A car accident can inflict serious and painful injuries, along with steep medical costs, property damage and lost income. A car crash in Lake Forest can be much more than just an inconvenience. It could put your future at risk.
Whether you were hurt in an auto accident on El Toro Road or while commuting on I-5 during rush hour, you need to understand your rights. At Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian, we are passionate about representing injured car accident victims in the pursuit of justice. Find out how we can help you during a free initial consultation with a local Lake Forest car accident attorney.
What Makes Us the Right Lake Forest Car Accident Lawyers for You
- Our law firm has over 40 years of legal experience handling car accident cases for clients in California.
- We have a long track record of success and have secured almost $2 billion for our clients.
- We can handle all types of car accident cases, including those with catastrophic injuries and wrongful deaths.
- We put the client first in everything that we do. We are known for our exceptional customer service.
- You won’t be charged anything for the services we provide unless your car accident case results in financial compensation.
How an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
If you need to file a car insurance claim for an accident in Lake Forest, don’t assume the insurance company will be on your side. Insurance corporations will always put themselves first. The best way to navigate your claim and protect your rights is by hiring a Lake Forest personal injury lawyer to represent you during settlement negotiations.
An attorney will investigate your car crash, gather evidence that proves fault and demonstrates your injuries, negotiate a fair recovery from an insurance claims adjuster on your behalf, and take your case to trial in Orange County, if necessary. Your lawyer will know how to use evidence such as witness statements, police reports, cell phone records and expert accident reconstruction to build you the strongest car accident case possible.
What Compensation Can Be Recovered in a Lake Forest Car Accident Claim?
Car accidents can be extremely destructive and expensive for those involved. Depending on the severity of your injuries, the value of your vehicle prior to the crash and many other factors, you may be entitled to a significant amount of financial compensation from the driver or party that caused your crash.
Types of damages available can include:
- Existing and future medical costs
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Lost wages and employment opportunities
- Lost ability to earn in the future due to a long-term injury
- Motor vehicle and personal property damage
- Pain, suffering and emotional injuries
You may also be eligible for wrongful death damages, loss of consortium compensation and punitive damages, depending on your specific case. As your attorneys, we will maximize your financial outcome as much as possible with a personalized legal strategy.
Is California a Fault or No-Fault State?
California is a fault state, meaning it uses a car insurance system where any driver involved in a damaging crash has the right to file a claim seeking compensation from the insurance provider of the at-fault driver. Under this insurance law, an injured person must prove the fault of another party to receive benefits from that party’s insurance carrier.
Determining the cause of your Lake Forest car accident is a key step toward initiating an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. You must understand who or what caused your crash to identify the correct liable parties.
Common Causes of Lake Forest Auto Accidents
In 2023, Orange County reported 17,809 victims killed and injured in automobile accidents. The majority of these collisions were caused by negligent, careless and reckless drivers. Common causes of car accidents in Lake Forest include:
- Driver inattention
- Texting while driving
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Driving under the influence
- Drowsy driving
- Violating traffic laws
- Running red lights
- Ignoring stop signs
- Bad weather
- Dangerous roads
All drivers in California are required to carry minimum amounts of liability insurance to pay for accidents they cause. Based on the cause of your crash, you may also have the right to seek financial coverage from a third party, such as a business, employer, manufacturer or government agency.
Types of Car Accident Cases We Take in Lake Forest
At Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian, Orange County personal injury legal team shares over 75 years of combined experience. We are prepared to handle any type of car accident case in the Lake Forest area, including:
- Passenger vehicle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Uber and Lyft accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- Bicycle and pedestrian accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Head-on collisions
- Drunk driving accidents
- Hit-and-runs
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist accidents
- Fatal accidents
We have ample experience taking on insurance companies and major corporations, as well as going before the Orange County civil courts for our clients.
Steps to Take if You Get Injured in a Car Accident in Lake Forest
If you get hurt in a car accident in Lake Forest, try to stay calm and remember to take the following steps to protect your legal rights:
- Call 911 to notify Lake Forest police. Reporting the accident puts it on record and creates evidence that you can give to an insurance company.
- Get medical attention for your injuries. Don’t delay in seeking medical care. Even if you don’t initially feel hurt, you may have hidden or delayed symptoms.
- Gather information. Exchange contact details with the other driver involved. Write down eyewitness names and take photos at the scene, if possible.
- Don’t admit fault. Be careful what you say to the other driver, the police and an insurance company. Avoid admitting fault or apologizing for the accident.
- File a claim. Contact your car insurance company to notify them of the accident, then file a claim with the insurance company of the other driver.
After you file a claim, contact Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian for a free consultation about your rights as a car accident victim. We will help you avoid falling for insurance company tactics used to underpay claimants.
Contact Us for Your Free Car Accident Case Evaluation in Lake Forest
A car accident case can get complex, and the security of your future may be on the line. Don’t risk self-representation when hiring a car accident lawyer from Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian could make a major difference to the outcome of your claim. We will advocate for your best interests and pursue maximum compensation so that you can focus on your recovery.
For a free consultation about a car accident case in Lake Forest, contact us at (949) 831-6611 or send us a message 24/7. We are here to help.