Getting into a car accident can be a chaotic and difficult experience that leaves you with serious physical injuries, property damage and financial duress. At Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian, our Tustin car accident attorneys understand what you’re going through. Our top-rated California litigators have been representing automobile accident victims since 1990. We know how to hold someone accountable for carelessly or negligently causing a car accident. Our lawyers have a long track record of achieving life-changing case results for our clients. Find out how we can help you get justice and the financial compensation you deserve after a car accident in Orange County during a free initial case consultation.\
Why Choose Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian for Your Tustin Car Accident Case?
- Our team has over 75 years of combined experience in Orange County personal injury law. This allows us to get real results in and out of the courtroom.
- We are known for providing exceptional customer service. Our clients benefit from a lawyer’s undivided care and attention during auto accident cases.
- Our law firm has collected close to $2 billion in settlements and judgment awards for clients. We can confidently go up against any defendant, big or small.
- Our Tustin car accident lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis. We don’t charge anything upfront. You will only pay us if we win your case.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident in Tustin, you may assume that car insurance will cover your medical bills, property repairs and other losses. Even if coverage is available, however, it is a mistake to trust a car insurance company to offer you fair or adequate compensation. Insurance companies focus on their own needs and often try to maximize their profits by offering inadequate settlements. A Tustin car accident attorney can represent you during conversations with insurance claims adjusters to fight for a fair case outcome. Your lawyer will thoroughly investigate the crash, determine fault, identify all liable or legally responsible parties, gather evidence, hire highly qualified accident and injury experts to testify, and represent you in court, if necessary, for maximum compensation.
Tustin Car Accident Statistics
Accidents are the third-leading cause of death in the State of California, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The most common type of harmful accident is the motor vehicle collision. Car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian collisions cause serious and fatal injuries daily. Statistics for the City of Tustin show 319 victims injured and killed in auto accidents in 2022. Crash data reports that 45 of these accidents were speed-related, 34 involved alcohol and 13 were hit-and-runs. Orange County as a whole reported 17,734 people injured and killed in traffic accidents in 2022.
What Causes Automobile Accidents in Tustin?
Automobile accidents are most often caused by negligent drivers. In personal injury law, someone is negligent if they fail to use proper care and this causes harm to others. Driver negligence can refer to many errors, from careless mistakes to reckless driving behaviors. Common car accident causes in Tustin include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Texting while driving
- Driving under the influence
- Following too closely
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Aggressive driving or road rage
In addition to driver errors, other common crash causes include vehicle mechanical failures, poor visibility and dangerous road conditions, such as potholes or malfunctioning traffic lights. Identifying the cause of your crash is one of the first steps toward collecting financial compensation.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Vehicle crashes can cause severe and life-changing injuries. The forces of an automobile crash can cause impact trauma, crush injuries and penetrating injuries. At Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian, our Tustin car accident lawyers can help if you or a loved one suffered injuries such as:
- Broken bones
- Whiplash or neck injuries
- Head and brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Permanent disability
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Burn injuries
- Lacerations
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Internal injuries
- Amputations
We understand the costs associated with serious injuries, including future foreseeable medical care. Our attorneys can hire medical experts and life care planners to determine the full value of your injury case.
Financial Compensation Available for California Car Accident Cases
California is an “at-fault” car accident state. Under this insurance law, the driver or party responsible for causing a car accident must pay for the damage. All drivers in California are required to purchase and maintain minimum amounts of automobile insurance to pay for collisions they cause. As a crash victim, you could be eligible for the following types of damages from another party’s insurance policy:
- Health care costs
- Disability expenses and accommodations
- Lost wages and future earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Property repairs or vehicle replacement
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Punitive damages
It is helpful to understand the value of your car accident claim before engaging in conversations with insurance claims adjusters. Otherwise, you may accept a settlement that provides less compensation than you deserve. Our attorneys can carefully analyze your case to determine an accurate value.
What Is the Statute of Limitations to File a Claim?
Don’t wait to take legal action for a car accident in Tustin. California has a law known as the statute of limitations that places a strict time limit on the ability to bring a car accident lawsuit. According to California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1, this deadline is typically two years from the date of the automobile accident. However, it could be significantly shorter or longer in special circumstances. For example, if you wish to hold a government agency accountable for your car accident, state law only gives you six months to bring a legal cause of action. An injured minor, on the other hand, has two years from the date of his or her 18th birthday to file a lawsuit. Contact a car accident lawyer in Tustin as soon as possible after your crash to learn your specific time limit.
California Car Accident Laws
In addition to the statute of limitations, numerous other state and local laws could apply to your car accident case in Orange County. Guiding you successfully through these laws is something that our attorneys can do for you as your representatives. Meanwhile, you will have the peace of mind to focus on healing from your injuries. Below is a brief explanation of key California car accident laws:
- Required insurance. All motor vehicle operators must carry a minimum of $30,000 in liability insurance for bodily injury or death to one person, $60,000 for two or more people, and $15,000 for property damage. This insurance pays for the losses of others, not the policyholder.
- Fault-based law. To recover financial compensation from someone else’s car insurance company, you must prove that the other driver is at fault. This requires compelling evidence, such as a police report, photographs or eyewitness statements.
- Comparative negligence. California uses a pure comparative negligence law. This rule allows an injured car accident victim to recover financial compensation even if he or she is partially at fault. However, the recovery earned will be reduced by an amount equivalent to the proportion of assigned fault.
Many other state, local and even federal laws could apply to your Tustin car accident case. If you don’t fully understand the laws surrounding your claim, you could be at risk of making a mistake that hurts your ability to recover financially. Hire an attorney to help you navigate the law correctly and effectively during your claim.
How to Prove Liability in a Car Accident Case
As the party responsible for proving liability in a car accident case, you need to have evidence to support what you are claiming. The burden of proof in a civil lawsuit is “based on a preponderance of the evidence,” or enough evidence to prove that something is more likely to be true than not. Most car accident cases require proof of negligence. You or your attorney must establish that the defendant (at-fault party) owed you a duty of care, breached this duty and caused your car crash. An attorney can help you prove liability in a car accident case by preserving and collecting evidence on your behalf.
How to Deal With an Insurance Claims Adjuster
If you get involved in a car accident that you did not cause, the other driver’s insurance company is supposed to help you pay for expenses such as medical bills and motor vehicle repairs. Unfortunately, insurance companies are for-profit businesses. This means they may use a variety of tactics to minimize your payout and protect their own bottom lines. Use the following tips to protect your rights during conversations with insurance claims adjusters:
- Don’t trust the adjuster. Even if the insurance representative sounds friendly, he or she is not on your side. Don’t offer any information that is not specifically requested, and keep your answers to questions short and simple.
- Don’t give the adjuster a recorded statement. Instead, when asked, state that you will send a written statement. The recorded statement is a strategy used to use your own words against you.
- Don’t rush into a fast settlement. You might be eager to resolve your car accident case, but don’t accept a settlement until you’ve spoken to a car accident lawyer in Tustin. A lawyer will give you an honest evaluation of how much your case is worth.
Once you accept an insurance settlement and resolve your car accident claim, you cannot reopen the case. This is why you should always speak to a Tustin personal injury lawyer about your case before agreeing to a settlement or signing anything. An attorney will work for you and you alone, giving you someone you can trust during the claims process.
Steps to Take After a Car Crash in Tustin
Knowing what to do following a car crash in Tustin can help you take the right steps without as much stress. There are actions you should take to protect your legal rights and start building your claim from the beginning. Keep in mind that you can always contact a car accident attorney for assistance at any stage.
Check for Injuries
Your physical health should be your top priority. Pull over in a safe location to check yourself for injuries. See a doctor immediately, even if you don’t think you’ve been injured. It is possible that your adrenaline from the crash is masking pain. Follow your treatment orders and keep copies of your medical records.
Report the Car Accident
Call 911 to notify local Tustin law enforcement officers about the crash. If they visit the scene, they will document the accident with a police report. Write down your police report number before you leave. The police report can be an important piece of evidence for your insurance claim.
Gather Information
Exchange information with the other driver and eyewitnesses while you are still at the scene. Take photographs of the scene, including both vehicles and the surrounding roadway. In the days following the accident, collect copies of your police report and medical records. Gather as much information as possible so that you have enough evidence for a strong insurance claim.
File a Claim
Contact your car insurance company to notify them of the crash. Then, when you’re ready, file a claim with the other driver’s car insurance company. Be prepared to answer questions about the crash and to provide any evidence or documentation that you have regarding fault for the accident.
Consult With an Attorney
Minor car accidents with little to no injuries can typically be resolved without legal intervention. If you or a loved one suffered a catastrophic injury or an insurance company is refusing to cooperate, however, you could benefit from a conversation with a car accident lawyer in Tustin. An attorney will not allow a car insurance company to take advantage of you in your time of need.
Contact Our Tustin Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
You do not have to handle a car accident claim in Tustin or Orange County, California alone. The lawyers at Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian are prepared to help you build your case, establish fault, and fight for the best possible case outcome in and out of the courtroom. For more than 40 years, our legal team has successfully represented clients to secure millions of dollars in insurance benefits and jury verdicts. Find out how we can help you win the financial compensation that you deserve after a car accident in Tustin. Contact us at (833) 758-0785 or send us an online message and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Our local law office is located at 26 Corporate Plaza, Suite 250, Newport Beach, CA 92660.