Nobody climbs into a car expecting to be involved in any sort of car accident. However, because cars are a way of life in Hemet and the entire Southern California area, collisions are unfortunately an all too common part of life for local residents. Hemet’s location near the busy 10, 15, and 215 freeways, combined with its hub as a commuter town to urban areas and heavy volume of daily traffic make it an area of high risk for motorists. However, unfortunately a major factor for crashes in the area is the negligent behavior exhibited by drivers on all all-too-regular basis. Traffic violations like speeding, tailgating, improper lane changes, texting while driving, and driving while intoxicated all contribute to otherwise avoidable accidents that can result in a variety of severe, life-altering injuries for victims fortunate enough to survive. If you were injured in a car accident, you should speak with a Hemet Car Accident Injury Lawyer right away to find out if you may be entitled to compensation for the otherwise avoidable harm you suffered because of someone’s negligence.
Hemet Car Accident Statistics
Even though at 84,000 residents Hemet is a relatively small city in Southern California, it still is high-risk area for car accidents and resulting injuries. California’s Office of Traffic Safety reported that 638 people were hurt or killed in Hemet traffic accidents in 2016 alone, and many collisions result in multiple injuries and casualties at once. In August 2019, a single accident between two vehicles just west of Hemet on Route 74 resulted in one fatality and three hospitalizations, and in 2016 three people were killed and three others hospitalized in a two-vehicle accident near Florida Avenue and Lake Street. These examples just go to show how quickly someone’s life can end or be turned upside down due to carelessness behind the wheel in and around Hemet.
Common Injuries from Car Accidents
Car accident victims commonly report a variety of injuries that range from bumps and bruises up to catastrophic, lifelong injuries. The type and severity of a victim’s injury often depends on the size of the vehicles colliding, speed of impact, type of accident, point of impact, number of vehicles involved, and any secondary impacts or collisions resulting from the initial impact. Depending on the factors at play, victims have reported injuries including:
- Head and brain injuries (including traumatic brain injuries which can result in death),
- Spinal cord injuries,
- Back injuries,
- Whiplash and other neck injuries,
- Broken bones,
- Cuts and bruises, and
- Internal injuries or organ damage.
It’s critical to seek medical evaluation and treatment for any injuries as soon as possible after an accident – some injuries present no symptoms for days, so it’s important to be screened to understand the cause and scope of your problems.
What’s My Case Worth?
It’s normal to wonder what your car accident injury case is worth. Courts recognize that victims may incur immense medical bills, face a permanent inability to work, and need lifelong care, so they may award damages against a negligent party for physical, mental, emotional, and financial damages inflicted in the accident. Among other things, you may recover damages for:
- Medical expenses,
- Lost wages and lost future earning capacity,
- Property damage,
- Funeral expenses,
- Permanent disability or disfigurement,
- Pain and suffering, and
- Loss of consortium.
In some cases, victims may be entitled to punitive damages designed to punish a defendant’s vile, reprehensible behavior; however, it’s difficult to be eligible for such damages because they’re entirely discretionary and require satisfying a high burden of proof.
What Steps Should I Take After a Hemet Car Accident?
Car accidents are often very traumatic events, so it’s understandable that the idea of taking action quickly afterwards overwhelms many victims. However, even following a simple plan of action and a few steps can increase the health of any claim you make for recovery as well as help you recover fully from your injuries. It’s important not to delay too long, or you may permanently lose your ability to file a claim for damages in court. California has a 2-year statute of limitations to file a lawsuit for compensation that begins running from the date you were injured. After that period of time, you’re barred from filing a suit for compensation – if you do, it will be dismissed by the court.
- Seek immediate medical attention.
- Follow all treatment plans and medical recommendations exactly.
- Notify law enforcement, give them a statement, and get a copy of the completed report from your local police department, courthouse, or insurance company.
- After the accident, don’t apologize, admit fault, give speculative statements such as “I think…” or say you’re fine when asked if you were hurt. Don’t agree to give a recorded statement to your insurance company without speaking to an attorney first.
- If possible, photograph the accident scene, your vehicles, property damage, and your injuries.
- Get contact information for any eyewitnesses to the accident.
- Keep records of all medical treatment, as well as all bills, receipts, and paystubs showing expenses related to your injuries, repair costs, lost income, etc.
- Contact an experienced Hemet car accident injury lawyer without delay.
Speak to an Attorney
If you were injured during a car accident, you know how devastating the consequences can be for every aspect of your life and to your loved ones. Contact the experienced Hemet Car Accident Injury Lawyers at Walton Law to put the best foot forward on your case and help get your life back on the right track. Our skilled attorneys have years of experience providing victims just like you with comprehensive, dedicated representation and delivering results; we’ve recovered millions of dollars in compensation on their behalf. Contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (866) 338-7079 or online through our Contact Us webpage to set up a no risk, no obligation confidential case review. The initial consultation is free, and don’t pay until we win your case. Let our attorneys evaluate the facts of your case and help you secure the best possible outcome from this unfortunate situation.