Lake Forest Car Accident Lawyer

Lake Forest Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents leave lasting impacts on those who survive. Trying to move on after an incident can be made difficult when faced with mounting medical bills and daily reminders of your emotional and physical injuries. Hiring a Lake Forest car accident lawyer can help you recover compensation and begin the healing process.

Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Lake Forest, CA

Sibling attorneys Janice and Peter are passionate about protecting the rights of vulnerable communities in California. Since 2012, Corrales Law Group has fought on behalf of those who may not be able to access knowledgeable legal services.

We’re proud to offer Lake Forest residents free consultations and in-home consultations for those living with disabilities. Our entire team speaks English and Spanish and can help guide you through the entire legal process, so you know what to expect.

No one should have to heal from a car accident by themselves. Let the Corrales Law Group take care of the legal side of things so you can focus on your well-being and recovery.

Lake Forest Car Accident Laws

In Lake Forest, most residents commute by car, with the average car ownership being two cars per household in 2023. The average commute time to work was 25.1 minutes, making the likelihood of a crash high for daily drivers, especially during peak rush hour. Lake Forest is centrally located, with most commuters using Interstate 5, Interstate 405, and the 241 Toll Road to get around.

California offers survivors of car accidents the legal right to pursue compensation for their pain. Courts use a sistema de negligencia comparativa to help determine fault in an incident. Determining fault helps them decide the amount of compensation available to the filing party.

Courts understand that the injured party may have contributed to the incident and still allow them to seek compensation, even if they’re found to be 99% at fault for the accident. The final compensation amount will be reduced by their percentage of fault.

Por ejemplo:

• If the other driver was texting while driving when they hit your case, they may be assigned 80% at fault for the incident.
• If you were found to be speeding slightly at the time of the incident, courts may assign you to be 20% at fault.
• If you were awarded $100,000, it would be reduced by your percentage of fault to a final amount of $80,000.

While this final amount may still seem high, the cost of your medical care and other damages may also be significant. Be sure to hire a car accident lawyer before filing your legal claim. When determining how much compensation to request from the other party, your lawyer will factor in your damages and expected percentage of fault in the incident.

Types of Damages You Can Seek

In 2022, there were 172 victims of car accidents in Lago Forestal. These victims either suffered injuries or passed away from the accident. Common reasons for major accidents include speeding, distracted driving, and driving under the influence. While these three reasons are easily avoidable, they unfortunately happen every day.

With the common use of GPS apps and music apps, distracted driving has become more prevalent in recent years. Speeding may not seem like a big deal, but it reduces a driver’s reaction time, leading to crashes. Driving under the influence is never justified, yet it leads to injury and death every day.

Survivors of accidents could seek compensation for their injuries and suffering.

Existen two main types of damages a person can request during a car accident case. They include:

• Daños económicos. These damages are calculated based on the monetary loss you suffered from the accident. This includes the cost of your medical bills, including rehabilitation services and therapy. It can also include any lost wages from missing work due to your injuries, as well as property damage to your vehicle and other personal belongings.
• Daños no económicos. These damages are calculated more subjectively, based on your emotional trauma. It can include damages from your pain and suffering, as well as loss of enjoyment of life.

In more severe cases, the court may award you punitive damages. These are specific damages awarded when the other driver acted with extreme malice or carelessness. This can include cases where they were extremely intoxicated or intentionally breaking the law.

Punitive damages can be added on top of economic and non-economic damages. They’re awarded to punish the wrongdoer and to make an example of them to prevent future similar behavior from happening.

Important Filing Deadlines

Knowing when to file is key to securing compensation for your case. Generally, you have two years from the date of injury to file your car accident claim in California. However, this deadline can shift, depending on the specifics of your legal case.

For example, if the other driver involved in the crash was operating a government vehicle, like a police car, you only have six months to file your legal claim.

While these timelines may seem long, it’s important to hire a lawyer and file as soon as possible. Courts use evidence to help them make their decisions, and car accident evidence can fade quickly if not collected right away.

Evidence That Can Help Your Legal Claim

There are many types of evidence that can help bolster your legal claim. After the accident happens, you’ll want to secure copies of the initial incident report and your medical records.

Asegúrese de tomar amplias fotos y vídeos de:

• El lugar del accidente
• Cualquier lesión visible que pueda tener
• Any damage to your vehicle and other personal property

Your lawyer can help record witness testimony from anyone who saw the accident, as well as get experts involved to give their statements and opinions about the case.

Dashcam footage, surveillance footage, and traffic camera footage can be essential in a car accident case, as they give real-time proof of what caused the accident. Courts will take all evidence into consideration when making their decisions about your claim.

FAQs About Lake Forest, CA Car Accident Laws

What Do I Do After a Car Accident?

After a car accident, call 911 and get medical attention right away. Exchange contact and insurance information from all parties involved in the accident, as well as the contact information of any eyewitnesses. Then, take photos and videos to be shown later in court. Avoid admitting fault or apologizing for the incident, as this can be used against you later. Next, hire a lawyer to help you navigate the next steps in your case.

What Should I Do if the At-Fault Driver Won’t Share Their Information With Me After the Accident?

It’s important to stay calm if the other driver won’t share their information with you after a car accident. Arguing with them will only escalate things and make the situation worse for you to deal with. By this point, you should have called 911. If the other driver won’t cooperate with you, the police will be able to collect the other driver’s information for you.

What Do I Do if the Other Drivers Leaves Right After the Accident Happens?

If the other driver leaves after the incident happens, it’s called a hit-and-run. Call 911 to report it and get the contact information from any eyewitnesses. Their testimony will be able to help police track down the other driver. They may also seek surveillance footage, traffic camera footage, or dashcam footage to identify the other driver’s license plate number. You can also still seek compensation if you have an uninsured motorist protection insurance policy.

What Should I Do When Interacting With Insurance Companies?

When speaking with an insurance adjuster, you will need to avoid speculating about the cause of the accident or admitting any fault in what happened. You can state general facts about the accident, but don’t say anything beyond that. They will do everything they can to avoid paying. If you misspeak, it can bar you from getting compensation. Don’t make any recorded statement without your lawyer present. They will help coach you beforehand.

What Happens Next After I File a Loss With My Insurance Company?

After you file your case with the insurance company, they will usually contact you to get more information about the incident. It can be helpful to write down detailed notes about the incident, so you don’t misspeak during the meeting. It can take them up to 15 days to contact you, so it’s important to be patient. They may ask you to give a recorded statement or answer questions under oath, but don’t do this until your lawyer is present.

Contact a Lake Forest Car Accident Lawyer

At the Corrales Law Group, we know how devastating the effects of a car accident can be for survivors. Our attorneys offer every new client the empathy they deserve and pride ourselves on our efficiency and timeliness. We want our clients to be able to put their accidents behind them so they can work towards a brighter future. Serving our clients in both Spanish and English allows us to help any client in need.

Póngase en contacto con nuestro equipo to schedule your first free consultation to learn how we can help.