If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, you could be entitled to financial compensation. While we put our trust in others on the road to do the right thing, negligent behavior can lead to disastrous consequences. That’s why you need a lawyer who will understand the facts of your case and get you the compensation that you need to move on with your life.

The experienced and dedicated Moreno Valley personal injury attorneys of OnderLaw are here to help you with your case; call today for a free initial consultation.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer, and Why Hire OnderLaw?

The legal system can be complex and daunting to navigate on your own. That’s why an experienced Inland Empire car accident lawyer can help you understand your legal options, craft a winning legal strategy, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

At OnderLaw, we have three decades of experience building relationships with clients and helping them seek the compensation they need in the wake of an accident. We have won over $3 billion for our clients in that time, receiving accolades from some of the most prestigious legal organizations in the United States. By working with our award-winning Moreno Valley car accident lawyers, you can be sure that you are working with the best of the best on your car accident claim.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, give us a call for a free, no-pressure initial consultation.

Types of Car Accidents

There are many types of car accidents, all of which can have disastrous consequences for those involved. If another driver is found to be negligent, OnderLaw can help you get compensation. Some of the common types of cases that we take on include:

  • Drunk driving accidents
  • Drugged driving accidents
  • Hit-and-run accidents
  • Distracted driving accidents
  • Rear-end accidents
  • Speeding accidents
  • Uninsured/underinsured driver accidents
  • Hazardous roadways
  • Accidents caused by car/mechanical/part defects
  • Rollover accidents
  • T-Bone accidents
  • Multi-vehicle accidents

Causes of Car Accidents

Unfortunately, car accidents in Southern California are far too common. Every day here and throughout the country, people are injured due to negligence when driving. Negligence can take many forms and can lead to many different types of accidents, such as:

  • Driving under the influence: Whether under the influence of alcohol or marijuana, driving under the influence is reckless and can lead to disastrous consequences on the road. Because these substances reduce reaction time, motorists are far more likely to be involved in an accident when driving under the influence.
  • Driving while distracted: Engaging in other activities while driving is never a good idea. Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of accidents in the country. Texting, talking on the phone, eating and drinking, personal grooming, adjusting the radio, and more all constitute distracted driving.
  • Speeding: Exceeding the speed limit or driving faster than road conditions allow raises the possibility of an accident. High speeds make it harder for drivers to react should they need to stop or swerve.
  • Defects in the road: Governments should provide routine road maintenance and eliminate all reported debris and other road hazards. When cities and municipalities fail to properly maintain roadways or fail to make needed improvements, crashes can occur.
  • Driving while fatigued or drowsy: Driving while fatigued can mimic the effects of driving while under the influence of alcohol. Sleep deprivation causes poor vision and slow reaction times, making a crash more likely.
  • Failure to obey traffic laws: Traffic laws are in place to help keep motorists safe on the roadway. When drivers fail to obey these laws, they put others in danger and increase the likelihood that an accident will occur.
  • Tailgating or other reckless behavior: Particularly at high speeds, tailgating is an extremely dangerous roadway behavior. If the motorist in front suddenly slows or stops, the tailgating driver may not have enough time to react, causing a devastating rear-end collision.
  • Road construction: Construction zones on roadways can be dangerous, and drivers should follow construction warning signs. If they fail to do so, the likelihood of a crash increases. Likewise, road construction companies have a duty of care to ensure that drivers are kept from harm while driving through construction zones.
  • Defective car parts: Faulty parts that are under recall, such as brakes, tires, and steering can become a liability on the road. The parts manufacturer could be liable for an accident if it was a contributing factor.

Common Injuries Suffered in Car Accidents

Trauma from a car accident can lead to a wide range of physical injuries and mental health issues. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you could require long-term care. Some of the most common types of injuries that car accident victims sustain include:

  • Concussion or traumatic brain injuries
  • Paralysis of limbs
  • Broken or fractured bones
  • Whiplash
  • Crush injuries
  • Ejections that lead to injury
  • Internal bleeding or other organ damage
  • Spinal cord and neck injuries
  • Lacerations and other wounds
  • Burns
  • Loss of limb(s)
  • Soft-tissue damage
  • Psychological trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety

The trauma from a car accident can live with you for the rest of your life. Permanent disabilities and chronic pain may leave you with lifelong barriers to working and providing for your family. While all of this may be overwhelming, the trusted and experienced lawyers of OnderLaw are here to help you navigate your case, hold the at fault driver accountable, and help you seek the compensation that you need to move on.

Who Is Responsible In A Car Accident? 

Determining who is at fault in a car accident depends heavily on the nature of the accident. If you were involved in an accident with another driver, and that driver was driving while distracted, the other driver is likely responsible for the accident. If you are in a single-vehicle accident caused by defective parts or other mechanical failures, the vehicle’s manufacturer or a mechanic may be responsible. Overall, the person whose negligence caused the accident is the most likely to be held responsible for paying damages. 

While California requires that all drivers carry minimum liability insurance coverage, many drivers are underinsured or uninsured altogether. If you were involved in an accident with an underinsured or uninsured driver, you will be able to seek damages from your own insurance provider if you purchased uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

California requires insurance providers to offer you uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage when you register your vehicle with the provider. You must carry written denial of this coverage option if you decide not to purchase uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Carrying this type of coverage is helpful if you are involved in an accident, as this policy can cover at least some of the damages owed to you that could not be provided otherwise.

Compensation for a Car Accident Claim

Compensation in a car accident claim can involve both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are meant to cover financial losses caused by the accident, while non-economic damages relate to the emotional harm you suffered in the wake of an accident. Compensation for a car accident can include:

  • Medical bills
  • Ongoing medical treatment costs
  • Lost wages due to lost productivity
  • Reduced earning capacity caused by a long-term disability
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional trauma
  • Ancillary out-of-pocket expenses
  • Vehicle repair or replacement

If you are filing a car accident claim, OnderLaw can assess your case and help you understand which damages you can recover compensation for. Speaking with an experienced Moreno Valley car accident lawyer is the best way to ensure that you get the compensation that you need.

California Car Accident Statistics

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, there were 3,606 traffic fatalities in California in 2019. While there has been a slight decrease over the years, this number remains staggeringly high, with the number of injuries in car accidents several times this figure.

Alcohol-impaired driving led to 1,066 fatalities in 2019, or nearly 30% of all traffic fatalities. Drug-impaired driving caused the deaths of around 50% of drivers killed in crashes in 2019.

Finally, statistics show that not wearing seatbelts can be deadly – unrestrained driver or passenger vehicle occupant fatalities made up 17% of roadway fatalities in California in 2019, or about 620 deaths.

Call OnderLaw Today for a Free Initial Consultation

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, the knowledgeable Moreno Valley car accident attorneys of OnderLaw are here to help. You should never have to go through the legal process alone, and since we work on a contingency fee basis, you do not have to worry about paying attorneys fees if we fail to recover compensation on your behalf. On the other hand, you are much more likely to recover compensation with the help of an experienced car accident lawyer.

The attorneys at OnderLaw are dedicated to helping you seek the best possible outcome in your case. Call us today for a free initial consultation.