When car accidents happen, nobody is expecting it or prepared for the fallout that comes with injuries from a collision. Your life has likely been turned upside down because of the reckless actions of negligent drivers. Other conditions or situations may have even contributed to the wreck.
Fortunately, you can find the justice and financial relief you need to recover from your injuries and rebuild your life. When you are ready to take back control over your life and hold the liable party responsible, Text Kevin Accident Attorneys is here to help. Your Lake Forest car accident lawyer is ready to work tirelessly to investigate the cause of the collision, collect powerful supporting evidence, and determine who is at fault for your damages.
Lake Forest Car Accident Statistics
Located in Orange County, Lake Forest has a population of over 85,000 people as of the 2022 United States Census and sees its fair share of traffic collisions. Based on the most recent data obtained from California’s Office of Traffic Safety OTS Crash Ranking Results for 2021, Lake Forest has seen 213 motor vehicle accidents that resulted in injuries or death. Among these crashes, Lake Forest also had:
- 15 accidents involving motorcycles
- 9 accidents involving pedestrians
- 15 accidents involving bicycles
- 32 accidents where speeding was a contributing factor
- 17 accidents that occurred during the night (9:00 pm – 2:59 am)
- 28 accidents where alcohol was a factor, with 94 arrests for driving under the influence (DUI)
Which Roads and Intersections in Lake Forest Are the Most Dangerous?
Incorporated as a city in 1991, Lake Forest was previously known as El Toro and was home to the now-closed Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. With the abundance of business activities, including being the home of eyewear juggernaut Oakley, there are several areas in and around Lake Forest and throughout Orange County where drivers should take extra precautions. The roads and intersections in particular that should warrant additional care include:
- Jeronimo Road from Alton Parkway
- El Toro Road at Montcliff Drive
- Bristol Street at Campus Drive in Newport Beach
- Jeffrey Road at Irvine Center Drive in Irvine
- McFadden Avenue at Bristol Street in Santa Ana
- Olympiad Road at Alicia Parkway in Mission Viejo
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Lake Forest?
Almost no one is prepared for an accident when it happens, but there are several actions you can take if you are in a car accident that can help keep you safe and assist in building a powerful case for when you need to file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Keeping your composure and remaining calm is crucial after being struck by a careless driver. The following steps can make a significant difference after your accident including:
- Immediately contact 911 and have them dispatch police and EMTs
- If you are able and it is safe to do so, move your vehicle to the right side of the road and out of traffic
- Take as many photos and videos as you can to document any injuries and property damage
- Retain any dashcam footage you may have captured
- Request the contact information and names of any parties that were involved in the collision as well as any potential witnesses
- Call Text Kevin Accident Attorneys to speak with a dedicated personal injury attorney who may even be able to meet you at the accident location or connect with you virtually
- Report the accident to the California DMV and the Lake Forest Police Department or California Highway Patrol (CHP) within 10 days as required by law if any injuries occurred or property damage exceeded $1,000
Note
Take note of any homes, businesses, ATMs, or traffic cameras that may have recorded the crash. Any images or video footage these cameras might have captured could provide essential evidence when determining who is at fault for the accident. Any footage that your lawyer can use as evidence could help not only win your case but also maximize your potential compensation.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Car Accident Injuries
Many people believe that your injuries must be significantly debilitating for you to be able to file a lawsuit. However, the most important factor that can help determine what you can sue for is how your injuries have impacted your daily life. Our clients have filed claims and lawsuits for numerous injuries such as:
- Amputations
- Disfigurements
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Head injuries such as concussions or other traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries including whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries that lead to partial or complete paralysis
- Bones that have been fractured or broken
- Muscle sprains and damaged tendons
- Cuts and lacerations leading to permanent scarring
- Back injuries
- Burn injuries resulting from hot car parts or dangerous chemicals
Tip
You may not have any visible injuries if you drive an exceptionally safe vehicle, but you could still have internal damage that does not present symptoms right away. Accepting first aid from emergency responders shows that your health is of the utmost importance. Be sure you have a complete examination by qualified medical personnel.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
The fear and confusion you may be experiencing after a sudden and violent automobile crash can have you feeling extremely overwhelmed. However, do not lose hope because hiring an exceptionally knowledgeable car accident lawyer in Lake Forest will not cost you anything upfront. Kevin Crockett and his entire legal team at Text Kevin Accident Attorneys is proud to offer our considerable resources and experience on a contingency basis for personal injury victims.
You will not need to pay a retainer fee or hourly rate when you retain your attorney from our law firm. Working on a contingency agreement means we cover all the initial costs. These expenses usually include court filing fees, wages for hiring expert witnesses and accident reconstructionists, and investigative costs.
Our law firm’s contingency agreements also mean we only get paid when we win your case. Our attorney’s fees will be paid from a portion of your monetary settlement package. If we do not win and recover compensation for you, you will not have to pay us a single penny.
Can I Recover Compensation if I Share Some of the Blame for a Car Accident in Lake Forest?
California operates with a policy of pure comparative negligence according to California Civil Code 1714. This means you can still recover compensation even if you share some fault for the car accident. However, your payout will be reduced by the corresponding percentage of fault that you carry for the collision.
For example, if the driver that hit you ignored the stop sign at the intersection you were traveling through while driving ten miles per hour above the posted speed limit, the liable driver would still likely be the main cause of the crash. Because you were speeding, the court may decide that you carry 10% of the fault since you may have not been struck if you were obeying the speed limit. Your total compensation would then be reduced by 10% and you would only be able to receive 90% of your payout.
According to California Insurance Code – INS § 11580.1, the state requires every motorist to carry minimum amounts of liability insurance including $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage, as well as $5,000 for property damage. If you have not purchased uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, you will be limited by the liable driver’s insurance policy’s maximum coverage and may need to initiate a personal injury lawsuit to recoup your damages. Having a dedicated and knowledgeable car accident lawyer in Lake Forest with Text Kevin Accident Attorneys can help you pursue the full compensation you deserve.
Pro Tip
Multiple parties may be responsible for the car accident you were involved in. Depending on the specific details of your collision, public works departments, defective parts manufacturers, and careless mechanics who improperly installed replacement parts could all share responsibility for your crash. Your top-rated Lake Forest car accident attorney with Text Kevin Accident Attorneys can conduct a thorough investigation to appropriately identify all parties whose negligence resulted in your injuries.
What Causes Car Accidents in Lake Forest, CA?
In 2020 throughout the United States, there were over 2 million car accidents that resulted in injuries requiring emergency department visits according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Countless factors contribute to these horrifying numbers. Many of the clients we represent have reported injuries from motor vehicle crashes due to:
- Distracted driving under California Vehicle Code 23123
- Failure to yield to the right of way under California Vehicle Code Section 21801(a)
- Failure to stop at lights and signs under California Vehicle Code 22450
- Driving under the influence (DUI) under California Vehicle Code 23152(f)
- Drivers speeding over the posted limit under California Vehicle Code 22350
- Motorists driving aggressively under California Vehicle Code §23103(a)
- Driving while drowsy or fatigued as described by the California Office of Traffic Safety
These examples only cover accidents that occur due specifically to driver error. Accidents can still happen even when you and the driver who hit you are driving as safely as possible and paying attention, such as when damaged roads or inclement weather become factors. Our legal team will perform an extensive investigation to uncover all liable parties to maximize the fair and just compensation you deserve.
Lake Forest Car Accident FAQs
You are not legally obligated to hire a car accident lawyer in Lake Forest but the benefits of retaining dedicated legal counsel are undeniable. You should be focused on your physical, mental, and emotional recovery while we handle the legal and insurance concerns.
As with the unique circumstances that make every car accident a one-of-a-kind situation, every client contingency agreement is different. Following the guidance of the State Bar of California’s Rule 1.5: Fees, for our services, our rates usually vary between 20% to 40% of the compensation we are able to recover for you.
Because of the unique details of each motor vehicle collision, every car accident settlement is going to be different. Calculating the costs of your medical bills, lost wages, and other economic and non-economic damages that have impacted your life will determine how much your case will ultimately be worth.
You only have two years from the date of your car accident to pursue legal action against the liable parties according to California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Occasionally special circumstances will cause the statute of limitations to pause, or toll, such as if your minor child was involved in the accident and suffered injuries, this time limit may pause until they become of legal age at 18 years old.
When you consult with your Lake Forest car accident attorney, we will discuss every way your life has been impacted by the injuries that you have sustained. Once we calculate all of your economic and non-economic damages, we will then be able to estimate the value of your case and how much we should demand from the liable parties.
No law states that you may not drive your vehicle after a car accident but you must be able to drive it safely, assuming all relevant safety devices are working properly. Remember that even if it is technically drivable, you should only move your vehicle to your selected repair location or straight to your home until the vehicle can be adequately repaired.
Contact Our Lake Forest Car Accident Attorneys Today for Legal Help
When you are trying to rebuild your life and recover from devastating injuries, you may not even be thinking about legal action in this difficult time. You are likely only concerned with how you are going to pay your bills and care for your family after this ordeal. One of the best ways to do that is to pursue the fair and just compensation you are rightfully owed for the trauma you have been through.
Your committed and tenacious Lake Forest car accident attorney with Text Kevin Accident Attorneys will work tirelessly to build the most powerful case possible to seek the justice you deserve. We prioritize our clients’ needs and have recovered millions in compensation for the victims we represent. Connect with our award-winning law firm today by calling our office or completing our convenient and secure online contact form now to schedule your 100% free consultation and take back control of your life.
Lake Forest FAQs
Located in Orange County, Lake Forest is nestled between Irvine, CA to the west and Mission Viejo to the south.
Located in the Saddleback Valley Mountains, Lake Forest is ideally located in central southern California, providing many opportunities for sports and outdoor activities. Visit Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park or relax in one of more than 25 public parks.
Lake Forest is approximately 40 miles to the southeast of Long Beach. Traveling along I-405 N, you can reach Long Beach in about 45 minutes by car.
To obtain a copy of your birth certificate, you can visit the South County Branch Office of the Orange County Recorder’s Office at 24031 El Toro Road, Suite 150, Laguna Hills, CA 92653, Monday through Friday between 9:00 am and 4:30 pm.
Lake Forest is located approximately 55 miles to the southeast of Los Angeles. Traveling by car via I-405 N, you can expect to arrive in Los Angeles in just over an hour.
As a relatively small residential community, parking a large commercial truck in Lake Forest is mostly prohibited. Nearby Irvine, CA offers many parking options for 18-wheelers and other oversized commercial vehicles.
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