Nobody predicts they’ll be involved in a car accident and injured when they climb in their vehicle. However, on the congested roadways of Moreno Valley and the rest of Southern California it happens daily basis. Cars are a way of life, but unfortunately dealing with distracted drivers and other negligent behavior on the road is becoming more of one as well. Despite laws meant to keep motorists safe, speeding, tailgating, distracted driving, drunk driving, and other improper behavior on the roads in Moreno Valley result in accidents, injuries, and deaths far too often. These avoidable collisions can turn a victim’s life upside down in a split second. If you or a loved one have been hurt in a car accident, contact a Moreno Valley 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 more than 209,000 residents, Moreno Valley is one of the fastest growing areas in the country and has become home to an Air Force base, Amazon, Aldi Foods, Skechers USA, and a myriad of other major companies. The employment boom means a workforce of 1.1 million people travel the roads in and around Moreno Valley – including the crowded 60, 215, and 10 freeways. The massive commuter population and bustling freeways means drivers and passengers alike are at risk of injury in a crash caused by someone’s inattention behind the wheel. The risk is only elevated in a large city like Moreno Valley, where in 2017 alone, 939 officially reported victims were hurt or killed in crashes.
Common Injuries Resulting From Car Accidents
Car accident victims commonly report a variety of injuries that range from minor bumps and bruises to catastrophic injuries requiring a lifetime of care or resulting in permanent disability. The nature and severity of someone’s injuries varies depending on the sizes of the vehicles colliding, speed at the time of impact, nature of the accident, point of impact, number of vehicles involved, and any secondary impacts or collisions. Victims often suffer injuries such as:
- Head and brain injuries (including traumatic brain injuries which can result in death if untreated)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Broken bones
- Cuts and bruises
- 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 and can be fatal if untreated.
How do I win my Case?
In Moreno Valley, like the rest of California, if victims are unable to obtain a fair settlement offer from the insurance companies involved, they’ll pursue recovery by filing a lawsuit claiming someone owes them damages for negligently causing their injuries. Generally, negligence shown by proving:
- The defendant owed you a legal duty of care,
- They breached that duty through either an act or omission, and
- Their breach resulted in your injuries.
If you can establish these elements, the defendant in your lawsuit is presumed negligent and will be liable for your damages unless a valid defense for their actions exists.
Many times, when car accident injuries are involved, victims may also establish a defendant’s negligence by proving the defendant broke a law, rule, or regulation designed to promote safety when they caused injury. This includes traffic laws such as speed limits and laws against texting while driving. Under negligence per se, violating a law while causing injury creates the presumption of defendant’s negligence. Traffic camera footage, eyewitness accounts, and on-scene clues such as skid marks may all help establish if a driver broke a traffic law at the time of the accident.
How Much is my Case Worth?
Car accidents can easily result in astronomical medical bills, long-term or permanent inability to work, the need for lifelong care, and the need for expensive accommodations to accomplish daily tasks – it’s no wonder victims ask how much they can recover! If a defendant negligently caused their injuries, courts may award victims compensatory damages to make them whole for physical, mental, emotional, and financial harms including:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Burial costs
- Scarring or permanent disability
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium (companionship).
In some cases, victims may be entitled to punitive damages designed to punish a defendant’s extremely bad behavior and discourage its repetition; however, it’s difficult to receive these damages because they’re entirely at the court’s discretion and require satisfying an extremely high burden of proof.
What Should I do After a Car Accident?
It’s understandable that after a traumatic event like a car accident, the idea of taking decisive action seems daunting. However, even though you’re still dealing with your injuries, it’s important to take a few simple steps to protect your rights, maximize recovery from your physical injuries, and strengthen any potential suit you file to recover damages in the future.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible – even if you believe you weren’t injured.
- Follow all treatment plans, take medication exactly, and attend all appointments.
- Notify law enforcement, cooperate fully so they can create a complete accident report, and obtain a copy of the completed report from your local police department, courthouse, or insurance company.
- After the accident occurs, don’t apologize, admit fault, give speculative statements such as “I think…” or say you’re “fine” or “okay” when asked if you were hurt or how you are feeling. Don’t give a recorded statement to any insurance company without speaking to an attorney first – your words may be twisted and used against you to deny your claim.
- If possible, photograph the accident scene, the vehicles involved, all 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 Moreno Valley car accident injury lawyer without delay.
- Do not wait too long to file a civil case for compensation. California has a 2-year time period from the date of injury for victims to file a lawsuit to recover damages before you permanently lose the opportunity.
Speak to an Attorney
If you were injured during a car accident, you know firsthand how devastating the consequences can be. Contact the experienced Moreno Valley Car Accident Injury Lawyers at Walton Law, APC to put your best foot forward on your case for recovery. 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 damages on their behalf. Contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (866)-338-7079 or through our Contact Page to set up a no risk, no obligation confidential case review. The initial consultation is free, and you pay nothing until we win your case. Let our attorneys evaluate the facts of your case and use our knowledge and resources to secure the best result possible for you.