Santa Ana Car Accident Lawyer

Car Accident Attorney in Santa Ana, CA

Car accidents happen unexpectedly in many ways every day, and it is vital for any driver who experiences an accident to know what to do in the initial aftermath, how they can recover their losses, and the value of working with a Santa Ana car accident lawyer as they attempt to resolve the case. Duque & Price have years of experience representing car accident victims in Santa Ana and can provide the legal representation you need for your recovery efforts.

Helping Car Accident Victims Recover in Santa Ana, CA

Duque & Price can assist our clients in proving fault for their recent accident and guide them through the legal process of recovering compensation for their damages. If you or a loved one are struggling with the aftermath of a car accident in the Santa Ana area, we can help you make clearer sense of your situation and handle your legal affairs on your behalf so you can focus on your recovery.

You have a relatively short time in which to pursue legal recourse for a vehicle accident in Santa Ana. You may require various forms of evidence that must be secured from the scene of the crash quickly, and witness testimony to support your claim will be most reliable if it is collected immediately following the accident. Your case may be more complex than it initially appears, but with our assistance, you can approach your recovery efforts with confidence.

Santa Ana Personal Injury Statistics

In Santa Ana and the surrounding areas of California, car accidents are a leading cause of personal injuries each year. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, a total of 1,679 people were injured or killed in traffic accidents in Santa Ana during 2022. Whether you have been hurt in a crash, it’s important to work with an attorney who understands the local community and who has strong relationships with local court officials.

California enforces the fault rule when it comes to resolving accident cases, meaning anyone who is deemed to have caused an accident is liable for the damages they inflicted on others. Proving fault will be an essential first step in recovering from your recent car accident, and this starts by identifying the driver you believe to be responsible for causing the crash.

Some of the most common causes of car accidents in Santa Ana and surrounding areas include:

• Speeding or driving too fast for conditions. Exceeding the speed limit is inherently dangerous and increases the risk of a crash. Speeding also increases the severity of a crash and the likelihood of it resulting in severe injuries. Drivers must also know when to adjust their speed to account for less-than-ideal driving conditions, such as poor visibility, severe weather, and heavy traffic congestion.
• Distracted driving. Whenever a driver becomes distracted behind the wheel, they put themselves and everyone around them at grave risk. Cell phone use while driving, eating, smoking, and conversing with passengers are all potential distractions that can easily result in devastating collisions.
• Moving violations. Road signs and traffic signals exist to allow drivers to anticipate the flow of traffic and proceed safely to their destinations. When drivers commit moving violations like illegal turns, running red lights or stop signs, or failing to yield the right-of-way, they put themselves and others at severe risk and can easily cause serious accidents.
• Intoxicated driving. This is the most common illegal cause of car accidents in Santa Ana each year. Any driver who causes an accident, because they were driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, faces not only civil liability for the damages they caused but also criminal charges, and their penalties would increase significantly if they caused great bodily harm or death.

Car accidents can lead to both auto insurance claims and personal injury claims. If you are unsure how to proceed in the aftermath of your recent accident, it is imperative to consult a Santa Ana car accident lawyer as soon as possible. They can help you gather various forms of physical and digital evidence to support your case, such as traffic camera footage, cell phone data, and statements from witnesses who saw your accident happen firsthand.

Most personal injuries, including car accidents, reported in the Santa Ana area are the results of “negligence,” a term that can define any failure to act with reasonable care. Your attorney can help you prove negligence and hold an at-fault driver accountable for the harm they have done, or they may need to help you prove that a defendant’s illegal actions directly caused your recent accident.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Santa Ana

The first steps you take after any car accident in Santa Ana are crucial for your recovery:

• If you are able to do so, document as much as you can from the scene of the crash while you wait for first responders. Take photos of your injuries, the damage to your vehicle, and the surrounding area. These photos could be crucial for success in your recovery efforts.
• Be careful not to admit fault when speaking to first responders. Answer their questions honestly and concisely, but do not say anything they might interpret as an admission of guilt.
• Once you have received medical treatment, consult a Santa Ana car accident lawyer at your first opportunity. During your initial consultation with Duque & Price, we can evaluate the details of your accident to determine whether another driver is to blame. If so, we can begin gathering evidence on your behalf as soon as you hire us to represent you.

Recovering from a car accident in Santa Ana could be challenging, but you have a greater chance of reaching a positive conclusion to your case with a skilled attorney’s help. The team at Duque & Price has successfully represented many car accident victims who have experienced all types of crashes, including:

• T-bone accidents, which involve one driver striking another on the side. These are common at busy intersections when drivers fail to stop for red lights or stop signs.
• Rear-end collisions, which are some of the most common crashes in California and throughout the United States. Usually, the rear driver is responsible for the resulting damages, as all drivers have a duty of care to leave adequate space between their vehicle and the one in front of them.
• High-speed accidents. Speeding drivers on busy highways like I-5 can easily cause serious accidents. Speeding not only increases the risk of an accident happening but also the severity of resulting damages.
• Hit-and-run accidents. California law requires drivers to report accidents to 911 if they result in property damage, injury, or death, and drivers must remain at the scene of the accident. Failure to do so can qualify as a hit-and-run. Our team can help you identify a hit-and-run driver and hold them accountable for your damages.
• Rideshare accidents. Accidents involving drivers for Uber or Lyft can raise difficult legal questions, and injured victims may face very difficult insurance claims after these accidents.

These are only a few examples of the types of cases we have handled for injured clients in Santa Ana.

According to the National Safety Council, a total of 44,762 deaths resulted from vehicle crashes throughout the United States in 2023. Of these accidents, 44.8% resulted from angle collisions, 29.9% resulted from head-on collisions, and 17% resulted from rear-end collisions. More than 5.1 million injuries occurred that year, and the two most common causes of injuries were angle crashes at 44.3% and rear-end collisions at 36.6%.

You do not need to approach a difficult case in the Orange County Superior Court system on your own. Having the right attorney on your side will significantly improve your chances of reaching a positive outcome.

Average Personal Injury Settlement Amounts in Santa Ana

A car accident can lead to a personal injury suit in Santa Ana, but filing an auto insurance claim is usually the injured driver’s first avenue of recovery following this type of incident. All drivers in California must have auto insurance that meets the state’s minimum coverage requirements. An at-fault driver’s insurance policy can go toward paying for the damages they caused, but filing an insurance claim can be challenging without an attorney’s help.

Your Santa Ana car accident lawyer can help you navigate the insurance claim filing process and resolve any issues you encounter with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Insurance carriers will almost always attempt to push back against these claims, hoping to settle for as little as possible. They will sometimes try to use claimants’ own words against them, and some will even act in bad faith in their efforts to minimize settlement payments.

Working with a skilled Santa Ana car accident lawyer is the optimal way to ensure a fair settlement offer from the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier. The team at Duque & Price knows the tactics that insurance carriers often use against injured claimants, and we can make sure you are treated fairly.

If your settlement does not fully cover your losses, or if the at-fault driver does not have insurance, you will need to file a personal injury claim against them to recoup your losses.

Under California’s personal injury laws, an injured plaintiff has the right to claim full repayment of any economic losses they suffered because of a defendant’s actions.

In most personal injury cases, cited economic losses include:

• Property damage. This includes vehicle repair or replacement costs as well as the value of any personal property lost in the accident.
• Medical bills. Car accidents can easily result in severe injuries, including broken bones, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and more. Your attorney can help you claim compensation for the immediate and future medical treatment costs resulting from the accident.
• Lost wages. The injured victim of a car accident may not be able to work while they recover. If so, they have the right to claim compensation for the income they are unable to earn.
• Lost earning capacity. Some car accidents result in permanent disabilities. If this applies to your case and the defendant has diminished your capacity to work and earn income, a skilled attorney may be able to help you recover compensation for the future income you are no longer able to earn.

A plaintiff also has the right to claim compensation for their pain and emotional suffering. The amount they receive should reflect the severity of their injuries and the scope of any long-term or permanent complications they face because of them. Your Santa Ana car accident lawyer can be an invaluable asset for maximizing this aspect of your recovery.

Other variables can also affect the amount of compensation you receive for a car accident. For example, under California’s pure comparative fault rule, you could lose a percentage of your case award to reflect your shared liability. On the other hand, if the defendant broke the law causing the accident, they may be required to pay punitive damages along with the other civil damages they owe.

Ultimately, many factors can influence the final outcome of any personal injury case in California. The right attorney can be an invaluable asset to have on your side in the aftermath of a car accident. They can help you gather the evidence you will need to firmly establish liability for your damages, and they can also develop a solid legal strategy that aims for maximum compensation for your losses in the shortest possible timeframe.

The first steps you take after a car accident in Santa Ana are crucial. You need to seek medical care right away and then speak with an experienced lawyer at your first opportunity. Some of the evidence you will need to prove fault for the accident won’t be available for long, but you may not know how to obtain it without an attorney’s help.

When you meet with Duque & Price during your initial consultation, we can review the details of your accident to determine whether you have grounds for legal recourse. We can explain the legal services we provide and how we can help you complete the necessary steps to ensure accountability for the accident and recover compensation for your damages.

Our goal for every client is maximum compensation, and we have a strong record of successful representation in a variety of car accident claims in Santa Ana and the surrounding communities of California. If you are ready to learn how our team can empower your recovery efforts, reach out to our firm as soon as you can to learn how we can assist with your case.

FAQs

How Much Is My Car Accident Case Worth in Santa Ana?

The potential value of any car accident case in Santa Ana depends on the severity of the resulting damages. If you are able to prove another driver is directly responsible for causing the accident, you have the right to seek compensation for any and all economic losses they caused as well as compensation for your pain and suffering. Recovering as fully as possible may require filing an auto insurance claim followed by a personal injury claim.

What Happens if I’m Partially Responsible for Causing a Car Accident?

If you are found partially responsible for causing a car accident, California’s pure comparative fault rule will come into play, and you should expect to lose a percentage of your case award that reflects your shared fault. It’s possible for a plaintiff to bear partial fault for a car accident or other personal injury in California and still recover some compensation for their damages. Your attorney may help you minimize your fault percentage.

What Happens When a Car Accident in Santa Ana Is Fatal?

In the event a car accident in Santa Ana is fatal, the family of the deceased will likely have grounds to file a wrongful death suit against the at-fault driver. They may still file an auto insurance claim to seek compensation for some of the resulting damages, but a successful wrongful death claim may yield a more substantial recovery. The objective of a wrongful death suit is to compensate the family of the victim for their loss.

Do I Need a Santa Ana Car Accident Lawyer for My Case?

You need a Santa Ana car accident lawyer if you want to have the greatest chance of success with your impending case. The right attorney can not only increase your chance of winning compensation for your damages, but they may also uncover forms of compensation you did not know you could claim, and they are also likely able to streamline your proceedings, reducing the time it will likely take for you to complete your case and receive compensation.

What Does it Cost to Hire a Santa Ana Car Accident Lawyer?

The cost to hire a Santa Ana car accident lawyer will only amount to a percentage of your total case award when you choose Duque & Price as your legal representatives. We take all personal injury cases on contingency, meaning we only take a percentage of the total compensation we recover from our client. There are no upfront legal fees, and you pay nothing if our firm is unable to obtain compensation for your damages for any reason.

Reach Out to an Experienced Santa Ana Car Accident Attorney Today

The attorneys at Duque & Price have successfully resolved many car accident cases for our clients in Santa Ana and the surrounding areas of California, and we are ready to put this experience to work for you in your upcoming case. You have a short time in which to pursue recovery, so it is crucial to contact us today and schedule your free consultation with a Santa Ana car accident lawyer you trust to get started on your claim.

Santa Ana, CA Car Accident Resources

• California Car Accident Statistics
• Should You Carry Uninsured Motorist Coverage in California?
• Common Delayed Injury Symptoms After a Car Accident
• Things Not to Say After a Car Accident
• Tips for Taking Car Accident Scene Photos
• What to Do After a Car Accident That’s Not Your Fault in California
• Questions to Ask a Car Accident Witness

Meet Our Santa Ana Attorneys

Brent A. Duque Attorney, Founder & President

Matthew R. Price Attorney Partner

Jordan Harris Davidoff Attorney