In California, 4,285 people died in motor vehicle accidents in 2021, as reported by the California Office of Traffic Safety. Tragically, many of these deaths and many of the thousands of injuries that occurred statewide could have been prevented if drivers had exercised more care on the roadway.
If you or someone you love was hurt or killed because of a negligent driver, you may be able to pursue a claim for monetary compensation. The Escondido car accident attorney at Miller & Steele Law Firm have helped clients recover millions in compensation and we bring more than 70 years of combined experience to every case.
Give us a call at (760) 439-2210 to speak with an attorney who can help you.
How Can an Escondido Car Accident Lawyer Help?
If you are injured in an accident that was not your fault, you have the right to pursue compensation for the harm you suffered. However, insurance companies do not make this process easy for accident victims. They may try to do everything they can to eliminate or minimize the value of your claim by:
- Claiming that you must give a recorded statement to process your claim and then using the recording against you
- Blaming you for the accident even when it is not your fault
- Denying your medical expenses were necessary after the accident
- Requesting you sign a medical release form so they can get medical records to blame a pre-existing condition on your current injuries
An experienced personal injury attorney can protect you from these tactics and safeguard your rights. They can gather evidence to prove the other driver was at fault for the accident and document the full extent of your damages. They can negotiate for fair compensation on your behalf and advise you whether a settlement offer is reasonable compensation for the losses you’ve incurred. Learn more about how our experienced legal team can help when you call for a free case review.
What Options Do You Have After a Car Accident in Escondido?
Every driver has an obligation to exercise reasonable care on the road. Those who don’t can be held liable for either intentional wrongdoing or for “an injury occasioned to another by their want of ordinary care or skill,” according to California Civil Code Section 1714.
If you can prove another motorist on the road was negligent and caused or contributed to a crash that harmed you, you should be able to recover monetary compensation for:
- Medical expenses including future care costs made necessary by the accident injuries
- Lost future earnings and lost pay due to missed work time or a long-term change in your abilities due to the crash injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
If you were partly at fault for your own accident, you can still recover under the pure comparative fault rules established in a case called Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 532 P.2d 1226 (1975).
In pure comparative fault states, you’re allowed to pursue a claim even if you bear most of the responsibility for the accident. The other driver will pay damages proportional to their share of the fault.
Types of Car Accidents That Occur Frequently
Car accidents can occur in various ways. The type of accident may help explain how the accident occurred and who is responsible. Some of the most common types of car accidents in Escondido include:
- Rear-end crashes – Rear-end crashes occur when a driver in the rear hits the vehicle directly in front of them. They are often caused by distractions, inattention, or following too closely. As a result, the rear driver is usually at fault for these crashes.
- Sideswipe collisions – These crashes occur when a vehicle drifts into a lane occupied by another driver. The at-fault driver may be distracted or may fail to check blind spots before moving over.
- T-bone collisions – A T-bone collision occurs when a vehicle turns into the path of an oncoming vehicle, forming a 90-degree angle. The vehicle turning may have failed to yield the right-of-way, or the vehicle traveling straight may have run a red light.
- Head-on crashes – Head-on crashes are not as common as other types of car accidents, but when they occur, the results are often tragic. When two vehicles crash head-on, fatalities and catastrophic injuries can occur. Impaired driving and driving the wrong way are common causes of these devastating crashes.
- Hit-and-run crashes – After a motor vehicle accident, drivers are required to stop, render aid, and exchange information. If they fail to uphold these legal responsibilities, it is a crime. It can also make the process of recovering compensation after an accident more difficult.
- Rollover accidents – These accidents occur when a vehicle flips onto its side or roof. These accidents may be due to vehicle design flaws, taking curves too fast, or overcorrecting.
- Intersection crashes – Intersections are a common site for crashes. Intersection accidents often occur when someone is trying to “beat the light” or fails to yield the right-of-way to another motorist.
- Pileup accidents – Chain reaction accidents may involve multiple impacts between vehicles. A detailed investigation is often necessary to determine the actions that led to the initial crash and subsequent crashes.
- Single-vehicle accidents – Some accidents occur when a motorist hits a stationary object rather than another vehicle. Passengers have the right to file a claim to recover compensation for their damages in these accidents.
An experienced Escondido personal injury attorney can investigate your case and determine who is at fault.
Types of Car Accidents That Occur Frequently
Car accidents can happen due to many types of careless or negligent behavior, but some of the most common causes of collisions include the following:
- Drivers who are distracted and focused on their phone, radio, passengers, or anything else besides the road.
- Motorists who drive aggressively, passing when they shouldn’t or tailgating or engaging in similarly risky behaviors
- Fatigued drivers who have delayed reaction times and impaired judgment as a result of being tired behind the wheel
- Drunk drivers who have consumed enough alcohol or drugs (legal or otherwise) to present an added crash risk
In these and other situations, an Escondido personal injury attorney can help you gather the evidence you need to show how the other driver’s conduct fell short of their safety obligations.
What Is The Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents In California?
Under California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, there is a two-year statute of limitations for injury claims arising out of negligence. You need to act within that time if you want to make your case for compensation.
Let The Escondido Car Accident Attorney at Miller & Steele Law Firm Help
Car accidents can change your life forever. You deserve to be fully compensated for the damage these collisions have done by the driver who was to blame.
Miller & Steele Law Firm has the knowledge and experience necessary to fight for your right to be made whole and receive the damages you deserve. Contact us at (760) 439-2210 to learn more about how our Escondido car accident lawyers can represent you.