When another driver’s negligence causes a crash, California law may allow you to pursue compensation for the losses you have suffered. Discuss your legal options by arranging a free consultation today. Contact Hanson & Mouri online or by calling (951) 688-0006.
Successfully pursuing a car accident claim often requires more than proving another driver caused the collision. Insurance companies investigate claims carefully and frequently challenge the extent of injuries, medical treatment, and damages.
Car accidents occur in many different ways, and each type of collision presents unique legal and insurance issues. Our firm represents clients injured in a wide variety of motor vehicle accidents throughout Ontario, including:
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end crashes are among the most common accidents in our city. These collisions often occur when drivers follow too closely, become distracted, or fail to react to changing traffic conditions.
Intersection Accidents
Intersections are common locations for serious crashes, often due to drivers who run red lights, fail to yield, or make unsafe turns. Determining fault typically requires reviewing traffic laws, witness statements, and accident reports.
T-Bone Accidents
Side-impact collisions can cause significant injuries because the sides of vehicles provide less protection than the front or rear. These accidents frequently occur at intersections when one driver violates another’s right-of-way.
Highway Accidents
Ontario’s proximity to major freeways means drivers regularly encounter heavy traffic and high-speed conditions. Accidents on highways often involve multiple vehicles and complex disputes on liability.
Drivers who leave the scene of a collision create additional challenges for injured victims. These cases may involve uninsured motorist coverage and additional investigative efforts.
Texting, using navigation systems, and other distractions continue to contribute to many collisions in Ontario. Even a momentary lapse in attention can result in serious injuries.
California drivers have a legal duty to operate their vehicles with reasonable care. A driver who breaches this duty of care may be held responsible for the resulting damages. Under California Civil Code §1714, “everyone is responsible… for an injury occasioned to another by his or her want of ordinary care.” In the context of a car accident, this law may apply when a driver causes a collision by speeding, driving distracted, following too closely, or otherwise failing to operate a vehicle safely.
Pure Comparative Negligence
California follows a pure comparative negligence system. In Li v. Yellow Cab Co. of California (1975) 13 Cal.3d 804, the California Supreme Court held that “the contributory negligence of the person injured… shall not bar recovery.” Car accident cases often involve disputes regarding fault. One driver may argue that the other changed lanes improperly, failed to signal, or was traveling too fast for conditions. California’s comparative negligence rule allows responsibility to be divided among the parties based on the evidence presented.
Statute of Limitations
California law also limits the amount of time available to file a lawsuit. Under California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1, “an action for… injury… caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another” generally must be filed within two years. While two years may seem like a long time, evidence such as vehicle damage, witness recollections, surveillance footage, and accident scene documentation can become more difficult to obtain as time passes.
The severity of injuries often depends on factors such as vehicle speed, the type of collision, and whether occupants were properly restrained. Even seemingly minor accidents can result in significant harm. Common car accident injuries include:
Some injuries require ongoing treatment and rehabilitation long after the accident itself.
California law allows injured victims to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Compensation may include:
The value of a claim depends on the severity of the injuries, the available evidence, insurance coverage, and other case-specific factors.
Successfully pursuing a claim requires demonstrating that another party’s negligence caused the collision. Evidence plays a critical role in determining liability and proving damages. Common evidence needed includes:
Extensive documentation and records may also help address disputes regarding fault, injuries, or the circumstances leading to the collision.
After a car accident, insurance companies often begin evaluating the claim before you understand the full extent of the damage. They may review the crash report, inspect vehicle damage, contact witnesses, and compare medical treatment against their own claim valuation systems. An Ontario, California car accident attorney helps protect your claim by focusing on the details that affect compensation, including:
Your car accident attorney in Ontario, California, handles all communications, deadlines, evidence, negotiations, and litigation decisions while you focus on your recovery.
Arrange a free consultation today by contacting Hanson & Mouri online or by calling (951) 688-0006 to discuss your case and understand your legal rights after a car accident