Norco Car Accident Lawyer

Norco Car Accident Attorney

Experiencing a car crash is one of the most traumatic things a person can go through. It often results in physical and emotional trauma that can be difficult to navigate alone. During this time, working with a Norco car accident lawyer can ensure your legal rights are protected in the aftermath of the accident.

Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Norco, CA

Here at the Corrales Law Group, sibling personal injury attorneys Janice and Peter have helped hundreds of California clients since 2012. We know how inaccessible legal help can be for more vulnerable populations and strive to make our services as simple as possible for clients.

We’re proud to offer new clients in Norco and surrounding cities with free consultations and even do in-home consultations for those living with disabilities. No one should have to go through the trauma of a car accident alone. Our team provides empathetic legal care throughout the entirety of legal proceedings.

Deadlines for Filing a Car Accident Claim in California

It’s common for survivors of car accidents to feel complex emotions surrounding their crash. Seeking compensation is a natural desire and your legal right as a California resident. After a car accident happens, survivors have two years to file their legal claim for compensation.

However, depending on the specifics of your case, this deadline can shift. For example, if the car accident involved a government vehicle, the deadline to file is only six months from the date of the accident.

This timeline may seem long, but it’s important to file as soon as possible. Courts are often backed up, making delays in cases common. A major part of a car accident case is collecting extensive evidence to prove the other party’s fault in the incident. If you wait to file and collect this evidence, the proof may disappear entirely. Car accident sites and witness memories can fade over time.

The Two Types of Damages Survivors Can Seek

In 2022, Norco had 97 fatalities due to car accidents. In a town with a population of only 25,211 as of 2023, this statistic is concerning. Survivors have the right to seek compensation for their trauma. While it may not seem worth the hassle, compensation can help with the present and future monetary burden you may experience.

When filing your legal claim, your lawyer will be able to help you estimate a reasonable compensation amount to request from the other party.

This monetary number is never random but is instead calculated depending on the specifics of your case. Survivors can seek two main types of damages after a car accident:

• Economic damages. These types of damages are calculated based on the monetary value of your losses after the accident. It can include your medical bills, damage to your vehicle and other personal belongings, and lost income from missing work due to the injury. Because of the extensive number of losses that can happen after an accident, economic damages can help a survivor feel stable again.
• Non-economic damages. These types of damages are calculated based on more subjective losses. These losses can include pain and suffering and the loss of enjoyment of life, particularly for those who develop chronic pain or disability from the incident. Having a physical reminder of your trauma can be incredibly damaging.

Those with post-traumatic stress disorder may also seek damages, as this is a common result of a car accident and can make it difficult to navigate daily life.

In limited cases, punitive damages may be sought. These types of damages are awarded to victims to punish particularly malicious behavior from the other party. This behavior could include intentionally causing the accident or severe drunk driving. Punitive damages are typically awarded to deter the other party from doing something similar in the future.

Norco’s Comparative Negligence System

Norco commuters often use Interstate 15 (I-15) to navigate daily life, as it leads directly into downtown. However, this highway and other major locations see daily car accidents that can be devastating to those who survive.

The average commute time in 2023 in Norco was 34.1 minutes. This time spent driving leads drivers to a higher likelihood of experiencing an incident, especially at peak rush hours.

Under California law, drivers have a legal obligation to act without carelessness and obey traffic laws. If they fail to do so and it causes an accident, it’s considered negligence. In order to calculate who’s at fault for an accident, California courts use a comparative negligence system.

Other states operate under the system as well, but the particulars tend to be stricter than in California. Often, other states only allow compensation if the injured party is found to be less than 50% at fault for the incident.

However, in California, injured parties can seek compensation even if they’re found to be 99% at fault for the incident.

To determine this, courts rely on extensive evidence to determine fault. This evidence can be gathered with the help of your lawyer, and can include:

• Photos and videos of the car accident site
• Photos and videos of any property damage, such as damage to your personal vehicle
• Photos and videos of any visible injuries
• Copies of the incident and medical reports
• Dashcam and traffic surveillance footage
• Witness testimony of anyone who saw the accident happen
• Expert testimony of professionals who understand what can cause car accidents

Using this proof, the court will assign every party involved in the incident a percentage of fault. Then, after you’ve been assigned the percentage, your final settlement amount will be reduced by that percentage.

For example, if another person driving hits you because they were texting while driving, they may be found to be 80% at fault for the incident and the resulting injuries. However, if it’s found that you weren’t wearing a seatbelt at the time of the incident, you may be found to be 20% at fault.

This means that if you were awarded $100,000, your final compensation amount would be $80,000.

While this amount is still substantial, it’s important to hire a car accident lawyer to help you get the most compensation available in your case.

Common Types of Crashes and Injuries in Car Accidents

FAQs About Norco, CA Car Accident Laws

What are the Common Causes of Car Accidents?

There are many things that can lead to a car accident in California. Speeding is one of the leading causes of car accidents, as it reduces a driver’s reaction time. Driving under the influence has been an ongoing issue in the United States and leads to thousands of fatalities every year. Distracted driving can lead to accidents, even when using GPS apps on your phone or changing a music station.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident to Help My Case?

After a car accident, your health and safety are the priority. Seek medical attention right away, whether injuries appear present or not. Certain injuries can take longer to show symptoms. Get copies of the medical and incident reports. Get the contact information of the other driver and any eyewitnesses. Avoid admitting fault or apologizing for the incident, as this can be used against you later. Then, hire a car accident lawyer to represent you during your case.

What Happens After I File a Claim With My Insurance Company?

After you report a loss to your insurance company, they will usually contact you to get detailed information about what happened. In some cases, they may take up to 15 days to reach out. When they contact you, they may ask you to give a recorded statement or answer questions under oath. To evaluate vehicle damage, an insurance adjuster will typically inspect your car and create an estimate based on what they find.

Should I Speak to Insurance Companies Only When My Lawyer is Present?

You can speak to an insurance company alone. However, it’s recommended to avoid giving official statements without a lawyer present. Even with good intentions, if you say something wrong, then the insurance company will have an excuse not to pay. These companies are looking for you to admit fault or speculate on what caused the crash. Only provide basic facts of the incident. It can be helpful to write down what you’ll say before the meeting.

What Do I Do if the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?

If the other driver involved in the incident doesn’t possess insurance, you may be able to seek compensation through your personal insurance policy if you have uninsured motorist coverage. This coverage pays for injuries when there’s been an accident with an uninsured driver who is at fault. If you’re unable to seek compensation through that, then you can open a personal injury case against the other driver to get the compensation that you deserve.

Contact a Norco Car Accident Lawyer

We help our clients by providing transparent legal guidance so they can make informed decisions about their future. After such a destabilizing event, you deserve to feel back in control of your life. The team at Corrales Law Group is here for you.

Contact our office today to set up your first free consultation, either at the office or at your home. Our team believes that cases should be resolved as efficiently and quickly as possible. Our team can help clients by providing services in both English and Spanish.