Were you injured in a car accident in Irvine? Was it due to another driver’s negligence? If so, you might be entitled to compensation. The Irvine personal injury lawyers of OnderLaw could help you hold them accountable for their actions and seek the justice you deserve.

Car accidents are always unexpected. You never leave your home thinking you’re going to end up suffering injuries. Unfortunately, you share the road with other motorists, and some are reckless and disobey the rules of the road. When you cross their path, you’re at serious risk of physical harm.

The challenges that arise after a collision can disrupt your life. You can face a painful recovery, expensive medical bills, and a loss of income if you can’t return to your job. It’s a stressful experience for anyone to deal with and can cause significant stress.

At OnderLaw , our Irvine car accident attorneys can provide the representation you need to pursue the maximum available compensation. You suffered enough due to someone else’s careless driving. Let us help you hold them liable so you can move forward with your life. Call us for a free consultation now.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer? Why Choose OnderLaw ?

Accident victims often make the mistake of not hiring a lawyer after a car crash. You might think the claims process is simple and something you can handle yourself. However, many factors contribute to an insurance claim and whether the claimant can recover compensation. If you don’t understand the process, you will likely receive less money than you deserve.

OnderLaw has the resources to take over your case and complete every step on your behalf. We can provide quality representation, so you have a chance of reaching your legal goals. We don’t back down from aggressive or intimidating insurance companies. We can fight for your rights and pursue an outcome that meets your needs.

Our experienced and knowledgeable Irvine car accident attorneys have a proven track record of success and maintain a stellar reputation. We have received awards from multiple organizations, such as the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Super Lawyers, and The National Trial Lawyers, to name just a few. We also hold an AV® rating from Martindale-Hubbell, a distinction that represents our hard work and achievements.

Types of Car Accidents

It doesn’t matter where you’re driving in Irvine – you could find yourself involved in an accident. Environmental factors, reckless drivers, and dangerous roadways all can contribute to a devastating collision.

The most common types of car accidents include:

  • Intersection accidents
  • Rideshare accidents
  • Rear-end collisions
  • T-bone accidents
  • Rollover crashes
  • Hit and run accidents
  • Head-on collisions
  • Single-vehicle accidents
  • Multi-car accidents
  • Parking lot accidents

 

OnderLaw has experience handling cases like these and could represent you against the negligent driver. Injuries are likely in car crashes, no matter what type occurs. Even if you suffered minor physical harm, you deserve compensation for the medical treatment you require. If another person were entirely at fault for the accident, they should be financially responsible for your total losses.

Causes of Car Accidents

Unfortunately, you can’t prevent every accident from occurring, no matter how careful you are. Thousands of drivers travel on busy highways and roads throughout Irvine every day. When you encounter people in a rush, distracted, or behaving recklessly, you could end up on a collision course with someone’s vehicle.

The most common causes of car accidents are:

  • Distracted driving – Driver distractions can take a manual, cognitive, or visual form. If someone’s texting on their cell phone, they’re not looking at the road ahead. They can’t observe anything happening in front of them and maneuver their car to avoid stopped traffic or a road hazard.
  • Tailgating – There’s a specific distance all vehicles require to come to a complete stop depending on how fast they’re traveling. If someone follows another person’s car too closely, they can’t react to a hazardous situation fast enough to avoid a crash with the person driving in front of them.
  • Driving under the influence – Everyone knows alcohol and drugs can impair driving abilities. However, most people don’t realize even just one glass of wine or beer could affect them. It’s more challenging to focus on the task at hand when there’s alcohol in a person’s system.
  • Defective parts – Manufacturers design and assemble various parts for different vehicles. They must meet safety standards and test every product they manufacture before selling them to consumers. Defects can cause a part to malfunction, preventing the driver from having complete control over their car.
  • Fatigued driving – Many people have busy schedules and don’t get enough sleep. When a driver is tired and gets behind the wheel of their car, it’s just as dangerous as drinking alcohol. Reaction times are slower, judgment is poor, and motor skills become disrupted.
  • Speeding – In 2019, 9,478 people died in accidents involving speeding. When two cars collide at high rates of speed, the body suffers from the extreme forces that come against it. Severe and debilitating injuries are common, and many of these accidents lead to fatalities.
  • Failing to check blind spots – One vehicle can sideswipe another if the driver doesn’t check their blind spots before changing lanes. Looking in the side view and rearview mirror isn’t enough. The motorist must also look over their shoulder for oncoming traffic before merging.
  • Adverse weather – Even though no one can prevent bad weather, it’s necessary to take certain precautions during heavy rain or strong winds. Drivers should adjust their speed and carefully operate their vehicles around others to avoid a collision. Reckless behaviors, such as speeding or weaving in and out of traffic, can lead to a deadly accident.

 

If any of these factors resulted in an accident and your injuries, you should immediately seek medical treatment and contact OnderLaw . Don’t wait long before initiating your case. There are often strict deadlines involved in the legal process that could pass if you’re not proactive.

Common Injuries Suffered in Car Accidents

Most people sustain injuries in accidents involving motor vehicles. These injuries can be more than just physical. You could also suffer emotional or psychological issues. Anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a phobia of driving are common among accident victims.

If your injury leads to a disability, you may be unable to maintain employment. The cost of buying an assistive device or making your home wheelchair-accessible can be expensive. You could struggle with chronic pain and require prescriptions to manage your symptoms. It’s a significant financial burden to bear.

The Irvine car accident attorneys of OnderLaw know the battle you face. Most people can’t afford their expenses and face crushing debt after injuries from an accident. Whether you suffer a severe or minor injury, the at-fault party should be responsible for your losses.

The most common injuries car accidents cause include:

  • Paralysis
  • Concussion
  • Broken bones
  • Damage to nerves, tendons, and ligaments
  • Whiplash
  • Sprained or strained muscles
  • Emotional distress
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Spinal cord or back injuries
  • Neck injuries
  • Scarring or disfigurement

 

No matter what type of injury the car crash caused, OnderLaw might be able to represent you in your case. Paying out-of-pocket expenses for your physical therapy, hospitalization, and imaging tests cause financial strain. If your actions didn’t contribute to the accident, you should have the opportunity to recoup all costs.

Who Is Responsible?

There could be one or multiple parties responsible for an accident. Since California is a fault state, you could hold the at-fault party liable for the losses you suffered. Determining who caused the crash is crucial to know who you can seek compensation from in an insurance claim or lawsuit.

The most common scenarios resulting in car accidents include:

  • Manufacturer of a defective vehicle part
  • Another driver’s error
  • Governmental employee, such as a police officer responsible for the collision
  • Entity failing to maintain the road or repair damage
  • Inexperienced commercial truck driver hired by a negligent trucking company
  • Construction worker leaving equipment or debris in the road

 

OnderLaw can investigate the crash to determine who was at fault and the extent of the available insurance coverage. In some scenarios, you could recover an adequate settlement from the responsible party’s insurance company. However, if they don’t have insurance or your claim is denied, it might be possible to pursue a lawsuit.

Compensation for a Car Accident Claim

If another driver caused the accident, you could file a claim with their car insurance company. All drivers must carry liability insurance with these minimum limits:

  • $15,000 for bodily injury to one person
  • $30,000 for bodily injury to more than one person
  • $5,000 for property damage

 

The losses you could seek to have compensated in a liability claim are:

  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Physical impairment or disfigurement
  • Medical bills
  • Emotional distress
  • Property damage
  • Pain and suffering

 

If you file a lawsuit, you could also pursue exemplary damages. This specific financial award punishes the at-fault party instead of compensating the injured victim for their losses. You could recover this if there’s clear and convincing evidence of the other driver’s malice, intent to commit fraud, or intent to oppress.

State and City Accident Statistics

In California, there were 3,606 motor vehicle traffic deaths in 2019. Males were involved in fatal accidents at a higher rate than females. Drivers between 25 and 34 were involved in the highest number of fatal crashes.

In the city of Irvine, eleven people were involved in fatal accidents in 2019.

Contact OnderLaw for Your Free Consultation

The Irvine car accident attorneys of OnderLaw have been fighting for accident victims like you since 2002. We bring years of experience, extensive resources, and dedication to each case we take. You can count on our team to remain in your corner from start to finish and work hard to recover the money you’re owed.

Call OnderLaw if someone else was responsible for the injuries you suffered in a car accident. We can discuss your case during a free consultation and advise you about all the possible options for holding the negligent driver liable.