How car accidents can change your life: Someone else’s error can change your life
Car accidents are an everyday reality, and despite their frequency, they remain undeniably scary. They can happen anytime, unexpectedly altering not just your day but sometimes your entire life. Discover the potential life-changing consequences when someone else’s mistake on the road comes into play. If you’re dealing with the aftermath of a car accident, our legal team is here to provide guidance and help you navigate through the complexities, ensuring you get the justice you deserve.
Common causes of car accidents
Many fatal car accidents in California are linked to various forms of distracted driving. Distracted driving encompasses a range of activities that divert the driver’s attention away from safely operating the vehicle and navigating the road. This includes talking or texting on a cell phone, conversing with passengers, applying makeup, eating, or searching for items while driving.
In Fontana, the second most prevalent cause of car accidents is the failure to adhere to traffic rules. Drivers commonly violate laws such as tailgating, speeding, disregarding the right of way, running red lights, ignoring stop signs, neglecting road signs, following too closely without enough time to slow down safely, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The subsequent information presents additional statistics regarding California drivers and accidents across the state and globally:
- California Roadway Fatalities: Over 3,700 Lives Lost Annually
- Global Impact: 20-50 Million Injuries in Accident-Related Incidents Every Year
- Annual Report: 250,000 Injury-Inducing Accidents in California
- Speeding-Related Car Accidents: Exceeding 50,000 Incidents in California
- Pedestrian Perils: 24% of Car Accident Fatalities in California
- California’s Concern: 11th Highest Pedestrian Deaths in the US
- Fatal Motorcycle Crashes: A Closer Look at the 500 Annual Incidents
- Unreported Accidents: Over Half a Million Annually in California
- Fatalities by Age: High-Risk Group Identified as Ages 21-25
- Gender Disparities: 72% of Car Crash Fatalities Involve Men
- Drug-Related Tragedies: 50% of California Drivers Killed Under Influence
- DUI Dangers: 30% of Fatal Crashes in California Involve Impaired Drivers
- Fatal Trends: California Ranks Second in the Nation for Car Accidents
- 2024 Snapshot: 4,000 Fatal Car Accidents in California
- State Rankings: California’s 2024 Accident Statistics vs. Texas and Florida
- Traffic Fatality Rate: California Holds the Unsettling Top Position
- Alarming Averages: A Car Collision Death Every 2.5 Hours in California
- Seatbelt Safety: 64% of 2024 California Car Crash Victims Unbuckled
- Hit-and-Run Realities: 130,000 Incidents in 2019, Resulting in 25,000 Injuries
- Cell Phone Risks: Driving and Talking Increases Accident Chances by 400%
- Child Safety Alert: Car Accidents Top Cause of Death Under 15 in the US
- Pedestrian Perils: A US Pedestrian Dies Every 88 Minutes in Car Crashes
- National Scale: 285 Million Vehicles and 240 Million Licensed Drivers in the US
- Fatalities Nationally: 38,000 Deaths from 6 Million US Car Accidents Annually
- Economic Impact: US Motor Vehicle Accidents Incur $250 Billion in Costs Each Year
- California Damages: Nearly $6 Billion in Annual Motor Vehicle Accident Costs
Impact of Partial Fault on Your Injury Claim in Orange County, CA
If you share partial fault in a California car accident, you can still recover for your injuries. Your recovery amount is proportionally reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. For instance, being 50% at fault allows you to recover 50% of your claim’s full value. This rule applies at varying fault percentages, ensuring you receive compensation based on the degree of responsibility.
Timeline for Filing a Personal Injury Claim After a Car Accident in California
In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the accident date. You have flexibility within this timeframe to file your claim. However, if a governmental entity is involved, you must submit a claim within six months. After a likely denial, you then have an additional six months to file a lawsuit.
Recovering Financially from Injuries Caused by Uninsured or Underinsured Drivers
If hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver in California, having uninsured motorist coverage is crucial. This coverage allows you to recover from your insurance as if the uninsured driver had insurance. If the at-fault party’s insurance falls short, your underinsured motorist coverage becomes invaluable, provided its limits exceed the underinsured driver’s coverage.
Settlement Offers: Immediate Acceptance vs. Pursuing an OC Car Accident Injury Case
Reject immediate settlement offers. Insurance companies often rush settlements before understanding the full extent of injuries. Accepting an early offer may leave you undercompensated, especially if later-discovered injuries require additional compensation. Continuing with your personal injury case, supported by legal representation, improves the chances of securing fair compensation for your damages.
Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney Despite Clear Fault
Even if fault is evident, hiring an Orange County personal injury attorney is advisable. Insurance companies may take advantage of unrepresented individuals, attempting to minimize payouts. An attorney protects your rights, ensuring you don’t fall victim to manipulative tactics. Their expertise is crucial in securing fair compensation, especially if the insurance adjuster’s tone changes over time.
Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (888) 703-2405 today.