Seal Beach Car Accident Lawyer

Finding oneself in the aftermath of a California car accident can be a frightening and overwhelming place to be. You may be suffering horrific injuries or damage to your vehicle, not to mention the emotional and mental trauma that often comes along when experiencing an automobile wreck. If you have sustained damage in an accident that was not your fault, a Seal Beach car accident lawyer can come alongside you and help you recover compensation.

At Easton & Easton, our talented team of personal injury lawyers is here to help those who have suffered injury or property damage through no fault of their own. When you find yourself with physical or emotional trauma, you may also begin to see the medical bills pile up, all while being unable to return to work due to the harm you have suffered. Our attorneys are passionate about providing you with both the monetary compensation and the justice you deserve.

Since 1971, our family-owned firm has been working to protect those injured in various personal injury accidents, including car accidents, and we are proud to serve the individuals of Seal Beach, California. If you have suffered as a result of the negligent or reckless actions of another individual in a car accident, we are here to help you recover the damages you have sustained. Our Orange County car accident lawyers serve Seal Beach and all of Orange County.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Seal Beach, CA

Car accidents happen every single day across the state of California. These accidents can happen for a variety of reasons — often human error — and it is important that you and your attorney are able to pinpoint the cause of the car accident you suffered, as it can help you discover the negligent party and also value the damages you have a right to seek in your personal injury case.

Even for all the safety features vehicle manufacturers have been implementing over the years, car accidents still occur, and the most common reasons for these occurrences include:

• Distracted driving. This common cause of car accidents occurs when a driver allows themselves to become distracted from the task at hand. This can include any action that takes their eyes off the roadway and their hands off the wheel, such as texting and driving, holding conversations with fellow passengers, reaching for something in the car, adjusting the temperature controls or radio, and eating, drinking, or grooming.
• Driving under the influence. One of the most common causes of deadly car accidents involves a driver who is impaired by drugs and/or alcohol. A large number of car accident fatalities are the result of driving under the influence. Driving impaired is not only caused by substances such as alcohol or illegal drugs such as cocaine or methamphetamine. It can also be caused by prescription medication.
• Reckless driving. Operating your vehicle in a reckless manner is another common cause of car accidents in Seal Beach, California. It can include behaviors such as speeding, racing, not paying attention, or ignoring road signage or traffic lights. Speeding is one of the top causes of fatal car accidents in California.
• Poor or unsafe road conditions. When heavy rain or wind comes into play, these weather conditions can lead to car accidents. Cars may begin to hydroplane, slip out of the control of the driver, or veer suddenly in the path of oncoming traffic. Additionally, if a road is not properly maintained by the local or state governing bodies, it can contribute to the causes of serious accidents.
• Mechanical defects. When a car is first designed, created, or subsequently sold with malfunctioning or defective parts or has not been maintained in a proper and adequate way, a car accident can arise due to these serious scenarios, and the designers, manufacturers, or sellers of the vehicle may be held liable, especially in cases where they were aware of the defect or malfunction and put the car on the market anyway.

No matter the cause of your car accident, the Seal Beach personal injury attorneys at Easton & Easton have a proven track record of assisting individuals who have suffered injury or property damage due to the negligent or reckless driving of another. We are here to review your case and determine the correct course of action moving forward.

How Easton & Easton Can Help You

Getting the compensation that you deserve following a California car accident is no easy task. It is vital that you hire an attorney who can assist you in recovering the money you need to cover medical bills or lost wages. We can be there for you every step of the way, explaining the complicated law that often surrounds these cases. At Easton & Easton, our attorneys work hard to gather evidence and use that evidence to begin building your case.

We can also interview witnesses to the accident who may be able to provide your case with valuable information or who may have used their phones to video the accident while it occurred. We can also take depositions from other individuals who were involved in the case, obtain and review your medical records to prove your damages, and work to calculate all damages you may be entitled to.

At Easton & Easton, you aren’t just another client. You are an individual who has suffered and deserves both compensation and justice, and we are here to help you receive what you are due.

Common Injuries in California Car Accidents

Car accidents can range in severity. Some individuals may walk away from the scene of an automobile accident with just a few minor scrapes and bruises. Others, however, may not walk away from the accident at all, and their families have the right to file a claim for wrongful death damages. Some of the most common injuries we have seen over the years resulting from California car accidents have included the following:

• Whiplash
• Spinal cord injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Broken bones or fractures
• Comas
• Paralysis
• Damage to internal organs
• Nerve damage
• Amputations
• Sternum or chest injuries
• Severe burns
• Head, shoulder, neck, or back injuries
• Facial trauma or eye injuries

Many victims of car accidents may not feel their injuries right away, especially in cases where they are dealing with internal or invisible damage. This can also be partly due to the fact that many car accident victims experience some degree of an adrenaline rush, which can cause them to not feel injuries right away. This is why it is vital that you seek medical attention right after a car accident, even in cases where you do not feel injured.

Damages Available in Car Accident Cases

If you have suffered harm in a car accident in Seal Beach, there are several forms of compensation you may be entitled to, depending on the exact nature and circumstances of your crash. If your injuries or property damage were caused by another driver or party’s negligence or recklessness, you need to seek the legal assistance of a car accident lawyer who can review your case and determine which settlement damages you may be entitled to receive.

The most common kinds of damages or compensation available in California car accident cases can include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Future anticipated medical costs
• The loss of your ability to earn an income in the future
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of quality or enjoyment of life
• Wrongful death damages
• Punitive damages

You can trust your Seal Beach car accident attorney to help you determine the extent of your damages so that you don’t miss out on possible compensation.

Insurance Claims vs. Legal Claims

You have two avenues for recovering damages following a car accident. The first is to file a claim with the liable party’s insurance company. Your attorney can help you with both filing the claim itself and negotiating a settlement that covers your damages. If they’re unable to reach an agreement with the insurance company, you could also file a legal claim against the liable party.

Your legal claim should be handled at Orange County Superior Court’s West Justice Center in nearby Westminster, CA. Most civil claims are resolved via negotiations and do not actually need to go to court for a trial, but you should still work with an attorney who has extensive litigation experience so that you’ll be ready if a jury trial is required to come to a resolution. Jury trials carry a certain amount of risk, so make sure you discuss that with your attorney.

Proving Negligence in Car Accident Cases

In order to recover damages, you’ll have to prove that the person who caused your car accident acted negligently. In the vast majority of car accident cases, driver error is the primary cause. To prove a negligence-based car accident case, you’ll need to show that:

• The driver owed a duty of care to operate their vehicle according to certain standards of safety and follow the rules of the road.
• The driver performed one or more actions that were not in keeping with this duty of care, such as driving while distracted or running a red light.
• The driver’s actions led directly to your accident.
• Your accident caused you compensable injuries.

Your attorney can collect the evidence required to prove these four elements of negligence. It could include:

• Photos of the accident scene
• Photos of your injuries prior to treatment
• Details from the accident report
• Surveillance videos from nearby businesses
• Dashcam footage from the cars involved
• Cell phone data subpoenaed from the liable driver’s carrier
• Medical records
• Hospital bills and receipts for out-of-pocket expenses
• Pay stubs to show lost wages
• Expert witness testimony to show the extent of damages
• Accident reconstructions

In some cases, you can help your attorney by collecting such evidence yourself. This is the case with photos of the accident scene and your injuries. Other evidence must be gathered during the formal discovery process, as would be the case with surveillance videos or cell phone data.

Parties That Can Be Held Liable for a Car Accident

In most cases, it’s one or more of the drivers who are found liable for car accidents. Because collisions involving larger commercial vehicles follow unique liability rules, those injured by a commercial vehicle should consult our dedicated team regarding a Seal Beach truck accident claim. However, there are some circumstances where third parties may hold some or all of the liability for your injuries. Responsible third parties can include:

• Municipalities. The Seal Beach Public Works Department is responsible for maintaining surface streets, while the California Department of Transportation maintains highways. If either of these municipal entities fails in their duty to keep roads well-maintained and provide adequate street signs, they could be held liable via a civil claim. You have six months to file a claim against a government entity in California.
• Vehicle manufacturers. If a car had a defect that contributed to the accident, the vehicle manufacturer could be held liable. Both the car’s owner and any victims injured in the crash can file legal claims against the manufacturer for design, manufacturing, or marketing defects.
• Auto mechanics. If a mechanic performed a faulty repair or installed a defective part, and that contributed to your accident, you may be able to hold the mechanic liable for the harm they caused.

If you’re not sure who to file a claim against, don’t worry. You can rely on your lawyer to identify all potentially liable parties so that you can get fairly compensated for your injuries.

Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims

The statute of limitations for car accident claims in California is two years. That means that you’ll have two years from when the accident occurred or the date on which the injury was discovered to file your claim. You shouldn’t wait until that deadline is approaching to hire a Seal Beach car accident attorney, though. Instead, take action as soon as possible after the accident so that the memory of what happened is fresh in your mind and it’s easy to find relevant evidence.

How Common Are Car Accidents in Seal Beach?

Accidents are not very common in Seal Beach. The California Office of Traffic Safety reported just two fatal or injurious crashes within city limits in 2023. However, if you’ve been involved in a crash in Seal Beach or the surrounding area, it won’t matter to you how unlikely that accident was. What matters is seeking skilled legal representation so that you can be compensated fairly for the injuries you’ve suffered.

Why Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

There are many compelling reasons to hire a car accident lawyer. Your attorney can help you handle all of the details of your case, allowing you to focus on healing from your injuries. They can:

• File paperwork and keep track of deadlines
• Identify liable parties you could file a claim against
• Collect and analyze evidence to support your claim
• Identify 100% of the damages to which you are entitled
• Interview eyewitnesses and hire expert witnesses
• Negotiate a fair settlement with the liable party’s insurance company
• Litigate your case in court, should it become necessary
• Protect your rights and interests throughout the legal process

Working with a skilled attorney is the most effective way to enhance your chances of securing thorough compensation for your injuries to the extent allowed by local car accident laws.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Charge in CA?

A: It can be difficult to offer an exact number as to how much car accident lawyers may charge in CA. This is because there are several factors that impact the final cost. These factors can include the duration and overall complexity of your case and the experience, skill, and effort of your attorney.

Q: What Should You Do Following a Car Accident?

A: There are several actions you should take after a car accident in California in order to protect both yourself and any future legal claim you may seek. First and foremost, remove yourself from the scene of the accident to a place of safety and check for injuries. It is vital that you contact the police, who can write up a report of the accident, as this report could be important to your claim.

Q: Who Can Be Held Liable for Car Accident Damages in CA?

A: There are several parties who can be held liable for a car accident in CA. Your attorney can review your car accident case and help determine who to hold liable. These parties might include other reckless or negligent drivers, the owners of the vehicle, the employer of the driver, and any manufacturers or designers of a malfunctioning vehicle.

Q: What Are Some Mistakes to Avoid Making After a Car Accident?

A: One of the most serious mistakes to avoid after a car accident is discussing or admitting fault when speaking with police and eyewitnesses or while exchanging information with the other involved drivers. You may also want to avoid not seeking medical attention even if you feel uninjured and should keep information about the accident to yourself. Don’t post about it on social media.

Q: Where Do Accidents Typically Happen in Seal Beach, CA?

A: Accidents in Seal Beach, CA, can happen just about anywhere that cars are allowed to drive. They typically happen along high-volume corridors and at dangerous intersections, such as the I-405 freeway interchange at Seal Beach Boulevard and Seal Beach Boulevard/Westminster Avenue. The Pacific Coast Highway is also highly vulnerable to accidents, particularly near local commercial areas like Main Street.

Speak With a Trusted California Personal Injury Lawyer Today

If you have suffered injuries or property damage in a Seal Beach car accident, the attorneys at Easton & Easton are here for you. We have the experience and resources necessary to assist you in seeking the compensation and justice you deserve. Contact our offices today for more information and to schedule an initial consultation.

Seal Beach, CA Related Car Accident Resources:

• What to Do After a Car Accident That Is Not Your Fault in California
• How Long Does It Take to Settle a Car Accident Claim in California?
• California Rental Car Accident: What Happens When You Are Not at Fault?
• California Car Accident Statistics & Safety Data
• Why Is My Car Accident Settlement Taking So Long in California?

Seal Beach, CA Car Accident Legal Resources

• Seal Beach Police Department – Traffic Bureau & Collision Reports Request
• Orange County Superior Court – West Justice Center (Westminster, CA)
• California Highway Patrol – Collision Request System & Records
• California DMV – Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California (Form SR-1)
• California Vehicle Code – Sec. 20008 (Duty to Report Traffic Accidents)

About Seal Beach, CA

The historic Seal Beach Pier serves as a beloved gathering spot offering iconic ocean views and coastal recreation for the entire community. However, local traffic along major corridors like Pacific Coast Highway continues to see risks, with the California Office of Traffic Safety tracking traffic incident trends across regional intersections. In response, municipal enforcement and safety programs actively work to improve pedestrian crossings and corridor safety. These ongoing local initiatives help preserve Seal Beach as a resilient and welcoming coastal town.