Costa Mesa Car Accident Lawyer

Car Accident Attorney in Costa Mesa, CA

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.

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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 both the local car accident laws and the various legal challenges you might face in the aftermath of your recent accident. Our goal for every client is a fair 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 pursue a car accident case after a crash. The evidence you 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 are to succeed with the recovery efforts you attempt.

Why Choose Duque & Price for Your Costa Mesa Car Accident Case?

Car accidents along the 55 Freeway, Harbor Boulevard, and busy areas near South Coast Plaza can leave victims with serious injuries and mounting bills. Duque & Price provides experienced, strategic representation tailored to Costa Mesa car accident claims.

• 18+ Years of Proven Experience: With more than 18 years handling personal injury cases and over 2,000 claims resolved, the firm knows how to investigate crashes, preserve evidence, and push back against insurance company tactics.
• Strong Results in Complex Cases: Duque & Price has secured multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts, demonstrating the ability to pursue just compensation in high-value injury cases.
• Recognized Professional Excellence: Attorneys at the firm have been selected to the Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists, reflecting peer recognition within the legal community.
• Client-Driven Representation: Awarded the “10 Best Law Firm” Award for Client Satisfaction, Duque & Price prioritizes communication, personalized strategy, and aggressive advocacy for Costa Mesa accident victims.

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.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. In 2023,8% of all the fatal crashes in the US involved distracted drivers.
• Speeding. 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. A total of115 accidents leading to deaths or injuries were caused by speeding in Costa Mesa in 2023 alone.
• Aggressive driving. 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.
• Poor maintenance. 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 may be liable for the resulting damages.
• Drunk Driving. 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 can 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.

Damages You Can Pursue in a Car Accident Case

Alternatively, you may need to file a personal injury claim 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 the 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 claim if necessary to improve your chances of obtaining the fullest possible recovery.

Types of Injuries Sustained in Car Accidents

The type and severity of injuries you suffer usually depend on the speed at which you were traveling when the accident occurred, the size of the other vehicle involved, and the specifics of the crash. Some of the most common injuries sustained in car crashes include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Whiplash
• Sprains and strains
• Internal injuries
• Lacerations and bruising
• Burns
• PTSD and emotional trauma

In severe cases, injuries can lead to coma, paralysis, amputations, or even death. If you’ve lost a loved one in a car accident, you may be able to recover compensation via a wrongful death claim.

What to Do Immediately Following a Car Accident

There are certain steps you should always take following a car accident, both to protect your health and safety and to improve your chances of recovering fair compensation when you file your car accident claim. They include:

1. Check on all vehicle occupants. Your first step should be to find out if any vehicle occupants are severely injured and help everyone who can move to safety. Don’t ever try to move someone with a suspected back or neck injury, though. It could cause further damage.
2. Call for help. Next, you should call 911 to ask for police and, if necessary, emergency medical services. Filing a police report is required for any accident that involves injuries, death, or over $1,000 worth of property damage. It can also give you access to a police report that you can reference later in your car accident claim.
3. Take photos. Use your cell phone to get pictures of the scene, including all of the vehicles involved and the road conditions, traffic signs, skid marks, and other nearby features that could help to explain the accident.
4. Get contact information. You’ll need to exchange information with the other driver, including insurance information and driver’s license numbers. However, you should also take the time to get contact information for anyone else involved in the accident, including passengers and people who witnessed the crash.
5. Seek medical care. Even if you’re not sure whether you sustained serious injuries, you should seek medical care immediately. Some types of injuries aren’t immediately apparent following a crash, such as brain injuries, whiplash, and internal damage. Plus, having a record that you sought medical care immediately can help with your accident claim.
6. Alert your insurance company. Your insurance company needs to know if you got in an accident, even if it wasn’t your fault. Let them know what happened but stick to the facts. Leave it to your lawyer to determine who was at fault. You’ll also need to file a report with the DMV.
7. Seek legal counsel. After you’ve gotten the medical care you need, you should hire a lawyer as soon as possible. Don’t ever accept a settlement from the other driver’s insurance company without speaking with a lawyer first. Your lawyer can help to protect your rights and interests and get you fair compensation.

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 the accident happened. You may 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 may 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 improve your chances 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 get fair compensation with their assistance.

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

The cost to hire a Costa Mesa car accident lawyer can 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 secure compensation in 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.

Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in a car crash, it’s time to take action and hire a car accident lawyer who can help you recover compensation. Duque & Price has helped many past clients recover from all types of motor vehicle accidents in Costa Mesa and the 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.

Costa Mesa, CA Car Accident Resources

• California Car Accident Statistics
• Things Not to Say After a Car Accident
• What to Do After a Car Accident That’s Not Your Fault in California
• How Long Does It Take to Settle a Car Accident Claim in California?
• How Much to Expect From a Car Accident Settlement in California?

Meet Our Costa Mesa Attorneys

Brent A. Duque Attorney, Founder & President

Matthew R. Price Attorney Partner

Jordan Harris Davidoff Attorney

Costa Mesa, CA Car Accident Law Firm Reviews

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I had the best service and was well taken care of by Duque & Price injury attorneys. I work with a woman named charlotte and she help me through a car accident I had last year. Her and the team at the law office had my back and help me through all the stress and turmoil that came from and with the accident . Would highly recommend them for anyone needing help with auto or other legal matters. 10/10 would use again” — Chris Runnells

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I’m so thankful for Duque & Price! After I got rear ended and faced the daunting task of dealing with the insurance companies and all the hassle that comes along with that, I was referred to them. Ralph and Charlotte made the whole process as stress free as possible, while helping my son and I get the care we needed.They were always available for questions and were so caring the whole time. I would 1000% percent recommend them.” — Whitney Adams

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