Costa Mesa Car Accident Lawyer

Costa Mesa Car Accident Attorney

The streets and freeways of Orange County are notoriously overcrowded and rife with daily car accidents. California traffic law can be confusing and leave you overwhelmed. Mounting bills will soon follow, as will increased insurance premiums. Who is going to pay for damage to your car and for the expensive medical bills due to bodily injury? How soon will you be able to go back to work?

You will most assuredly have a lot of questions and will need a lot of professional guidance to understand your rights and the merits of any subsequent case you may file.

YOU may be certain that the accident was not your fault, but what happens if they start accusing you of causing the accident? When you have been involved in a traffic accident and you have exchanged information, what is your next logical step?

Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney in Costa Mesa

Filling out the sea of claim forms and settlement papers can be daunting on your own. Car accident victims often feel alone, shaken up and panic-stricken. You may be tempted to settle for a quick amount just to get the whole incident in your distant memory, but this may not be in your best interest in the long run. Fortunately, calling an attorney is easy and painless!

You need a professional on your side who understands the law and can fight for your rights. An experienced lawyer can answer your questions, investigate the accident and file your paperwork to ensure that your case is properly prepared and filed within the time limit required by the court. Your initial consultation will allow your attorney to review your case and determine whether or not you are entitled to compensation for damages.

Filing a Lawsuit in Costa Mesa, California

As you can probably imagine, personal injury lawsuits can be exhausting and time consuming. Without an expert attorney, you may find the process strenuous and overwhelming, especially when the other party or insurance company is armed with a team of lawyers on their side.

Without a complete knowledge of the complexities of traffic law and statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit, your case could be over before you even enter a courtroom. Your attorney knows the timeline required as well as how to fill out and file the extensive paperwork a lawsuit includes. Too many victims of car accidents are unable to collect the damages they deserve because the paperwork was filed too late or documents were improperly filled out or missing altogether. Don’t let this happen to you!

Shared Fault Laws in California

California traffic law includes a clause for Shared Fault claims. The courts can find that you are partially to blame for the accident if the defendant in your case argues that both parties are at fault. A lawyer can explain this clause and the possible implications that may effect the amount of compensation you receive.

Example of Shared Fault Claim:
Let’s assume that the driver who hit your car ran a stop sign. Let’s also assume that you were driving 10 miles over the posted speed limit. The lawyer for the other party might argue that you take on a percentage of the blame for the accident. If the court rules you to be 10% at fault for the accident, your lawsuit for $30,000 in damages to your car and person may be reduced to $27,000 once your fault is subtracted.

Financial Limits for California Lawsuits

Oftentimes there are exceptions to the rules that you might qualify for but not even know about. An attorney can find these exceptions to ensure that you receive the compensation you are entitled to.

For example, California law places limits on financial gains for certain types of damage. An uninsured driver may not be eligible to collect the full compensation that those who have insurance may be entitled to. Damages such as pain and suffering, that does not have a determinable monetary amount to award, may not be awarded to an uninsured driver under California law.

In the end, your personal injury attorney is your biggest advocate in court. At the Costa Mesa Law Offices of Brent A. Duque, we employ a staff of a highly professional, knowledgeable, dynamic and successful car accident attorneys who represent injured people through our offices that stretch across Southern California. Time limitations apply to any injury claim you might have, so for purposes of investigating a possible case and possibly preserving evidence, it’s best for you to contact us immediately after an accident.

How to Choose the Right Car Accident Attorney in Orange County

When choosing an attorney or law firm to represent your case there are a few questions you should ask them before deciding that they are the right fit for you.

• What types of cases does your firm usually represent? There are many different areas of law practice and even within personal injury, there are many different types of personal injury cases. It’s vital to make sure that the law firm you entrust to handle your case has successfully handled many similar cases before. The more specialized the firm you work with is, the more likely they are to obtain excellent results for you.

• Do I stand to gain more working with Duque Law than I would if I were to go it alone?  In the majority of cases, insurance companies will offer much higher settlements to victims with legal representation than to those without. In some situations, however, the value of your total damages may be very low and after paying a portion of that to your lawyer, you may come out with less money than you would have without representation. Test the integrity of the firm you are thinking of working with by asking this question: Does the law firm I am working with truly have my interests in mind, will advise me both when I’m better off working with them, and when I would stand to gain more going at it alone, even if this means less money for them?

• What kind of results have you obtained for previous clients with cases similar to mine? While no attorney should tell you what your case is worth before conducting a thorough investigation, they should be able to give you examples of the results of other accident cases they have handled that might be similar to yours. A capable and experienced law firm should have plenty of positive past results that can give you an idea, both of what you might expect for your own case, and of the negotiating abilities of the attorneys.

At Duque Law, we focus only on personal injury law and that narrow focus has allowed us to help hundreds of California residents to obtain full compensation for their financial, and non-financial losses following a car accident. Our experience and integrity mean that we will be upfront with you right from the beginning. If we can help you, we will do everything in our power to passionately pursue justice on your behalf. If we examine your circumstances and realize that you stand to gain more without our representation, we will be 100% transparent with you about that, and give you legal advice that will help you to make a success of your case.

Contact our Orange County Personal Injury Attorneys at 1-877-241-9554 to learn more about your legal options. A free consultation is just a phone call away. You can even use our online contact form, and we’ll reply to you right away.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

A personal injury lawsuit is a court battle involving numerous parties over negligent behavior that caused an accident or injury. Usually, the wounded party’s medical expenses, future medical bills, and property damage are covered by the at-fault party’s insurance company.

What Do I Do After an Auto Accident?

Following a car accident, it is advised to always seek competent medical care. Keep a record of all medical expenses and supporting documents, too. Even minor wounds have the potential to get worse over time. Therefore, be sure to get help as soon as possible.

After the collision, the at-fault party’s insurance adjusters will try to settle the claim. Keep your information sharing to a minimum, as it could harm your case and reduce the amount of compensation you receive.

The car accident lawyers at Duque Law are quite familiar with the tactics and methods used by insurance adjusters. Adjusters frequently coerce victims into accepting an unreasonable settlement. Hire an Orange County car accident lawyer to avoid having to deal with this additional stress. Schedule a free consultation with us to get the maximum compensation. Recuperation should be your top priority. Let us handle all the legal aspects.

Are You Entitled to Compensation?

You might be eligible for compensation if someone else’s negligence led to your injuries in a Costa Mesa car accident. If you need legal advice, speak with a reliable personal injury attorney. Duque Law has the resources to assist. In Orange County, our attorneys have fought for victims of traffic accidents for many years. We also put in a lot of effort to make sure clients get the justice they deserve. You should seek compensation whether the other driver has an insurance policy or not.

What Are the Most Common Types of Personal Injury Cases?

Duque Law’s car accident attorneys are experts in addressing a range of traffic accidents, such as:

• Motor vehicle accidents: These are the most common accidents in Costa Mesa.
• Rideshare accidents: The number of Uber and Lyft accidents is on the rise due to the proximity of the John Wayne Airport.
• Pedestrian accidents: Plenty of car accidents involve pedestrians. Pedestrians are susceptible to more severe injuries. 
• Truck accidents: Commercial truck accidents are another common occurrence, particularly between the Interstate 405 and State Route 55 freeways. 
• Bicycle accidents: A lot of people enjoy riding their bicycles in Costa Mesa; unfortunately, this leads to an increased number of cycling accidents. 
• Motorcycle accidents: Motorcycle drivers are also more prone to serious injuries when involved in an auto accident. 
• Catastrophic injuries: Has your accident led to traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, or amputation? Our Orange County car accident lawyer can help you get justice!
• Wrongful death: Unfortunately, a car wreck can sometimes lead to a fatality. Our Costa Mesa car accident lawyer is here to guide you through the entire process.

How Much Is my Personal Injury Claim Worth?

All personal injury claims are unique. The value differs based on the extent of damages, the severity of the victim’s injuries, and any losses the car accident caused. 

A claim can be split into two sections: economic damages and non-economic damages.

What Are Economic Damages?

Economic damages are quantifiable losses intended to restore individuals to their pre-accident condition. Lost wages, medical bills, payments for continued medical care, rehabilitation costs, and property damage are all examples of economic damages.

What Are Non-economic Damages?

Non-economic damages that a victim might endure as a result of a car accident are non-financial costs that cannot be measured. Loss of companionship, chronic physical pain, emotional and mental anguish, and loss of quality time are examples of non-economic damages.

If you need help determining how much your car accident case is worth, contact our experienced team today!

Is my Insurance Claim Valid?

Any prospective client must bring their auto insurance coverage when meeting with us for the first time. The vast majority of people are significantly underinsured, according to our research. We’ll help you determine exactly what your policy actually says, how to communicate with an insurance salesperson, and how to get the most out of your family’s coverage while still being economical and effective.

Our team isn’t only available to help you with the legal dispute. From negotiating with insurance providers to getting the appropriate medical attention, we’re here to help you through it all!

What Are the Most Common Car Accident Injuries in Costa Mesa?

A few of the most common injuries include:

• Broken bones
• Traumatic head injuries
• Concussions
• Severe burns and bruises
• Whiplash
• Amputations
• Lacerations
• Torn muscles and ligaments
• Spinal cord injuries
• Internal injuries
• Death

What Causes Motor Vehicle Accidents in Costa Mesa?

Motor vehicle accidents occur daily in Costa Mesa. We’ve represented thousands of clients in these types of personal injury cases, and the causes are always the same. A few of these include:

• Distracted driving: This is certainly one of the leading causes of auto accidents and involves things such as texting and driving, changing the music you’re listening to, or eating and drinking.
• Drunk driving: Alcohol plays a significant role in a great deal of collisions across the entire US. 
• Running a red light: Many people think running a red light isn’t a serious offense, which is why it results in so many crashes. 
• Motor vehicle defects: This is also known as product liability and involves issues with your car, such as defective brakes or seat belts. 
• Drowsy driving: If you are tired, do not get behind the wheel! Driving while fatigued can impair you the same way that alcohol and drugs do. 
• Roadway defects: If the road conditions caused the accident, you might be able to sue the government institution responsible for its maintenance.

What If I Can’t Afford an Orange County Car Accident Lawyer?

There’s no need to worry about any legal fees are the start of the process. We offer a free consultation, in which we will discuss all aspects of your case and determine the best way forward.