In the mere seconds it takes for a catastrophic car accident to occur, your entire life can change forever. You may be left with debilitating injuries that prevent you from being mobile or returning to work, or a loved one may be taken from you, all because someone was speeding to get to work on time or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. When a serious car accident occurs, innocent people are made to suffer the consequences, physical, emotional and financial, and something should be done about it. If you have been seriously injured in a car accident in Orange County, you may be entitled to financial compensation to cover the cost of your medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages. Contact our experienced Orange County car accident lawyers at DAG Law Firm today for a free consultation.
Affordable Orange County Car Accident Attorney
In the aftermath of a serious car accident, rest and recovery should be your main priority. However, if you believe you may be entitled to damages for injuries resulting from your accident, it’s important not to waste any time pursuing compensation from the potentially negligent party. If you decide to pursue a claim for injuries resulting from a car accident in Orange County, you need an experienced car accident lawyer on your side to ensure you receive fair and legal treatment throughout the process. Our attorneys at DAG Law Firm not only have the time and manpower to do all the work that filing a successful claim requires, including conducting research, collecting evidence and investigating the factors that contributed to the accident, they also have experience winning cases in the courtroom, which is a skill you want in a personal injury attorney. Our lawyers can offer you sound legal advice and ensure your rights are protected while you concentrate on recovering from your injuries.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Despite efforts to make California roads safer for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians alike, car accident injuries and deaths in California and throughout the United States are on the rise. In 2016, there were 37,461 fatalities from car accidents in the United States, a 12% increase from just three years prior. In California alone, 3,680 people were killed in car accidents across the state that year, which marked a 13% increase in California traffic accident deaths from the previous year, more than double the 6% increase the country saw as a whole. Car accident injuries can range from something as minor as a bump or bruise to a devastating spinal cord injury that leaves you paralyzed from the waist down and unable to walk. These injuries can be physical or emotional, short-term or long-term; if they cause you harm, you may be able to obtain compensation for them. Some common injuries resulting from Orange County car accidents include:
- Head injury
- Traumatic brain injury
- Whiplash
- Neck injury
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Loss of limbs
- Back injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Paralysis
- Fractures
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Bruises
Possible Causes of Orange County Car Accidents
On a national level, 54% of car accident deaths take place in rural areas where there are fewer people on the road and motorists think they can drive faster and less carefully, but in California, the majority of deadly collisions happen in or around cities like Orange County, where traffic congestion and impatient or reckless drivers make for a deadly combination. In fact, in 2013, Orange County was ranked the fifth deadliest county in California, behind Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego. Busy freeways and congested highways are where many car accidents occur in Orange County, most commonly due to the following causes:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Reckless driving
- Inclement weather
- Failure to obey traffic signals
- Inexperienced drivers
- Vehicle design defects
- Poorly maintained roads
- Unsafe lane changes
- Wrong-way driving
- Drowsy driving
- Tire blowouts
Determining Liability in Orange County Car Accidents
There are many possible causes of Orange County car accidents, and while being aware of the factors that contribute to collisions most frequently can help prevent an accident from occurring, there is really no way to prepare yourself for a car accident. You can be the safest driver on the road and you can still be involved in a deadly collision if another driver chooses to act with negligence, recklessness or carelessness. That is where the important concept of liability comes into play. Determining liability in an Orange County car accident involves figuring out who was responsible for the accident and proving that the negligence of that person or party caused your injuries.
There are any number of people and agencies who can be held liable for injuries resulting from Orange County car accidents, possibly including careless or reckless drivers, automobile manufacturers or suppliers who design and sell defective automobiles, or local or state government agencies responsible for maintaining Orange County roadways. For example, if you are driving down the road at a normal speed and your gas pedal suddenly gets stuck in the accelerate position, causing you to speed off the road and into a tree, you may be able to hold the car manufacturer liable for injuries caused by a faulty gas pedal.
Seeking Compensation for an Orange County Car Accident
The high rate of car accident injuries and fatalities in Orange County is a tragedy, but what’s equally tragic is the fact that these accidents are often preventable. Many of these deadly accidents happen in the same spots on Orange County roadways, at the same times of day, and for many of the same reasons. If you have suffered significant losses because of a car accident in Orange County, you have a chance of recovering financial compensation through a personal injury lawsuit, which can help you begin to get back on your feet. Some possible losses associated with an Orange County car accident may include:
- Costly medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Ongoing rehabilitation
- Permanent disability
- Property loss
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Funeral costs
- Wrongful death
Free Car Accident Consultation in Orange County
With its beautiful beaches, scenic highways and pleasant weather, Orange County is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the country. Unfortunately, the influx of visitors to Orange County coupled with the dense population of the city means the roads are often congested, which automatically increases the risk of car accidents. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in an Orange County car accident, consult our knowledgeable attorneys at DAG Law Firm today to discuss the possibility of filing a personal injury claim for damages. By filing a lawsuit against the person or party found at fault in your car accident, not only can you recover compensation to help pay for your medical bills and other losses, you can also raise awareness about the importance of safe driving and help protect other motorists from similar accidents.
