Car accidents can be frightening, and they can cause serious, permanent, or even fatal injuries. Many are preventable if drivers exercise reasonable care, but unfortunately, not every motorist behaves safely on California’s roadways.
If you or someone you love is hurt in a collision, Miller & Steele Law Firm can help. Our legal team has been representing crash victims for decades and our Vista car accident lawyers know the law inside and out and understand the challenges you’re facing in the aftermath of an accident.
Give us a call at (760) 439-2210 to schedule a free consultation and learn how our Vista personal injury lawyers can represent you.
What Are Your Rights After A Car Accident?
Whenever a driver is unreasonably careless on the road, they become responsible for any collisions they cause as a result of this behavior.
That’s because under California Civil Code Section 1714, “everyone is responsible, not only for the result of their willful acts but also for an injury occasioned to another by their want of ordinary care or skill in the management of their property or person.”
A crash victim can prove that they should receive compensation by showing the other driver violated a safety rule, which creates a presumption of negligence. Crash victims and their loved ones can also show a hypothetical reasonable person wouldn’t have done what the driver did.
Our Vista truck accident lawyer can help you to get the evidence you need. We’ll work to get witness statements, expert testimony, police reports, and other information that can show the defendant was to blame for damaging you.
Common Types of Car Accidents that Occur in Vista
Oceanside car accidents can take many forms, including:
- Head-on collisions – A head-on collision involves the front of one vehicle crashing into the front of another. These accidents are often deadly as they may involve higher speeds and the combined force of both vehicles. These crashes are often due to impaired driving, falling asleep at the wheel, or driving the wrong way down a one-way street.
- Rear-end crashes – Rear-end crashes are some of the most common crashes. They involve one vehicle crashing into the back of another vehicle. While common, these accidents can result in serious injuries, including whiplash, which occurs when the head and neck violently shake back and forth due to impact. These accidents often occur because the rear driver is following too closely or distracted.
- T-bone crashes – A T-bone crash is one involving vehicles hitting at a right angle, usually when one vehicle turns left into the path of an oncoming vehicle. In these incidents, the driver turning may be at fault if they failed to yield the right-of-way to an oncoming vehicle. However, they can also occur when the vehicle traveling straight runs a red light or stop sign.
- Side-impact collisions – A side-impact collision occurs when the vehicles collide at their sides, such as if one vehicle drifts into the lane of another because the driver failed to check their blind spots or was distracted.
- Rollover crashes – A rollover crash is one involving a vehicle that flips onto its side or roof at some point during the crash. These accidents may be due to taking a turn too fast or overcorrecting. They can also be caused by defective vehicle designs that make them more prone to flip over.
- Pile-up crashes – Pile-up accidents can be confusing to sort out because they may involve a primary crash and several secondary ones. Getting to the root cause of the accident can be difficult and may require hiring an accident reconstruction expert.
- Single-vehicle accidents – Some accidents do not involve another vehicle. A driver may run into a stationary object, such as a utility pole, guard rail, or concrete barrier. Passengers still have a right to recover compensation in these accidents.
Knowing how the accident happened can help determine its cause and who is responsible.
Common Causes of Vista Car Accidents
Any incident involving a vehicle can give rise to a car accident claim, but certain situations are more likely than others to result in an accident. In many of these situations, crashes are likely to occur in Vista as a result of:
- Driver distraction
- Fatigue
- Aggressive driving
- Impaired driving
In these and many other circumstances, drivers engage in unsafe behaviors that put others at risk — and they should face the consequences if their decision damages others.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
If you were injured in a car accident, it’s crucial that you take the following steps to protect your legal rights:
- Report the accident. Call 911 so a police officer can respond to the scene and create an official accident report. You’ll need this report to file your insurance claim.
- Seek medical attention. If you are offered medical assistance, take it. If EMTs recommend you go to the emergency room, take their recommendation.
- Obtain information. Ask the other driver for their name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, and insurance information. Ask witnesses for their names and phone numbers.
- Document the scene. Take close ups and wide shots of the accident scene, traffic signs, and property damage.
- Contact an experienced car accident lawyer. Your lawyer can take prompt legal action to protect your rights.
How Long Do I Have To Take Legal Action?
The law protects people from potentially facing legal action arising from long-forgotten incidents. It does this by establishing a statute of limitations. According to our Vista motorcycle accident attorneys, victims must act within the time limit established by the statute of limitations to avoid losing the chance to make their claim.
In California, the time deadline is two years under California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1 so be sure to talk with an attorney as soon as you can after the accident so you can move your case forward before the clock runs out.
The Importance Of An Attorney After A Vista Automobile Accident
When a car accident happens, having the right advocate can make all the difference. A Vista car accident lawyer at Miller & Steele Law Firm will be there to help you every step of the way if you or a loved one is hurt in a crash. Give us a call today at (760)-439-2210 to learn more.