How Can a Santa Ana Car Accident Attorney Help?

After you’ve been involved in a motor vehicle collision caused by the negligence of another driver, you must take legal action as quickly as possible. Filing a claim can help you recover compensation for all accident-related costs.

In the aftermath of an auto accident, you may:

  • Be faced with a long recovery
  • Struggle with ongoing medical bills
  • Do not have any money coming in if you are unable to work
  • Not know whether a settlement offer is fair

That’s where a car crash attorney from Lem Garcia Law comes in.

Our car accident lawyers can help by:

 

 

Investigating the Accident

At our law firm, our attorneys will visit the accident scene to gather evidence. Our legal team will obtain other information that can uncover the truth and establish liability.

Evidence can include:

  • Police report
  • Videos of the accident, if available
  • Witness statements
  • Photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and your injuries
  • Phone records
  • Medical records and medical bills
  • Vehicle repair estimates
  • Statements from your treating physicians
  • Expert witness testimony

And other relevant evidence.

 

 

Negotiate With the Insurance Company

Negotiating with the other driver’s insurance provider can be stressful. An insurance company is a business. To make a profit, the insurance company must pay you as little as possible. A claims adjuster will contact you and ask for your recorded statement. Recording your statement allows the claims adjuster to review your answers carefully, looking for admission of fault.

During the phone conversation, they may ask questions that will confuse or mislead you. This tactic is done to get the accident victim to admit fault or admit that their injuries are not as severe as they claim they are.

An aggressive claims adjuster may try to give you a deadline to accept their low settlement offer. They may call you several times a day, pressuring you or using tactics that are designed to intimidate you.

 

 

How Can a Car Accident Attorney Protect Me from Harassment and Intimidation Tactics?

When you work with an accident lawyer at Lem Garcia Law, they will handle all interactions with the insurance company. You will no longer receive phone calls or mail communication. If the insurance company has a settlement offer, they must contact one of our car accident lawyers directly.

 

 

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 is the Statute of Limitations in California?

In California, you will have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. If you don’t file a claim within the statute of limitations, your case may be dismissed. Two years can seem like a long time, but a successful case must be investigated as soon as possible. An attorney will begin investigating the accident right away, meeting with experts, speaking with witnesses, and obtaining documentation that can support your claim. They will also ensure that the paperwork is filed correctly and on time.

 

 

How is Fault Determined After a Motor Vehicle Collision?

Determining fault after a motor vehicle collision in Santa Ana can be complex. A car accident lawyer will have the experience, skills, and resources to investigate the accident and establish liability.

A car accident attorney will:

  • Interview witnesses
  • Obtain a copy of the police report
  • Analyze evidence
  • Review the accident scene
  • Review photos of vehicle damage and injuries sustained

 

 

Reviewing the Police Report

The police report contains information that can help a car accident lawyer establish fault. It contains the police officer’s investigation findings, including:

  • Driver statements
  • Any citations issued
  • Witness statements
  • The officer’s opinion regarding which party they believe was at fault

 

 

Accident Scene Analysis

Analyzing the accident scene will help an attorney determine which party was at fault. This can involve working with an accident reconstructionist and reviewing physical evidence, such as:

  • Skid marks on the street
  • Missing signage
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Other types of physical evidence

 

 

What Damages Am I Entitled to After a Santa Ana Car Accident?

Economic damages are designed to make a person financially whole after a car accident.

These damages can include:

  • Past and future medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Property damage
  • Loss of earning capacity

Non-economic damages compensate the accident victim for the emotional and physical toll of the accident.

These damages can include:

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

 

 

How is An Accident Claim Valued?

A car accident attorney will review your case to determine which damages you are entitled to and may work with experts to value your claim.

For example, if you sustained a permanent disability, an attorney will work with:

  • Life care planners
  • Economists
  • Medical professionals

And other experts.

Working with experts after an accident victim has suffered a permanent disability can ensure that you are pursuing compensation that will cover future medical costs.

 

 

How Long Will My Car Accident Claim Take?

It can take several weeks or months to settle your car crash claim. In some cases, it can take several years. The length of time it takes to settle a claim will depend on the complexity of the accident.

Factors that can impact how quickly a case is settled include:

  • The severity of your injuries
  • Multiple parties are involved
  • Liability is disputed
  • Time taken by the insurer to respond to the claims made by the accident victim

 

 

What Are the 3 Most Dangerous Intersections in Santa Ana?

  • 17th Street at Fairview Street
  • Bristol Street at McFadden Avenue
  • Civic Center Drive at Lacy Street

 

 

What Are Common Causes of Car Accidents in Santa Ana?

Common causes of auto accidents in Santa Ana include:

Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol can lead to catastrophic injuries or fatalities.

Distracted driving. Distracted driving can include anything that takes the driver’s attention off the road, such as texting, eating, or using a GPS device.

Speeding. Driving faster than the law allows can put other drivers on the road at risk. Speeding can impact the driver’s ability to stop in time and also affects their ability to maneuver.

Poor road maintenance/poorly designed road. A traffic collision can be caused by a poorly designed road, missing traffic signs, or a faulty traffic light.

 

 

2020 and 2021 Santa Ana Car Accident Statistics

2020:

Total Fatal and Injury: 36

Alcohol Involved: 14

Motorcycles: 4

Pedestrians: 19

Bicyclists: 1

2021:

Fatal accident count: 25

Vehicles involved in fatal accidents: 34

Fatalities: 25

Persons involved in fatal accidents: 48

Pedestrians involved in fatal accidents: 16

Compared to 2020, Santa Ana has seen a decline in the number of fatal auto accidents, in addition to a decline in the number of pedestrian fatalities.

 

 

Contact the Santa Ana Car Accident Lawyers at Lem Garcia Law Today

If you are injured in an auto accident in Santa Ana, CA, contact a car accident lawyer at Lem Garcia Law as soon as possible. At our law office, we offer a free consultation to discuss your case. During a consultation, we will 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.