Costa Mesa Car Accident Lawyer

Costa Mesa Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents are a leading cause of personal injuries in Costa Mesa and surrounding areas of California each year, and if you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, you are likely to have many pressing legal questions about your recovery options. It’s important to connect with an experienced Costa Mesa car accident lawyer you trust as quickly as possible after your accident to increase your chances of recovering as fully as possible.

Representing Car Accident Victims in Costa Mesa, CA

Duque & Price has years of experience helping injured clients in the Costa Mesa area recover from car accidents, and we know the various legal challenges you might face in the aftermath of your recent accident. Our goal for every client is maximum recovery in the shortest timeframe possible. We can help you prove fault for your accident and hold the at-fault driver fully accountable for the damages they have caused.

You have a relatively limited time to seek your recovery after a car accident. The evidence you will need to prove fault may only be available for a limited time; you also have a time limit for filing an auto insurance claim and/or personal injury suit. The sooner you connect with reliable legal counsel, the more likely you will be to succeed with the recovery efforts you attempt and maximize your compensation.

Building a Car Accident Case in Costa Mesa

The first challenge you face when it comes to recovering from a motor vehicle accident is proving how the accident happened. You need to identify the driver responsible and prove how they caused your accident, and you must also show the full extent of your resulting damages. Most car accidents in the Costa Mesa area are the result of driver negligence or illegal misconduct behind the wheel:

• Distracted driving is one of the most common forms of driver negligence seen in Costa Mesa. Using a cell phone while driving or any other distraction prevents the driver from operating their vehicle safely, and they may be unable to react in time to a sudden change in traffic conditions to avoid a collision.
• Speeding is not only a common cause of crashes throughout the state each year but also a leading contributing factor to accident fatalities. Severe or fatal injuries are more likely to happen when accidents occur at higher speeds. Excessive speeding may also lead to reckless driving charges in some cases.
• Moving violations disrupt the flow of traffic and can easily cause serious accidents. Failure to yield the right-of-way, illegal turns, and failure to stop for red lights and stop signs are just a few of the most common moving violations responsible for accidents throughout the Costa Mesa area each year.
• Vehicle maintenance is an important consideration for every driver. A driver is required to address any known safety or mechanical issues with their vehicle as soon as they become aware of them. If a driver knows there is a problem with their vehicle but fails to address it before it can cause an accident, it can translate to negligence, and they will be liable for the resulting damages.
• Driving under the influence is the most common type of illegal misconduct responsible for causing serious accidents throughout the state each year. Drivers who cause these accidents not only face liability for the damages they cause to others but also criminal prosecution for breaking the law. Their penalties can include fines, driver’s license suspension, and jail time which will increase based on the severity of the harm done.

Your Costa Mesa car accident lawyer can help you gather the evidence needed to prove the exact cause of your accident, and once you have identified the at-fault driver, you can proceed with claiming compensation for the damages they inflicted. Every driver must have auto insurance, but dealing with insurance companies can be difficult for several reasons. Your attorney can help you file your claim and resolve any disputes the insurer raises against you.

Alternatively, you may need to file a personal injury suit against an at-fault driver if insurance won’t cover your damages. The objective of this civil claim for damages is for the injured plaintiff to prove fault for their damages and recover the compensation they need to be as whole as possible again. Under California’s personal injury laws, an injured plaintiff has the right to claim repayment of any losses they suffered because of a defendant’s actions, such as:

• Property damage. Auto insurance may cover some of your vehicle repair costs, but any property damage you cannot recover through insurance can be cited as economic damages in your personal injury case.
• Medical expenses. When you have been injured because of another driver’s actions, you have the right to claim compensation for all related medical bills. This includes immediate medical expenses like hospital bills, ambulance fees, and surgical costs, but also the cost of future treatments you may need if you suffer serious injuries.
• Lost income. You may not be able to work while you recover from your injuries, in which case the defendant is liable for the income you cannot earn during this time. Additionally, if you suffered permanent harm that prevents you from returning to work, you can also seek compensation for your lost future earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering. State law allows an injured plaintiff to claim compensation for the physical pain and psychological trauma they experienced because of a defendant’s actions. Generally, the more serious the harm done to the plaintiff, the more they can claim in pain and suffering compensation.

Duque & Price can work closely with you to build an effective case strategy. We have helped many clients in Costa Mesa and surrounding areas with all types of car accident cases. We’re adept at confronting insurance carriers on behalf of our clients and can build a comprehensive personal injury suit if necessary to ensure the fullest possible recovery.

FAQs

How Can I Prove Fault for a Car Accident in Costa Mesa?

You can prove fault for a car accident in Costa Mesa by gathering evidence to show how your accident happened. You will need to identify the party responsible for causing the crash, and the evidence you may need could include traffic camera footage, vehicle computer data, cell phone records, and testimony from witnesses who saw the accident happen. Proving fault is a crucial first step in the recovery process following any car accident.

Can I Claim Compensation for a Car Accident if I Was Partially at Fault?

Yes, it is possible to claim compensation for a car accident if you were partially at fault. California follows a pure comparative fault rule that applies to these cases. When a plaintiff bears partial liability, they will have a fault percentage assigned. This percentage is subtracted from their case award to reflect their shared liability. Your Costa Mesa car accident lawyer can explain whether comparative fault is likely to come into play in your case.

What Is a Car Accident Case Worth in Costa Mesa?

The value of a car accident case in Costa Mesa depends on the severity of your damages. If you are able to prove another party is directly responsible for causing the accident, they are liable for all resulting property damage, medical expenses for treatment of your injuries, lost income if you are unable to work due to your injuries, and for the pain and suffering they inflicted. Your Costa Mesa car accident lawyer can estimate the value of your claim.

Why Do I Need to Hire a Costa Mesa Car Accident Lawyer?

You need to hire a Costa Mesa car accident lawyer to ensure the greatest chance of success with your recovery efforts. Your attorney can lead you through the auto insurance claim filing process and secure a fair settlement from an insurance carrier, and they can help you build a comprehensive personal injury claim if necessary. You’re more likely to succeed with these efforts and more likely to maximize your recovery with their assistance.

What Will It Cost to Hire a Costa Mesa Car Accident Lawyer?

The cost to hire a Costa Mesa car accident lawyer will depend on the lawyer’s billing policy. At Duque & Price, we accept vehicle accident cases on contingency, meaning our client only pays a fee if and when we win their case. Additionally, this fee is a percentage of the total we recover for them. If we are unable to obtain compensation for the client, they pay nothing.

Duque & Price has helped many past clients recover from all types of motor vehicle accidents in Costa Mesa and surrounding areas. Whether you are seeking compensation for your own damages or on behalf of an injured family member, we are ready to help. Contact our team today and schedule a free consultation with an experienced Costa Mesa car accident lawyer to learn how we can assist with your recovery.