If you’ve been injured in a car accident, through no fault of your own, call the Orange County car accident lawyers at Wilshire Law Firm right away. Our legal experts are available 24/7, 365 for a FREE, no obligation case evaluation. Call 800-501-3011.
Every second you wait is another dollar the insurance company will try and deny you!
With Wilshire Law Firm, you get:
- Your Medical Bills Paid
- Reimbursement for Lost Income
- Medical Appointments with Top Specialists
- Transportation to and from Medical Appointments
- Your Vehicle Repaired or Replaced
- Paid Rental Vehicle
- Maximum Compensation for Pain and Suffering
- Proven Results
In addition, we work on a contingency basis which means:
- No Win, No Fee Guarantee: We Only Get Paid if You Win
- No Upfront Fees or Hidden Costs, We Promise
Whether the person who hit you was being reckless or negligent, you have every right to pursue legal action. We’ve taken on the big insurance providers on behalf of our clients and won, and we’ll fight hard for you too. You don’t have to settle for much less than what you need to recover.
Noteworthy Settlements and Verdicts
$17,120,000 – Verdict for an 85-year-old man who had his right leg amputated after being struck by a Southland Transit Inc. bus. The jury was convinced to award punitive damages on top of other damages.
$3,000,000 – Settlement for a motorcyclist who sustained neck and back injuries after being hit by a negligent driver at an intersection.
$1,500,000 – Settlement for a client who was initially offered a $10,000 settlement by the insurance company. We negotiated a $1,500,000 settlement for him-an astronomical 14,900% improvement.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
Orange County embodies California’s car culture. Most people and tourists use cars to get around. Add trucks, service vehicles and motorcycles to the mix and accidents are bound to happen. While no one likes to think about a car accident, it’s best to know what to do if one should occur.
Learn More: What To Do After A Car Accident
Check on yourself and any passengers
Safety is priority #1. Ideally, the accident scene should remain untouched but if you’re on a busy street or freeway, it’s best to attempt to get out of harm’s way. One caveat: do not do this if it isn’t safe. Wait for emergency response personnel to arrive if that’s the case.
Call 911
Even if you think no one is injured, you should call 911. You could be in a state of shock, causing you not to feel anything in the moment. There’s also the possibility that you or someone else may have suffered internal injuries that aren’t apparent yet. If you refuse medical attention, the insurance company will also use it to try and deny your claim or greatly reduce their offer.
The other reason to call 911 is to make sure the police arrive on the scene and complete a traffic collision report. Keep in mind, if you say that no one is injured, it’s likely the police will not send a car.
Document the scene of the accident
Take photos! Document all damage to the vehicles involved, injuries, traffic signals, license plates and anything else you think is noteworthy, such as landmarks or street signs.
Exchange information with the other driver(s)
Take several photos of the other driver’s license, registration and insurance card. While you’re doing this, don’t make any comments about the accident. Of course, don’t start an argument. If the other person is agitated, avoid interacting with them. Instead, wait for police or fire department personnel to arrive and let them handle the information exchange.
Never apologize or admit guilt
In the aftermath of an accident, you’ll probably be shaken up and unable to correctly judge exactly who was at fault. Even if you think you may have been partially responsible for the accident, don’t say that or apologize. Any admission of guilt or an apology can put you at fault for the accident. The insurance company could then use that to try to deny your claim outright.
See if there were any witnesses
If any bystanders or motorists saw the accident, approach them for their contact information. Their account of the accident can be very valuable for your case. This is especially true if you were the victim of a hit and run.
When Should I Call a Lawyer?
If you or a passenger were injured, you should call a car accident lawyer immediately. Most people have never been in this type of situation before, so they have no idea how to negotiate with the insurance adjuster or what a fair settlement amount might be. And contrary to the popular image they like to present, the insurance companies are not your friend.
Insurance adjusters are trained to settle claims for the least amount possible. They know every scare tactic to employ in order to get car accident victims to sign on the dotted line. Often times, they’ll tell the accident victim that involving an attorney will only complicate the process and draw it out. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
A fair and just settlement amount can’t be determined with a single phone call from a sneaky, manipulative insurance adjuster. You need REAL, legal representation for you and your family. Our attorneys will FIGHT the insurance companies in order to get you the justice and compensation you deserve for your car accident.
Insurance companies will try to lowball you with a fast, easy offer. It may even look generous at first. But it will fall woefully short if your recovery takes longer than you anticipated or if there are complications. And once you accept the settlement amount, there’s no going back and asking for more money.
Consider the possible costs of your recovery:
- Medical bills
- Mental health counseling
- Rental and replacement vehicle
- Ongoing physical therapy and/or medical treatment
- Lost income
Accidents happen, it’s what you do afterward that counts. Life comes at you fast. Sometimes, faster than you ever imagined. The decisions you make in the aftermath of your accident can have an everlasting effect on the well-being of you and your loved ones. Consulting with a car accident lawyer is one of the best decisions you can make at this confusing and difficult time.
Causes of Accidents in Orange County
The majority of car accidents here in Orange County can be attributed to driver error or disregard for the law. Unlike areas of Northern California that experience thick fog and even snow, Orange County’s virtual year-round sunshine means weather is not a significant factor when it comes to car accidents.
The top 5 most common causes of car accidents in Orange County are:
- Speeding – Going over the speed limit contributes to a large number of auto accident injuries and deaths. Not only does speeding reduce a motorist’s reaction time, any crash at high speeds can result in life-threatening injuries and even death.
Sometimes, the driver is going below the speed limit, but should slow down due to dangerous or unpredictable conditions. Examples include driving through a construction zone or along a poorly lit stretch of road at night.
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol – Sadly, these accidents still happen, even though they’re completely avoidable. Given what we know about driving while impaired and the dangers that poses to the driver and everyone around them, there is no excuse to drink and drive, ever. California’s legalization of marijuana has also caused an increase in the number of car accidents. Like alcohol, marijuana slows a person’s reaction times. This makes it especially dangerous for any pedestrians or bicyclists in the driver’s vicinity.
- Distracted driving – Cellphones, GPS systems and loud music. These are just some of the distractions that can take a driver’s mind and eyes off the road. Studies have shown that even motorists who use a Bluetooth device may drive more aggressively if they’re arguing with someone over the phone.
Here in Orange County, the number of accidents caused by distracted drivers have jumped significantly over the last few years as cellphone usage has exploded. Although many drivers now use a hands-free device, quite a few still do not. Hoping to stem this trend, local police departments have become more aggressive in ticketing those who use their cellphones with mixed results.
- Ignoring traffic signals and signs – Whether it’s due to impatience, a blatant disregard for traffic laws, or something else, motorists who blow through stop signs and traffic signals pose a very serious threat. When it comes to traffic signals, drivers will sometimes cause an accident attempting to cross the intersection a few seconds after a light has turned red.
- Age – There’s a good reason why teenagers pay higher insurance premiums: as a group, they have a higher rate of fatal crashes and accidents. Their lack of experience and immaturity are to blame. Being on their phones, listening to loud music and having other teen passengers increase their chances of speeding and getting into an accident even more.
On the flip side, drivers over the age of 75 are the second most accident-prone group. Unlike teen drivers, they are not known to drive recklessly, but their poorer eye sight and slower reflexes can cause accidents. They are also most likely to die if they do get into an accident.
Orange County Car Accident Statistics
According to the California DMV, there were almost 2.3 million registered vehicles in Orange County in 2017. In that same year, there were 35,053 accidents, of which about 15,000 resulted in injuries.
In spite of increased awareness, public safety campaigns and police enforcement, the number of accidents in Orange County has been steadily rising over the last few years. One of the main culprits appears to be distracted driving. Another possible factor is that the economic recovery and generally lower gas prices have led to more people behind the wheel driving greater distances than they used to.
A Disturbing Rise in Orange County Accidents and Deaths
In 2010 there were 13,381 collisions involving injuries. Of those, 106 resulted in deaths. By 2016, the number of accidents involving injuries had shot up to 15,862 resulting in 205 deaths, almost double the number of accident related deaths from just 6 years ago. If there’s one silver lining, it’s that 2017 saw a slight dip in the number of accidents involving injuries (15,082) and deaths (188) from 2016’s all-time highs.
Orange County Car Accident Totals
People Injured in Car Accidents – Accident Related Deaths
2010 – 19,062 106
2011 – 19,350 140
2012 – 20,083 154
2013 – 19,812 185
2014 – 19,706 174
2015 – 21,275 186
2016 – 22,902 205
2017 – 21,610 188
Additional Practice Areas
In addition to car accidents, the expert attorneys at Wilshire Law Firm also handle:
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Boat Accidents
- Ride Share (Uber, Lyft) Accidents
- Slips and Falls
- Wrongful Death
- Workplace Accidents
We’re Here to Help You
If you’ve been injured in an accident, through no fault of your own, contact us today for a free consultation (800) 501-3011. We’re available to you 24/7, every day of the year.
Wilshire Law Firm has the knowledge and resources to handle your case from start to finish.
Don’t let another person’s negligence or recklessness cause you undue hardship and stress. We’ll fight to get you the justice and compensation that you deserve.
And if financial concerns stop you from hiring a car accident lawyer, they shouldn’t. Wilshire Law Firm works on a contingency basis. That means no upfront or hidden fees. We only get paid once we win or settle your case. If we don’t win, you don’t pay. Period.
We’ve been helping clients recover physically, emotionally and financially for over 15 years, and we can do the same for you.