California is a car-friendly state. We had the highest number of vehicle registrations in the country in 2019 with just over 30 million registrations. With this many passenger vehicles on the road, it’s no surprise that according to the International Institute for Highway Safety, California also holds the record for the highest number of fatal car accidents.

Have you or someone you love been in a car accident in Oxnard? Did this accident cause you severe injury or financial loss? If so, consider speaking to the Oxnard personal injury attorneys at OnderLaw about filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit. We can help you obtain compensation for your injuries and get your life back on track after a car accident. Call today for a free consultation, and let us review your case to determine whether you’re eligible. If you need help getting the compensation you deserve, call OnderLaw today.

Why Do I Need an Attorney for My Car Accident?

Compensation for your injuries is obtained by filing a personal injury claim against the responsible party’s insurance company or by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party directly. Both of these options are best handled with the help of a qualified attorney who has experience in handling injury claims.

Hiring an attorney can bring many advantages that you won’t have if you attempt to file a claim on your own. It’s essential to contact an attorney before filing your claim to make sure it’s complete and error-free and to make sure that you’re demanding all the compensation you’re owed.

Your attorney will take the time to review your case thoroughly and investigate the accident to determine who was at fault. We will use our knowledge and skills to gather all the necessary evidence and documentation to support your recollection of events, then use that information to build an irrefutable claim.

Insurance companies make money by collecting premiums from their customers and denying payment on claims. They will look for any reason to deny or reduce your payment, including using methods that are not entirely straightforward. The insurance company will likely contact you immediately after the accident and ask you to sign a form releasing their customer from liability. You mustn’t sign anything from the insurance company without letting your attorney review it first. There are several reasons for this.

The insurance company will attempt to pay as little as possible for your injuries. They may have a settlement check ready and waiting for you, but unless you have a qualified attorney to assist you, you have no way of knowing if the amount they offer is enough to cover all your losses. Your lawyer will review previous case law, compare your case to others, and fall back on our experience with injury claims to make sure that you get the total compensation you’re owed.

Another reason you should hire an attorney from OnderLaw to assist with your claim is our reputation. We’ve spent the better part of two decades building a reputation as a law firm that demands respect from the insurance companies, and when you hire us to represent you, you’re signaling that you won’t settle for less than your claim is worth.

Why Hire OnderLaw to Represent Me?

OnderLaw has the knowledge and experience to handle any car accident, from a fender bender with minor whiplash injuries to a wrongful death claim against a drunk driver. We know how to make personal injury law work for you and your family, and we’re not afraid to take on the big insurance companies.

Since 2002, we’ve helped thousands of clients get the fair and just compensation they deserve after an accident caused by someone’s negligence. Our seasoned team of legal professionals has seen remarkable success. We’ve successfully obtained over $4 billion in settlements and awards for our clients. We don’t win every case, and we certainly can’t guarantee a positive outcome every time, but we will use all our skills and knowledge to get you the results you need.

We provide a level of service at OnderLaw that distinguishes us from the competition. You won’t be treated like a statistic here. You’ll be treated with the compassion and dignity you deserve. Behind every car accident in Oxnard is an individual or family in need of help. We know what you’re going through, and we will provide support and guidance during this challenging time.

We know that not all our clients have the financial security to pay for good legal help out-of-pocket. For this reason, we operate on contingency. This means that we only take payment for our services if we’re successful in getting you some form of compensation. If we’re not successful, we don’t get paid, and you pay no fee.

Types of Car Accidents

Car accidents come in all shapes and sizes. Each accident is unique, with unique circumstances and injuries. Some of the more common accident types we see in Oxnard include the following:

  • Speeding accidents
  • Broadside accidents
  • Rear-end collisions
  • Head-on collisions
  • Sideswipes
  • Rollover accidents
  • Construction accidents
  • Multi-car accidents
  • Hit and run accidents
  • Failure to yield accidents
  • Fender benders
  • Single vehicle accidents

Causes of Car Accidents

Car accidents can have a variety of root causes. Distracted driving is still the number one cause of car accidents nationwide, but there are a variety of conditions that lead to car accidents, including:

  • Reckless driving
  • Speeding
  • Distracted driving
  • Impaired driving
  • Failure to yield
  • Unsafe lane change
  • Inadequate surveillance
  • Inclement weather
  • Low light conditions
  • Bad road conditions
  • Road construction
  • Poor vehicle maintenance

Common Injuries Suffered in Car Accidents in Oxnard

Injuries from car accidents range from muscle soreness to death. Even a low-speed car accident can cause serious injury. Car crashes can cause a wide variety of injuries, such as:

  • Sprains and strains
  • Broken bones
  • Lacerations
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Abrasions
  • Whiplash
  • Concussion
  • Burns
  • Scarring
  • Internal injuries
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Head and neck injuries
  • Coma
  • Death

Who Is Responsible?

To obtain compensation for your injuries, we must prove that the party responsible for your accident was negligent in some way. California law states that everyone has a responsibility to behave in a way that doesn’t endanger anyone around them, including while driving. If we can gather enough evidence to prove that the responsible party was supposed to act in a certain way, didn’t do so, and their negligent action caused your accident and injuries, we should be able to obtain some form of compensation for you.

It’s important to note that even if we can prove negligence, a judge or jury may still hold you partially responsible for your accident. California follows a comparative negligence doctrine, which means that if it’s discovered you contributed to the accident in any way, your compensation may be reduced. For instance, if someone hits your car from behind at high speed, causing you severe injury, but it’s later discovered your brake lights were not functioning at the time of the accident, a judge or jury may hold you partially responsible. Your level of responsibility would be expressed as a percentage, and any compensation you receive would be reduced by that percentage. If a judge or jury finds you 15 percent responsible, your payment would be reduced by 15 percent.

Compensation for a Car Accident Claim

The severity of the accident and injuries determines the amount you may receive. In general, the more severe your injuries, the more you should demand in compensation, though there are exceptions.

Your attorney is best equipped to determine how much you should demand. We will examine the verifiable losses, or damages, you’ve suffered as a result of the accident and help you reach a number that covers these losses.

Some losses are based on an actual monetary amount, such as medical bills. These are economic damages. Examples include:

  • Lost wages
  • Lost opportunity
  • Household expenses
  • Property damage
  • Transportation

Some losses are based on the experience of the accident and injury and have more to do with your well-being as opposed to financial loss. These are noneconomic damages. Here are some examples:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Emotional distress
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Loss of enjoyment

In some cases, you may also be eligible for exemplary damages. These are designed to punish the responsible party for their negligent action and can only be awarded by a judge or jury. Talk to your attorney to see if exemplary damages apply in your case.

Oxnard Car Accident Statistics

Here are some data and statistics regarding car accidents and injuries in Oxnard and elsewhere:

  • Oxnard had eight fatal traffic accidents in 2019.
  • Only two of those fatal accidents involved a drunk driver.
  • Fifty percent of drivers involved in fatal crashes in California in 2019 who were tested for legal or illegal drugs tested positive.
  • March is the most dangerous month for car accidents in Oxnard.
  • The majority of car accidents in Oxnard in 2019 occurred in the afternoon or evening.

Call OnderLaw Today

If another driver’s negligent actions injured you or someone you love in Oxnard, don’t wait any longer. You only have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit under California’s statute of limitations, so it’s crucial you contact us as soon as possible after your accident. Don’t let a car accident wreck your financial future. Call for a free consultation today.