Beaumont Car Accident Lawyer

Beaumont Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents often have devastating effects on survivors. They have to face the potential emotional side effects, like post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as any physical injuries or long-term disabilities. Working with a Beaumont car accident lawyer can help make the future more bearable to face.

Hire a Car Accident Lawyer That Locals Rely On

Since 2012, Corrales Law Group has helped hundreds of California clients get the compensation they deserve. Sibling attorneys Peter and Janice work on the belief that every person, no matter who they are, deserves fair legal guidance. Our team is proud to offer free consultations to residents living in Beaumont and the surrounding towns. We offer Spanish services and in-home visits for those living with a disability.

Having to try to resume life as normal is almost impossible after a car accident. Survivors often find it difficult to get back behind the wheel. Since driving is the main mode of transit in the United States, this can make every aspect of life extremely hard.

You don’t have to go through this difficult time by yourself. Let our experienced personal injury attorneys handle the legal side of things so you can focus on your well-being after your accident.

The Cause of Car Accidents

Commuting to work alone by car in Beaumont was the major mode of transit in 2023. The average commute time was 36 minutes. This time spent in the car greatly increases the likelihood of a future accident. You could be the most cautious driver on the road, but you can’t control how other drivers behave.

In 2022, there were 154 recorded victims in Beaumont car accidents, both injured and those who passed away. Of these incidents, the most common types of accidents result from easily avoidable actions. These include:

1. Speeding. Speeding may not seem like a big deal since most people do it, but it greatly reduces a driver’s reaction time. Twenty-two accidents in Beaumont in 2022 were due to speeding. While it may seem tempting, speeding is never a safe way of driving.
2. Distracted driving. Distracted driving has become increasingly more common with the reliance on phones. Navigational apps, music apps, and even voice-to-text are considered distracted driving techniques. With the prevalence of this, more and more accidents happen.
3. Driving under the influence. Driving under the influence is the easiest thing to avoid when getting behind the wheel. There’s never an excuse for it, yet it causes death to the driver and others on the road every day. In 2022, there were 55 DUI arrests in Beaumont. These are only the officially recorded accounts, and the real number was likely much higher.

After an accident, it’s normal to feel anger towards the guilty party, especially when they did simple things that could have been avoided. Be sure to hire a car accident lawyer to represent your case.

At Corrales Law Group, we’ve had years of experience in car accident cases and know how to most effectively present your case. While compensation can’t take away what happened to you, it can make your present and future easier to face.

California Car Accident Laws

At the center of California’s transportation, Beaumont commuters use Interstate 10, State Route 60, and State Route 79 every day. These roads see thousands of daily drivers and at least one crash per day. For those who survive an accident, there are steps they can take to seek compensation.

California courts use a comparative negligence system to determine how much compensation to award the filing party. To do this, they’ll review the evidence provided to the court to assign each party involved in the accident a percentage of fault.

Luckily, even if you’re found to be 99% at fault for the crash, you can still seek compensation. Many states only allow those filing to get compensation if they’re found to be less than 50% at fault for the incident.

Even though you can seek compensation, your final settlement amount will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example:

• If the driver who hit you was under the influence, they may be found to be 80% at fault for the incident.
• However, if it’s discovered that you were speeding at the time of the accident, you may be assigned 20% fault.
• If your final settlement award was $100,000, you would only receive $80,000.

While this final amount is still substantial, it may not account for all the damages you lost after the accident. Your lawyer will be able to estimate your percentage of fault in the accident and factor it into the total requested compensation amount submitted to the court.

Types of Damages That Can Be Sought After a Car Accident

The monetary amounts requested during a car accident case are never randomly selected. They’re based on the losses you’ve suffered as a result of the crash, and can vary depending on the complexity of your situation. For example, a person who suffered an amputation because of a drunk driver will likely receive more compensation than someone who received mild whiplash and had a greater amount of fault in the crash.

To determine a fair amount of compensation to request during your case, your lawyer will rely on the types of damages for which courts allow recovery. There are two main types of damages in a car accident case:

1. Economic damages. These are damages that can be easily calculated based on the actual financial loss you’ve suffered. It can include your medical bills, rehabilitation services, medical aid devices, lost wages from missing work, and property damage to your vehicle and other belongings.
2. Non-economic damages. These damages are more subjective when being calculated. They’re based on more emotional losses, such as pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.

In more severe cases, punitive damages may be awarded to the filing party. These damages are awarded when the court wants to further punish the guilty party for particularly malicious or careless actions, such as severe drunk driving. This is not only done to punish the person responsible, but to deter future behavior.

FAQs About Beaumont, CA Car Accident Laws

What Kind of Evidence Helps Prove Fault in a California Car Accident?

In California, you’ll need extensive evidence to prove fault in a car accident case. Right after the accident, be sure to take photos and videos of the crash site, any visible injuries, and damage to both vehicles. Include copies of all official documents, like police reports and medical records. Your lawyer can help you obtain dashcam and traffic surveillance footage, too. They’ll get official statements from any eyewitnesses to help bolster your claim.

What’s the Statute of Limitations for Filing My Car Accident Claim in Beaumont?

California has a two-year deadline for filing claims for those involved in car accidents. While this may seem long, it can take a while to gather proof for your case, and the evidence may be gone by the time you file. Car accident sites get cleaned up, and eyewitness memories fade over time. The filing deadline may shift depending on your case. If your incident involved a government vehicle, you only have six months to file your legal claim.

How Do I Interact With Insurance Companies After My Car Accident?

It’s important to only provide insurance companies with basic facts about the accident. It can be helpful to write down what you’ll say before the meeting happens. Even if you have good intentions, insurance companies are not on your side. Don’t make any speculations about the cause of the incident and don’t admit fault, as they’ll use this information against you to avoid paying. Only answer questions under oath or make recorded statements with your lawyer present.

What Steps Should I Take After Getting Into a Car Accident?

After getting into a car accident, your health and safety are the first priority. Call 911 and get medical attention right away. Get copies of the police incident report and your medical records. Get the contact and insurance information of everyone involved in the incident. Don’t apologize or admit any fault, as they can use this against you later. Get the contact information of anyone who witnessed the incident. Then, hire a car accident lawyer.

What Do I Do if My Accident Was a Hit-and-Run?

If the other driver involved in the accident committed a hit-and-run, you’ll need to report it to 911 immediately. Collect contact information of any eyewitnesses. Their testimony, along with yours, can help police track down the driver. They’ll be able to use the dashcam and security footage to try to identify the car. As far as compensation goes, you’ll be able to pursue it if your personal insurance has uninsured motorist protection. Hiring a lawyer is recommended to pursue maximum compensation.

Choose a Trusted Injury Law Firm Today

At Corrales Law Group, we pride ourselves on offering new clients transparent legal advice so they can take control of their futures. Reach out to us today to schedule your first appointment. We offer free consultations to those living in California.

During your consultation, you’ll be able to explain every detail of your situation and let us know your desires for the outcome of your case. We’ll handle it from there.