A serious crash can leave you dealing with medical bills, vehicle damage, and a variety of other unexpected expenses. If you were injured in a crash caused by a negligent driver, a California car accident lawyer can help you seek damages.
The attorneys at Sweet James have been representing accident victims for over 25 years. If you were involved in a preventable car crash, a Huntington Beach car accident lawyer can help you file a claim and pursue compensation.
The Role of a Huntington Beach Car Accident Attorney
Building a winning car accident claim isn’t easy. A car accident lawyer can:
- Collect evidence: An attorney can gather police reports, photographs, traffic camera footage, witness statements, and other available evidence to identify the cause of the crash and determine who can be held liable.
- Calculate your losses: An attorney can calculate both your short-term and long-term damages to determine your claim’s value.
- Negotiate a settlement: An attorney can handle settlement negotiations with insurance companies and push for fair compensation.
- Represent you in court: If settlement negotiations fail, an attorney can help you take your case to court.
What Types of Compensation Can You Receive?
The types of damages available after a Huntington Beach car accident depend on the severity of your injuries, the extent of the damage to your vehicle, the amount of time you must take off from work, and other case-specific factors. You may receive compensation for:
- Medical expenses: You may recover compensation for emergency treatment, hospital care, doctor visits, diagnostic testing, medication, physical therapy, and other accident-related medical care.
- Future medical costs: If your injuries require continuing treatment, rehabilitation, medication, surgery, or other future care, additional damages may be available.
- Lost wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be able to pursue compensation for income you lost because of the accident.
- Reduced earning capacity: If your injuries affect your ability to perform the same job or earn the same income in the future, you may receive additional compensation.
- Property damage: You may seek compensation for the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and other damaged personal property.
- Pain and suffering: You can seek damages for physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: If your injuries interfere with hobbies, family activities, or other aspects of your daily life, you may be awarded additional damages.
- Punitive damages: In rare cases involving oppression, fraud, or malice from the defendant, punitive damages may be available.
A Huntington Beach personal injury lawyer can help make sure all of your losses are included in your claim.
What Is the Time Limit for Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in California?
Under CCP § 335.1, you typically have two years from the date of a car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in California. Property damage lawsuits are generally subject to a three-year statute of limitations, per CCP § 338.
These deadlines can change depending on the specifics of your claim. For instance, claims involving government-owned vehicles can have substantially shorter deadlines and additional procedural requirements.
Since missing the applicable deadline can prevent you from pursuing compensation through the courts, it is important to reach out to a Huntington Beach auto accident lawyer as soon as you can.
What If You Were Partially at Fault?
Being partially responsible for an accident does not necessarily prevent you from recovering compensation in California. Under California’s pure comparative negligence rule, you can recover damages for a crash as long as you are not 100% at fault for it. However, if you share fault, your compensation will be reduced according to your percentage of responsibility.
Insurance companies often argue that an injured person was more responsible for a collision than the available evidence suggests. If an insurer in your case attempts to use this tactic to minimize your settlement, a Huntington Beach car accident attorney can help push back.
Common Car Accident Injuries in Huntington Beach
Car accidents can produce many different types of injuries, such as:
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Back and spinal injuries
- Broken bones
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee and leg injuries
- Concussions or other traumatic brain injuries
- Internal injuries
- Nerve damage
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Burns
- Psychological trauma
A Huntington Beach auto accident attorney can help you pursue compensation for your medical bills.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Huntington Beach
Most car crashes in Huntington Beach are preventable. Common causes include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Following another vehicle too closely
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Unsafe lane changes
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Fatigued or drowsy driving
- Aggressive or reckless driving
- Inattention at intersections
- Failing to check blind spots
- Improper turns
Our Huntington Beach car accident attorneys can investigate your crash and determine its cause.
What Should You Do After a Huntington Beach Car Accident?
Everything you do after a car crash can affect your personal injury claim. It’s important to:
- Call 911: Report the collision and request emergency medical assistance if anyone is injured.
- Exchange information: Obtain the other driver’s name, contact information, driver’s license information, insurance information, and vehicle details.
- Document the scene: Take photographs of the vehicles, roadway, traffic signs, and any visible injuries.
- Speak with witnesses: If anyone saw the accident, ask for their contact information.
- Seek medical attention: Visit a physician to get evaluated and document your injuries.
- Keep records: Save medical bills, receipts, repair estimates, wage-loss documentation, prescriptions, and other records related to the accident.
- Notify your insurance company: Report the collision as required by your policy, but don’t discuss fault or go into detail about your injuries.
- Speak to an attorney: A Huntington Beach car crash lawyer from Sweet James can start building your case right away.
Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer Serving Huntington Beach
If you are searching for a “Huntington Beach car accident lawyer near me,” look no further than Sweet James. We can gather evidence for your claim, handle insurance negotiations, and fight for the compensation you need to get back on your feet.
Schedule a free case evaluation to find out how we can help with your claim.
