Personal Injury Lawyer in Orange County CA
If you are looking for a personal injury lawyer in Orange County CA to file a claim, call My Lawyer Mark at (866) 721-5808. We offer free consultations, 24-hour service, and 100% Spanish-language services.
Facing your claim without legal help is risky, as insurance companies will do everything possible to pay you as little as possible or, worse, not pay you at all. Having a good personal injury lawyer by your side can increase your chances of receiving the maximum financial compensation to which you are entitled by law for the damages you have suffered in your accident.
A Personal Injury Lawyer in Orange County CA You Can Trust
At My Lawyer Mark, we do not judge our clients, and we understand certain details perfectly that some other professionals may not fully understand. We treat our clients like family and believe that all people deserve quality legal services and equal access to justice.
When you hire the services of My Lawyer Mark, you get:
✓ Quality legal services in your language.
✓ Free consultation.
✓ 24/7 attention – we always answer.
✓ More than 35 years of combined experience in all types of accidents.
✓ Qualified professionals with experience and knowledge who know how to win.
✓ Access to quality medical professionals.
✓ Cash advances before your case is resolved.
✓ We come to your home.
Types of Accidents and Injuries We Can Help You With
At My Lawyer Mark we fight for you to receive the maximum monetary compensation for your accident. We can help you with accidents and personal injuries such as:
Accidents
- Car Accident
- Truck Accident
- Motorcycle Accident
- Bicycle Accident
- Slip and Fall
- Wrongful Death
- Pedestrian Accident
- Uber and Lyft Accident
- Dog Bite
- Premise Liability
Catastrophic Injuries
If the accident or injury you suffered is not on this list, call us anyway at (866) 721-5808 for a free consultation and to find out how we can help you.
What to Do After an Accident When
you have an accident, whether as a pedestrian or driving any vehicle, the important thing is to put your life in safety. If your injuries are severe, just concentrate on recovering: there will be time to claim later. But if your health permits and it is safe for you and your surroundings, we recommend that you follow the following steps:
✓ Call 911 for the police to report the accident; a document that will be very useful if you want to file a claim.
✓ Seek medical attention: even if you think you are unharmed, it is advisable to see a doctor to rule out internal injuries or other damage that may manifest after the accident.
✓ Ask the people involved in the accident for their names, phone numbers, driver’s licenses, and insurance cards. We recommend that you take photos of these documents.
✓ Also take photos of the vehicles involved, your injuries, the accident scene, and any other relevant details (were there traffic signs? was the sidewalk wet from the rain?).
✓ Call the personal injury lawyer in Orange County CA My Lawyer Mark: (866) 721-5808. He will tell you how to proceed.
What NOT to Do
✘ Do not apologize or say things like “I’m sorry”; not even for education or courtesy. This may eventually be considered an admission of guilt for the accident.
✘ Do not speak to the other drivers’ insurance company: only to your own and not without first speaking to your lawyers.
✘ Do not neglect your medical treatment.
✘ Do not disclose what happened to you on social media. In fact, we recommend discretion throughout the claims process.
✘ Do not wait to get legal help and start your claim.
Accident Statistics in Orange County
Within Orange County, the city of Anaheim has the highest number of traffic accidents, with around 5,000 per year. And the accident rate for suburban and residential areas surrounding Anaheim is even higher. On the other hand, from January to December 2021, the number of car accidents in the entire county reached 11,951.
Based on data obtained from TIMS, rear-end collisions accounted for 33.14% of all collisions that year. On the other hand, side accidents accounted for 3,559; or 29.78% of all accidents. Also in 2021, approximately 57% of accidents in Orange County caused pain to victims, while around 36% resulted in visible injuries. Fatal accidents (1.26%) and serious injuries (6.24%) accounted for only 7.5% of the total.
Most Frequent Types of Accidents
In Orange County, the most frequent accidents are:
- Motorcycle accidents.
- Bicycle accidents.
- Pedestrian accidents – especially those under 15 years of age.
- Drivers under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
Common Causes
Knowing the main causes of accidents in Orange County can help minimize risks and take precautionary measures to improve traffic habits. Some of these causes are:
- Cell phone distractions.
- Excessive speed. Recklessness.
- Weather or low visibility.
- Failure to respect traffic signs.
- Use and abuse of alcohol and/or drugs.
- Failure to yield.
These causes affect both pedestrians and drivers of all types of vehicles. We all have responsibilities and rights when using public roads.
Streets and Intersections with More Accidents
- Irvine Boulevard and Sand Canyon Avenue in Irvine – one woman died and two others were injured in June 2023.
- East Warner Avenue, east of South Brookhollow Drive in Santa Ana – a man died in a hit-and-run accident in October 2023.
- Portola Parkway, east of SR-261 freeway in Irvine – two people had to be hospitalized after a severe accident that caused a partial fire. October 2023.
- Santiago Canyon Road, over SR-241 freeway in Orange – a young pedestrian was run over by a car that fled the scene in September 2023.
- West Sunflower Avenue and South Flower Street in Anaheim – one person died in a crash that split one of the cars in two. August 2023.
What Compensation Am I Entitled to Claim?
In the state of California, claims aim to allow victims to cover their expenses, alleviate the burdens on them and their loved ones, and begin to rebuild their lives after being affected by an accident. Each claim is unique, and the amount and type of compensation that can be obtained will vary depending on the specific circumstances of each case.
In all cases, two main categories of compensation can be identified: economic damages and non-economic damages. In California, there is no maximum cap on the amount of damages that can be claimed.
Here are some examples of both categories of damages:
Economic Damages
- Medical bills.
- Medications.
- Treatments.
- Lost wages.
- Loss or damage to your property.
- Modifications you may have had to make to your home.
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering.
- Stress. Anxiety.
- Disorders such as post-traumatic stress.
- Loss of quality of life. Loss of consortium.
- Amputations.
- Disfigurements.
- Scars.
- Internal injuries.
How is the Claim Process?
Here we give a general overview of the steps in the process of filing a claim for an accident. The intention is to offer you a general perspective of how such a process usually works and what to expect in your particular situation.
It is important to remember that each claim is unique; be attentive to the guidance of your lawyer and collaborate closely with him or her to ensure that you receive the full compensation to which you are entitled by law.
Step 1 – Evaluation of Your Case
There are three key conditions that must be met to initiate a claim:
✓ The accused party acted negligently.
✓ The plaintiff suffered damages.
✓ These damages are a direct consequence of the negligence of the accused party.
If these conditions are met, the next step is taken.
Step 2 – Gathering Evidence
During and after the accident, the plaintiff must strive to gather as much evidence as possible, as long as their health permits. Evidence may include witness testimony, photographs of the accident, security camera videos, details of the license plates of the vehicles involved, and data on weather conditions at the time of the accident, among others. Your lawyer can collaborate to obtain this evidence.
Step 3 – Determination of Responsibilities
Sometimes, it is not clear who is responsible for the damages claimed by the plaintiff. This uncertainty can be especially relevant in situations involving more than two people in the accident. In these cases, filing and supporting the claim can become more complicated. It may be determined that the plaintiff shared some of the responsibility for the accident. Your lawyer’s skill is essential at this stage.
Step 4 – Negotiation
Once the damages have been calculated, your lawyer can initiate the negotiation process. In some cases, this process can be fast and swift. Some other times, insurance companies can resist to provide compensation. An experienced lawyer like Mark can deal with this type of situations and fight for maximum compensation.
How Long Can My Claim Take?
Your claim will take as long as necessary to ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve under the law for your injuries. Since each case is unique, we can’t provide a specific timeframe. The duration of your claim will depend on factors such as the severity of your injuries, the people involved in the accident, who was at fault, and whether the case goes to trial.
As a general estimate, a car accident settlement in California can take between 9 and 18 months.
Deadline to File a Claim
In California, you have up to 24 hours to notify the police or highway patrol to report your accident. To file a claim for compensation, you have up to two years from the date of the accident. There are exceptions to the deadline for filing a claim, and other details to consider regarding the police report.
Common Injuries in Accidents
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Chest injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head, neck, and face injuries
- Abrasions
- Lacerations
- Broken bones
- Crush injuries
- Internal injuries
Determining Liability in an Accident
When we talk about an accident, it’s important to distinguish between the responsibility for the accident itself and legal liability. In the first scenario, “responsible” mainly refers to the person whose negligence caused the accident. “Legal liability,” on the other hand, refers to the legal obligation to provide financial compensation to the victim(s) of the accident.
Can I File a Claim If I’m Partially at Fault?
California applies the principle of comparative negligence. Under this system, you can still recover damages even if you share some responsibility for the accident. However, the amount you receive will be adjusted based on the proportion of fault assigned to you.
For example, if your final compensation is $200,000 but you were 20% at fault, you would receive $160,000.
While you may have been partially at fault for an accident, it’s important not to apologize or accept responsibility at the scene. Accidents are often confusing and stressful, and it’s possible that you were less at fault or not at fault at all.
To determine fault, it’s crucial to have the help of a good lawyer. This way, you can receive the full compensation you deserve.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Accident Lawyer?
My Lawyer Mark works on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay out of pocket upfront when you hire our legal services. Our fees are paid as a percentage of the final settlement we obtain for you. If we don’t win any money, you don’t pay us.
A Personal Injury Lawyer in Orange County CA Who Know How to Win
If you need the help of a personal injury lawyer in Orange County CA to file a claim, call My Lawyer Mark at (866) 721-5808. Schedule a free consultation to clarify all your doubts and start your claims process as soon as possible. We have experience and know how to win.
