Orange County Car Accident Attorneys

While Orange County doesn’t experience the same hustle and bustle and extreme rush hour traffic that you would find in other cities such as Los Angeles or San Francisco, driving in Orange County presents unique risks that can significantly increase the chance of dangerous collisions happening. With more and more drivers on the road in California, car accidents are becoming increasingly common. Auto accidents just don’t happen, however, and are often the result of negligent or reckless drivers. Regardless of the cause, these accidents often result in serious injuries and loss of life. If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident that was not your fault, it helps to have an experienced attorney to rely on.

Shoar Law Group is an experienced personal injury firm that specializes in representing victims of car accidents in Orange County and throughout Northern and Southern California. We have the legal knowledge and negotiating skills that are essential for pursuing successful injury claims and can help you obtain the maximum amount of money that you are owed.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Orange County

Tourist Traffic

With attractions like Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Mission San Juan Capistrano, Angel Stadium, and the Honda Center, Orange County is well-regarded as one of the great tourist destinations in the world. Particularly in the winter, tourists from all over the country visit Orange County to soak up the sun and sand and take in the sights. Tourists can present danger because they are typically unfamiliar with Orange County’s infrastructure, especially with the confusing and busy roadways and freeway offramps. These tourists are usually driving in rental vehicles which they have little experience operating, and are often glancing at their cell phones for directions. The mix of unfamiliar settings and distractions results in tourists significantly increasing the risk of accident and injury.

Since the attractions in Orange County extend from corner to corner, tourist-involved accidents can cause significant danger throughout Orange County. The lively restaurant and bar scene in areas like Newport Beach adds to the danger because tourists often get behind the wheel after having a few drinks. Ingestion of alcohol and other substances can often cause drivers to behave erratically and dangerously behind the wheel, causing harm and injury to those around them, especially to pedestrians walking the busy streets.

Busy Towns

Wtih over 3 million residents, Orange County is the third-most populous county in California, the sixth most populous in the U.S., and more populous than 21 U.S. states. Although mostly suburban, it is the second most densely populated county in the state, behind San Francisco County. Traffic has worsened as more ride-sharing apps have increased the number of drivers on the road during times that were already busy. Orange County roadways include many difficult, and often busy areas, such as certain freeway entrances and exits, where unpredictable drivers and poorly planned roadways cause traffic to jam up. Once traffic clears, drivers may behave more aggressively as they try to get to the front of traffic. As a result, accident risk may increase substantially in these heavier traffic areas.

Weather

Picture-perfect Orange County presents amazing weather throughout most of the year. Nevertheless, because there is such little rainfall, Orange County drivers may be challenged during the few rainy days during the wintertime. Drivers are often not used to navigating on slick, wet roads, and are often unprepared to navigate through inclement weather. Since there is such little rain, Orange County drivers often allow their windshield wipers go unmaintained and typically use summer tires that are not as capable in wet conditions. Throughout most of the year, the weather in Orange County is idyllically sunny and dry, with periods from May through September when it may see zero days of rain. During these months, the chances of become victim to a dangerous accident increase as drivers are unprepared to mitigate the risks of driving in wet conditions.

What To Do After You’ve Had a Car Accident in Orange County

If you have been involved in a car accident in Orange County, the first thing you should do is to immediately move yourself and your vehicle, if possible, to a safe location away from oncoming traffic. You should then call the police to report the incident, even if you don’t believe anyone has been injured. Avoid discussing the specifics of the accident with the other drivers as this can harm your case and reduce your recovery later. DO NOT agree to accept money from the at-fault driver. Some drivers will attempt to give you money at the scene in order to “settle” the claim. This can leave you with mounting vehicle repair costs and medical bills. Simply exchange contact and insurance information with the other drivers, and write down the names and information of any witnesses. Print and keep our Free Accident Guide in your vehicle to help you take down the important information. Do not share the information your record on this guide with any other parties.

When the police arrive, provide a factual description of how you believe the incident occurred, but don’t guess or speculate as to what other drivers were doing immediately prior to the accident. Do not rely upon police officers to record the names of witnesses. It is important that you obtain this information yourself as officers will sometimes forget to include witnesses on police reports.

You should then visit the nearest medical facility as soon as possible. Even if you do not feel injured, it is important to have a medical evaluation done. The shock and adrenaline from the accident sometimes mask injuries that you have experienced, and you may not feel the effects of your injuries until hours or days later. You should always take this step as a precaution because there are several serious injuries, such as mild traumatic brain injuries, that do not immediately present themselves in a manner that you can recognize. You will also need to document your injuries as early as possible so that you can maximize the amount of recovery you are owed.

Finally, contact an experienced Orange County car accident attorney that is familiar with the dangers that await unsuspecting drivers in the South Bay to begin your personal injury claim with the insurance company. Remember, you SHOULD NOT speak to any insurance adjuster regarding your incident without first contacting an Orange County car accident lawyer. Insurance adjusters will often try to get a recorded statement from you and use it to twist your words and reduce the settlement amount they offer. If you are offered a settlement from the insurance company, don’t sign it until you’ve had an attorney evaluate your claims. Shoar Law Group provides free, no-obligation case evaluations. Contact Us today to discuss your claim with an experienced Orange County car accident attorney. Doing so will help you avoid the common tricks and pitfalls the insurance companies use to reduce the amount of money you are owed and allow you to focus on getting the medical treatment you need to recover from your injuries.

Shoar Law Group represents clients in car accident cases in the following areas in Orange County:

Should I Report My Car Accident To My Insurance Company?

Yes. You should report your claim to your insurance agent or company, even if you were not at fault.

Most personal auto insurance policies require you to promptly report accidents. This is especially important if you, your passengers, or anyone else involved suffered an injury. Additionally, your insurance company has a duty to timely investigate and settle claims on your behalf, even if you were not at fault. However, before allowing your own insurance company to settle your claims, you should contact an experienced car accident lawyer to evaluate your case. Your insurance company is only interested in quickly settling a claim, they are not interested in getting you the maximum amount of money that you are owed.

If you’re injured and the other driver doesn’t have insurance or has a very limited insurance policy that is not enough to pay for your damages, a claim to your own insurer places it on notice of your potential uninsured/underinsured motorist claim. Click Here to learn more about the importance of having uninsured motorist coverage.

Common Injuries Caused by Car Accidents

Orange County drivers can be injured in any type of car accident—even those that occur when one or more cars are traveling at a low speed. Some of the most common car accident injuries include:

Soft Tissue Injuries

Any damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons is often referred to as a soft tissue injury. There are many different types of soft tissue injuries, but one of the most common is whiplash. This injury occurs when muscles and ligaments in the neck are stretched too far due to the sudden impact of a car accident. It affects the neck, head, and upper back, and can cause a great deal of pain.

Chest Injuries

Drivers can sustain chest injuries such as bruises or broken ribs when their chest collides with the steering wheel during a crash. But, drivers aren’t the only ones who may injure their chests. If the impact of the collision is strong enough, passengers who are wearing seatbelts may sustain bruising on their chests.

Head Injuries

The impact of the collision could send your head flying in many different directions. It’s possible that your head could bump into the steering wheel, dashboard, or even the window. As a result, passengers may suffer from concussions, traumatic brain injuries, or skull fractures.

Back Injuries

Back injuries can range in severity from minor soft tissue injuries to severe spinal cord damage. If you damage your spinal cord during a car accident, you may start to lose feeling or control over certain parts of your body. Some spinal cord injuries are so severe that they cause partial or total paralysis.

The Importance of Documenting Your Evidence

Compensation is never a guarantee in any personal injury case. But, documenting evidence after the accident can strengthen your case and improve your chance of recovering compensation.

What should you document? It’s recommended that you snap photos of any injuries and property damage as soon as possible following the accident. If you can, take pictures of the scene of the accident, including any vehicles that were involved, debris from the collision, and nearby traffic signs and lights. This will help you reconstruct the accident later on if the other driver suddenly denies he or she was at fault for the crash. Click here to download our Free Car Accident Guide to ensure you have written down the most important information.

You should also document any expenses you incur as a result of your injuries. For example, keep track of your medical bills, cost of prescription medications, and any other expenses related to the accident. It’s important to also have a copy of your medical records and the results of X-rays, MRIs, or lab tests. This evidence will help you prove that your injuries exist, that they were caused by the accident, and that you should be compensated for the expenses you have incurred. If your injuries require you to take time off from work, make a note of the dates on which you could not work.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation. Let’s turn the wheels of justice together.