Mission Viejo Car Accident Lawyer

Car Accident Attorneys in Mission Viejo CA

Car accidents happen in the Mission Viejo area every day for a variety of causes. When these incidents occur, it’s vital for the victim to know their rights, the value of legal representation, and the first steps to take toward recovery. California’s fault rule dictates that the other driver is liable for your damages, and your Mission Viejo car accident attorney is your most crucial asset for ensuring accountability for these losses.

Reliable Legal Representation for Car Accident Victims in Mission Viejo, CA

Zwick Law is a team of experienced Mission Viejo personal injury attorneys with more than 60 combined years of professional experience in civil law. Throughout the years of our firm’s operation, we have assisted many past clients in their car accident cases, and we understand the legal challenges you face as you seek compensation for your damages. When another driver is responsible for your injuries, vehicle repair costs, and other losses, we will help you hold them accountable as efficiently as possible.

Benefits of Working With a Mission Viejo Auto Accident Attorney

Many people who experience car accidents make the mistake of assuming that legal counsel is prohibitively expensive or that the price of hiring legal representation would overshadow the total compensation they could potentially secure from the driver who hit them. When you pick Zwick Law as your legal representation, there are no financial risks to you, thanks to our contingency fee billing policy. Additionally, we take a client-focused approach to every case, addressing the individual client’s unique needs and concerns to deliver a truly compassionate and individualized experience.

If you tried to recover from your car accident without legal counsel, you would face several serious risks. First, you could overlook valuable avenues of recovery and settle for less than you rightfully deserve. Second, you could miss filing deadlines or make other procedural mistakes that jeopardize your ability to recover as fully as possible. Finally, you could potentially absorb fault for the accident if the other driver asserts that you partially caused the accident and you do not know how to disprove their claim.

Ultimately, it’s more likely that you will succeed with your recovery efforts with an attorney’s assistance, but you are also likely to maximize whatever compensation you successfully obtain. Zwick Law accepts every client with the goal of streamlining their recovery and maximizing their results. We will help you explore every avenue of compensation that might be available to you and assist you in building the strongest case possible against the at-fault driver.

Proving Fault for Your Car Accident in Mission Viejo, CA

It’s possible for a car accident case to arise from a negligent act or intentional misconduct. Common forms of negligence behind the wheel that cause serious accidents in the Mission Viejo area include distracted driving, moving violations, and failure to address known vehicle maintenance issues. If your accident happened because of negligence, success with your recovery efforts will require proving that the defendant failed to uphold a specific duty of care and, in doing so, directly caused your damages.

If your car accident happened because of intentional misconduct behind the wheel, such as driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, or road rage, the defendant not only faces your civil claim but also prosecution by the state. Criminal charges for intentional misconduct while driving can be severe, leading to penalties that can include suspension of your driver’s license, fines, or time in jail. However, when the defendant has injured or killed someone with such actions, their penalties automatically increase, and the victim could secure more compensation in the form of restitution or punitive damages depending on the nature and severity of the defendant’s actions.

Hiring an experienced Mission Viejo car accident attorney means you will be fully prepared to meet whatever legal challenges your case presents in terms of establishing liability for your damages. Zwick Law can assist you in securing physical evidence from the scene of the accident, digital evidence like cell phone records and traffic camera footage, and eyewitness statements from anyone who saw your accident happen. If necessary, we can also arrange for expert witnesses to provide their professional insights, explaining the finer details of how your accident happened.

Filing Your Auto Insurance Claim in Mission Viejo, CA

The first step in recovering from a car accident after proving fault is typically an insurance claim against the other driver. Every driver in the state must have an auto insurance policy that includes at least $15,000 in bodily injury liability coverage, at least $30,000 in total accident coverage, and at least $5,000 for property damage. Drivers are also recommended to purchase uninsured motorist coverage if a driver who does not have insurance causes an accident.

Once you prove liability for your accident, your Mission Viejo car accident attorney can file your claim against the at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy. Your demand letter should include a detailed explanation of how the accident happened, proving their policyholder caused the incident. You must also prove the extent of the damages you suffered and state how much compensation you are seeking from the claim.

Do not attempt to negotiate with an insurance company representative without legal counsel. The insurance company has no incentive to help you, and these companies may engage in bad faith handling of claims if they believe that claimants are not fully aware of their rights. With an experienced Mission Viejo car accident attorney helping you, the insurance company is less likely to attempt any such actions.

Claimable Damages in a Personal Injury Suit

Once your Mission Viejo car accident attorney has helped you secure as much as possible from your auto accident claim, the next step in recovering any remaining losses would be filing a personal injury claim against the driver who caused your accident. By effectively leveraging the evidence and testimony in play, your attorney can assist in securing you compensation for:

• Property damage, such as any vehicle repair or replacement costs not covered by the defendant’s auto insurance, as well as the price of replacing any other personal property lost in the accident.
• Medical expenses. A guilty defendant is responsible for all the medical care required after the accident they caused. You can hold them accountable for hospital bills, emergency transportation fees, prescription medication costs, and all other healthcare costs resulting from the accident. If you suffered a serious injury that demands ongoing care, they are responsible for these long-term health care expenses as well.
• Lost income. When you cannot work because of your injuries, a guilty defendant is responsible for the wages you cannot earn during your recovery. Additionally, if your injuries are severe enough that you cannot go back to work in the future, that defendant is also responsible for future income you are no longer able to earn. Your Mission Viejo car accident attorney will be invaluable for helping you calculate the future wages you would have reasonably expected to earn until retirement had the defendant not injured you.
• Pain and suffering. California law allows the plaintiff in a personal injury case to seek compensation for the physical pain, emotional trauma, and psychological distress they experienced because of a defendant’s actions. For example, a car accident can cause physically painful injuries and is inherently a traumatic experience. Nothing limits the amount of pain and suffering you can seek in a car accident claim, and your attorney will assist you in determining a suitable figure based on the scope and severity of your injuries.

Your final award can fluctuate based on other factors as well. So, if the defendant caused your accident through any illegal misconduct, it could qualify you to receive punitive damages or restitution. Conversely, if you partially caused the accident and bear shared fault, this will diminish your recovery. The smartest way to reach the fairest possible resolution to any car accident case in Mission Viejo is by hiring an experienced attorney.

Zwick Law has helped many past clients recover more substantial case awards than they initially expected. We are often able to identify channels of recovery the average person is likely to overlook on their own, and we do everything we can to streamline our client’s recovery as much as the law allows. Whatever your car accident recovery requires, you can rest assured that your legal team will provide responsive and compassionate legal representation.

FAQs About Mission Viejo, CA Auto Accident Laws

How Do I Prove Fault for My Car Accident in Mission Viejo?

Whether you do not remember exactly how your accident happened or liability is unclear for any other reason, it’s crucial to have a Mission Viejo car accident attorney represent your case. An experienced attorney will know what evidence you will need to firmly prove fault for your damages, and they will also help you maximize your recovery by uncovering every channel of compensation available in your case.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim for a Car Accident in California?

The statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years, meaning the plaintiff has to file their claim within two years of the date their injury occurred. However, recovery from any car accident in Mission Viejo likely requires filing a claim against the driver who is responsible, and the victim has a much shorter timeframe in which to do this, usually only a few days. Once you receive medical treatment for your injuries, you should reach out to an experienced Mission Viejo car accident attorney as soon as possible.

What Is My Car Accident Claim Worth in Mission Viejo?

When another driver is responsible for causing your recent car accident, state law dictates that they are responsible for the full extent of financial damages that driver caused, as well as the pain and suffering you endured because of their actions. For an accurate estimate of your case’s total potential value, it’s crucial to speak with a Mission Viejo car accident attorney as soon as possible. Trustworthy legal counsel is an important asset to have on your side if you want to maximize your recovery from a car accident in Mission Viejo.

Is It Worth Hiring an Attorney for a Car Accident Case in Mission Viejo?

If your recent accident only caused minor cosmetic damage to your vehicle, it is possible to resolve the issue by yourself with just an insurance claim. However, if you suffered any injuries, it’s crucial to have legal counsel representing you. The right attorney can help ensure you receive the fullest recovery possible. Your legal team will make every aspect of your recovery easier to manage, and there will be a greater possibility that they could generate the results you hope to see.

What Will a Mission Viejo Car Accident Attorney Charge for Representation?

Many people who need legal counsel assume it to be prohibitively expensive, but the team at Zwick Law accepts clients in personal injury cases and charges a contingency fee. This means there are no upfront or ongoing legal fees, and we only collect a fee from our client after we win their case. Furthermore, the fee we take is a portion of the total compensation we secure on their behalf, so there is never any risk of a client’s legal fees overshadowing the total compensation they win.

Contact Experienced Mission Viejo Car Accident Attorneys Today

Zwick Law has helped many past clients in Mission Viejo and surrounding areas with a wide range of personal injury claims, including those arising from motor vehicle accidents. We know how difficult it can be to assess the damage from a serious accident by yourself and the many pressing legal questions you likely have. The sooner you secure legal counsel, the more likely you are to reach an optimal possible outcome for your impending legal proceedings.

An experienced Mission Viejo auto accident attorney can maximize the compensation you obtain from both your auto insurance claim and a subsequent personal injury claim. To start working on your recovery with confidence, contact Zwick Law today to set up a consultation with our team.