After a car accident in Anaheim, California, you may have the right to recover compensation for the costs of your medical treatment, loss of income, and pain and suffering. At Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian, our top-rated Anaheim car accident lawyers have the experience and resources you’ll need to make the most of your fight for compensation.
Since 1990, Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian has been helping crash victims stand up to powerful insurance companies and recover meaningful financial awards. Through hard work and determination, our top-rated litigators have successfully won over $1 billion in settlements and jury awards.
Put a team with 75+ years of litigation experience in your corner, we offer a free consultation, so contact us to begin today.
Why You Need an Anaheim Car Accident Attorney
Handling a car accident claim in Anaheim alone could put you at risk of accepting a settlement that does not adequately compensate you for your losses. Car insurance companies are known for undervaluing claims in an attempt to save money on client payouts. The best way to protect yourself is to hire an experienced car accident lawyer in Anaheim to represent you during the claims process.
A car accident attorney will understand how to go up against car insurance companies, such as providing compelling evidence that supports your claim. If necessary, your lawyer can take your car accident case to trial for fair compensation, although most cases reach settlements. You can focus on healing from your injuries while your lawyer investigates the crash, interviews witnesses, hires experts, gathers evidence and fights for the best possible case outcome.
Car Accident Statistics in Anaheim, CA
According to data from the City of Anaheim, the city averages around 5,004 collisions a year, with 4,798 collisions in 2018. Of these collisions 2,965 of these collisions didn’t have an injury, and 1,823 resulted in injuries. In addition, there were 10 fatalities.
We Represent Clients in All Types of Car Accident Claims
At Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian, our personal injury lawyers advocate for clients who have sustained injuries or lost family members in:
- Car Accidents
- Accidents with uninsured motorists
- Uber Accidents
- Fatal car accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Head-on collisions
- Rollovers
- Sideswipes
- Chain-reaction car accidents
- Hit-and-run car accidents
- Speed-related car accidents
- Distracted driving car accidents
- Drunk driving car accidents
- Intersection car accidents
- Truck Accidents
Benefit from our in-depth knowledge of car accident litigation by calling our Anaheim car accident attorneys today.
Common Car Accident Injuries
A motor vehicle collision has the potential to cause serious and catastrophic physical injuries in addition to lasting psychological trauma. The forces exerted on victims in a crash can fracture bones, damage soft tissues, cause severe head and brain trauma, damage the internal organs, permanently injure the spinal cord, and inflict myriad other injuries, such as burns and lacerations that leave behind disfiguring scars.
At Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian, our personal injury lawyers have years of experience representing clients throughout California who have all types of accident-related injuries. We can help ensure you receive the medical care that you need as well as seek fair financial compensation for past and future related losses. This can include ongoing medical care for permanent disabilities. We know what it takes to enable victims to move on from traumatic car accidents.
Why Do Car Accidents Happen in Anaheim?
Negligence and human error are behind most car accidents in Anaheim. The definition of negligence in personal injury law is the failure to exercise or act with reasonable care. If a motor vehicle driver or another party acts in a way that a reasonable and prudent person would not in the same or similar circumstances, he or she can be considered negligent in the eyes of the law.
Common examples of driver negligence include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Texting while driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Following others too closely
- Unsafe passing
- Reckless driving
- Violating traffic laws
- Running red lights and stop signs
In some cases, car accidents are caused by the negligence of a third party, meaning someone who was not at the scene of the crash but who contributed in some manner. Examples include the manufacturer of a defective vehicle part or a government agency that failed to repair a road hazard. A car accident attorney can investigate your crash to determine its cause and identify the responsible party or parties.
California Car Accident Laws
Successfully bringing a car accident claim in Anaheim requires at least a basic knowledge of California’s related laws. Otherwise, you could make a mistake during your claim that results in the loss of your ability to recover compensation.
An attorney can explain all of the state and local laws that may be relevant to your case, such as:
- Fault-based insurance law: California is a tort or fault car insurance state. This means that when a car crash occurs, the at-fault individual or entity is responsible for paying for a victim’s medical bills and property repairs. In states that use a no-fault rule, on the other hand, drivers seek compensation from their own car insurance companies, regardless of fault.
- Car insurance requirements: California law requires all motor vehicle operators to maintain minimum amounts of liability insurance to pay for the damages suffered by others in at-fault accidents. These amounts are $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident in bodily injury liability insurance, as well as $5,000 in property damage liability coverage.
- Pure comparative negligence law: under this legal doctrine in California, injured victims can still recover compensation if they are found partially responsible for their injuries. The “pure” aspect of the law means that a victim can still recover compensation with up to 99 percent of fault. However, the amount awarded will be diminished in proportion to the degree of fault.
These are just three examples of many different laws that may affect your Anaheim car accident claim. The attorneys at Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian can help you navigate all relevant statutes and leverage our knowledge of the law to benefit your case.
What Compensation Can I Get After a Crash in Anaheim?
Following a car accident in Anaheim, you’ll generally be able to seek compensation from the at-fault party and/or their insurance company.
Through an insurance claim or car accident lawsuit, you can receive damages for:
- Rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Disability
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Reduced quality of life
According to the National Safety Council, the average economic cost of a car accident injury claim can range between $4,700 and $101,000, depending on the seriousness of the injury. Of course, this doesn’t factor in the non-economic costs of an accident, like mental anguish, PTSD, or chronic physical pain.
Our experienced car accident attorneys in Anaheim will work with crash specialists, medical professionals, and other experts as we build your case. We’ll lean on their expertise and insight, working hard to understand how your accident has changed your life.
Taking this detailed approach can help us secure a result that really represents what your Anaheim car accident case is worth.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Anaheim
If you get involved in a car accident in Anaheim, you may feel overwhelmed and not know what steps to take. It is important to try to remain calm and take certain actions to protect yourself both physically and legally.
The proper steps to take include:
- Pull over at the scene of the accident and report the crash to law enforcement.
- Check yourself and others for car accident injuries. Your adrenaline may mask pain.
- Get immediate medical attention if you have been injured.
- Exchange names, contact numbers and insurance information with the other driver.
- Do not admit fault for the accident or apologize to the other driver.
- Take photographs of the scene of the car accident before you leave.
- Call your own car insurance company to report the crash.
- Collect copies of your police report and relevant medical records.
- Do not rush into a fast insurance settlement or give the company a recorded statement.
- Contact an experienced attorney in Anaheim to help you work through the claim process.
If you cannot take all of these steps, don’t worry. Hiring the right car accident lawyer in Anaheim can make it easier to protect your rights in the aftermath of a vehicle collision. Your attorney can take the important steps for you while you focus on recovering.
Car Accident Statute of Limitations in California
You have a limited amount of time to file a car accident claim as a victim in Anaheim. You must file with California’s statute of limitations. This law places a strict deadline on a plaintiff’s ability to file a personal injury claim. Under California Revised Statute Section 335.1, car accident victims typically have two years from the date of the accident or of reasonable injury discovery to file a claim.
Tips for Dealing With an Insurance Claims Adjuster
When you file an insurance claim for car accident damages in Anaheim, someone known as an insurance claims adjuster will be assigned to your case. This is the individual with whom you will speak about your case the most often. It is important to know that the claims adjuster is not on your side. He or she works for the insurance company and is hired to save the insurer as much money as possible on your payout.
Protect yourself during conversations with a claims adjuster with the following tips:
- Give as little information about the crash as possible. When asked questions about the car accident, answer them honestly but do not give more information than is necessary. Keep your answers simple and concise.
- Do not agree to give a recorded statement. This is a tactic an insurance company often uses to find reasons to reject a claim later, such as inconsistencies with the victim’s story. Decline to give a recorded statement. State that you will submit a written statement later, instead.
- Do not speculate regarding fault. If you are asked questions about the cause of the crash or who is at fault, do not speculate or make guesses. Do not admit fault for the accident in any way. Wait for an investigation to identify the at-fault party.
- Don’t sign anything. If you are sent a Medical Authorization Release Form or something similar, do not sign until an attorney has reviewed the document. It may request your full medical history rather than the records relevant to your car accident injuries. This is a tactic that can be used to search for pre-existing injuries and medical conditions.
- Don’t rush into a fast settlement. You may be eager to resolve your car accident claim, but do not jump to accept the first settlement offered by an insurance adjuster. The first offer is often set too low in an attempt to protect the insurance company’s profits if the client does not submit a counteroffer.
Unfortunately, car accident victims are often taken advantage of by insurance companies during their claims. If you do not wish to speak to claims adjusters on your own, you can hire a car accident attorney in Anaheim to do so for you. An attorney can take over conversations and negotiations with an insurer to pursue a just settlement.
Contact Our Anaheim Car Accident Lawyers For Immediate Legal Assistance
Once you’ve been injured in an Anaheim crash, you’ll have a limited time to pursue compensation from a negligent or otherwise liable party. The statute of limitations for most car accident claims is just two years.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to get the money you deserve. Call Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian and discover how our award-winning Anaheim car accident lawyers can help you make the most of your fight for compensation.
We have 75+ years of litigation experience and have won over $1 billion for clients like you. Now we’re ready to help you get the best results in your case, too. Contact our Orange County law office to get started with a free consultation.