Chino Car Accident Lawyer

Chino Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents are the leading cause of non-natural death in the country. California is a particularly dangerous state, with a high population and heavy traffic, and greater numbers of uninsured drivers. Being involved in an auto accident in Chino, CA can be life-changing, and many people are unaware of how they can receive compensation.

Determining fault in an accident can be difficult, but if the other driver was at fault, you can hold them accountable. If you or a loved one was injured in a crash, a personal injury claim may be the way you can claim compensation for physical and financial damages suffered. Experienced Chino car accident attorneys can help you maximize the level of compensation you receive.

Finding Qualified Legal Counsel

Navigating a personal injury claim can be difficult. Legal deadlines and paperwork are complicated, and you are likely attempting to recover from injuries. At Amendt Law, we have served the Southern California area for over 24 years and have represented many people who have suffered from car accidents.

We fight to get you the compensation you deserve and provide compassionate advice. We understand how upsetting and stressful a car accident and its aftermath are. Our legal representation will be crafted to fit your needs and the specifics of your circumstances. We want to advise you with our years of experience and use our connections to maximize the success of your claim.

Common Car Accident Causes

California operates under a fault-based system for determining liability. The driver not at fault for the accident must file an insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Determining liability is an important step in determining if a personal injury case is necessary. If the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough to cover your damages, a claim may be necessary to cover those.

The fault is assigned if one or both drivers operated their cars negligently, resulting in the accident. Common causes of auto accidents include:

• Driving under the influence. If a driver is found intoxicated or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they will face criminal charges along with civil charges in a personal injury claim if anyone was hurt.
• Distracted driving. Distracted driving is an extremely common cause of car accidents, but it can be hard to prove. If a driver takes their attention off the road for more than a few seconds, an accident could happen, but it may take the resources of an attorney to prove this was the cause of an accident you were injured in.
• Speeding. When drivers exceed the speed limit, it diminishes their time to react to traffic changes and increases the likelihood of an accident. Faster-moving cars also create greater damage during accidents.
• Moving violations. This includes illegal turns, failure to stop, or failure to yield to the right of way. Traffic can become disrupted and can lead to accidents.
• Poor visibility. Conditions such as driving at night, in the fog, during a storm, or in highly congested traffic can create accidents. Though this doesn’t always mean someone is liable, a driver can fail to take the necessary precautions.

When you work with an attorney, they can use their resources to gather necessary evidence and testimony to prove fault in the accident. If you were involved in an accident caused by another driver’s carelessness, know that you may have a legal claim.

Benefits of Working With an Auto Accident Attorney

Though you are legally able to make a personal injury claim by yourself, having legal representation and advocacy greatly improves your chances of success. Legal counsel also makes decisions easier, enables your attorney to handle the leg work, and allows you to heal from your accident.

An attorney has the experience of past cases to know how many damages you’re likely to receive. Many people calculate properly for lost income and medical bills but fail to consider future charges and costs. This can lead to you ending up with a settlement that won’t cover your needs. An attorney will prevent this from happening and can negotiate with the insurance carrier for you. Hiring a legal attorney will likely greatly improve the settlement amount that you receive.

Damages You Could Receive in a Personal Injury Car Accident Claim

A personal injury claim can potentially cover damages not covered by other at-fault driver’s insurance. Your attorney can help you determine your economical losses, current and future. You have the right to receive compensation for economic losses, as well as noneconomic losses like pain and suffering in some cases. Damages covered may include:

• Medical care bills. If you have medical costs relating to the injuries sustained from the accident, the person at fault for the injury is liable for those costs. This includes ambulance costs, hospital stays, surgeries, and future medical treatments for this injury.
• Lost income. If you could not work while you recovered from your accident, you could seek full compensation for your lost wages. This includes past and future income losses due to recovery and lost earning capacity. This means that if your injury prevents you from returning to work, the other party is liable for the income you would have earned.
• Property damage. Often, the at-fault driver’s insurance will cover the costs of damages to your car. However, if there is further damage to the vehicle or other property, this can be recovered in the personal injury claim. If you lost property, it is also considered economic and property damages.
• Pain and suffering. You’re allowed to seek monetary compensation for physical pain as well as emotional and psychological trauma. While hard to calculate, your attorney can walk you through what is considered pain and suffering and how best to determine a compensation value.

A car accident attorney knows how to identify and calculate areas where you can seek damages. This can greatly improve your settlement amount and help you cover future costs and damages. If you had a serious accident, an insurance company’s coverage will likely not be enough. Your attorney can talk through your situation, understand what issues you’re dealing with, and help you decide a fair amount of economic and non-economic damages.

Types of Auto Accidents

Car accidents happen often, and they can harm more than just car drivers. At the Law Offices of Christian J. Amendt, we have experience representing those injured in many types of auto accidents, including:

• Truck accidents. Truck accidents can be devastating, as commercial trucks will cause much more damage. Drivers of these trucks have a higher duty of care on the road for this reason and go through much more training than the average driver. Unfortunately, accidents still happen, and they can cause severe injuries and death.
• Motorcycle accidents. Motorcycle riders can sometimes be reckless, and drivers can be reckless around motorcycles. Commonly, vehicle drivers fail to notice or look for motorcyclists. Motorcyclists are much more likely than drivers to receive serious injuries and death from an auto accident. Because of this, it’s much more common for a motorcyclist to file a personal injury claim to cover their damages.
• Pedestrian accidents. These are particularly harmful to pedestrians and are likely to cause them serious lasting harm or death. Drivers owe a duty of care to pedestrians, and failure to uphold this means they can be held liable.
• Bicycle accidents. Bicyclists are more susceptible to injuries when they are involved in a car crash. Drivers must share the road with cyclists and be careful in areas with a lot of bike traffic.

No matter the auto accident, you can hold a responsible party liable for harm done to you.

Common Injuries in Car Accidents

Auto accidents can cause severe injuries that can affect you for the rest of your life. The team at the Amendt Law are determined to represent you to cover the damages these injuries cause. Common injuries that are seen from car accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Back and neck injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Bone breaks and fractures
• Lacerations
• Burns
• Scarring
• Wrongful death

Some of these injuries may not be obvious immediately after a crash but may develop afterward. It’s important to keep an eye on your physical and psychological health after an auto accident to determine if brain injuries begin to show up and affect you.

California’s Statute of Limitations

If you have a developing condition, it’s essential to be aware of the statute of limitations. For personal injury claims such as car accidents, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of injury. If you plan to file a property damage only claim for your car accident, the statute of limitations is three years. You have to file your claim within this time to have any success receiving compensation.

Though you have two years, it’s better to file sooner than later. If you have sustained an injury in a car accident, you should file it immediately. If your injury develops later, file as soon as you notice it. If you hold off, evidence and other information may be lost. Filing quickly will increase your chances of success.

Fault in California Personal Injury Cases

California law has an at-fault, pure comparative negligence law. Even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you can still file for damages and could receive compensation. Unlike other states, there is no limit to how at-fault you could be for the accident. However, the more at-fault you are for the accident, the more it will decrease the financial compensation you get. It’s important to talk with a Chino personal injury lawyer if you were at fault to see if a claim is worth the damages you’ll receive.

FAQs About Chino, CA Car Accident Laws

What is the average settlement for a car accident in California?

The settlement for a car accident depends on the severity of your injury, the amount of economic damages you suffered, and if you’re expected to have future medical complications. It may land anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000. An experienced auto accident attorney will be able to look at the specifics of your situation and give you an estimate accurate to your injuries and other damages.

What is a good settlement offer for a car accident?

It’s important that your settlement covers medical bills past and future, property damages and lost property, and lost income past and future. If these aspects of your losses are not fully covered, it’s not a good settlement. If you’re unsure what counts as damages and losses, or you don’t know how to calculate future medical costs, you should talk with an attorney. Noneconomic damages like pain and suffering do not have a damage cap, so a personal injury lawyer will be able to decide what a fair amount is for your accident and injuries.

What percentage do most car accident lawyers take?

In California, the average amount lawyers take from your settlement is around 33%. Depending on the complexity of your claim, it could be anywhere from 30 to 40%. A contingency fee is different from an hourly bill and means that your attorney only is paid if you successfully get a settlement. Talk with your attorney to see how they charge, and be sure you have the budget to get through the entire claim process.

Should I hire a car accident lawyer for a minor accident?

If you were injured, you should have a car accident attorney review a settlement offer before agreeing to it. Insurance companies want to protect their bottom line and will often lowball the damages you suffered. An attorney can decide if this settlement is fair and contact the insurance agencies on your behalf to negotiate. If litigation is necessary to get the compensation you deserve, a car accident lawyer will be able to represent you and resent the necessary evidence.

Contact the Experienced Car Accident Lawyers in Chino, CA Today

When you’re involved in a car accident, you should focus on recovering from your injuries. Our expert team at Amendt Law wants to provide you with the legal assistance that brings you financial stability and gives you the time you need to heal. We’ve worked with many people like you, and we can be sure our counsel is tailored to your needs. Contact our team today to see how we can help with your claim.