Fullerton Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents happen every day in Fullerton and throughout California. Some of these accidents occur due to vehicle malfunctions or other unpredictable issues, while others happen because of negligence. Suppose you or a loved one recently suffered injuries in a car accident that you believe occurred because of another driver’s carelessness or recklessness. In that case, you have the right to hold the at-fault driver accountable for the resulting damages.

Experiencing a car accident can be a traumatic and life-changing experience. It’s natural to feel uncertain and distressed after such an incident, and reliable legal counsel from an experienced Fullerton car accident attorney is an invaluable asset in this challenging time. If you are unsure what to do about a recent car accident in the Fullerton, CA area, Easton & Easton is ready to assist you.

Our firm has years of experience representing clients in a wide range of personal injury claims, including those pertaining to car accidents. We know how to help our clients determine their claimable losses and navigate the complex legal proceedings their cases often entail. If you are struggling with the aftermath of a car accident, our firm can provide the guidance and reassurance you need to approach the recovery process with confidence.

The first step toward recovery after a car accident is typically an insurance claim against the at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy. California state law requires all drivers to carry auto insurance that comes into play when they cause an accident. California is a fault state, meaning the at-fault driver is responsible for the damages they cause. While you might assume that you could cover your losses through an insurance claim, the reality is that many car accidents result in damages that exceed the scope of available insurance coverage from an at-fault driver’s policy.

Even if it is possible to settle your car accident damages through an insurance claim, dealing with insurance companies is never easy, and navigating the claim process can be incredibly difficult without legal counsel on your side. A Fullerton personal injury attorney can not only negotiate with an insurance company on your behalf but also help you explore additional legal options when your insurance settlement does not fully cover your losses.

Hiring an experienced Fullerton car accident lawyer lets you focus on your recovery with peace of mind knowing your case is in trustworthy hands. In addition, an experienced legal team can help you thoroughly explore every available channel of compensation in your claim and guide you through your legal proceedings, likely securing more compensation than you would have been able to obtain on your own.

The determining factor as to whether you have grounds for a civil claim against another driver is if the accident occurred due to that driver’s negligence or intentional misconduct. For example, some of the most commonly reported causes of car accidents that generate civil claims include:

• Distracted driving. It is the leading cause of all motor vehicle accidents in the United States. All drivers must pay attention to the road and operate their vehicles responsibly at all times. Unfortunately, even a few seconds of distracted driving can easily cause a devastating accident, and the distracted driver would be liable for the resulting damages.
• Impaired driving or driving under the influence (DUI). It is illegal for anyone to operate their vehicle while impaired by drug or alcohol consumption. A driver who causes an accident because of DUI faces criminal charges and civil liability for the victim’s damages.
• Moving violations. Illegal turns, running red lights and stop signs, speeding, and other moving violations create dangerous conditions for other drivers.
• Aggressive driving. Unfortunately, “road rage” is a common cause of accidents throughout California. When drivers swerve aggressively or engage in other risky maneuvers behind the wheel, they put themselves and others at risk. When these actions cause accidents, aggressive drivers can face criminal prosecution for reckless endangerment and other charges alongside civil liability for victims’ damages.
• Vehicle malfunctions. If a vehicle has a defect or a defective part was installed, the product manufacturer can face liability under California’s product liability laws. In addition, a mechanic who failed to perform appropriate vehicle maintenance could also absorb liability for damages resulting from an accident caused by a vehicle malfunction.

These are only a few examples of how car accidents happen in the Fullerton, CA, area. If you believe any other party bears liability for your recent accident, it is crucial to consult reliable legal counsel as soon as possible. An experienced Fullerton car accident attorney can be instrumental in proving fault for your losses.

If you intend to file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit against the driver who hit you, the first step in succeeding with these processes would be proving their fault for causing the accident. Success with any personal injury claim requires identifying the party or parties responsible for the plaintiff’s damages and proving they were negligent in some way that directly caused those damages. There are four main elements of proving negligence:

1. Duty of care. The plaintiff must show that the defendant owed them a duty of care in the situation in question. For example, every driver has a duty of care to abide by posted traffic signs and refrain from distracted driving.
2. Breach. Next, the plaintiff and their Fullerton car accident attorney would need to prove the defendant breached their duty of care somehow. This could be a direct action such as speeding or texting behind the wheel, or it could be inaction such as failing to address a known mechanical issue with their vehicle.
3. Damage. You only have grounds for a civil claim if you suffered actual harm or a measurable loss from the defendant’s actions. Again, your attorney can help you calculate the damages you can claim.
4. Causation. The final step in proving liability for a car accident is proving your damages are the direct results of the defendant’s breached duty of care and not some other cause.

If you and your Fullerton car accident attorney can successfully establish these four elements of negligence, you are likely to succeed with your claim. Proving liability may require effectively leveraging physical evidence like vehicle computer data, cell phone records, and traffic camera footage, and your attorney may also secure eyewitness statements to support your case.

Car accidents can easily cause many devastating losses to victims, some of which may be difficult to calculate at first. Suppose you are unsure how to calculate the full scope of your claimable damages from a car accident. In that case, it is essential to consult an experienced Fullerton car accident lawyer as soon as possible. While the at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy may provide some coverage for your vehicle repair costs and medical expenses, a successful personal injury claim can yield more extensive compensation. Your damages may include:

• Medical expenses, including the cost of long-term medical care you require for severe injuries. For example, car accident injuries can result in permanent disabilities that demand lifelong in-home medical care and ongoing therapies. Your attorney can help you calculate the full scope of all the medical expenses you incur from your accident and hold the defendant accountable for these losses.
• Lost income, including lost future earnings. Your accident is likely to leave you unable to work until you recover, and the defendant is liable for the wages lost during this time. In addition, if you develop a permanent disability from your accident and cannot resume your job, the defendant would be liable for this lost earning capacity. An experienced Fullerton car accident lawyer can help you prove the income you would have reasonably expected to earn in the future had your accident not occurred.
• Property damage. It’s possible the defendant’s auto insurance could cover your vehicle repair costs, but a minimum policy may only provide a portion of the cost of replacing your vehicle. You can hold the defendant responsible for your vehicle repair costs and any other property damage resulting from the accident.
• Pain and suffering. California civil statutes allow personal injury plaintiffs to recover compensation for physical pain and emotional distress resulting from a car accident. Your Fullerton car accident attorney will help you calculate an appropriate amount based on the seriousness of your injuries and whether you are likely to develop long-term or permanent medical complications because of them.

Your car accident claim could be worth much more than you initially expected when you have the right attorney handling your case. In addition to these economic and non-economic damages, some plaintiffs may qualify to receive punitive damages at the discretion of the judge overseeing their case. Judges award plaintiffs punitive damages to punish a defendant for egregious negligence or criminal behavior. It’s also possible for a defendant to be responsible for restitution to the victim if they are criminally charged for their actions that led to the accident, such as DUI or intentional, reckless driving.

Hiring the right attorney makes a tremendous impact on the outcome of your car accident claim. Your legal team can assist with all aspects of your legal proceedings, from identifying the defendant or defendants responsible for causing your accident and proving their liability to calculating all of your claimable damages.

An excellent personal injury attorney takes time to get to know their client, thoroughly reviewing the details of their experience and uncovering the various effects this experience has had on their life. Experienced Fullerton car accident attorneys will handle their clients’ procedural obligations while providing them with updates about their cases as they unfold. In addition, car accident claims often require dealing with insurance companies that typically attempt everything they can to avoid paying out settlements. Easton & Easton can assist with these issues and more in your car accident claim. Our goal is to maximize your recovery as much as possible and to ensure the defendant responsible for your accident is held accountable for their actions.

Car accident victims typically have many questions about their legal options following these incidents. Easton & Easton has decades of professional legal experience, and the following are some of the most common questions asked by prospective clients regarding legal options for car accident claims.

Q: Is It Worth Getting a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident?
A: California law requires drivers to call 911 to report any car accident that causes injury, death, or substantial property damage. If your accident qualifies for reporting, you should expect to consult an attorney about your claim in the near future. If you only experienced a minor bump in a parking lot or other low-speed accident that caused nothing more than minor vehicle damage, you could probably settle the matter with an insurance claim. However, if you were injured at all, even minorly, it’s best to consult a Fullerton car accident attorney about your legal options.

Q: How Do I Choose an Attorney for My Car Accident?
A: Finding the right attorney ultimately comes down to your personal needs and preferences. Read reviews of local attorneys and ask friends and family for recommendations. The best way to determine whether an attorney is right for your case is to take advantage of consultation offers to review prospective lawyers before signing any contracts for legal representation.

Q: Do I Need to File an Insurance Claim After a Car Accident?
A: Insurance is the first step toward recovering from a California car accident. It’s often possible to resolve minor accidents through insurance claims, and drivers have a legal duty to report any accidents they experience to their insurance carriers. An experienced Fullerton car accident attorney can help you navigate insurance-related issues after a car accident more easily.

These are just a few examples of the questions most car accident victims have following their experiences. Any car accident can be a damaging and traumatic experience, and it’s normal to feel distressed and uncertain when you imagine what you may need to endure to secure compensation for your losses. Easton & Easton can provide the confident and compassionate legal counsel you need during this challenging time. If you are ready to investigate your legal options after a car accident, contact us today to schedule your consultation with a Fullerton car accident attorney.