Victim of a car accident?

Car accidents in Newport Beach are more common than many realize, often leading to both physical injuries and financial strain. Whether it’s a minor fender bender on Pacific Coast Highway or a more serious collision, these incidents disrupt lives and leave victims overwhelmed by legal and logistical challenges.

Understanding your legal rights and acting swiftly is crucial. Delays can complicate your claim, reduce your settlement, or even affect your ability to seek compensation altogether.

Knowing the steps to take after an accident is not just helpful – it’s essential to protect your interests during a stressful time. This is where a skilled Newport Beach car accident lawyer comes in. Sweet James Accident Attorneys, known for our dedication and results, is here to guide you every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Newport Beach car accident lawyer.

What Are The Common Causes of Car Accidents That Lead to Personal Injury Claims?

Many car accidents aren’t just unlucky events – they’re the result of preventable mistakes or risky decisions on the road. When these crashes cause real injuries, they often become the subject of personal injury claims as victims seek help for medical bills, lost income, and pain that could have been avoided. Some of the most common causes include:

Distracted Driving

One of the leading causes of car accidents is distracted driving. It’s not just texting behind the wheel – any activity that takes your attention away from driving can have disastrous consequences. Eating, adjusting the radio, or even engaging in conversation with passengers might seem harmless, but can lead to split-second lapses in attention.

Speeding and Reckless Driving

Driving above the speed limit is illegal and greatly increases the risk of accidents. Higher speeds reduce your ability to react to sudden changes on the road, such as a car stopping abruptly or debris appearing in your lane. Reckless behaviors like weaving between lanes or aggressively tailgating further compound the danger.

When speeding or reckless driving leads to an accident, victims often have a strong case to hold the at-fault driver accountable for their reckless disregard for safety.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Alcohol and drugs impair judgment, reaction times, and coordination – all factors critical for safe driving. Tragically, DUIs continue to be a leading cause of roadway fatalities and serious injuries. Whether it’s a driver over the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit or impaired by substances like marijuana or prescription medications, the results are often catastrophic.

Victims of DUI-related accidents often have a straightforward path to proving liability. Courts typically view driving under the influence as grossly negligent conduct, making these claims more clear-cut than other types if you’re able to prove intoxication.

Poor Road Conditions

Not all accidents result solely from driver error. Poorly maintained roads, such as those with potholes, crumbling pavement, or insufficient signage, can also contribute to collisions. Bad weather, like heavy rain or icy surfaces, may worsen underlying road hazards, leading to loss of control.

When road conditions contribute to an accident, liability becomes more complex. Municipalities or property owners responsible for maintaining those roads may share fault, making these claims more intricate but entirely valid under the right circumstances.

Mechanical Failures

Car accidents sometimes occur because of mechanical issues, from worn-out brakes to defective airbags. Such failures often stem from poor maintenance or manufacturer defects. For example, a tire blowout on the highway can lead to a chain-reaction crash with multiple vehicles.

Personal injury claims involving mechanical failures may involve not just the driver but also auto repair shops, manufacturers, or parts suppliers, depending on the situation.

Fatigued Driving

Operating a vehicle while drowsy doesn’t get the same attention as DUI or speeding but poses an equally significant threat. Fatigued drivers have slower reaction times and may even fall asleep behind the wheel, especially during long journeys or late at night.

If a fatigued driver causes an accident, their negligence can complicate insurance claims, and it’s important to have the help of a Newport Beach car accident lawyer.

Running Red Lights and Ignoring Traffic Signals

Blowing through stop signs or running red lights isn’t uncommon, yet the consequences can be severe. These actions often result in T-bone collisions or pedestrian accidents at intersections. With the other party often assuming they have the right of way, these incidents can cause serious injuries or fatalities.

Failure to obey traffic laws is a clear form of negligence, and traffic signal violations are often substantial evidence in personal injury claims.

Who Could Be Liable in a Car Accident Case?

Figuring out who might be legally responsible after a car accident isn’t always as simple as it sounds. Sometimes more than one person or company’s choices come together to cause a crash. Here’s a closer look at all the different parties who could end up having to pay for your losses:

At-Fault Driver

Most often, the blame falls on a driver whose careless or reckless choices caused the collision – running a red light, tailgating, failing to yield, or driving distracted. In these cases, their car insurance is usually the first place to turn for compensation.

However, drivers sometimes carry little coverage or deny fault, so the case can quickly become more complicated.

Employers and Companies

When the other driver was on the job – for example, delivering packages or traveling for work – their employer could be on the hook if the crash happened during work duties or as a result of poor company training or hiring practices.

Vehicle Owners

If someone lends out their car and the borrower causes a crash, the vehicle owner and their insurance may become liable, especially if the driver was unlicensed, intoxicated, or known to be a dangerous or risky driver. This is known legally as “negligent entrustment.”

Automakers and Parts Manufacturers

In some cases, the root cause might not be driving behavior at all but something wrong with the car itself—a blown tire, faulty brakes, or an electrical malfunction. If your car or another vehicle has a dangerous defect, you can make a claim directly against the car or parts manufacturer.

Government or Road Authorities

Sometimes it’s the condition of the roadway itself that contributes to an accident. Potholes, missing stop signs, malfunctioning traffic lights, or poorly marked curves can all be grounds to include a city, county, or state agency in your case.

A Third Party (Pedestrians, Cyclists, or Other Drivers Not Directly in the Crash)

Once in a while, someone outside the two main drivers plays a role. For instance, a cyclist may dart unexpectedly into the street, or another driver’s illegal move (like an unsafe lane change ahead) sets off a chain reaction that ultimately causes an accident.

The best way to determine who is at fault for an accident is to speak with a Newport Beach car accident lawyer right away.

Understanding the root causes of car accidents is essential for avoiding them and ensuring you act quickly and wisely after an incident. If you’ve been the victim of an accident due to any of the reasons above, don’t wait. Protect your rights by seeking professional legal guidance from a Newport Beach car accident lawyer.

Understanding California Car Accident Laws

Navigating the aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming, especially when you’re faced with injuries, property damage, and insurance claims. California’s fault-based legal system makes it critical for accident victims to understand their rights and the rules governing liability and compensation.

By grasping the core principles of car accident laws in California, you can make informed decisions, whether you’re pursuing a lawsuit or negotiating with insurance companies.

California’s Fault-Based System

California operates under a fault-based framework for car accidents. This means the driver responsible for causing the accident is liable for the resulting damages. These damages can include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and even non-economic aspects like pain and suffering.

Victims have the legal right to pursue compensation directly from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. You must establish fault through evidence, such as police reports, witness testimony, or traffic camera footage.

Comparative Negligence

California follows the principle of pure comparative negligence in cases where fault is shared. Under this rule, the compensation you’re entitled to is reduced by your percentage of fault in the accident.

This system ensures that even if you contributed to the accident, you’re not barred from pursuing compensation.

However, comparative negligence often complicates cases, as insurance companies might argue that you bore more responsibility than you actually did. Competent legal advice can help you counter such claims and ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses.

Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims

Time is of the essence when it comes to seeking justice after a car accident in California. The state imposes a statute of limitations – a legal deadline for filing a lawsuit:

• For personal injury claims: You have two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.
• For property damage claims: You have up to three years to initiate legal action.

Failing to file within these timeframes could result in your claim being dismissed entirely, leaving you without a legal remedy. There are sometimes exceptions to the statute of limitations that can make the deadline shorter or longer. Always speak with a Newport Beach car accident lawyer right away to make sure you don’t miss the deadline.

Uninsured or Underinsured Drivers

If the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough insurance, or any at all, it can be complicated. Unfortunately, this scenario is all too common in California, given the high number of uninsured drivers on the road. This is where uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage becomes important.

If you have UM/UIM coverage as part of your auto insurance policy, it can cover your damages when the responsible driver lacks sufficient insurance to compensate you. Even a minor collision can lead to medical bills or vehicle repairs that far exceed minimum insurance limits. If you don’t have this coverage, you may still have options, such as pursuing a civil lawsuit against the at-fault driver.

However, collecting compensation can be challenging if the individual lacks personal assets, which is often the case when someone is driving without insurance.

Understanding California’s car accident laws empowers you to take decisive actions that protect your rights and future.

Why You Should Work With Sweet James Car Accident Attorneys

Choosing the right law firm can be the difference between frustration and real recovery after a car accident. Sweet James Car Accident Attorneys brings more than just legal knowledge to your case – our team delivers results and peace of mind through trustworthy representation every step of the way.

Billions in Recovered Compensation

With over $2 billion recovered for injury victims in verdicts and settlements, our track record shows we know how to maximize compensation and handle even the most complex cases.

Proven Success Rate

A 98% success rate means our process works and our clients get results. We bring practical strategies and experience that tip the scales in your favor, whether inside or outside the courtroom.

No Win, No Fee Promise

You never pay upfront fees. Our “Pay Nothing Until You Win” approach lets you pursue justice without financial risk, with our fees coming only if we succeed for you.

Trusted and Highly Reviewed

More than 600 five-star reviews on Google and Yelp reflect the confidence and appreciation our clients have placed in us. Earning – and keeping – that trust means absolutely everything to our firm.

When you need support and results after a car accident, contact Sweet James Car Accident Attorneys at (800) 900-0000 for your free, no-obligation consultation with our Newport Beach personal injury lawyers.