Nobody expects to get hurt when they climb into their vehicle to go from Point A to Point B. Unfortunately, grave injuries from car accidents are a daily occurrence and can wreak havoc on a victim’s physical, emotional, and financial future in the blink of an eye. Despite laws meant to keep motorists safe, speeding, tailgating, distracted driving, drunk driving, and other improper behavior on the roads in Murrieta result in accidents, injuries, and deaths far too often. If you or a loved one have been hurt in a car accident, you should speak to a Murrieta General Car Accident Injury Attorney to see if you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Car Accident Injury Statistics A bustling city of over 113,000, Murrieta has experienced 133% population growth in the last decade. A town full of commuters to Los Angeles, Camp Pendleton, Orange County, and San Diego County travel the busy 15 and 215 freeways daily to get to and from work. Long stretches of time on Murrieta’s busy roads and highways, combined with elevated highway speed limits and distracted drivers, means serious accidents and injuries are common. In 2016 alone, California’s Office of Traffic Safety cited 529 reported traffic injuries and fatalities in the Murrieta area, with the 215 freeway topping the list as the most dangerous roadway. Just this year a transit bus rear ended a truck on the 215, resulting in a fatality and multiple injuries.
How Will I Win My General Car Accident Injury Case in Murrieta?Victims injured in a car accident usually will file a personal injury suit to recover based on the theory of negligence. Basically, you claim compensation because another person’s wrongful behavior caused the accident and your injuries. Proving negligence requires establishing a few key points in court:
- The defendant, who you allege was negligent, had a legal duty of care to you to act as an ordinarily prudent person would when placed in their situation.
- The defendant breached their duty by either acting or failing to act.
- The defendant’s breach of duty caused your injuries.
- You were actually injured as a result of the defendant’s actions.
After these elements are proven, the defendant is presumed to have been negligent. They will be liable for any damages you can prove to a court unless they can establish a valid legal defense. It can be difficult to establish causation and navigate the tricky legal waters surrounding negligence, so it’s a wise choice to consult a seasoned attorney in Murrieta to avoid potentially costly legal missteps in your case.
How Much is My Case Worth?It is normal to wonder how much you can recover for your injuries. After you’ve proven negligence, there are a number of damages you may be entitled to if you can establish them in court. Car accident injuries can be catastrophic and require lifelong care, extensive rehabilitation, and extensive accommodations to allow you to live a normal daily life. Burns, broken bones, injuries to the head, neck, back, and spinal cord, and traumatic brain injuries are all common results from serious car accidents that can rack up astronomical medical expenses.
Victims may be entitled to compensatory damages to make them whole for their injuries. These can be awarded by a court for quantifiable harms that can be verified by paystubs, medical bills, and auto repair bills. These commonly include lost wages, property damage, and medical bills. Victims may also receive an award for less fixed damages that reflect emotional and mental trauma from the accident such as pain and suffering and loss of consortium.
In some cases, the defendant’s behavior may be so vile or reprehensible that it merits an additional damage award to the victim to punish the defendant and discourage repetition of the conduct. These punitive damages are completely up to the judge or jury’s discretion. They’re also difficult to prove and require a very high burden of proof, so relying on an experienced car accident attorney is advisable.
What Should I Do if I’m Injured in a Car Accident?Even though it may seem overwhelming to take any major action after a traumatic car accident, a few simple steps will greatly help your recovery and the health of legal claims you may make in the future.
Get Medical Attention
Get medical help as soon as you can after the accident. You need to a comprehensive evaluation and treatment as quickly as possible – some injuries may not present symptoms for days or even weeks after an accident, so you need to be looked at by a medical professional. Follow all treatment plans and medical recommendations, schedule and attend all follow-up appointments, and take medicine exactly as prescribed to help your recovery and prevent any complications with your legal claims later.
Gather Evidence
Gathering documents, records, and other evidence can greatly help prove your claim and establish your damages to a court when seeking compensation. After the accident:
- Take photos of the scene and your injuries if possible.
- Notify law enforcement, give a detailed statement, and get a copy of the accident report from your local police department when it’s ready.
- Collect names and contact information of any eyewitnesses to the accident.
- Keep records of all medical treatment.
- Keep receipts, car repair records, and bills showing expenses incurred from your accident.
- Keep copies of paystubs indicating missed work and lost wages.
Don’t Wait Too Long
Though pushing forward can be intimidating, waiting too long means you can forfeit your right to recovery forever. California has a 2-year statute of limitations that begins the day your car accident occurred; if you don’t file a claim within that period, you lose the ability to file a lawsuit for damages permanently. Any claim you file after the time period will be dismissed by a California court.
Speak to an Attorney TodayIf you or a loved one were hurt in a car accident caused by someone’s negligence, it can take a lot of work to put the pieces back together. The skilled Murrieta General Car Accident Attorneys at Walton Law, APC can help. Our attorneys have years of experience handling car accident injury claims like yours and have recovered millions on their behalf through tailored, dedicated representation. Contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (866) 338-7079 or through our online Contact Page to schedule a no obligation, confidential case review. The consultation is free, and you pay nothing until we win your case. Let us evaluate the facts of your unique situation and help you get the best outcome from an unfortunate situation.