Do I Need to Hire An Ontario Car Accident Attorney?

Following a motor vehicle collision, you may have suffered injuries, missed several days or weeks of work, and have no money coming in. During this time, the other driver’s insurance company is calling several times a day, applying pressure, hoping you will accept a fast settlement. Unfortunately, these settlements are never enough to cover the total cost of accident-related damages.

You are not required by California law to hire a car accident lawyer, however, doing so can significantly increase your chances of recovering the settlement you’re owed.

When you work with a car accident attorney at Lem Garcia Law, our legal team can help by:

 

 

Investigating the Collision

We will gather the following types of evidence:

  • Accident report
  • Medical records
  • Phone records
  • Employment records
  • Video surveillance footage
  • Witness statements
  • Photos of the accident scene, your injuries, vehicle damage, and anything that may have contributed to the accident
  • Statements from your treating physician
  • Vehicle repair estimates

And more.

 

 

Work With Experts

We will work with experts to uncover the truth, identify all liable parties, and prove negligence. At Lem Garcia Law, our car accident lawyers have the resources to work with leading experts to help prove liability and value your claim.

 

 

Filing a Car Accident Claim in San Bernardino County

Most insurance companies have made it easier to file an auto accident claim over the phone or online, however, there are some instances in which you will benefit from working with an experienced attorney.

Filing an auto accident claim in San Bernardino County can be complex if liability is unclear, multiple vehicles are involved, or you sustained severe injuries. A car accident lawyer at Lem Garcia Law can file a claim on your behalf and ensure it’s filed correctly and on time.

 

 

Negotiate With the Insurance Company

Insurance companies are out to make a profit. They will contact you as soon as possible after an accident and ask if they can record your conversation. They will ask you several misleading and confusing questions, hoping you say something that can harm your case. They will also offer a settlement before they know the extent of your injuries, vehicle damage, and other information concerning the collision. This is their attempt to pay as little as possible. If you accept their settlement offer you must sign a settlement agreement.

Once the settlement agreement is signed, you will be unable to pursue compensation in the future, even if you find out that your injuries are worse than what you were initially told. When you work with a car accident lawyer, they will handle all interactions with the insurance adjuster. They will not allow a claims adjuster to harass, pressure, or intimidate you. At Lem Garcia Law, our attorneys know how to handle insurance adjusters and they will not back down until you receive the compensation you deserve.

 

 

What Are Common Types of Collisions in Ontario?

Some of the most common types of auto accidents in Ontario include:

 

 

Head-On Collisions

A driver involved in a head-on crash is at a significant risk of suffering serious injuries or even death. When two vehicles collide head-on, the impact can be deadly, especially at high speeds. However, even a head-on collision at a lower speed can result in catastrophic injuries and fatalities.

 

 

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end accidents are one of the most common types of auto accidents in the country. These accidents are caused by a vehicle slamming into the rear of the car in front of them.

 

 

Side-Impact Collisions

T-bone accidents occur when one vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle. These accidents can result in severe and life-threatening injuries.

 

 

Drunk Driving Accidents

Drunk driving crashes are widespread in California. A driver who is operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol will have a slower reaction time and poor judgment. Drunk driving accidents can result in catastrophic injuries, fatal injuries, and criminal charges.

 

 

Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers

At Lem Garcia Law, our Uber and Lyft accident lawyers can help you pursue compensation if you were injured in a rideshare accident that was caused by the negligence of another driver. Rideshare liability can be complex.

Our accident attorneys commonly handle the following types of Uber and Lyft accident claims:

  • Accidents involving a negligent rideshare driver
  • Rideshare drivers who were struck by negligent motorists
  • Passengers in rideshare vehicles that were injured in an auto accident

Our legal team knows how to investigate rideshare collisions to identify all liable parties and will hold them accountable for your injuries and other accident-related damages.

 

 

What Compensation Am I Entitled to After a Motor Vehicle Collision?

If you’re injured in an automobile accident in Ontario, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, vehicle damage, pain and suffering, and other losses. The economic and non-economic damages you’re owed will depend on many different factors, including:

  • The severity of your injuries
  • Whether you sustained a permanent disability
  • Your prognosis
  • Your age
  • Whether you can return to work
  • Whether you are forced to switch careers due to your injuries
  • How much you earn at your place of employment
  • The extent of vehicle damage
  • Whether your condition will require medical treatment in the future
  • The extent of your pain and suffering
  • How your injuries have impacted your life

As you can see, assessing a claim and determining the amount of compensation you should pursue can be difficult, especially when it comes to non-economic damages, which are not easy to quantify.

These damages can include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of quality of life
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of consortium

Economic damages are easy to prove since you will have documentation including bills, receipts, and estimates. Economic losses can include:

  • Past and future medical bills
  • Vehicle damage and other types of personal property damage
  • Modifications made to the home and vehicle
  • Lost wages from work
  • Loss of earning capacity

A car accident attorney at Lem Garcia Law can work with experts to value your claim and determine what damages you’re owed.

 

 

What Types of Experts Does An Accident Attorney Work With?

At Lem Garcia Law, a car accident lawyer will work with experts to uncover the truth and identify all liable parties. Our legal team will also work with experts to value your claim and ensure you receive the settlement you deserve for your accident-related damages.

Experts we work with at Lem Garcia Law include:

  • Accident reconstructionists
  • Medical experts
  • Private investigators
  • Biomechanical engineers
  • Vocational rehabilitation specialists
  • Economists
  • Psychologists and psychiatrists
  • Human factors experts
  • Occupational therapists
  • Auto repair specialists
  • Traffic engineers
  • Cell phone forensic analysts
  • Weather and visibility experts
  • Safety experts

 

 

2021 Ontario Car Accident Statistics

Fatal accident count: 23

Vehicles involved in fatal accidents: 39

Fatalities: 23

Persons involved in fatal accidents: 44

Pedestrians involved in fatal accidents: 10

 

 

What Are the Top 3 Causes of Car Accidents in Ontario?

In Ontario, CA, the leading causes of motor vehicle collisions include:

Distracted driving

  • Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol
  • Speeding
  • Reckless or aggressive driving

 

 

Urgent Care Centers in Ontario

If you are injured in an auto accident and do not want to go to the emergency room, you can visit one of the following urgent care facilities in the city:

  • Upland-Ontario Medical Clinic
  • Carefirst Medical Group Inc
  • Concentra Urgent Care
  • Upland-Ontario Medical Clinic

Keep in mind, if you suffered severe injuries, the physicians at the urgent care may have you transported to the nearest emergency room.

 

 

Contact Us Today

If you are injured in an auto accident in Ontario, CA, contact a car accident lawyer at Lem Garcia Law as soon as possible. We offer a free consultation to discuss your case, go over your legal rights and options, and help you choose the best course of action moving forward. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation to learn more.