No one gets in their car thinking they will be involved in a car accident on the way to their destination, but all too often this is the case. These accidents happen every day and can change lives in a fraction of a second; catastrophic, long-term injuries and fatalities are not abnormal results of a serious motor vehicle accident. Even minor accidents are unfortunate events, but avoidable motor vehicle accidents resulting in jury or death caused by someone’s negligent driving are true tragedies. If you have been hurt in a motor vehicle accident, you should talk to a skilled Wildomar car accident attorney to learn if you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries so you can get your life back on track.
Wildomar Car Accident Statistics
Wildomar, even as a relatively small town of 37,000 in Riverside County, has its fair share of serious car accidents every year. The most recent data released by California’s Office of Traffic Safety showed 128 victims were killed or injured in reported motor vehicle collisions over the course of the year. This year, there have been serious and fatal injuries from wrecks on Bundy Canyon Road and near Cereal Street and Corydon Road occurring in the span of less than a week. Wildomar is also in close proximity to the bustling 15 freeway in the fourth largest California county, making it a risky area for motorists on the roads around the town and no surprise that injury and fatality-causing motor vehicle collisions are commonplace around the area.
The Causes of Wildomar Car Accidents
The majority of motor vehicle accidents in and around Wildomar are caused by someone’s negligence. The party responsible for the collision may not always be a motorist – manufacturers, repair shops, and even groups responsible for planning, constructing, and maintaining roads may be to blame.
Motorists the most common cause of car accidents; on crowded roadways in California improper behavior such as distracted driving have become far too common. Wildomar and the rest of California have laws and regulations designed to protect motorists on the roads. Serious, injury-causing accidents can and do occur when motorists violate these by engaging in unsafe behavior by texting and driving, tailgating, making unsafe turns, failing to check before changing lanes, speeding, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and failing to obey posted traffic signs. If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by these or other illegal or improper behaviors, you should speak with an experienced Wildomar car accident lawyer to see if you may be entitled to compensation.
How Do I Recover for My Injuries?
Wildomar car accident victims commonly pursue compensation through civil courts by alleging another party injury them through negligence. To prove negligence, a victim must use facts to demonstrate it is more likely than not that the defendant owed them a duty of care, breached that duty, and the breached was the cause of actual injury to the victim. Once these are established, a defendant is presumed to have acted negligently and will be responsible for a victim’s damages unless they can successfully argue they have a valid legal defense for their actions.
If a victim can establish a defendant broke a law or traffic regulation and that doing so caused the accident and their injuries, a defendant is presumed negligent under the doctrine of negligence per se.
What Damages Can I Recover?
Victims can recover compensatory damages for injuries caused by another’s negligence. These damages may be meant to make them whole for economic and/or noneconomic injures. Economic injuries like medical expenses and property damages can be quantified and are concrete harms. Noneconomic damages for harms like emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of consortium are meant to compensate for emotional or psychological trauma suffered by victims.
If a defendant’s conduct was vile or reprehensible, they may be forced to pay punitive damages to punish them and discourage repetition of the behavior. These awards are generally much larger than compensatory damage awards. The burden of proof to recover punitive damages is much higher than for proving negligence, so it is advisable to seek help from a skilled Wildomar car accident lawyer to avoid pitfalls that could affect recovery in your case.
What Do I Do if I Was Hurt in a Lake Elsinore Car Accident?
It’s important if you or a loved one has been injured in a Wildomar motor vehicle accident that you take a few actions to look after your health and gather valuable evidence that may help your claim for recovery later.
Get Medical Care
Seek medical treatment as soon as you can after a car accident. Your health is paramount, so you should be treated for obvious injuries and evaluated to see if you sustained any damage you may not realize. Many injuries do not present symptoms for days or weeks once they occur. Follow treatment provider instructions and treatment plans carefully, take medication exactly as prescribed, and make sure to attend follow-up appointments and physical therapy.
Gather Records and Evidence
Evidence is crucial for proving negligence and establishing fault, as well as for proving the extent of a victim’s injuries. If possible, take pictures of the accident and the vehicles before they are moved. Notify authorities and get a copy of the accident report – these can be obtained from the police department that responded to the accident, a local courthouse, or even your insurance company or that of the other drivers involved. Get for all accident witnesses if possible. Be sure to retain a copy of anything reflecting expenses related to your injuries or reflecting the extent of your damages.
Speak with a Wildomar Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one were injured in a motor vehicle accident, contact the skilled car accident attorneys serving Wildomar and the surrounding areas at Walton Law today. Our experienced attorneys have spent years representing car accident victims and have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for their injuries. 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 case review. The initial evaluation is free, and you pay nothing until we win your case. Let Walton Law’s knowledgeable attorney review your unique case and help you secure the maximum possible recovery so you can focus on getting your life back on track.