Driving is something many people take for granted. It’s easy to forget how dangerous it can be until something serious happens. When it does, you may suddenly find yourself searching for an Orange County car accident lawyer.
The Cifarelli Law Firm is here to help. Whether you are facing unaffordable medical bills, temporary or permanent disability, or even the loss of a loved one, our trusted attorneys will help you seek fair compensation. We have over 30 years of experience fighting for the rights of car accident victims in Orange County. Call us at (949) 502-8600 to schedule a free consultation at our office.
Nearly anything can cause a traffic accident, from a medical emergency to an animal in the road. However, some causes are more common than others.
Contact an Orange County lawyer for help determining the cause of your car accident and seeking compensation from those at fault.
While any serious traffic crash can be tragic, not all lead to auto accident lawsuits. To seek compensation, you must prove that your injuries or property damages were someone else’s fault.
The majority of car accident claims revolve around the concept of negligence. In other words, someone’s recklessness or carelessness caused your injury. It could be the drunk driver who crashed into your vehicle, the trucking company that hired an unqualified driver, or the governmental entity that failed to maintain the road.
What if you were partly to blame for the collision? Thankfully, California follows a pure comparative fault standard for accident victims in personal injury claims. That means that even if you did something wrong, you can still seek compensation from the other party. However, the final amount you qualify for will decrease in proportion to your degree of fault.
Accident liability is not always clear at first glance. If you have been seriously injured in a collision, contact The Cifarelli Law Firm today. Our Orange County car accident attorneys can help investigate your case, identify any negligent parties, and untangle complex liability issues.
Unlike some other states, California has a “fault” auto insurance system. That means whoever is responsible for causing the accident is also responsible for paying for the ensuing injuries and property damage.
To ensure drivers can pay for accidents they cause, the state requires minimum liability insurance coverage of $5,000 for property damage, $15,000 for injury or death to one person, or $30,000 for injury or death to more than one person. However, drivers may carry liability coverage above these limits.
If you are injured in a traffic accident, you typically have multiple options to seek compensation:
If you hire The Cifarelli Law Firm, we will handle these details for you. Our experienced car accident lawyers are deeply familiar with state insurance laws, Orange County traffic rules, and legal liability criteria to help you maximize the value of your claim.
As a car accident victim, you have the right to seek financial compensation for your losses. Your Orange County attorney will consider the following categories of damages to see which you qualify to pursue following your car accident.
Economic damages are the financial consequences of your collision. You can prove them by presenting bills, receipts, invoices, and damage estimates relating to your accident. Economic damages can include the following:
While non-economic damages are harder to quantify, they often represent the more challenging consequences of an accident. They can include the following:
Because non-economic damages are subjective, insurance companies often try to undervalue them. At The Cifarelli Law Firm, our attorneys have experience helping injured people calculate and prove mental, emotional, and other non-economic losses.
If you have a minor fender-bender with no major damage, you may be able to handle your own insurance claim. However, know that the other party’s insurer will likely have a team of lawyers defending their interests. It’s safest to consult with an Orange County car accident attorney to ensure you are protected.
Legal representation after a car accident is especially important in the following circumstances:
At The Cifarelli Law Firm, our legal team is with you every step of the legal process — from communicating with insurers to representing you in court. Specifically, our Orange County car wreck lawyers will do the following:
Note that California has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Make sure to contact our office before the deadline runs out. Otherwise, you will likely forever lose your right to pursue compensation. The sooner you call us, the more time we will have to prepare your case.
If you’ve sustained an injury or property damage in an accident, call the Cifarelli Law Firm for assistance. We bring a team approach to our cases and treat our clients like family members. Call (949) 502-8600 or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential consultation with a knowledgeable Orange County car accident lawyer today.
If you or your child has been a victim, talk to an Irvine child sexual abuse lawyer at The Cifarelli Law Firm. Our team is passionate about advocating for victims and helping them seek justice. We understand this is a difficult situation, and we strive to create a place where victims from all over California can feel safe and heard. Call The Cifarelli Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation.