Newport Beach Car Accident Lawyer

Key Takeaways About Car Accident Litigation in Newport Beach, CA

• Injuries: Common car accident injuries in Newport Beach range from back injuries to emotional trauma. Victims deserve total compensation for losses caused by another driver’s carelessness, with particular consideration for cases resulting in death.
• Legal Guidance and Recommendations: Following an accident, it’s crucial to ensure safety, report to the police, and document the scene without admitting fault. Seeking immediate medical care and legal advice from experienced attorneys like Younglove Law Group can significantly benefit a victim’s case.
• Compensation: Car accident victims may receive compensation for both economic (e.g., medical expenses and property damage) and noneconomic losses (e.g., pain and suffering). The amount and type of compensation depend on the specifics of the case.
• Liability: Determining fault in Newport Beach car accidents involves California’s pure comparative negligence law. Proving liability requires demonstrating duty of care, negligence, and a direct link between the negligence and the injuries, with potential compensation adjusted by the victim’s percentage of fault.

Car accidents can happen unexpectedly and may affect your life profoundly. If you or a loved one have been injured in such an incident, it’s crucial to have an experienced and knowledgeable personal injury lawyer in Newport Beach advocating for you. The accident attorneys at Younglove Law Group Personal Injury & Accident Attorneys are proud to offer client-focused, strategic representation for those who have been injured in automobile accidents in California, whether as a driver or as a passenger.

Immediately after an accident, insurance companies frequently target unrepresented individuals, offering quick settlements for significantly less than what might be obtained with the help of a qualified attorney. According to NOLO Legal Encyclopedia, the average injury settlement falls between $3,000 and $75,000, but these numbers may be much higher in cases of severe injury or damage.

Do not fall victim to the insurance companies’ scams. Instead, ensure you receive total compensation in the aftermath of an accident by calling our top-rated car accident attorneys in Newport Beach, CA, today for a free and confidential consultation. If you are injured, we would love to help.

What Are Common Car Accident Injuries in Newport Beach, CA?

The impact of a car crash can injure every part of the body. While wearing a seatbelt certainly helps prevent potentially fatal injuries like being ejected from the vehicle, a strong enough impact can still cause bodily harm even if a seatbelt is used.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Association reported 6.7 Million car crashes in 2019, 1.9 Million of which resulted in injuries to one or more parties. This means each collision has a 28% chance of causing an injury to you or your passengers, and you may be entitled to compensation based on your case. Our seasoned Newport Beach car accident lawyers have represented clients who have sustained a broad range of car crash injuries. Some injuries occur more frequently during car accidents in Newport Beach, including:

• Back injuries
• Fractured bones
• Head or traumatic brain injuries
• Internal wounds
• Spinal cord injuries
• Whiplash and neck injuries
• Extremity injuries

Additionally, some car accident injuries are emotionally and psychologically traumatizing, with effects that impact victims much longer than many physical ailments. No matter what type of injury you suffered in a car accident, you should be fully compensated for your losses if another driver’s careless acts caused it.

In the worst cases resulting in death, settlements may be much higher for the departed’s family as they cope with the loss and make arrangements. At Younglove Law Group, our car accident attorneys can fight for the total and just compensation you deserve after a collision.

What Should I Do Following a Car Accident?

After a car crash in Newport Beach, the first thing to do is ensure that you and your vehicle are in a safe place, clear of oncoming traffic. Under California’s Vehicle Code, drivers must report all car accidents to the police should any injuries or deaths occur. After you have moved your vehicle to the shoulder or another safe area, contact the California Highway Patrol or local police department. This step is essential, as the police report may provide information vital to proving your car accident case.

After reporting the accident, be sure to document the scene by taking photos on your cell phone. When you exchange information with the other party involved, DO NOT admit fault. Avoid discussing any specific details of the crash or any prior medical conditions you may have. Under California Vehicle Code 16025, all parties involved in a car crash must exchange the following identifying information:

• Your name
• Current address
• Driver’s license number
• Address of the vehicle’s registered owner
• Evidence of financial responsibility, as specified in Section 16020

It is highly advised that you go to a medical facility as soon as possible after your accident to check for serious injuries which may not manifest immediately. After car crashes, victims experience a spike in adrenaline that masks the extent of many injuries until later, once their bodies have had a chance to relax.

Additionally, having medical records to document your injuries immediately following your car accident will be invaluable later on during the recovery process. Things like back pain or whiplash can linger under the surface immediately after an accident, only to become a problem later. So, it is essential to seek medical care to ensure you get a clear picture of your health.

After that, get in touch with our experienced Newport Beach car accident attorneys to guide you with your Newport Beach car accident claim. Note that you should NOT speak to any insurance adjuster or sign any documents before consulting with your car accident attorney. At Younglove Law Group, our attorneys have extensive experience dealing with insurance companies. When you partner with our firm, we handle the insurance companies for you so you can focus on healing from your injuries.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Newport Beach, CA?

Following an accident, there is generally a statute of limitations that restricts the amount of time you have to file a claim. This means if you would like to take legal action or receive compensation for your damages from your insurance company, you may want to do so as quickly as you possibly can. 

In the state of California, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is generally two years from the date of the incident. Specific claims have a shorter statute of limitations than this, however. A personal injury case generally includes two or more parties and some form of injury directly resulting from the accident.

California’s two-year statute of limitations applies to the majority of car accidents between private parties. While two years may feel like a long time, there are benefits to pursuing your claim as soon after the incident as possible. For example, the evidence tends to become more challenging to obtain as time passes, e.g., witnesses may be better able to remember the accident, and nearby cameras are less likely to have deleted footage of the incident.

Additionally, there may be particular circumstances that may increase the statute of limitations for your case. Your lawyer may be able to analyze the details of your case in order to determine whether or not one of these extensions might apply to your claim.

How Is Fault Determined in a Newport Beach Car Accident?

In California, fault in a personal injury claim is based on pure comparative negligence. Car accident claims involving injuries to a victim generally qualify as personal injury cases. This means that in your car accident claim, fault will be based on pure comparative negligence, where each party receives a percentage of the responsibility.

Depending on the responsibility you are given by the legal system, you will be liable for that amount of compensation for other parties. Suppose there has been a car accident where Party A incurs $100,000 in damages. Party A is found 10% responsible, and Party B is found 90% liable. In this example, Party B will owe Party A $90,000 for their losses. Party A would still be responsible for the remaining $10,000 of their own losses because they have been found partially responsible.

Fault may vary in circumstances where there are more than two parties involved in the accident. However, regardless of your level of fault, you will always be eligible for some level of compensation. There are some states where individuals are not able to receive compensation if they hold a majority, or more than 50%, of the responsibility. Luckily, California allows you to receive financial recovery regardless of fault.

If you need more information about how fault is determined in a car accident, we encourage you to retain our support. A Newport Beach car accident lawyer from Younglove Law Group can help you understand your rights and how the law works once you retain our support. Please get in touch with us to begin fighting for the compensation you need and to hold liable parties accountable for their actions.

How Do You Prove Liability in a Car Accident Claim?

If you have been in a car accident and want to receive compensation for your losses, there are four essential elements you must prove in order to recover on a negligence claim. The following four items are necessary to prove liability:

Duty of Care

Duty of care is the requirement for everyone to prioritize safety and well-being for everyone impacted by their actions. Whenever you drive, you and every other driver are responsible for maintaining the functioning and safety of your vehicle, following posted speed limits, and listening to other traffic signals and signs. Following these rules helps to keep the road safe, minimize the risk of injuries, and ensure everyone reaches their destinations in a timely manner.

Breach

Once a duty of care is established, a breach of that duty must be shown. That means someone has failed to follow safety requirements and best practices. When someone breaches a duty of care, they make it far less safe for everyone to use the road. Proving someone has acted negligently on the road may require evidence to be presented in court.

Injuries Caused by Negligence

Just because someone acted negligently does not automatically mean they have injured someone. The presence of bodily harm does not necessarily mean someone was negligent. You must be able to demonstrate that another individual’s negligent behavior was the primary cause of your injuries. Often, you can do this by seeking medical attention as soon as possible. Medical documents generally serve as adequate evidence to connect injuries to negligence. 

Economic Damages

If you want to receive compensation for your car accident-related losses, you must demonstrate that you have faced objective monetary damages. While you can also recover damages related to noneconomic losses, objective losses must be present first. For example, you can only receive payments for pain and suffering once you demonstrate you have lost wages, receive medical bills or similar objective losses.

Proving liability in a car accident claim can be complex, especially if you represent yourself. However, when you work with an attorney, like one from Younglove Law Group, you are much more likely to prove liability successfully. We can speak on your behalf, use legally accurate language, and present evidence effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents in Newport Beach

Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer for My Case?

Hiring a car accident attorney may be beneficial to your case, particularly if you have sustained injuries. Chances are you are not familiar with California’s injury laws, and one misinterpretation might cost you the entire settlement. Car crash lawyers know how to interpret the law and can advise you throughout the legal process. Additionally, insurers typically present low offers, but an attorney can negotiate with them to ensure you receive a fair settlement.

What Am I Able to Get Compensation For?

Personal injury law divides compensation into two groups: general damages and special damages. General damages can also be called “noneconomic” damages, and special damages can be called “economic.”

General damages are meant to compensate the victim for noneconomic losses. Unfortunately, they tend to be much harder to value due to their subjective nature. This includes compensation for any pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, lost companionship, disfigurement, and any other underlying harm endured.

Special damages, on the other hand, can be quantified based on a dollar amount. These losses include medical treatment, lost wages, lost earning capacity, property damage, and other monetary losses resulting from the accident.

When Should I Call a Car Accident Attorney?

The sooner you contact an attorney about a personal injury, the better. The at-fault party will notify their insurance company almost immediately after the accident. The insurer will then try to contact you to discuss what happened. By managing all insurance-related communications, a lawyer can protect your rights, and you are not coerced into admitting fault.

What Should I Do if the At-Fault Party’s Insurance Company Contacts Me?

Do not give any statements to an insurance company before you speak with a qualified attorney. Insurance companies exist to maximize their profits and protect their interests, not yours. They show little remorse for the amount of medical bills you have accrued or your lost income from missing work due to the severity of your injuries – insurance companies are focused only on paying out as little as possible. With an attorney in your corner, you do not need to worry about saying the wrong thing during negotiations or securing an inadequate settlement figure.

What Compensation Is Available for Car Accident Victims?

Car accidents are often the result of another person’s careless or negligent acts, whether by a person, company, governmental entity, or any combination of them. Your case may entitle you to payouts for damages and injury resulting from a crash, and having a car accident lawyer on your side is the surest way to maximize your payout. Under California civil law, the negligent party is required to pay the injured party’s losses, including:

• Past and future medical costs
• Physical impairment
• Loss of earning capacity
• Property damages
• Mental anguish
• Pain and suffering
• Wrongful death or survival damages (in appropriate cases)

At Younglove Law Group, our skilled Newport Beach car accident lawyers are prepared to fight against the insurance companies’ tactics that cheapen your claim and ensure our clients receive every dollar they deserve. We may be able to handle the complex landscape of insurance claims, liability, and damages while you focus on healing and getting your life back together. 

Below, we explain everything you need to know about compensation for medical costs and property damages after a car accident in Newport Beach.

Medical Expenses

If you were involved in an accident, please do not wait to seek medical treatment. The initial period after an accident is the most critical time for you to do so, as the medical literature confirms this is when you have the best chance to address any injury you may have suffered. 

Additionally, delaying medical treatment can hurt your case. A paper trail of medical treatment is the best evidence you can present as an injured plaintiff.

Your health is our highest priority. After you have received initial medical treatment, our car accident attorneys may be able to ensure you receive the appropriate medical treatments for all of your injuries so you can recover and soon move forward with your life.

At Younglove Law Group, we take great pride in being one of the few Newport Beach injury law firms that have never had a client owe any ongoing or out-of-pocket expenses at the close of their car accident case. Medical costs are on the rise, and the average accident results in $8,900 in medical expenses, while the average disabling injury resulting from a crash can cost around $78,000.

Making sure you are able to focus on healing by getting your medical care provided for is our highest priority, and no one should have to worry about looming debt when they are just trying to get well again. We are thorough in meticulously analyzing our clients’ injury claims to ensure their medical costs are taken care of out of their settlements.

Property Damages

Living in Newport Beach, having a vehicle is necessary to commute to work, school, and just to go about your everyday life. At Younglove Law Group, our experienced Newport Beach car accident attorneys understand that losing your car can cause significant interruptions to your daily routine. For that reason, we work closely with you, the insurer, and the auto repair shop to ensure your vehicle is taken care of as quickly as possible. We can also assist you with securing a rental car to help you obtain everything you are owed from the responsible party’s insurer.

Depending on the types of coverage you and the defendant have, more than one company may be involved in this process. In many cases, these companies view the accident differently. If they do, getting your vehicle repaired or replaced can be a complicated process to navigate. Our experienced Newport Beach car accident lawyers are ready to help you navigate this process to help you get the most favorable outcome possible.

When the cost to repair your car is more significant than its value, your vehicle will be deemed a total loss. Do not let the insurance company reduce what you are owed for replacing your damaged vehicle and related expenses. While insurers may try to devalue your car in the wake of an accident, Younglove Law Group is prepared to help you get the most advantageous outcome for your totaled vehicle so you can find a new car of equal value and get back on the road.

Who Is Liable for a Car Accident Resulting in Injuries?

In car accidents, it is possible for multiple people to be responsible for any resulting injuries and losses. We’ve found that the following individuals are the most likely to be liable, though there are exceptions:

• Other drivers
• Distracting passengers
• Pedestrians
• City or state government entities
• Owner or renter of the property
• Employee or employer of the premises
• Manufacturers of parts or vehicles
• Those responsible for maintenance

In certain circumstances, more than one party can be liable for injuries and losses related to the incident. There may also be instances where parties not listed here hold responsibility for the car accident and its related injuries. We encourage you to work with an attorney for assistance managing your claim, including determining who is liable and holding them accountable. A car accident lawyer from Younglove Law Group can help you narrow down who is most likely to be liable for your losses.

How to Handle Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists in California

California only requires drivers to carry $15,000 of insurance for injuries caused by their negligence. While the law requires the at-fault party to compensate the injured person, many California drivers carry the minimum amount of insurance, which is not enough to cover many injury costs, not to mention your property damage.

Some ignore the law entirely by carrying none at all, and a crash with an uninsured driver can prevent you from obtaining a favorable settlement. Because of this, every driver should have uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist coverage on their automobile insurance policy.

If an uninsured driver injures you, your uninsured motorist coverage must compensate you for your damages. Similarly, if you’re injured by someone whose insurance is insufficient to cover your full damages, your underinsured motorist policy applies. In that case, your underinsured motorist policy applies in order to cover the balance of what is owed to you.

Uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist claims have different rules governing them than claims against defendants. Because these are claims with your own insurance company, they can demand certain things from you that a defendant’s insurance company would not be able to.

In short, the other driver’s negligence on the road and the insurance coverage available can cost you big. Do not let your insurance company dictate to you. Younglove Law Group knows how to protect you from overreach by your insurance company to get you the compensation you deserve.

How Might a Car Accident Lawyer in Newport Beach Be Able to Assist You?

If you are planning on taking legal action, you may want to consider hiring an experienced car accident lawyer. Your lawyer can represent you far more effectively than you might be able to represent yourself. Because of this, it is strongly recommended that you hire a qualified lawyer promptly after your accident.

Collect and Analyze Evidence

If you would like to build a strong case in your favor, your attorney may be able to assist in this by helping you collect and analyze relevant evidence. This might include collecting witness statements from those who might have seen the accident take place and footage of the accident from cameras placed near the site of the incident.

Legal Knowledge

Your qualified auto accident attorney in Newport Beach has knowledge of personal injury law, which generally also applies to car accidents. Because of this, your lawyer will consider all sides of your case in order to build a strong case for you.

Negotiation Skills

A skilled car accident lawyer is also an adept negotiator. Because of this, your lawyer can negotiate with other legal representatives, insurance companies, or parties to minimize your perceived level of fault, maximize your ultimate recovery, and reduce any related medical expenses.

Maximize Compensation

By using their legal knowledge and understanding of your side of the case to effectively and accurately portray you as the victim, your lawyer will maximize your potential compensation from your case.

Handle Insurance Companies

Dealing with insurance companies is overwhelming for almost everyone. Your lawyer can remove this burden by dealing with the insurance companies and any complications that arise. In order to aid you in avoiding excess stress, your auto accident lawyer in Newport Beach can help by communicating with insurance companies, filing claims, and other necessary aspects for successfully resolving your claim.

Suggest Next Steps

Depending on the specifics of your case, your lawyer may also suggest a few tailored steps for you to take following your accident. This might include avoiding discussing your case with family and friends, avoiding social media, getting medical attention, and many other tips. This may further allow you to maximize your compensation and boost the effectiveness of your lawyer’s arguments during the processing of your claims.

Speak to an Experienced Newport Beach, CA Car Accident Lawyer Today

After an accident, you must deal with multiple issues all at once. Not only will your vehicle need repair or replacement, but you will also have to deal with insurance companies, get the proper treatment, and find a way to pay for it. When you partner with Younglove Law Group Personal Injury & Accident Attorneys, our auto accident attorneys take the anxiety out of this process by handling the insurance companies and intricate details so you can focus on your recovery.

At Younglove Law Group, our car accident attorneys are zealous advocates for our clients in Newport Beach. We take a client-focused approach in everything we do and pride ourselves on responsiveness so our clients can always get in touch with us. Our dedication to providing our clients the highest quality of representation has earned numerous recognitions and awards, including lifetime membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, being named to Best Lawyers Ones to Watch and Super Lawyers Rising Stars, and many more.

To speak with an award-winning Newport Beach car accident attorney about your case, schedule a free and confidential consultation by calling (949) 691-3660 or completing our contact form.