2021, 33.14% of the total crashes in Orange County were due to rear-end accidents.
About 620 vehicle accidents in Orange County are head-on collisions, making up 5.19% of the total. This type of accident usually happens on narrow roads where the chances of cars crashing into each other head-on are higher.
A rollover or overturn accident is a crash where your car tips over onto its side or roof due to high speeds, sharp turns, or the vehicle being top-heavy. Data from 2021 shows that overturned vehicles took up 2.15% or 257 counts of the total car crashes in Orange County.
One glaring car accident statistic is that side-impact collisions make up 9.96% of car crashes, or 1,190. Also known as a T-bone collision, this accident can happen when your vehicle strikes the side of another, which frequently occurs at intersections.
Off-road crashes happen when your vehicle leaves the roadway and ends up in a non-traffic area. This accident can occur for various reasons, including loss of control and poor road conditions. For instance, heavy rains can impair your vision, causing you to go off-road and hit objects on the sidewalk. Hit-object crashes made up 10.81% of the 2021 total.
Car accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries with varying degrees of severity. Knowing these common injuries can help prevent them from worsening, and seeking the necessary medical and legal support.
The impact from the car accident can lead to broken or fractured bones in the arms, legs, ribs, pelvis, or other parts of the body. These injuries can vary in severity—from hairline fractures to compound fractures.
TBIs can result in mild concussions to severe, life-threatening brain trauma. Even seemingly minor accidents can result in mild TBIs, manifesting as headaches, dizziness, or cognitive issues. More severe TBIs can have lasting effects, such as memory loss, personality changes, and impaired motor skills.
This neck injury occurs when the head suddenly jerks forward and backward, typically due to the impact of rear-end collisions. Symptoms may not appear immediately after the accident. However, a whiplash can cause neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and even long-term discomfort.
This type of injury is a severe and life-threatening condition where the inner layer of the aorta from the heart tears, causing blood to flow between the layers of the aortic wall.
Severe lacerations or burns sustained during a car accident can result in permanent scarring and disfigurement. These injuries not only have physical effects but also emotional and psychological ones. They can impact your self-esteem and overall well-being.
Spinal cord injuries can lead to varying degrees of paralysis, ranging from temporary loss of function to permanent disabilities. You may face lifelong challenges in mobility and daily living.
Some car accidents may have extreme forces that result in severed or injured limbs or extremities and lead to traumatic or surgical amputations.
Nerve damage can result from the strong impact of a car accident or surgical procedures needed to address other injuries. It can lead to chronic pain, loss of sensation, or impaired motor function—all of which may degrade your quality of life.
Car crashes can cause internal injuries that may not be apparent right away. However, internal bleeding or organ damage can be life-threatening, so victims must seek immediate medical attention even though there are no obvious injuries.
Car accidents can put a strain on one’s psyche, resulting in lasting psychological effects such as PTSD. You may experience flashbacks that can make you feel like you’re still in the situation, resulting in anxiety, depression, and emotional distress.
Being in a car crash can be overwhelming, but knowing what to do after is crucial for your safety, well-being, and legal protection. Consider the following steps to help you out.
Immediately after the accident, check yourself and your passengers for injuries. It’s your legal and ethical duty to assist those who are hurt. As stated in the California Vehicle Code Section 20001, you must stop and remain at the scene that resulted in injuries or death.
If your vehicle is obstructing traffic, move it to the side of the road. But first, make sure it’s safe to do so. According to the California Vehicle Code Sections 22651 and 22651.05, you must move your vehicle off the street or highway as long as no one is injured or killed. This step helps prevent additional accidents and ensures a smooth flow of traffic.
Call the emergency hotline to report the accident, especially when people are injured. Besides providing immediate medical assistance, emergency responders ensure that law enforcement arrives to document the incident, which can be helpful down the road.
Exchange information with other parties involved in the accident. Some of the things you should collect include:
According to the California Vehicle Code Section 16025, all drivers involved in the accident must exchange information after a collision unless they cannot do so. Enlisting the help of an auto accident attorney in Orange County lets you accomplish this task easily.
Take photographs of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and visible injuries, if there are any. Documenting can back your statement when dealing with insurance claims or potential legal proceedings. To further strengthen your case, consider talking to any witnesses.
Even if you feel fine immediately after the accident, you should still seek medical attention. Some injuries may not manifest symptoms instantaneously, so it’s best to discover and address them as early as possible. Moreover, prompt medical documentation can be vital for insurance claims and personal injury cases since it’s your duty to prevent injuries from worsening.
Contact your insurance provider to report the accident as soon as possible. California law states that you must also inform the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) about it within a certain period. However, the statute of limitations for car insurance claims depends on your provider.
Remember, California operates under an “at-fault” system for car accidents, which means the negligent driver’s insurance will cover the damages and injuries. If you’re unsure what to do, reach out to an auto accident lawyer in Orange County.
If you’re the non-liable party in a car accident, you may be entitled to various types of compensation to help you recover from its physical, emotional, and financial impact.
This type covers the associated costs of your injuries, such as hospital bills, doctor’s fees, medications, surgeries, rehabilitation, and any necessary medical devices.
Injuries that result from car accidents may prevent you from working. In this case, you can claim compensation for the income you couldn’t earn during your recovery period. If you sustain severe or permanent disability, you may also be eligible for compensation for the loss of future wages. These damages ensure you don’t suffer financially due to your inability to work.
Property damage compensation covers repairing or replacing your vehicle and other affected personal property. The responsible party generally covers these costs in an at-fault state like California.
This compensation addresses the physical and emotional distress the accident has caused, including chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and other non-economic damages.
Though less common, punitive damages may be awarded if the at-fault driver’s behavior is particularly reckless or malicious. They are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter others from committing similar actions.
Proving negligence is crucial in California to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Here are some ways to establish liability and demonstrate the at-fault party’s negligence.
First, establish that the at-fault party owed you a duty of care. All drivers must safely operate their vehicles and follow traffic laws. They must drive at reasonable speeds, obey all traffic signals, and take the necessary precautions to prevent accidents.
After establishing the duty of care, you must then show that the at-fault party breached that and failed to act with reasonable care. This can involve actions like speeding, running red lights, or driving recklessly, which can all constitute a breach of duty.
When proving negligence, you must also prove that the at-fault party’s break of duty directly led to the accident and injuries. You must show that their actions were the cause-in-fact of the accident.
Aside from causation, you must prove proximate cause—or the legal concept that the at-fault party’s breach of duty was the foreseeable cause of the accident. In other words, their actions should have been expected to result in the accident. Proving a proximate cause is vital in building a solid negligence case.
To recover compensation, you must establish that you sustained actual injuries from the accident, leading to damages. Damages may include:
Dealing with insurance companies is a multifaceted process that requires a well-structured approach. First and foremost, you must swiftly report the accident to your insurance company. Then, gather the necessary information and evidence, like the other driver’s insurance details and eyewitness accounts, to establish liability and quantify damages.
Documenting the accident scene, vehicle damage, and injuries is equally significant because visual evidence can strengthen your claim. Seek immediate medical care, even if you feel fine initially, to document the link between the accident and potential injuries. An official police report can also provide further support, reinforcing your case.
Remember to avoid admissions of fault when communicating with your insurance company since it can negatively impact your claim. Familiarize yourself with your insurance policy to make well-informed decisions during the claims process. If it becomes too complex or adversarial, consult a car accident attorney in Orange County to protect your rights and secure fair compensation.
Documenting your accident can help build a strong case after an auto accident—here’s how.
When you receive medical attention, make sure to get detailed medical records. These documents will provide a clear link between the accident and your injuries, offering concrete evidence of the injuries you’ve suffered.
Visual evidence can illustrate the severity of the accident and its impact. It provides clarity and supports your claim, helping insurance adjusters (and potentially, the court) understand the circumstances better.
Eyewitness accounts provide an unbiased perspective on the accident. Their testimony can help corroborate your version of events and establish liability on the at-fault driver’s part, carrying significant weight in negotiations and court proceedings.
An official police report includes crucial details such as involved parties, their statements, and any citations issued. It offers an authoritative account of the accident and becomes a factual basis for your case.
Sharing too much information online can hurt your case. As such, Irvine car accident lawyers advise not to post anything on social media during the claims process. Avoid discussing the accident, your injuries, or any related details online. Doing so prevents insurance companies and opposing parties from gaining materials to discredit or undermine your case.
Witness accounts can corroborate your statement about the auto accident. Maximize their impact by obtaining detailed statements that describe the accident’s sequence, the witness’s perspective, and any overheard conversation.
Gather as many witness statements as possible. Multiple witness statements providing consistent narratives that align with your description can enhance your case’s credibility. Moreover, they can attest to who was at fault and the actions that led to the car crash. Aside from a consistent narrative, the impartiality of independent witnesses can add credibility to your case.
Hiring an Irvine car accident attorney is a wise choice when dealing with the aftermath of a vehicle crash in California. Firstly, these attorneys possess the legal expertise to navigate the complexities of car accident cases. They ensure you follow correct legal procedures and understand your rights.
Second, they can help you secure the compensation you deserve to cover medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and other intangible costs. Attorneys can represent you in insurance negotiations so you won’t get a lower-than-deserved remuneration. They also have the resources to investigate and gather evidence, helping establish fault in the accident and strengthen your case.
But more importantly, consulting an attorney reduces the stress and burden of post-accident proceedings significantly, letting you focus on your recovery while they uphold your rights.
We are Orange County personal injury lawyers servicing all of California. Our attorneys regularly handle cases from all over the state.
Get the recovery you are entitled to regardless of what the police report may say.
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Yes, in California, the statute of limitations for car accidents is usually two years. However, this time limit might be much shorter depending on the facts of your case. For example, in a claim against the government, the statute of limitations is just six months. Because every case is different, you should contact our lawyers right away to preserve your rights.
Distracted drivers: Drivers that are texting, eating, applying makeup, and reading are common causes of accidents.
Drinking while driving: Even though there are strict laws that try to prohibit drunk driving, many drivers still get behind the wheel after a few drinks which delay their reaction times and ability to think clearly.
Speeding: Many accidents are caused by unsafe drivers who are going over the legal speed limit.
Bad road conditions: Whether it’s roads that are not maintained or the weather, the roads can be affected by bad road conditions.
California is an “at-fault” state. This means that any party involved in a car accident is required to file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. Whoever is considered at-fault in an accident will be responsible for paying damages to anyone involved.
No-Fault States: California is not a no-fault state. In no-fault states, anyone involved in an accident seeks recovery from their own individual insurance companies, no matter who is at-fault for the car accident. The only exception in this rule is when a driver files a claim after being involved in an accident resulting in severe, permanent or fatal accidents.
Why Work with RMD Law
Car crashes can be overwhelming, and the proceeding events can get chaotic. Seeking legal counsel can help ensure your rights amidst the hectic procedure of securing fair compensation. Remember, choosing the right legal partner can make all the difference in your path to recovery and justice.
If you’re looking for a car accident lawyer in Orange County to help you with your claims and personal injury cases, contact us at RMD Law. Our team of experienced lawyers is ready for the tireless representation you deserve.
Car accidents caused by weather situations are a problem in many cities worldwide, including Long Beach, California. Long Beach can experience different weather conditions throughout
Check out this article to learn how a car accident settlement agreement works, including its nature and contents.
Being in a car accident is never easy, especially when medical bills come in. Here’s what to do after a car accident.
RMD Law is a California Personal Injury law firm. We help victims who have been injured in accidents due to someone else’s negligence. RMD Law offers free no-obligation case evaluations for our clients.
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