Believe it or not, even low-impact car crashes can lead to injuries that prompt chronic pain and prevent you from living life to the fullest. If you experienced a low-impact car crash in California recently, you might want to see a doctor just to make sure you did not sustain injuries. If you do find that you suffered an injury, you may be able to seek compensation with the help of an attorney. When it comes to low-impact crashes, however, it may be more challenging to prove your injuries through the personal injury claims process. A skilled Newport Beach injury lawyer with Younglove Law Group may be able to protect your interests and help you seek fair compensation. 

What is Considered a Low Impact Car Crash?

Low-impact car accidents occur when vehicles collide while traveling at slow speeds. Often, the resulting property damage is limited to dents and scratches. Most commonly, these accidents are referred to as “fender-benders.” In some cases, drivers and passengers may sustain injuries in these seemingly minor crashes. 

Injuries You Could Sustain in a Low-Impact Car Crash

Many low impact car crashes result in little to no damage to vehicles or drivers and passengers; however, while damage to vehicles might be minor, victims can still sustain life-changing medical conditions. Some common injuries after a low impact car accident include: 

• Whiplash. This injury is caused when the neck moves back and forth rapidly during a collision. Common symptoms include neck pain, headaches, blurred vision, and memory problems—all of which can take months or in some cases, years to resolve. 
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBIs occur when a crash causes a dramatic jolt to the head, or the brain is penetrated by an object—such as a windshield. TBIs can cause lack of mobility, restricted vision, memory loss, and other brain-related issues. 
• Back pain. Most commonly, low-impact crashes cause herniated discs, which occur when the discs that cushion the vertebrae are damaged. As a result, people affected can struggle with back and leg pain. 

Remember, these are just some of the more common types of injuries you could sustain in a low impact collision. If you have developed any medical conditions as a result of a car accident—no matter how “minor” the injury or accident may seem—it is important to work with a personal injury attorney to obtain a favorable outcome regarding your claim. 

Damages That May Be Recovered after a Low Impact Crash

There are several types of damages you can seek when pursuing a low impact accident claim. Among the primary losses you will sustain when you are injured as a result of a low impact crash is medical expenses.  

Injuries from a fender-bender could be as minor as a few bruises or as severe as a traumatic brain injury (TBI). To complicate matters further, many injuries associated with low impact accidents—such as whiplash—may not present immediate symptoms. If you are involved in any kind of car accident, it is essential to undergo a thorough medical examination as soon as possible—even if you do not feel any obvious signs of injury or pain. 

Some examples of medical expenses you may be able to recover when you work with an injury attorney include:

• The costs of physical therapy
• The costs of medical appointments
• The costs of appointments with specialists
• The costs of your initial hospital visit
• Emergency room and ambulance expenses
• Medical equipment you may need to recover
• The cost of psychological therapy
• All past, present, and future medical expenses due to the accident

In addition to medical expenses, you may also be able to recover funds for property damage and emotional pain and suffering. The best way to ensure all your damages are accounted for is to work with a skilled personal injury lawyer. 

Contact the Car Accident Attorneys at Younglove Law Group Today

In the aftermath of a car accident, it is easy to feel overwhelmed with stress. However, seeing a doctor in a timely manner will not only assess any potential injuries, but also ensure you have the proper documentation to support your claim. Working with a skilled car accident lawyer in California as soon as possible after the crash is the best way to ensure you take critical steps for your protection. 

At Younglove Law Group, we are proud to offer quality legal representation to individuals who have suffered injuries from car accidents in California. Our Newport Beach law firm focuses exclusively on personal injury cases and specializes in claims involving catastrophic and fatal injuries. Our attorneys take a client-focused approach to our cases, always ensuring our clients feel prioritized and heard. Call our top-rated car accident lawyers at (844) 810-1800 or fill out our online contact form for a free and confidential consultation. 

In personal injury cases, injured parties seek compensation from the negligent parties responsible for their injuries and other losses. When discussing these legal actions, you may come across the terms “economic damages” and “non-economic damages.” In personal injury terms, damages refers to the financial compensation an individual who sustains injuries due to another party’s negligence may receive upon the settlement of their claim. 

To break matters down further, compensation may come in several forms. Economic and non-economic damages are terms that refer to the types of compensation that may be recovered. The total sum a victim of a personal injury accident may receive depends on a variety of factors pertaining to their case and typically includes the total financial losses they incurred because of the accident. 

Anyone who takes a financial hit in the form of property damage, medical injuries, or psychological suffering because of another person’s or entity’s negligence may have the right to file a claim against the liable party for compensation. Meeting with a skilled personal injury lawyer is the best way to determine whether you qualify for compensation, and if so, how much. 

What are Economic Damages in California?

Economic damages, also known as special damages, are the actual quantifiable losses a victim incurs. These losses usually have a specific monetary value because they consist of expenses for which there are records. Common examples of economic damages include:

• Lost wages
• Medical expenses (both past and future)
• Property damage

In the majority of personal injury cases, medical bills form a substantial portion of the awarded compensation. If you are injured through no fault of your own, you may be on the hook for the following healthcare-related expenses:

• Hospital bills
• Doctor’s appointments
• Medication costs
• Physical therapy sessions
• Psychological therapy
• Ambulance bills
• Medical equipment

Lost wages are also tangible losses a person may suffer due to being unable to return to work. If you incurred lost wages due to a car crash or other accident, your attorney may be able to review your pay stubs and calculate the extent of your lost wages. If you suffered a severe injury and will be out of work for some time, or if you will not be able to return to the same type of job due to your reduced abilities, a knowledgeable attorney can calculate your lost earning capacity.

Your attorney will add up all your tangible financial losses to calculate your economic damages. 

Understanding Non-Economic Damages in California

Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages, also known as general damages, are more abstract and are thus much more challenging to calculate. Non-economic damages are awarded to compensate victims for losses on which they cannot easily quantify. Non-economic damages reflect long-term or lifelong changes in a person’s quality of life. They are more common in accidents which resulted in catastrophic injuries that require victims and their families to make dramatic changes to their day-to-day lives.

Common examples of non-economic damages include: 

• Emotional pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• A negative change to the plaintiff’s reputation
• Loss of friends
• Accident-related disabilities
• Psychological distress

Determining a monetary equivalent for non-economic damages is not straight-forward like it is for economic damages. There is no standard formula for calculating pain and suffering; however, skilled injury attorneys may use different approaches to come to a numerical figure. The “multiplier method” is a common means to approximate a fair financial sum.

Contact the Personal Injury Attorneys at Younglove Law Group Today

Incurring losses from an accident that was not your fault can be a deeply frustrating experience. Specifically, seeking compensation for your non-economic losses can be especially challenging. The best way to secure the compensation you deserve for your emotional pain, suffering, and hardship is to work with a skilled California personal injury lawyer.

At Younglove Law Group, we are proud to offer quality legal representation to individuals who have suffered injuries from accidents in California. Our Newport Beach law firm focuses exclusively on personal injury cases and takes a special interest in claims involving catastrophic and fatal injuries. Our attorneys take a client-focused approach to our cases, always ensuring our clients feel prioritized and heard. Call our top-rated personal injury lawyers at (844) 810-1800 or fill out our online contact form for a free and confidential consultation. 

The Brain Injury Association of America reports that more than 2.5 million adults and children suffer from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year. TBIs are measured on a scale of severity, but in many cases, they can have lifelong impacts on a victim and their family. Sometimes, TBIs can require extended hospitalizations and long-term cognitive training—both of which can alter all aspects of a person’s life. 

If you have sustained a TBI from a car accident, work with a skilled car accident attorney in Newport Beach, California, to ensure your rights are protected, and you receive proper compensation for any losses you incurred as a result of your TBI. Here are some important things to know about how life can change after a traumatic brain injury. 

What Are the Effects of a TBI?

The effects of a TBI will depend on the severity of the injury. There are three kinds of traumatic brain injuries: closed, open, and acquired. The extent of physical and psychological effects a person may experience will also depend on the classification of their injury.  Depending on the type of TBI, people may deal with changes to their memory and cognitive functioning. Some of the effects associated with certain TBIs include: 

• Frontal lobe injuries, which may cause changes in mood and personality as well as affect a person’s ability to make decisions and use expressive language. 
• Parietal lobe injuries, which may affect a person’s perception. These injuries can also make it harder for people to find and name words.  
• Temporal lobe injuries, which can affect a person’s hearing and comprehension. Other potential effects include problems categorizing information, such as objects, and short-term memory problems. 
• Occipital lobe injuries, which can affect a person’s vision and depth perception. In some cases, they can also cause difficulty with reading, writing, and word recognition. 
• Injuries to the base of the skull, which can cause difficulties with balance, equilibrium, and coordination. 

Often, acute and long-term rehabilitation for a TBI involves speech, physical, and occupational therapy. Counselors and therapists should be part of the healing process as the permanent damage can be challenging and stressful to accept and manage. 

The Psychosocial Effects of a TBI

Most of the psychosocial effects of TBIs occur when the damage is located in the frontal, parietal, or temporal lobe. In these cases, victims can struggle with decision-making, attention, comprehension, impulsive behaviors, and communication skills. All of these things can affect a person’s ability to return to a normal life. Additionally, in many TBI cases, a person may never regain their pre-injury abilities, which can cause feelings of depression and isolation. 

These are all skills that most people take for granted in their day-to-day lives. But for individuals with a TBI, the damage to these fundamental skills can damage their personal relationships and ability to live a normal life. Ultimately, the psychosocial effects of a TBI can be as damaging to the individual as the physical effects. 

Contact the Car Accident Attorneys at Younglove Law Group Today

In the aftermath of a car accident, insurance companies often prey on unrepresented people by offering them cash to settle their claims. Almost always, their first offer is less than what the person deserves or would have received if they worked with a qualified attorney. TBIs can have a lasting effect on a person’s life. It’s essential for victims of car accidents who have sustained a TBI to secure expert legal counsel. 

At Younglove Law Group, we are proud to offer the very best legal representation to individuals who have suffered injuries from car accidents in California. Our firm focuses exclusively on personal injury cases and specializes in claims involving catastrophic and fatal injuries. Our attorneys take a client-focused approach to our cases, always ensuring our clients feel prioritized and heard. Call our top-rated car accident lawyers at (844) 810-1800 or fill out our online contact form for a free and confidential consultation. 

California roads are some of the most dangerous roads in the United States, as thousands of deaths and injuries occur on them each year. Hence, traffic accidents are a serious public safety concern here. There are countless causes of California car accidents, many of which are preventable—and almost all which stem from someone’s negligence. 

It can be hard to cope with an unexpected injury, let alone grasp the seriousness of your situation. You may feel shaken up, angry, stressed, and unsure of what to do next. Here is a 7-step guide with all the details you need to collect the right information and protect yourself after a car crash in California. 

Stay Present 

Never leave the scene of an accident prematurely. If you’re physically capable, call 911 as soon as possible. If you need immediate medical assistance, do your best to get to a safe space and wait for emergency medical personnel to show up. 

Fleeing the scene of an accident involving injury is illegal in California. This is known as a hit-and-run and carries harsh penalties, including fines up to $10,000 and up to one year in jail. Even if you are not at fault and uninjured, other parties involved in the accident may have suffered injuries. 

If the only destruction is property damage, you are still legally required to identify yourself to all parties. Not doing so could result in you being charged with a misdemeanor hit-and-run, which is subject to fines up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail. 

Seek Medical Care 

When you are in a car accident, the most apparent damage is the destruction your vehicle sustains. Often, people evaluate the severity of a crash by the extent of property damage rather than looking at the bigger picture. The reality is that car accidents also cause damage to your body that isn’t always immediately visible. The most common injuries car accident victims suffer include: 

• Whiplash 
• Concussions
• Lacerations, burns, and bruises
• Brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Internal trauma 
• Post-traumatic stress disorder 

Remember to always get a complete medical evaluation as soon as possible after you have been in a car accident, whether it is clear you have been injured or not. A doctor can assess the extent of your injuries and diagnose any latent injuries you may have sustained. This is critical to protecting your health, and better yet, a proper diagnosis can help document and strengthen your car accident injury claim. 

Exchange and Document Information with All Parties 

If you did not have to be transferred to the hospital and remained on scene, there are numerous steps you can take while waiting for police to conclude their reports. The single most important thing you can do is document all other parties’ contact information, such as their driver’s licenses, insurance cards, and vehicle registration numbers. Snap a photo or jot down the numbers, whichever is easier for you. The more information the better.

Keep in mind “all other parties” includes eyewitnesses and police officers too. Ask for the names and phone numbers of anyone who may have seen what happened, and record any responding officers’ names, badge numbers, and departments. Don’t forget to provide your contact information to everyone else as well. 

Collect Evidence and Record Your Version of Events 

Next on the list comes obtaining evidence and recording your version of events. This is one of the most overlooked yet essential steps after an accident. Of course, if you are not on scene anymore, you can’t do this. But if you are, don’t make the mistake of skipping this step. 

Pictures and videos play an integral role in any car accident case and are among the best ways for you, your lawyer, or your insurance adjuster to reconstruct the accident. It is recommended to take photos and record videos of the accident scene, your injuries, vehicle damage, and any other evidence that may be relevant to your case. Be sure to also note any cameras in the surrounding area that may have recorded the accident. Such footage will certainly be useful if liability is being disputed to set the record straight.

Once you have a thorough collection and can think clearly, it is vital you write down the specifics of your accident from your point of view. Visual and perceptual information that illustrates your memories disappears with time and post-accident shock makes that process even faster. If possible, mark down the time, date, and location of your accident. 

Lastly, evaluate the moments leading up to the crash by asking yourself questions such as: 

• How fast was the other driver going? 
• What color were the traffic lights? 
• What direction was each vehicle going? 

Assessing the events could help with diagnosing your injuries and proving fault. 

Remain Calm and Collected 

The most challenging part of an accident is what comes afterward. As you can see by the length and detail of this guide, it is not easy. But the important thing is to ensure that you and anyone else in your vehicle are safe. Remaining calm and collected under such circumstances seems impossible, but if you just take a second to collect your thoughts, you have a much better chance at processing the situation clearly. 

You may be tempted to immediately get out of your car to talk to others or make a million phone calls. You may even feel so frustrated that you start crying or yelling. It can’t be emphasized enough how imperative it is to give yourself time. When your emotions are high, you are more likely to make a costly mistake. No matter what happens, keep your thoughts to yourself, do not apologize, refrain from blaming others, and follow each of the steps outlined here. 

File a Traffic Accident Report with California DMV

Under California law, you have a responsibility to complete a traffic accident form (SR-1) with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within ten days of a car accident if there was death, injuries, or property damage of $1,000 or more. You will need your driver’s license, license plate number, insurance information, and the other party’s vehicle and insurance information to complete the form. 

You can file the SR-1 accident report online or print it out and bring it to the DMV. Choose whichever method you prefer, but do not delay. Failure to report can result in the suspension of your driver’s license for up to one year. 

Contact Your Insurance Company 

Most of the time, accident victims put off contacting their insurance company because they do not want their policy rates to rise. The good news is if you are not legally liable for the crash, California is one of two states that have banned auto insurers from increasing your rates. 

Regardless, it is wise to look over your policy. Most insurers require drivers to inform them of an accident immediately. Waiting to call your insurance company could result in the automatic dismissal of your claim and bar you from seeking monetary damages under your policy. 

You should understand, however, that when you are speaking to your own insurer, or any other insurance company for that matter, to never admit fault. You have rights you can exercise—namely, the right to a qualified attorney and the right to remain silent. Furthermore, there are two things you can be sure of: 

1) Anything you say in communications with insurance companies can be used against you, and 2) Your claim will either be denied, or you will be offered a low-ball settlement right off the bat.  

Unfortunately, the majority of the time, an insurance company’s first settlement offer is far lower than what you deserve. Regardless of the grim truth, many victims still struggle to accept that insurance companies are not their friends. Do not let insurance companies minimize your losses, and do not risk saying something that could jeopardize you getting the settlement you deserve. Instead, consult an experienced car accident lawyer in California for protection and guidance. 

Call Our California Car Accident Lawyers for Help 

At Younglove Law Group, we know we can’t change the past, but we can certainly help make a better future. If you have been in a car accident, our Newport Beach car accident lawyers will provide you with timely and effective legal services. We see to it that our clients are compensated for all their losses, including medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and more. 

The attorneys at Younglove Law Group are legal allies who get the results you need. We help car accident victims piece their lives back together and protect their futures after suffering injuries due to another driver’s careless actions in California. Learn more about your rights and potential case in a confidential consultation by calling (844) 810-1800 or by submitting an online contact form today. 

There are many articles about how to choose the right attorney, but how can you tell if you have the wrong one? If you think you might have a bad attorney, you can always switch to a new one at no additional cost to you. We have compiled the below list of 8 factors you can use to evaluate whether you have a bad attorney.

1. Lack of Communication

Attorneys are some of the busiest people of any profession in the country; however, good attorneys are responsive. They may not be able to field every call as it comes in, but a good rule of thumb is they should always be able to get back to you the same day that you contacted them. At the very least, they should have the proper organization behind them to enable someone on their staff to respond to you.

If you are having trouble getting in touch with your attorney, you may have a bad lawyer.

2. A Complicated and/or Deceptive Fee Structure

The vast majority of Plaintiff Attorneys will provide a free consultation to review your claim and decide whether they are the right fit for you. Every attorney who is worth signing with should have no issue not only explaining their fee structure to you during this consultation, but they should also set their entire fee structure out in writing. If your attorney did not, or worse, would not do this, that is serious cause for concern.

Specifically, some issues we recommend keeping an eye out for are fees that increase without anything being done on your claim. Some attorneys will have their fees increase simply because a certain period of time has passed since you signed with them, regardless of what your experience has been like or whether they have done any real work for you.

Put simply, if your attorney’s fee structure is needlessly complicated, you may have a bad lawyer.

3. Exorbitant “Administrative” Costs

The entire purpose of representing plaintiffs is to try to help them obtain justice from insurance companies, which are faceless, corporate giants that have mastered turning plaintiffs and their lives into numbers so as to maximize their profits. Some attorneys have forgotten the calling of their profession and operate like insurance companies, sneaking exorbitant flat costs into their contracts.

Be sure to check your contract and compare it with that of several other attorneys. We have heard of firms trying to pitch these costs to clients as a benefit to them. Just remember, if your attorney is willing to charge you exorbitant costs, how can you trust them to have your best interests in mind when your case gets difficult?

If your attorney is charging you exorbitant administrative costs, you may have a bad lawyer.

4. Lack of Qualifications

There are myriad aspects to evaluating whether an attorney is qualified to represent you. One of the most obvious is to look at what schools they attended. Did they attend a well-respected law school? What about their undergraduate university? While some great lawyers went to smaller schools, they are the exception to the rule. The selection process to get into top law schools is rigorous and reveals not only basic competency but also discipline.

You can also evaluate attorneys by looking at which organizations they belong to and the awards they have received for their accomplishments. Do they seem active in their legal community, or do they spend the bulk of their time merely advertising?

If your attorney lacks qualifications, you may have a bad lawyer.  

5. Dishonesty

There are very strict rules governing what attorneys can disclose concerning information they learn in the scope of an attorney-client relationship, and the reason for that is simple. Our system is reliant on a strong level of trust between clients and their attorneys.

Did your attorney make representations to you about how your case would be handled and then fail to deliver? This could range from a promised net recovery in order to coerce you to settle, a guaranteed timeframe in which your claim would resolve, or any number of promises that may have been broken. Oftentimes you will come across this issue when dealing with the sales wing of a law firm, typically referred to as “Intake” as they try to sign your case. A good attorney will only give sound advice and estimates as to what may happen with your case. Guarantees are a sign of desperation and should be avoided.

If your attorney has been dishonest with you, you may have a bad lawyer.

6. Unprofessional

An attorney’s office is a professional organization, and as such should be equipped to handle all matters professionally. This does not only extend to the attorney. If your attorney’s support staff is rude, that is a sign of a poor culture in his or her office and reflects directly on the attorney. If an attorney is tolerant of a poor culture, or even fosters it, it is likely that attorney tolerates subpar work product as well. Many claims take years to fully resolve, during which you will be corresponding with the attorney and his or her staff countless times. There is no reason your attorney’s office should make one of the most stressful periods of your life more stressful by being rude or unprofessional. They should be equipped to handle you and your problems. That is, after all, what they are there for.

If your attorney or his or her staff is unprofessional, you may have a bad lawyer.

7. Lack of Results

Good attorneys get good results. An attorney with many high value outcomes tends to have them because they are better at maximizing the value of their cases and maintaining their clients’ trust than an attorney with less of them. While large settlements and verdicts are eye-catching, there is more to evaluating the work product of an attorney than simply counting how many seven or eight figure cases they have handled. Ask them about a case they particularly liked working on and why. An attorney who cannot give a compelling answer to that question might not be a great fit, even if they have had great results in the past.

Another result to evaluate an attorney with is their personal reviews. This is addressed below in its own section (because it is that important). But it is addressed here as well, as the extent to which an attorney is providing quality service to his or her clients over time will largely be reflected in their reviews. An attorney with great outcomes and reviews is what you should be looking for if you want the best possible outcome for your claim.

If your attorney does not have good case results and reviews, you may have a bad lawyer.

8. Bad Reviews

If you think you as a consumer do not have a voice in the world think again. A negative review can severely damage a business, especially a law firm. Every firm is going to have its share of criticism online. It’s the nature of the world we live in, but beware of firms that have a disproportionate amount of negative feedback.

If you have signed with a large law firm, it is likely your case has been assigned to an associate attorney who you have never heard of. Be sure to check their individual reviews, as the quality of service given to clients can vary widely even within the same firm. A firm may have quality reviews online, but does the attorney who will be handling your case?

If your attorney has bad reviews, you may have a bad lawyer.

Concerned You May Have a Bad Lawyer? Call Younglove Law Group at (844) 810-1800 for a 100% free consultation!