A car accident can bring significant changes to your life. You may suffer serious personal injuries, expensive medical bills and extensive property damages. A crash could interrupt your ability to get to work, do your job and make money. It could also cause substantial pain and suffering.
At Hanson & Mouri, we advocate for car accident survivors in Jurupa Valley and throughout California. We have experience helping victims after crashes on heavily trafficked streets, such as the 60 Freeways. We can help you prove fault, fight for maximum compensation and recover after an auto accident. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorney.
Dealing with a car accident claim takes knowing what type of state you live in: fault or no-fault. In a fault state, the person at fault for the auto accident will pay for the damages. In a no-fault state, all drivers will file claims with their own insurers, regardless of fault. California is a fault state. After a collision anywhere in California, you will need to identify the at-fault party before you can file an insurance claim.
You may need help from a car accident attorney in Moreno Valley and Jurupa Valley to investigate your crash and determine fault. A lawyer from Hanson & Mouri can identify the defendant on your behalf. Then, we can take over the insurance process so you can fully focus on recovering. We can file your claim, provide all the information and evidence the insurance company requests, prove your damages, and fight for maximum financial compensation from the negligent party for you. With our lawyer by your side, you can concentrate on healing while a professional handle your case.
At Hanson & Mouri, we are passionate about helping car accident victims recover. We understand how life-changing bad car accidents can be for those involved. It is our mission to assist survivors and loved ones with claims so they can move forward with justice and financial peace of mind. Our car accident lawyer in Jurupa Valley can help clients who have all types of crash-related injuries.
As your Jurupa car accident attorney, we will fight for maximum financial compensation for all past and future damages associated with your injury. These may include medical expenses, disability costs, pain and suffering, lost quality of life, property damages, lost wages, and emotional distress. Discuss the value of your car accident case with our attorney today.
You may hear the phrase statute of limitations during your insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. This is the legal deadline for your claim. California has a two-year statute of limitations on most car accident cases. This gives you a maximum of two years from the date of your collision (or date of injury discovery) to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you will most likely give up your right to seek damages. While the deadline can vary for certain cases, it is important to act quickly. Contact a Jurupa Valley auto accident attorney as soon as you can after a car accident in Jurupa Valley to make sure you file on time.
The most common cause of car accidents in Jurupa Valley is driver error, which may be the result of:
Drivers often engage in activities that take their hands, mind, or eyes off driving, such as texting or talking on the phone, eating, drinking, interacting with passengers, changing the music, using GPS, etc. Distracted driving accidents can be particularly severe since drivers can normally brake or swerve when they are about to be in an accident, but distracted drivers may not know until a collision happens.
For over 20 years, speeding has been a determining factor in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities, according to the NHTSA. Exceeding the posted speed limit or driving too fast for the current road conditions drastically reduces a driver’s ability to stop.
The legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08 percent or below. Not only is it against the law to drive while intoxicated above the legal limit, but drunk driving is also responsible for one person’s death every 48 minutes in the U.S., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Drivers who have “road rage” make abrupt lane changes, weave through traffic, run red lights or stop signs, speed well over the posted limit, or make dangerous passes, often contribute to severe collisions.
Sleepy, fatigued, or drowsy driving causes slower reaction times and clouds judgment, similar to being intoxicated. Accidents can be catastrophic since they often take place at full speeds.
Tailgating is the primary cause of rear-end collisions. No matter how slowly someone is traveling, it is never a good idea to tailgate. Too small of a space between two vehicles leaves little time to react and avoid an accident if the car in front were to take a sudden turn or completely stop.
When driver error is not to blame, accidents are often caused by:
In some cases, a flaw in a vehicle part or the vehicle itself can be the cause of an accident. Flaws can be attributed to a design or manufacturing defect, improper maintenance, or a mechanic failing to repair a vehicle.
Dangerous road conditions can be disastrous for vehicles—for example, inclement weather affecting visibility, icy roads, construction zones, potholes, animals crossing, and more. Depending on the circumstances, a government agency may be liable for this type of accident.
Immediately following a car accident, it is crucial to gather information about the other driver and the crash scene. Type a note on your phone, take pictures of ID/insurance cards, or write down the other driver’s full name and contact information as well as their insurance company, policy number, and the company’s phone number. Ask any witnesses for their contact information, if they’re willing to make a statement, and for the names of the law enforcement officers that arrived on the scene.
Take pictures of the scene, including where the vehicles came to rest, the location of the damage, a wide shot of the entire scene, any skid marks or debris, and of your injuries. Make a list of any items in your car that were damaged. If you are not immediately transported to the hospital, seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Minor injuries can end up being severe, and you need medical documentation that links your injuries and potential injuries to the accident.
Report the accident to your auto insurance company, and the at-fault party should also have reported the collision to their insurer. However, if they fail to, you will have to call their insurer to notify them of the crash. The at-fault driver’s insurance company is not on your side. They will do everything in their power to not pay you, including twisting your words, so you should never give a written or recorded statement.
Keep a record of any medical treatment and accident-related expenses, and log your daily pain and physical limitations to help solidify your claim.
Speak to an experienced Jurupa Valley car accident lawyer as soon as you can. They will assist you with your claim and fight to get you the fair compensation you deserve.
Car accident victims are entitled to recover damages from an at-fault party. Damages is the legal term referring to the monetary compensation awarded to reimburse a victim for their losses. The types of damages often awarded in a car accident case include:
Jurupa Valley car accident attorney typically handle car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. A contingency fee agreement means you do not have to pay any money upfront to retain an attorney. They will advance all costs related to your claim, and you must only pay legal fees if you win. If you do not receive compensation, you do not owe any legal fees, but you will still owe court costs.
A car accident attorney will generally take between 33 to 40 percent of your settlement or award. Some lawyer may reduce their fee percentage or raise it depending on how your case is resolved—reducing it if it settles quickly and increasing it if you must go to trial. Other attorney work on a sliding scale fee, which means the fee percentage depends on the amount of compensation you recover.
Be sure to discuss the terms of an attorney’s contingency fee before signing an agreement.
You do not have to go through the insurance claims process alone after a devastating car accident in California. Hiring a Riverside Car Accident Attorney can help you secure the compensation you deserve. Discover how Hanson & Mouri can help you today during a free consultation. We will listen to you and answer any legal questions you may have. If we accept you as a client, we will begin working on your case right away. Call (951) 688-0006 or contact us online 24/7 to schedule your case review in Jurupa Valley. We can come to you, if necessary.