Have you or a loved one been injured in a car accident in Newport Beach? If so, you may be entitled to compensation, but it may be difficult to get. Insurance companies will often do everything in their power to deny or limit your financial payout, but our experienced Newport Beach car accident lawyers can help you fight to get every dollar you deserve. Call Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian if you’ve recently been injured in a car accident.
Since 1990, Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian has been passionate advocate for crash victims and grieving families in Newport Beach and throughout Orange County. We’re nationally-recognized trial attorneys with a proven ability to take on powerful corporations and win big for our clients. Our results speak volumes – with more than $1 billion recovered. Call our law office in Newport Beach, CA to set up a free consultation now.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Newport Beach Car Accident Lawyer?
Even if you have never missed a payment on your premiums, your car insurance company may reject your claim. The other driver’s insurance company may try to refute fault or even blame you for the accident. Even if you are offered a settlement, it may be significantly less than you deserve. An experienced Newport Beach car accident lawyer can help you navigate all of these challenges and more.
Your lawyer can return to the scene of the accident to conduct an in-depth investigation into the cause and identify the liable (financially responsible) parties. Then, your lawyer can complete the claims-filing process, including providing proof of your losses to an insurance company.
You can trust an attorney to take over negotiations with an insurance claims adjuster on your behalf to fight for maximum compensation for your past and future losses. Most importantly, hiring an attorney can give you the mental peace to focus on healing from your injuries during this challenging time.
We Handle All Types of Car Accidents in Newport Beach
At Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian, our Orange County car accident lawyer represents clients who have sustained catastrophic injuries in all types of Newport Beach car accidents, including:
- Front-end collisions
- Rear-end collisions
- Rollovers
- Sideswipes
- Hit-and-run car accidents
- Distracted driving car accidents
- Drunk driving car accidents
- Speed-related car accidents
- Accidents involving uninsured motorists
- Intersection car accidents
- Fatal car accidents
Our extensive experience handling a variety of car accident and personal injury claims can be a huge benefit to you throughout the negotiation process.
What is my Car Accident Case Worth?
When you submit a claim to the at-fault party’s insurance company or file a car accident lawsuit, you can typically recover compensatory damages.
Compensatory damages can include money for:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Disability
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
The insurance company will try to dictate the terms of your claim and tell you what your damages are worth. Our Newport Beach car accident lawyers won’t let them. We’ll work closely with accident experts and medical specialists as we work to determine precisely what your car accident case is worth.
Ultimately, several factors will help us understand its value, including your age, the types of injuries you’ve suffered, changes in your earning capacity, and how your accident has affected your life.
What Is Comparative Negligence? How Might it Affect a Car Accident Case?
California is a pure comparative negligence state. This law states that if the victim is found to be partially at fault for a car accident or injury, he or she can still recover a portion of financial compensation. The amount of compensation the victim will receive is reduced by his or her percentage of fault.
For example, if you are allocated 10 percent of fault for a car accident in Newport Beach, you could still be eligible for the remaining 90 percent that represents someone else’s liability. In this scenario, a $100,000 settlement awarded to you would be reduced by 10 percent ($10,000) to $90,000.
The “pure” part of California’s comparative negligence system means there is no cap or limit on the amount of fault a victim can be allocated (short of 100 percent). Modified comparative negligence states, on the other hand, cap a plaintiff’s ability to recover compensation at a specific percentage of fault, generally around 50 percent.
If the other driver or an insurance company is attempting to blame you for a car accident, do not give up hope. You may still be eligible for compensation. Contact an attorney to help you navigate the comparative negligence system and limit its impact on your damage award.
You Have a Limited Time to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in California
Statutes of limitations exist in every state. They impose a time limit on a victim’s ability to take legal action after a car accident or another source of injury. In California, the statute of limitations for car accident lawsuits is two years. You miss the opportunity to get compensation if you miss the deadline. So, it’s essential to reach out to our experienced Newport Beach car accident attorneys for help as soon as you can after your crash.
Tips for Dealing With an Insurance Claims Adjuster
Dealing with an insurance claims adjuster can be a crucial aspect of the financial recovery process after a car accident in Newport Beach. A claims adjuster is the individual assigned to your case by an insurance company. It is the adjuster’s job to investigate your case and determine whether the insurance provider should accept or reject your claim.
You can protect your rights during interactions with an insurance claims adjuster with a few tips:
- Do not trust a claims adjuster. They are trained to put the insurance company’s interests above yours. The claims adjuster’s goal is to minimize your payout as much as possible.
- Do not admit fault for the car accident when speaking to an adjuster. Do not speculate or guess as to the cause of the crash.
- When asked questions, keep your answers short and simple. Do not talk about your injuries until you have spoken to a doctor and understand your medical status.
- Do not give an insurance claims adjuster a recorded statement. Generally, these statements will be used as an opportunity to find inconsistencies in your story and use this against you.
- Wait to accept a settlement until you have contacted an attorney. Do not say yes to a settlement or sign anything, especially a release of liability waiver.
- While you may be eager to resolve your car accident claim, do not rush the process. Once you accept a settlement, you typically cannot reopen your case or seek further compensation.
You do not have to deal with an insurance company or claims adjuster on your own. A car accident lawyer from Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian can take over negotiations with insurance representatives on your behalf to advocate for your best interests.
How Common Are Car Accidents in Newport Beach?
According to data from the California Office of Traffic Safety, 389 traffic accidents were reported in Newport Beach, California in 2021.
That’s an average of at least one crash a day on these busy roads.
At least 514 people suffered injuries in those car accidents, while another 11 were killed.
Vehicle occupants aren’t the only ones who can get hurt in these crashes. Crash data reveals that, in 2021, there were 36 pedestrian accidents, 38 motorcycle accidents, and 77 bicycle accidents.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Victims of car accidents can suffer injuries that change their lives forever. The forces involved in a collision are capable of injuring any part of a victim’s body, including causing both external and internal injuries. At Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian, our personal injury lawyers have the knowledge and experience to help if you or a loved one has suffered any type of injury in a crash in Newport Beach.
Common injuries include:
- Amputations
- Bone fractures and dislocations
- Burn injuries
- Herniated or slipped disks
- Internal injuries or organ failure
- Neck injuries, including whiplash
- Paralysis and other permanent injuries
- Soft-tissue damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Wrongful death (fatal car accidents)
Severe to catastrophic injuries can result in a lifetime of medical expenses, disabilities, lost wages and diminished enjoyment of life. Work with an attorney to pursue the compensation that your family needs for life-altering car accident injuries. With any type of injury, we can help you understand your legal options and pursue the compensation you need to move forward.
Top Causes of Newport Beach Car Accidents
Human error is the number one cause of car accidents in California. All drivers have a legal responsibility to operate their vehicles according to traffic laws and in a way that minimizes the risk of automobile accidents. When a driver is negligent, or fails to use proper care behind the wheel, car accidents happen.
The most common causes of car accidents in Newport Beach include:
- Broken traffic laws
- Dangerous road defects
- Driver errors
- Driving under the influence
- Driving while distracted
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Following too closely
- Reckless and aggressive driving
- Red-light running
- Speeding
- Texting and driving
- Vehicle part defects or malfunctions
Preventable mistakes by careless and reckless motor vehicle drivers are most often connected to car accidents. If a driver is at fault for your collision, his or her insurance company may be responsible for reimbursing you. If you appear to have a case against a third party, such as the government or a vehicle manufacturer, our lawyers can help you seek compensation from their insurance companies, as well.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Newport Beach
If you get involved in a car accident in Newport Beach, take the following steps to protect your physical health and legal rights:
- Immediately pull over and check yourself for injuries. When it is safe to do so, exit your vehicle and check others for injuries, as well.
- Call 911 to report the car accident to law enforcement and request medical assistance, if needed. Do not admit fault for the crash.
- Get immediate medical care, even if you initially feel fine. Your adrenaline from the car accident may be masking injury symptoms.
- Gather information from the other driver, including his or her name, vehicle registration number and insurance information.
- Collect evidence at the scene, such as photographs of the crash and eyewitness information. Write down your police report number before you leave.
- Call your own car insurance company to report the accident. Your insurer will investigate the crash and may file a claim against the other driver on your behalf.
- Keep up with your medical treatments and doctor’s visits. Request copies of all medical records and bills related to the car accident.
Who Pays for a Car Accident in Newport Beach?
California is an at-fault car insurance state, meaning the person or party who caused the crash is held responsible for paying for a victim’s injuries. In a no-fault state, all injured victims seek financial compensation from their own car insurance companies, regardless of fault.
Under California law, all drivers must maintain a minimum amount of liability coverage for any vehicle they have registered. The minimum amounts are $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident in bodily injury liability insurance, plus $5,000 in property damage insurance.
If a negligent driver caused or significantly contributed to your car accident in Newport Beach, his or her car insurance company can be held liable. If the other driver does not have insurance or you are injured in a hit-and-run accident, you may need to file a claim with your own insurance carrier.
If you have uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance, this will pay for an accident involving an uninsured driver. If you do not have this coverage, consult with an attorney about the possibility of holding a third party responsible, such as an employer, business or the government.
Contact Our Newport Beach Car Accident Lawyer Today | Free Consultation
With 75+ years of experience and over $1 billion recovered, our Newport Beach law firm is situated to help you demand the financial justice you deserve.
Let us take on the at-fault party and their insurance company while you focus on getting better. Your first consultation with our Orange County personal injury lawyer is free. When you are ready to seek compensation for your Newport Beach car accident, contact Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian at (931)-831-6611.