Dana Point Car Accident Lawyer

Dana Point Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents are a leading cause of personal injury, and thousands of accidents occur throughout the state every year from various causes. If you or a family member recently experienced a car accident in the Dana Point area, it’s natural to have lots of important questions regarding liability for the incident and how much compensation you could potentially secure for your losses. You face several legal challenges in the aftermath of a car accident that a seasoned attorney can help you overcome more easily.

Experienced Legal Representation for Car Accident Cases in Dana Point, CA

The Law Offices of Steven Zwick has extensive experience in all sorts of vehicle accident claims on behalf of clients in Dana Point and surrounding communities. We know how damaging these incidents can be and the many questions you are likely to have when you know another driver is responsible for causing an accident. Our team has a long record of successful cases thanks to our commitment to client-focused legal representation in every case we accept. The sooner you reach out to our team after an accident, the more time we have to develop a strong case for you.

Proving Liability for a Car Accident in Dana Point

Before you can recover compensation for the losses you recently suffered, you must first prove liability for the accident and identify the party responsible for causing your damages. California’s fault rule states that an at-fault driver is liable for repaying the damages they inflict on others, and all drivers in the state must have vehicle insurance to cover damages if they cause an accident. Proving fault is the first step in the journey to recovering from any car accident in Dana Point.

Most of the car accidents reported in Dana Point each year are the results of negligence, or failure to use reasonable care behind the wheel. A few common examples of negligence cited as causes of car accidents in the area include:

• Distracted driving. Whenever a driver isn’t paying full attention to the road ahead, they can easily cause a serious accident. Cell phone use behind the wheel is a common form of distracted driving reported throughout the state despite the state’s ban on the use of cell phones behind the wheel without the use of hands-free attachments. Your Dana Point car accident attorney can help obtain cell phone records and other evidence if you need to prove that distracted driving caused your accident.
• Moving violations. Drivers are expected to navigate intersections correctly and obey the rules of the road. When a driver commits a traffic violation, they endanger themselves and others around them. Failing to stop for red lights or stop signs, illegal turns and lane changes, and failure to yield the right-of-way where appropriate are just a few examples of how moving violations can cause serious accidents in Dana Point.
• It’s common for drivers to see others slightly exceeding posted speed limits to maintain the flow of traffic, but it’s important for all drivers to keep in mind that any speeding is potentially dangerous. Speeding reduces how much time a driver would have to react to a sudden change in the road, and it also increases the severity of resulting damages if an accident happens.

Proving negligence will require evidence that the defendant had some duty of care they failed to uphold and consequently caused the victim’s damages. Alternatively, you may need to prove that another driver’s illegal act caused your accident, such as driving under the influence (DUI) or reckless driving. In these situations, at-fault drivers face not only civil liability for any damages they cause others with their actions but also criminal prosecution from the state. Whenever a driver breaks the law, their penalties increase significantly if they have harmed or killed another person with their actions.

Recovering Recompense for Your Car Accident in Dana Point

Every driver in California must have vehicle insurance that includes liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage they cause. Once you prove liability for the accident, you can begin filing an auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver, seeking compensation for the losses they inflicted. However, nothing guarantees that their insurance will fully cover your losses or even that the responsible driver has insurance.

Your Dana Point car accident attorney can guide you through the auto insurance claim filing process, and if the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier raises any issues against your claim, they can address these problems for you. Once you receive an offer to settle, your lawyer can verify that it is reasonable, and if you cannot recover all your damages through insurance, they can help build your personal injury suit.

The state’s personal injury laws allow you to seek recompense for any of the economic losses you suffered, and you can also seek accountability for your pain and suffering. The average personal injury claim filed in response to a car accident in Dana Point may yield compensation for:

• Vehicle repair bills and other property damage. Whenever the at-fault driver’s insurance does not fully cover your property losses, any remainder can be included as economic damages in your personal injury suit.
• Medical expenses. The driver who injured you is responsible for any medical care expenses you need to fully recover. This includes immediate and future medical treatment costs if you suffered severe injuries.
• Lost income. If you cannot work and earn income due to your injuries, the defendant is liable for the wages lost during your recovery. Additionally, you have the right to seek compensation for lost future income if your earning capacity has been diminished by your injuries.
• Pain and suffering. California law allows the plaintiff to claim compensation for physical pain and psychological distress inflicted by the defendant. Nothing limits how much money you are allowed to seek for these non-economic damages, but the amount sought should reasonably reflect the severity of your injuries and the extent of long-term or permanent harm you face from the defendant’s actions.

Every car accident case is unique, and every victim benefits by securing legal counsel they can trust to guide them through their recovery efforts. There is a limited time for you to pursue your recovery, and The Law Offices of Steven Zwick can help you approach your case proceedings with confidence.

Car Accident Lawyer FAQs

Q: Is California a No-Fault Insurance State?

A: No, the state enforces the fault rule for motor vehicle accidents. This means that whoever is responsible for causing an accident faces liability for the resulting damages. Proving fault for your recent car accident is essential before you can recover your damages, and many types of evidence could come into play depending on the exact cause of your recent accident. Your Dana Point car accident attorney can help navigate the insurance claim filing process and help file your personal injury case once you have firmly established fault for your recent accident.

Q: How Long Does an Insurance Company Have to Settle a Claim?

A: Auto insurance carriers must settle claims within 85 days of receiving them. They also have specific time limits in which they are required to acknowledge receipt of claims, and any procedural failings on their part can lead to liability for additional damages to the claimant. Your Dana Point car accident attorney can help you file your insurance claim and resolve any problems that arise between you and the insurance carrier.

Q: How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Car Accident in Dana Point?

A: When you can prove another driver is directly responsible for causing your recent car accident, you have the right to seek accountability and recompense for any damages they inflicted in the incident. This means you can seek full repayment of all economic losses you experienced; in addition, you can seek compensation for your pain and suffering. The total value of your claim depends on the extent of the harm you experienced.

Q: Will I Win More Compensation if I Hire an Attorney for My Car Accident Claim in Dana Point?

A: Hiring legal counsel you can trust is an effective option you have for increasing your final case award. While it is technically possible for you to file an insurance claim and/or personal injury suit by yourself, you have a greater chance of success with your recovery efforts when you have an experienced attorney advising you. It’s generally ideal to hire legal counsel as soon as possible after an accident in Dana Point to increase the chances of maximizing your recovery.

Q: What Will It Cost to Hire a Dana Point Car Accident Attorney?

A: Many people are hesitant to hire legal representatives when they need them most due to the expected high cost of representation. However, when you choose The Law Offices of Steven Zwick as your counsel, there is no fee until we win your case. Our contingency fee is a portion of the final case award we secure for you, and you will pay nothing if we are unable to secure compensation for your damages.

The right attorney can have a tremendous positive impact on the outcome of a car accident case in Dana Point, and the sooner you secure legal counsel you can trust, the more likely you are to maximize your recovery. The Law Offices of Steven Zwick can provide the comprehensive legal representation you need to approach your case with confidence, so contact us today and set up a free consultation with a Dana Point car accident attorney.