A car accident in Huntington Beach can leave you feeling hopeless and overwhelmed, with serious injuries, mounting costs and lasting emotional damage. Contacting an attorney at Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian can give you a lifeline by equipping you with important information about your rights and legal options in the aftermath of a crash. We will listen to your story, determine your best options for legal recourse, and fight for justice and maximum compensation on your behalf. Our car accident attorneys have a reputation in California for providing outstanding client representation. For a free consultation about your recent motor vehicle accident, contact our law firm at (949) 831-6611.
Why Choose Us?
- Our Huntington personal injury attorneys have recovered over $1 billion in settlements and judgment awards on behalf of our clients. We have a long track record of success.
- Your car accident attorney will always put you first, making sure your legal questions are answered so that you can confidently navigate the complexities of your claim.
- Our law firm has been representing clients in automobile accident cases for over 30 years. We collectively have over 75 years of courtroom and litigation experience.
- We provide open communication. We believe in a client-centered approach to car accident law and will always keep you informed about the status of your case.
- Our Huntington Beach car accident lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis, with $0 charged in attorney’s fees unless we win the case. If we don’t win, you don’t pay.
How Can a Huntington Beach Car Accident Attorney Help?
You may have a long journey ahead of you in terms of recovery after an automobile accident in Huntington Beach. Hiring an attorney can make the legal process easier and more rewarding, as a lawyer can protect your rights and advocate for your best interests while you take time to heal and recover. A lawyer can carefully evaluate your case and explain your legal options during an initial consultation. Then, the attorney can investigate to determine fault and gather evidence to support your claim, such as a reconstruction of the accident by experts. A car insurance company will not be able to take advantage of you with a lawyer advocating on your behalf.
Areas We Serve
Our team of qualified car accident attorneys represents clients across the state. We can help no matter where in California your recent crash took place. The areas we serve include:
- All of California
- Anaheim
- Fullerton
- Irvine
- Orange County
- Santa Ana
We take car accident cases throughout Orange County, including:
- Costa Mesa
- Fountain Valley
- Garden Grove
- Huntington Beach
- Newport Beach
- Seal Beach
- Westminster
Our closest law office is located at 26 Corporate Plaza, Suite 250, Newport Beach, CA 92660. We also have offices conveniently located in Santa Rosa and Santa Barbara.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Huntington Beach
If you get involved in a car accident in Huntington Beach, it is important to know what steps to take next. Taking the right actions is essential for protecting your health, safety and ability to recover financial compensation for your losses. If you can, take the following steps:
- Pull over at the scene of the accident and assess yourself and others for injuries.
- Call 911 to report the car accident, especially if it caused injuries or deaths.
- Seek medical treatment right away for any injuries you may have suffered.
- Exchange names, contact and insurance information with the other driver.
- Avoid admitting fault or saying anything that could be interpreted as accepting blame.
- Document the scene clearly by taking photos of both vehicles and the road as a whole.
- Get contact information from anyone who witnessed the car accident.
- Notify your car insurance provider as soon as possible about the crash.
- File a claim promptly with the insurance provider of the at-fault driver.
- Consult with a car accident attorney in Huntington Beach for advice before accepting a settlement.
Keep as many records and documents related to the car accident as possible. Bring this information to an attorney for an in-depth review of your case. An attorney can connect you to the right doctors and take over communications with an insurance company on your behalf.
Who Pays for a Huntington Beach Auto Accident?
The person or party responsible for paying for an automobile accident in Huntington Beach depends on the circumstances, such as the cause of the crash, who is at fault and the insurance policies available. California uses an at-fault system for car accident claims, which means the party at fault for causing the crash can be held liable, or financially responsible, for a victim’s damages. All drivers in California are required to carry at least the following amounts of automobile insurance:
- $15,000 per person in bodily injury liability insurance
- $30,000 per accident in bodily injury liability insurance
- $5,000 per accident in property damage liability insurance
If another driver caused your crash, such as by speeding or distracted driving, that driver’s automobile insurance policy can be used to pay for your losses. It is also possible that an investigation will identify one or more third parties as defendants in your claim. These may include the other driver’s employer, the government for an unsafe roadway or the manufacturer of a defective vehicle part.
Types of Evidence in a Car Accident Claim
When a car insurance claim is filed in Huntington Beach, the insurance company will investigate the case and request evidence or proof from the claimant. It is the claimant’s responsibility to prove the claim that is being made. The burden of proof that must be met is a “preponderance of the evidence,” meaning more likely to be true than not true. To establish fault for your car accident, you or your attorney must show evidence that the other driver or defendant owed you a duty of care, breached or violated this duty of care, and caused the crash. An example of a breach of duty is a driver who drives under the influence of alcohol, putting everyone else at risk of serious harm. Types of evidence that may be available to support a car insurance claim in Huntington Beach include a police report, medical records, eyewitness statements, testimony from medical and crash experts, physical evidence from the scene, photographs, videos, a commercial truck’s black box, the driver’s employment and driving history, and cell phone records.
Top Causes of Motor Vehicle Collisions in Huntington Beach
Most motor vehicle accidents in Huntington Beach are the result of preventable human errors. Drivers can make many careless and reckless mistakes while operating motor vehicles, while mechanical failures can occur due to inadequate maintenance. The leading causes of car accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Texting or talking on the phone while driving
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence
- Driving while fatigued
- Reckless driving
- Aggressive driving or road rage
- Following others too closely
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Ignoring traffic signs and signals
- Violating the law
- Inexperienced drivers
- Dangerous road conditions or defects
- Vehicle equipment malfunctions
Identifying the cause of a car accident in Huntington Beach is one of the first steps that must be taken by a victim to pursue financial compensation. Under California’s fault-based law, any driver or party that contributed to the accident could share fault and liability.
Common Types of Car Accident Injuries
A collision between two or more motor vehicles can exert a great deal of force that gets absorbed by the bodies of the people involved. Crash forces can result in various physical injuries, including severe or catastrophic injuries that may affect a victim for the rest of his or her life. The most frequent car accident injuries suffered in Huntington Beach include:
- Whiplash
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Bone fractures
- Skull and head injuries
- Concussions and other brain injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Permanent paralysis
- Chest injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Burn injuries
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Facial injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Amputations or loss of limb
- Psychological harm
- Wrongful death
Accidents such as rear-end collisions, T-bone accidents, head-on collisions, vehicle rollovers, lane-change accidents and intersection accidents can cause a wide variety of injuries. In the most severe cases, car accidents can lead to permanent disability and death.
Huntington Beach, California Car Accident Statistics
The most recent year data is available (2021), the California Office of Traffic Safety reported 924 people injured and killed in traffic accidents in the City of Huntington Beach. A total of 198 of these accidents involved vulnerable road users: 52 pedestrians and 146 bicyclists. Alcohol impairment caused or contributed to 112 serious and fatal car accidents in Huntington Beach in 2021, while 118 accidents were caused by speeding. There were 596 total arrests for driving under the influence (DUI) in Huntington Beach in 2021.
How to Deal With a Car Insurance Claims Adjuster
When you file a car accident claim in Huntington Beach, a representative known as the insurance claims adjuster will be assigned to handle your case. It is important to know how to talk to and deal with the claims adjuster during the processing of your claim. The adjuster’s mission is to decrease your payout as much as possible to save the insurance company money. Protect your rights by preparing to talk to the adjuster beforehand. Gather evidence and information connected to your accident, but keep your answers to questions limited. Avoid speculating about fault. Keep in mind that even if the adjuster sounds friendly, he or she is not on your side. Do not agree to give the adjuster a recorded statement. The insurance adjuster may offer you a quick settlement early on in your claim. Do not accept until you’ve consulted with an attorney about the actual value of your case. Pressuring claimants to rush to settle is a common tactic used by insurance companies to minimize payouts. Have an attorney take over communications with the insurance adjuster for you to safeguard your rights.
What Types of Compensation Are Available?
A successful car accident claim in Huntington Beach could result in financial compensation or damages that helps you afford your related medical bills, property repairs and other expenses brought about by the crash. You may qualify for three main categories of damages as a car accident victim:
- Economic damages: the financial losses sustained due to the car accident, which may include past and future medical bills, lost wages, lost future earning capacity, property damage repairs, vehicle replacement costs, out-of-pocket expenses, and disability accommodations.
- Noneconomic damages: all losses that are not monetary in nature, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, inconvenience, scarring and disfigurement, grief, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Punitive damages: although not as common, an additional award is sometimes granted in Huntington Beach car accident cases where the defendant deserves punishment, such as cases involving drunk driving or a wanton disregard for the safety of others.
It is important to understand how much your car accident case is worth before engaging in negotiations for a settlement with an insurance provider. Otherwise, the insurance company may try to devalue your losses.
What Is the Statute of Limitations?
A statute of limitations is a law in California that places a strict deadline on the right to file a personal injury claim. Under state law, most car accident victims have no more than two years to file related personal injury claims. This is the deadline for a lawsuit only; a car insurance claim in California should be filed much sooner. Taking prompt legal action is the best way to ensure the protection of your rights. Contacting a lawyer immediately can prevent you from missing your deadline. It can also strengthen your claim, as key evidence may still be available. Over time, evidence such as eyewitness statements can lose their reliability.
Request a Free Car Accident Case Evaluation in Huntington Beach at Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian
If you or a loved one has been involved in an automobile accident in or around Huntington Beach, help is available from the attorneys at Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian. We have decades of experience handling all types of car accident cases in Orange County and throughout California. Our attorneys have achieved many life-changing results for clients. Find out how we can help you during a free car accident case review with our local attorneys. We understand the dramatic impact a car accident can have on victims and surviving loved ones. If your accident happened due to the negligence of another driver, we will work hard to help you seek accountability. Call us today at (833) 758-0785 or contact us online 24/7 to learn more.