When you are hurt in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may experience feelings of stress, overwhelm, and confusion. You may not know what to do or what resources are available to you following an accident. Additionally, the injuries you sustained in the accident may have life-altering effects that might last your whole life, depending on the severity of your wounds. You may also be faced with medical bills and other expenses associated with your accident. If your injuries render you unable to work, you may wonder about how you will be able to pay these bills, in addition to providing for yourself and your family.

As the victim of an accident, it’s important for you to know that you’re not alone and that you have options when it comes to dealing with the aftermath of an accident. You have the right to file a personal injury claim, and you also have the right to engage an attorney for help with your case. The skilled and compassionate lawyers at OnderLaw are familiar with personal injury cases ranging from motor vehicle accidents to premises liability accidents. Our team is dedicated to the well-being of Irvine residents injured through no fault of their own. We fight for the compensation they are owed as a result of their accident-related injuries and losses. Call us today to schedule a FREE consultation.

About Irvine

Located in Orange county, Irvine is a city situated in Southern California that houses a population of 298,739. The 72nd largest city in the United States and 14th largest city in California, Irvine spans 66 square miles. The city of Irvine is one of the largest planned cities in the whole United States. With plenty of green space, it contains 79,728 trees, 23 community parks, 41 neighborhood parks and vista points, and 6,500 acres of open space and greenbelts.

Irvine hosts many arts, entertainment and leisure attractions such as The Irvine Museum, The Irvine Barclay Theatre, The Irvine Fine Arts Center, The Arboretum at the University of California, Irvine, The Irvine Ranch Land Reserve, and much more. Additionally, many technology and semiconductor sectors have made the city of Irvine their headquarters.

The weather in Irvine is mild, with 66° as the average daily temperature during the winter and 83° degrees as the average during the summer months. Like many other California cities, Irvine boasts an incredible 281 sunny days in a calendar year. If you’re a fan of the sunshine, nature, and the arts, Irvine is a fantastic destination to plan a visit to and makes a wonderful place to live.

How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help If You’ve Been Hurt in Irvine

Following an accident, it is important for you to get in contact with an experienced personal injury attorney right away. If you delay or neglect to seek legal counsel, that could negatively impact the outcome of your personal injury claim. A skilled lawyer can be an asset to you because they can help you gather evidence to support your claim, file a claim, and even appeal a claim in the event you are denied benefits.

If you try to file a personal injury claim without legal backing, you may experience difficulty and frustration when trying to negotiate with insurance companies and speak to law enforcement officers about the details of your case.

We at OnderLaw understand the frustration and difficulty you may experience—financially and physically—when attempting to recover from an accident. With one of our experienced attorneys on your side, you can relax with the knowledge that you have an expert to manage your case and help you secure the full amount of compensation owed to you following your accident.

Common Injury Claims in Irvine

The legal team at OnderLaw have experience in several different types of personal injury claims, such as:

Motor Vehicle Accidents

These accidents involve motor vehicles, from personal to commercial. Some of the most common motor vehicle accidents in Irving are:

Premises Liability Accidents

These accidents occur when a property owner or manager fails to ensure that their property is hazard-free. Some of the most common accidents that occur from this type of negligence are:

Worker’s Compensation Accidents

Most California employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance coverage just in case an employee is injured on the job. Generally, these policies cover work accidents such as:

  • Motor vehicle accidents (car, truck, or commercial)
  • Slip-and-fall accidents
  • Accidents due to airborne objects or debris
  • Accidents resulting from the use of heavy machinery
  • Electric shock accidents
  • Accidents resulting from the inhalation of hazardous chemicals or fumes
  • Workplace accidents involving assault

Nursing Home Abuse Accidents

Nursing home abuse may occur for several reasons, such as underpaid staff, staff shortages, or risk factors that are unique to an individual resident. Common accidents that result from nursing home abuse are:

  • Neglect
  • Abandonment
  • Financial abuse
  • Misdiagnosed injuries
  • Dehydration or malnutrition
  • Slip-and-fall accidents
  • Fractured or broken bones
  • Physical or sexual abuse
  • Psychological or emotional abuse
  • Emotional abuse
  • Incorrect medication dosage

Common Injuries Suffered in Irvine

It is possible that you may have been hurt in Irvine as a result of someone else’s lack of caution or neglect. The injuries you may sustain as a result may reduce your overall quality of life. If you are not at fault for your accident, you should not be expected to cover your medical expenses and other bills associated with the accident. The person who caused you harm due to their negligence should be held responsible.

Some examples of injuries as a result of personal injury accidents are as follows:

Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries

If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident in Irvine, you may have:

  • Abrasions
  • Lacerations
  • Scrapes or cuts
  • Head or neck injuries
  • Whiplash or vertigo
  • Soft-tissue damage
  • Sprains or strains
  • Concussions
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
  • Spinal damage
  • Paralysis
  • Fractured or broken bones
  • Burns

Premises Liability Accident Injuries

You may have been hurt on someone else’s property because they neglected to ensure the environment was safe. Some that could result from that neglect include:

  • Head or neck injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
  • Soft-tissue damage
  • Sprains or strains
  • Concussions
  • Dislocated joints
  • Burns
  • Dog bites
  • Cuts or scrapes
  • Broken or fractured bones
  • Near drowning or drowning

Worker’s Compensation Accident Injuries

An injury on the job may be devastating or life-altering. Some common workplace injuries are:

  • Brain injuries
  • Soft tissue damage
  • Sprains or strains
  • Concussions
  • Dismemberment or amputation
  • Spinal cord damage
  • Repetitive trauma injuries
  • Exposure to toxic substances
  • Hearing loss
  • Burns

Nursing Home Abuse Injuries

Unfortunately, nursing home abuse is a reality that many residents may face. Some common injuries include:

  • Bruising
  • Infections or bedsores
  • Choking
  • Physical or sexual abuse
  • Overdose
  • Head or neck injuries
  • Fractured or broken bones
  • Slip-and-fall injuries
  • Emotional or psychological abuse

What Compensation Am I Owed?

The compensation owed to you depends on the severity of your injuries and the nature of the accident you were involved in. The compensation available for personal injury claims can be broken down into three categories. They are economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages encompass the monetary losses you may experience as a direct or indirect result of your accident:

  • Medical bills — all expenses you will incur while recovering from the injuries you sustained. It is critical that you keep track of your receipts and medical records so that you can be compensated correctly.
  • Lost earnings — the injuries you sustained may be severe and may cost you the ability to work and provide for you and your family. This includes present and future lost earning potential. Keep track of your timesheets and other related items to recover benefits.
  • Damaged property — includes all property damaged or lost as a result of your accident. Keep track of receipts and repair estimates so that these damaged or lost items can be repaired or replaced.

Non-economic Damages

This includes intangible losses, such as:

  • Physical pain
  • Loss of enjoyment of life — the accident may have left you with injuries or disabilities that make you unable to participate in certain activities you derived enjoyment from prior to your accident.
  • Emotional trauma — emotional or psychological disturbance as a result of your accident. This includes diagnosed illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
  • Mental stress — the weight of having to deal with the aftermath of your accident, such as your injuries or disability or financial stress.

You can recover compensation for these types of damages. It is important that you document and record your symptoms and experiences following an accident, as a record of how your injuries impacted your life may be persuasive to a jury.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are infrequently awarded and are only available through the court system. These damages are not intended to be compensation for the victim but rather are intended as a punishment for the liable party. Punitive damages are meant to discourage negligence and malicious actions. If it is found by a jury that the other party involved in your accident acted out of spite or to intentionally cause you harm, punitive damages may be awarded.

California Accident Statistics

Accidents occur across the United States each day. Here’s what the numbers look like in the state of California:

In 2018, The California Office of Traffic Safety reported the following in Irvine:

  • 60 people were killed or injured in accidents involving alcohol consumption
  • 35 people were killed or injured in motorcycle accidents
  • 33 pedestrians were killed or injured
  • 75 bicyclists were killed or injured

Further, the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for that 50% of all victims of fatal car accidents who were tested had positive test results for both legal and illegal substances in 2019.

The California Highway Patrol found that 277,160 people were injured as a result of motor vehicle collisions in 2017.

In accordance with data from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2019, there were 451 fatal injuries recorded as a result of workplace accidents.

Statute of Limitations for Injury Claims in Irvine

In California, you’re given two years to file a personal injury lawsuit beginning the date the accident occurred. If you miss the deadline, it is likely that your case will be dismissed altogether, no matter the severity of your injuries or the magnitude of the impact the accident has had on your life.

The deadline for accidents where a government agency is liable is six months. In the case of an accident that is due to medical malpractice, the deadline is one year from the date of the accident.

 It is wise to engage a lawyer as soon as possible in every scenario. Even though your lawyer will enter into negotiations with the insurance company or responsible party about a settlement to obtain your compensation, they can file a lawsuit in a timely manner to preserve your right to pursue compensation through the court system.

Resources for Accident Victims in Irvine

If you have been injured in an accident in Irvine, the following resources may be useful to you.

Hospitals in Irvine

Hoag Hospital Irvine

Address: 16200 Sand Canyon Ave, Irvine, CA 92618

Phone: (949) 764-4624

Kaiser Permanente Orange County – Irvine Medical Center

Address: 6604 Alton Pkwy, Irvine, CA 92618

Phone: (949) 932-5000

UCI Health Gottschalk Medical Plaza

Address: 1 Medical Plaza Dr, Irvine, CA 92697

Phone: (949) 824-8600

Law Enforcement in Irvine

Irvine Police Department

Address: 1 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine, CA 92606

Phone: (949) 724-7000

Irvine Department of Motorized Vehicles

Laguna Hills DMV

Address: 23535 Moulton Pkwy, Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Phone: (800) 777-0133

Contact a OnderLaw Personal Injury Lawyer Today

If you’ve been hurt in an accident in Irvine, call the team at OnderLaw today to schedule a consultation today. Our attorneys are willing to fight tooth and nail to help you secure the full amount of compensation owed to you.

You deserve to have peace of mind when psychologically and physically recovering from your accident, and our compassionate attorneys want to help you. Our firm will not charge a fee for our services unless we get compensation for you.