Moreno Valley Car Accident Lawyer

Moreno Valley Car Accident Attorney

The results of serious car crashes can be life-altering or even deadly. If you have been in a car accident caused by another person and sustained injuries, you are entitled to compensation for any damages incurred. A Moreno Valley car accident lawyer can help you seek full compensation from the responsible party’s insurance company and increase your chances of receiving a maximized settlement.

Corrales Law Group, Inc. – Car Accident Lawyers You Can Trust

The legal team at Corrales Law Group, Inc., has been practicing personal injury law for years. In that time, we have successfully handled many car accident cases and helped clients receive compensation for many types of injuries. Whether you have sustained whiplash and a minor concussion that has prevented you from returning immediately to work or you are now facing a disability, you can get help from a Moreno Valley car accident attorney.

Why Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

The California Office of Traffic Safety estimates that there were 1,069 serious crashes in Moreno Valley in 2022 that led to either fatalities or severe injuries. Overall, 4,061 Californians died in car crashes in 2023. One study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that 29% of auto accidents in 2023 were caused by speeding, and 3,143 fatal accidents were due to distracted driving, which means that driver negligence is causing a lot of harm across the Golden State.

If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed due to the negligence of another driver or a third party, you should hire a car accident lawyer who can help you evaluate the strength of your claim, negotiate a settlement, and, if necessary, take the responsible parties to court. No one should have to suffer alone following a car accident, and insurance companies have lawyers on their teams.

Whether you were hit by another vehicle on Gilman Springs Road or rear-ended on Perris Boulevard, you should have someone who understands car accident laws on your side.

What to Do Following a Car Accident

The first thing to do following a serious car accident is to call the police and seek medical care. It is important to document both the crash itself and its impact on your physical health. Your top priority should always be your health and safety, and those of other people involved in the accident.

Once you have contacted the police, exchanged information with other drivers, and sought care for any injuries you have sustained, the next step is to hire a car accident lawyer. You should do this before speaking with the other driver’s insurance company if possible. It is often the case that insurance companies make lowball offers that do not pay for 100% of victims’ medical care and make up for all of their lost wages, pain and suffering, or property damage.

Having a seasoned lawyer on your team during negotiations with the insurance company is a great way to improve the chances of a positive outcome. Additionally, if you need to take your car accident case to court, you will already have a legal representative who is familiar with your case and has thoroughly examined the evidence.

Evidence in Car Accident Cases

There are various types of evidence that can be helpful in proving who caused the accident and how severe the injuries you incurred as a result of the crash truly were. Common forms of evidence can include:

• Photographs from the scene. If you are able to move about the scene safely without causing yourself further injury, it can be very helpful to gather evidence at the scene of the accident. Take photographs of your car, the other vehicle, and the surrounding area. Record the vehicles’ final positions and any damage to the car or debris left in the road. Any images of traffic signs and signals, lighting, weather conditions, and skid marks can also help your lawyer understand what occurred.
• Police reports. Part of the reason it is so important to contact the police following a car crash is that the police report can serve as a vital piece of evidence during negotiations or at trial. The reports typically contain diagrams of the accident scene and key details such as the date, time, and location. The police report will also have information from all of the drivers involved.
• Witness and personal statements. If you are able to obtain contact information from witnesses to the accident, their reports will also be very helpful. Even if you cannot speak with any of the witnesses to the crash and their information is not readily available, you can still log your own experiences as soon as possible after the accident while your memories are still clear. Journal entries detailing your pain and distress are also helpful for proving damages.
• Vehicle technology and digital evidence. Modern vehicles contain black boxes that capture data such as speed and braking during the moments leading up to a collision. Experts may be able to analyze this data to confirm what actions you and the other driver took that could have caused or tried to prevent an accident. Cell phone data can also provide relevant clues, such as whether one or more drivers were distracted.
• Medical records and documentation of injuries. You will also want to document any injuries you sustained during the crash. Take pictures of injuries immediately following the accident, and be sure to document the time and place for each doctor visit. Emergency room records, notes, and diagnostic results can all be helpful in proving the severity of your injuries. It is very important that you maintain a complete, consistent medical history because insurance companies often question gaps in treatment.
• Proof of financial losses. You should keep all receipts detailing the cost of your medical care and provide pay stubs and a letter from your employer that verifies the amount of time you had to take off from work and how much you lost in terms of wages as a result. Don’t forget to keep receipts for out-of-pocket expenses such as prescriptions and transportation to and from your doctors’ appointments.
• Expert witnesses. In some cases, you may need an expert witness to testify to certain aspects of your case. Accident reconstructionists can analyze the evidence to recreate the crash, while medical experts can explain the extent of your injuries and what your long-term prognosis might be. Economic experts can calculate future lost earnings.

Evidence and the Discovery Process

Once you file a claim, all the evidence you collected becomes part of the discovery process. During this stage, each side shares whatever information they have with the other, often through the use of tools like interrogatories and depositions. Keeping your documents organized and making digital backups can facilitate the discovery process and ensure that you have all your evidence in order. A dedicated attorney can help you with every part of the process.

If you are unable to settle your claim outside of court, the evidence you collected could also be useful during a trial. Your lawyer in Moreno Valley will do everything possible to obtain the maximum compensation you are due during the settlement negotiations or during litigation.

FAQs About Moreno Valley, CA Car Accident Laws

What Is a Reasonable Settlement Offer for a Car Crash?

A reasonable settlement offer for a car crash will vary based on the severity of your injuries, whether you have suffered any long-term or permanent disability, and whether your vehicle or other property was destroyed during the accident. Settlement offers in California also vary based on fault. If you are found to be partially at fault for the accident, you will receive a lower settlement, based on the percentage of fault you had.

What Are the Odds of Successfully Filing a Claim After a Car Accident?

The odds of successfully filing a claim after a car accident and obtaining compensation for your injuries will depend on the details of your case. You can improve your chances of receiving fair compensation from the responsible party’s insurance company by hiring an experienced car accident lawyer who can fight for your interests during negotiations and, if necessary, take the case to court.

Is It Bad to File a Claim After a Car Accident?

It is not bad to file a claim after a car accident. If you have sustained injuries, you should always file a claim. You may be able to receive compensation for any damages, making it easier to pay hospital bills, make up for lost wages, and heal from your physical and emotional injuries. A compassionate and seasoned car accident lawyer can help you with the filing process.

Your Moreno Valley Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents and the aftermath can be incredibly stressful. Seeking compensation for your injuries, pain, and suffering shouldn’t be. At Corrales Law Group, Inc., you do not need to pay legal fees up front. We only receive a percentage of your settlement if we win your case.

The legal team at Corrales Law Group, Inc., can aggressively represent your rights and interests in negotiations and in court, so you don’t have to worry about how you will pay your bills. We have successfully represented many clients following car crashes, and we can help you, too. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.