Car accidents are a common occurrence in Fullerton and can result in serious injuries and damages. Dealing with insurance companies and navigating the legal system can be overwhelming, but with the help of our experienced Fullerton car accident lawyers, you can obtain the compensation you deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Fullerton, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages.
At Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian, our team of Fullerton car accident attorneys have years of experience representing clients who have been injured in car accidents. We are committed to providing personalized representation to each of our clients and fight for their legal rights. Contact us today for your free consultation.
Why Choose Our Car Accident Lawyers in Fullerton?
- Our attorneys have over 75 years of combined legal experience. We have a long track record of success that includes over $1 billion recovered on behalf of our clients.
- Our law firm’s resources and litigation experience allow our lawyers to obtain the best possible results for clients, even if this means taking car accident cases to trial.
- Your case will be handled by an Orange County car accident attorney, not an assistant or paralegal. You will remain in frequent communication with your lawyer throughout your case.
- We take all Fullerton car accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will pay us $0 unless we succeed in securing you financial compensation for your losses.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You
The assistance, advice and legal representation you will receive from a car accident lawyer can be invaluable. Car insurance companies may try to take advantage of you and infringe upon your rights to protect their own profits. Your attorney can use aggressive legal strategies to protect you and negotiate a fair and full settlement for your losses.
A car accident attorney in Fullerton can revisit the scene of your crash, investigate to determine its cause, collect and preserve key evidence, and handle communications with insurance companies for you. If necessary, a lawyer can hire qualified subject-matter experts to strengthen your claim. Hiring a lawyer will give you the peace of mind you need to focus on recovering.
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer in Fullerton Cost?
At Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian, we do not wish to add to the financial burden already experienced by our personal injury clients. We understand that you may be dealing with medical bills, lost wages, property repair costs and rental car expenses after a motor vehicle collision. We make our attorney’s fees affordable by operating on a contingency fee basis.
Contingency fees mean that we do not charge anything upfront to handle a case. Our clients only pay attorney’s fees if and when we win a case, and then only as a percentage of the settlement or judgment award won. That way, you never have to pay us out of pocket – win or lose. We will take on 100 percent of the financial risk involved in your car accident case.
Types of Common Car Accidents In Fullerton
Car accidents can occur in many different ways, and each accident can result in different types of injuries and damages. Some common types we see include:
- Rear-end collisions: These accidents occur when one vehicle strikes the back of another vehicle. They are often caused by driver inattention or following too closely.
- Head-on collisions: These accidents occur when two vehicles collide front-to-front. They are often caused by driver distraction, fatigue, or impairment.
- Side-impact collisions: These accidents occur when one vehicle strikes the side of another vehicle. They are often caused by failure to yield or running a red light or stop sign.
- T-bone collisions: These accidents occur when one vehicle strikes the side of another vehicle at a perpendicular angle. They are often caused by failure to yield or running a red light or stop sign.
- Multi-car pileups: These accidents occur when three or more vehicles collide with each other. They are often caused by poor weather conditions, driver distraction, or other forms of driver negligence.
Our experienced attorneys are able to handle any type of car accident case in Fullerton. We can navigate even the most challenging cases with customized legal strategies.
What Causes Most Car Accidents in Fullerton?
Most car accidents are caused by negligence. In personal injury law, someone is negligent if he or she fails to act with an ordinary or reasonable amount of care based on the circumstances. Examples are a driver operating under the influence of alcohol or texting while driving.
The most common causes of car accidents in and around Fullerton are:
- Driver error: careless or reckless mistakes made by motor vehicle drivers, such as violating traffic laws, speeding, drunk driving, drowsy driving, distracted driving and running red lights. All drivers have a responsibility to drive with care and caution.
- Dangerous roads: defects or hazards that jeopardize the safety of road users, such as potholes or broken traffic lights. The government is responsible for maintaining the safety of all public roads in California.
- Auto part defects: manufacturing, design or marketing defects present in an automobile part that compromise the safety of the vehicle or its equipment. Examples include brake failures, tire blowouts and faulty safety equipment.
Determining the cause of your Fullerton car accident can help you take legal action against the at-fault party (defendant). You may have grounds to bring a claim against one or multiple parties depending on the circumstances. Our lawyers can conduct a comprehensive investigation of your car accident to identify all potential defendants.
Injuries in Fullerton Car Accidents
Every car accident contains three collisions: the vehicle collision, human collision and internal collision. The vehicle collision is the crash between the car and another vehicle or fixed object. The human collision is a vehicle occupant’s body striking objects inside the vehicle, while the internal collision is an impact between two or more internal organs.
Car accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, from minor to severe, including:
- Whiplash: This is a neck injury that occurs when the head is jerked forward and then backward. It is a common injury in rear-end collisions.
- Broken bones: Car accidents can cause fractures or breaks in bones throughout the body, such as arms, legs, ribs, and hips.
- Spinal cord injuries: These injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis and can be life-changing for the victim.
- Traumatic brain injuries: These injuries can cause long-term cognitive and neurological problems and can be caused by a blow to the head or a sudden jolt to the body.
- Internal injuries: Car accidents can cause damage to internal organs, resulting in bleeding or other serious complications.
Other common car accident injuries include severe burns, lacerations, soft-tissue injuries, muscle sprains and strains, road rash, and amputations. Sadly, many car accident victims suffer long-term and permanent effects from their injuries. The lawyers at Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian can help if you or a loved one suffered any type of injury in an auto accident in Fullerton.
Frequency of Fullerton Car Accidents
According to data from the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were a total of 2,096 car accidents, including ones with trucks, reported in Fullerton in 2020. These accidents resulted in 1,700 injuries and 13 fatalities.
Of these accidents, 477 were classified as speed-related accidents, 327 were classified as hit-and-run accidents, and 221 were classified as DUI-related accidents. Additionally, 182 of the accidents involved pedestrians, and 103 involved bicycles.
Who Is Responsible for Paying for a Car Accident in Fullerton, CA?
There are two main types of car insurance laws: fault and no-fault. California is a fault state. Under this rule, the driver or party who is most at fault for causing a car accident must pay for a victim’s injuries, property damage and other related losses.
All motor vehicle drivers in California are required to maintain minimum amounts of automobile insurance to ensure that they can pay for car accidents they may cause. The required amounts of motor vehicle insurance are:
- $15,000 per person in bodily injury or death insurance
- $30,000 per accident in bodily injury or death insurance
- $5,000 in property damage insurance
After a car accident in Fullerton, you can file an insurance claim against the driver or party who caused the crash. You or your attorney will have to prove that the party is at fault to qualify for compensation. If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, you may have to seek compensation from your own insurance company, instead.
What Is California’s Comparative Negligence Rule?
In some car accident cases, it is clear that one driver was negligent and caused the collision through a careless error. In other cases, fault may not be as clear or both parties may share fault. In California, the pure comparative negligence law allows injured parties to collect financial compensation (also known as damages) even if they are partially at fault for a car accident.
The “pure” part of California’s law means the victim has the ability to recover damages with any percentage of fault short of 100 percent – even up to 99 percent. However, if the case goes to trial, the courts will reduce the victim’s compensatory award by an amount that matches his or her degree of fault for the car accident.
For example, if one driver is found to be 70 percent at fault for pulling out of a parking lot without yielding the right-of-way but the other is 30 percent at fault for speeding, the victim’s financial recovery would be reduced by a matching 30 percent. In this example, a damage award of $100,000 would be reduced by 30 percent ($30,000) to $70,000.
Financial Compensation Available to Car Accident Victims in Fullerton
As a car accident victim in Fullerton, you may be entitled to various types of damages to compensate you for your injuries, bills and other losses resulting from the crash.
While each case is unique, common damages available include:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Lost wages
- Lost future capacity to earn due to a disability
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Punitive damages, in rare cases
The potential value of your car accident claim will depend on factors such as the seriousness of your injuries, the number of at-fault parties and the insurance coverage available.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Fullerton Car Accidents?
In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims resulting from car accidents is generally two years from the date of the accident, as outlined in California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. This means that if you have been injured in a car accident in Fullerton, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
However, there are some exceptions that may affect the statute of limitations. For example, if the accident involves a government entity, such as a city or county, you may be required to file a claim with the entity within six months of the accident before filing a lawsuit. Additionally, if the accident resulted in wrongful death, the statute of limitations may be different.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
After a car accident in Fullerton, it is essential to take the right steps to ensure your safety and preserve your legal rights. Your main goals should be to protect yourself and gather the information necessary to file an insurance claim.
If you can, here are the steps you should take:
- Pull over at the scene of the accident and check for injuries. Check yourself and others involved in the crash for signs of injury. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately for assistance.
- Seek medical attention immediately for any injuries you have. It is critical to go to a hospital right away, even if you feel fine, in case you have delayed or hidden symptoms.
- Use a cellphone to call the police and report the accident. Do not admit fault for the crash. The police will document the accident and give you a police report.
- Take photos of the scene of the crash. Capture images of both vehicles, the road, street signs and any other important details.
- If possible, move your disabled vehicle to the side of the road or a safe location out of the flow of traffic. Turn your hazard lights on to alert other drivers of the accident.
- Keep records to document the car accident. This includes copies of your police report, medical records, eyewitness statements, bills related to the crash and communications from insurance companies.
- Consult with an attorney about your car accident case and your legal rights. Call a lawyer before accepting a settlement offer from an insurance company. A lawyer can help you navigate the legal process.
By following these steps after a car accident, you can facilitate the insurance claims process as an injured victim. An attorney from Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian can help you through your car accident claim and pursue fair compensation on your behalf.
Contact our Fullerton Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you have been injured in a car accident in Fullerton, it is important to seek legal representation from an experienced Fullerton car accident lawyer as soon as possible. The aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming, but our Fullerton car accident attorneys can help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
At Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian, from negotiating with insurance companies to filing a lawsuit if necessary, our Fullerton car accident lawyers will work tirelessly to protect your legal rights and secure a favorable outcome for your case. Don’t wait to take action – contact us today to discuss your legal options and get started on the path to recovery.