Orange County Car Accident Lawyer

Orange County car accident lawyer Kevin Crockett, based in Orange County and founder of the Crockett Law Group, specializes in a wide range of vehicular incidents.

These include motor vehicle collisions, rear-end and head-on collisions, t-bone accidents, vehicle rollovers, hit and run incidents, drunk and distracted driving accidents, speeding accidents, pedestrian and bicycle accidents, and pile-ups.

Over the years, Kevin and our team have honed their skills in a wide spectrum of car accident and catastrophic injury cases. This has allowed us to carve out a distinctive niche in the realm of car accident law and in securing substantial compensation.

Why Choose Us: The Crockett Law Group, a top-rated and well-reviewed personal injury law firm in Orange County, has earned considerable recognition in Southern California and the legal community. Acknowledged as one of the Top 25 injury lawyers by The Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers Association and a Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine, Kevin possesses the necessary experience to manage cases of all sizes, whether large or small.

If you or a family member has been impacted by a car accident and are dealing with injuries, attorney Kevin Crockett and the Crockett Law Group are prepared to assist you across California. As a firm specializing in accident law, our aim is to secure the resources you require to recover and rebuild your life post-accident. Contact us today at (800) 900-9393. Consultations are free.

Profile image of Kevin Crockett, an Orange County car accident lawyer, standing near his Irvine, CA, office.

About Us: We have a successful track record of representing numerous accident victims in Orange County, aiding them in obtaining fair compensation for their injuries. We have secured millions in settlements and verdicts for our clients.

Kevin Crockett and the Crockett Law Group are steadfast in their dedication to defending the rights of the common man. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, we invite you to reach out to us to explore your legal options.

Our Fees: We operate on a no-win, no-fee basis. Simply put, if we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing. Our objective is to help you prevail in your case and secure fair compensation for you.

Car accidents in Orange County or anywhere in California, can be physically as well as mentally debilitating.  The injuries you may suffer as a result of a car accident can take weeks, months or even years to recover from.  There may be countless doctors visits, surgeries, physical therapy sessions or all of the above.  All of these take time from your normal everyday life.  Time off work, less time with family and friends and time away from activities you have learned to enjoy.

The primary responsibility of an Orange County car accident attorney is to obtain the compensation for you and your family that will allow you to get your life back.  Although time is not something anyone can get back for you, a full recovery without the financial burdens associated with auto accidents is the next best thing.  Find a car accident attorney with experience, compassion and the drive to not just settle your case but fight for everything you deserve.

If you have recently been involved in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact an Orange County car accident attorney at the Crockett Law Group to learn about how we can help you maximize your settlement. Call (800) 900-9393 for a free consultation with a personal injury attorney in Orange County.

Table of Contents

What Is Considered a Wreck?

A “car accident,” also known as a traffic collision or motor vehicle accident, is where a driver unintentionally loses control of his vehicle and strikes another vehicle or a pedestrian.

A “car crash” is different according to some people because it implies that the driver could have avoided the accident by not doing something. For example, if the driver chose not to text, speed, or drive under the influence of alcohol, he could have avoided the car crash.

Regardless of whether you have been injured in a car accident or car crash, you’re entitled to compensation if the other person was at fault.

What Should You Do Immediately After an Orange County Car Accident?

What Should You Do Immediately After An Orange County Car Accident?

We all hope we won’t get into a car accident, but the odds are that we will at some point. Therefore, you might as well be prepared just in case. This is a checklist you should read, printout, and then secure somewhere in your car. You can refer back to it if, god forbid, you ever do get hit by a car.

Stay at the Scene of the Accident

You should never leave the scene of the accident until you’ve had a chance to notify the other party and exchange information. Failing to take this step violates California Vehicle Code Section 20002 and is a misdemeanor. Worse yet, if you injure someone in an accident and leave the scene, you could be subject to a hit and run felony pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 20001.

Check for Injuries

Check yourself and passengers for injuries. If you think that you or a passenger might be injured, it’s best that you not move or else you could make the injury worse. Remain seated and call 911 instead. Let the operator know that you or a passenger have been injured in an accident, and then wait for medical personnel to arrive on the scene.

Make Sure You Are Safe

Move your car to the side of the road if it is driveable so you don’t risk getting hit again. But if you are disabled, at least put your emergency lights on to alert other drivers.

Call the Police

It’s always a good idea to call the police after a car accident, no matter how minor it may seem. For one thing, the police can help facilitate the exchange of information. But also, a traffic collision report will become useful during the insurance claim process. Keep in mind, though, that some cities won’t come to the accident scene unless an injury is reported.

Do Not Accept Fault

Limit your conversation about the accident with the other party. It is natural to have a lot of adrenaline running through your body after an accident. You’re probably scared, anxious, and confused as to what just happened. It’s best if you limit your conversation with the other involved parties to identifying information. For example, you might say “I’m sorry” to the other driver after the accident; not because you were at fault, but because it’s an unfortunate situation. You can bet that what you just said will be used against you as an alleged admission.

Get Contact Information

Exchange information with everyone involved. You will want to obtain as much identifying information as possible about the other drivers and their vehicles.

  • Information about the other driver(s): their name, address, and phone number; date of birth; and driver’s license number.
  • Insurance information: the name of their insurance company and policy number.
  • Information about the other vehicle(s): the make, model, year, and color of their car; license plate number; and VIN number.

Take Photographic Evidence

Take photos of every vehicle involved. This can be useful later on as evidence of property damage. It might also provide evidence of the mechanism for injury. For example, if your car has very little rear end damage but the other vehicle has severe intrusion damage into their engine compartment, the insurance company won’t be able to successfully claim you couldn’t have been injured in the accident.

Take photos of the placement of the vehicles. This may be useful to shed light on how the accident might have occurred.

Get Medical Attention

Even if you think you’re fine, go see a medical doctor immediately. You have adrenaline pumping through your veins masking your actual pain levels. If you do feel pain but figure it will go away on its own, go see a medical doctor immediately. Medical documentation is your evidence for a bodily injury claim down the road.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Every insurance policy requires that you promptly notify them of an auto accident. Failure to do so could result in a denial of coverage. However, you should be careful not to discuss the issue of fault or injuries until you’ve had a chance to consult with a car accident lawyer in Orange County, CA.

Talk With an Attorney

You don’t know what you don’t know. Contacting an accident attorney in Orange County will ensure you get the best advice possible as to how to proceed with your claim. You are also more likely to receive a higher settlement award with an attorney than without one.

Orange County car accident damage to vehicle

What Are the Most Common Injuries in Orange County Car Accidents?

There are some common injuries that occur regardless of the type of auto accident you’re involved in. Any injury you sustain will come from at least one of the three different kinds of impact that happen during a car crash.

The first impact is when your vehicle collides with someone or something. Your vehicle will absorb some of the impact, and so too will your body. The second impact is when your body collides with the interior compartment of your car. Your body might hit the steering wheel or your door, for example.

The third impact is with your own body. When your body stops moving from being jerked around, your internal organs are still in motion. Your brain, heart, lungs, and other organs may collide with your bones and other structures around them as they come to a stop.

According to the CDC, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of injury in the US. Nearly every body part could potentially get injured, but these are some of the most common injuries we see from car accidents:

Soft Tissue Injuries

The most common soft tissue injuries are those that affect your ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Whiplash and back strain are probably the best examples of this. However, cuts, scrapes, bruises, and abrasions would also fall into this category.

Broken Bones

The most common fractures we see from car accidents are fractured ribs, sternum, wrist, and vertebrae in the spine. But virtually any bone could potentially break in a car accident.

Burns

Although there are several ways you could potentially sustain a burn injury in a car crash, airbag deployment is the leading cause.

Brain Injuries

Brain injuries can happen from either your head striking the interior of your car, or from your brain smacking against your skull. There are many different types of brain injury, the most common of which is a concussion. Make no mistake though, even a concussion can be extremely dangerous.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Next to a brain injury, a spinal cord injury is one of the most severe types of injuries you could sustain in a car accident. The spinal cord extends from the base of your skull down to the first level of your lumbar vertebra. The injuries you sustain depend on where in your spine your cord was damaged.

A lumbar level spinal cord injury may result in paralysis or weakness of the legs. A thoracic level spinal cord injury may result in not only paraplegia but also the inability to control your bladder and bowel function. A cervical level spinal cord injury is the most severe type because it may result in quadriplegia, sometimes referred to as quadriplegia, which is where all four limbs are affected.

Great Attorney!!!

“Kevin Crockett represented himself as my attorney when I was rear ended about a year ago. He did an amazing job, I am extremely satisfied with his work! He provided excellent service as he always answered my phone calls and when he couldn’t, he would call me back as soon as he could. I highly recommend Kevin Crockett for anyone who is looking for an attorney, he is the one! Again, thank you for all your hard work and dedication! It was a pleasure working with you.”

Olivia, Orange County

What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Orange County?

Orange County is ripe for auto accidents when you think about it. Orange County is home to some of the busiest freeways in the entire U.S., like the I-405 and the I-5. Orange County is also home to professional sports teams like the Los Angeles Angels, and theme parks like Disneyland in Anaheim, that attract large groups of people in one concentrated area, many of whom are tourists unfamiliar with where they’re going.

These crowded circumstances result in all sorts of auto accident types, such as:

There are so many causes for these types of car crashes in Orange County, but here are some of the top causes of collisions:

Speeding

In one recent year, speeding accounted for 5,432 of car accident-related injuries in Orange County according to the OTS. It’s a simple fact that speeding is dangerous because it increases the risk of accidents. In California, it is illegal to drive faster than the posted speed limit, or “at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent” under the circumstances.

Distracted Driving

Talking on your phone and texting are usually the first things we think of when we hear the words “distracted driving.” However, essentially anything done behind the wheel other than driving that diverts your full attention from the road could be classified as distracted driving. For example, eating, applying makeup, or even messing with the radio could all be considered distractions.

Drunk Driving

Alcohol was involved in 1,955 of accidents in Orange County that resulted in an injury or death. Drivers have to use their eyes, hands, and feet to control their car, all of which are controlled by their brains. Because alcohol affects the brain, a car accident is more likely to occur. Alcohol negatively affects our vision, reaction time, concentration, comprehension, and coordination. Mothers Against Drunk Driving advocates for four important steps we can take to stop drunk driving:

  1. Support more high-visibility law enforcement
  2. Ignition interlocks for all convicted drivers
  3. Advanced vehicle technology
  4. Public support

“I became a plaintiff’s attorney because I root for a Hollywood ending. I want to be a part of my client’s journey of rising up from the suffering after a car accident injury, confronting recovery, and then kicking butt by being fairly compensated.”

Attorney Kevin Crockett

How Do I Dispute Car Accident Fault in California?

You have a right to dispute fault in a car accident, both with the officer who wrote the traffic collision report and with your insurance carrier. If you disagree with the facts contained in the traffic collision report or find a mistake, you have the right to file a supplemental report. In fact, we recommend that you do so as quickly as possible. Hopefully, the officer just got a basic detail wrong, like a vehicle’s make or color.

However, the officer might have actually mischaracterized a statement made by you as a witness that affected the officer’s legal conclusion. In that case, write up your own account of what happened. Visit the police station responsible for creating the report and ask that they attach it to the report. This is referred to as a supplemental report. Although it won’t change the officer’s legal conclusion, at least it memorializes your position with respect to what actually happened.

Don’t fret too much though; the traffic collision report is inadmissible as evidence. Sure, it is persuasive in that it affects an insurance adjuster’s liability decision, but that can be disputed as well. In that case, it’s probably best that you contact an experienced accident lawyer in Orange County to help you navigate this difficult process. You can be sure that the insurance adjuster won’t change their liability decision easily.

How to Obtain an Accident Report in Orange County

You might be wondering how you even go about getting the accident report in the first place.

First, you’ll need to find out whether the report is even available. You were probably given an incident report number by the officer at the scene. You’ll need to provide this incident report number to the police station that wrote the report and ask them whether it’s ready.

Keep in mind that it usually takes at least a few weeks before the report is available. Also, keep in mind that more populated cities like Anaheim are more likely to become backed up and thus take longer. Also be aware that if someone was arrested for a crime, like DUI, the report will take longer than usual to become available.

Second, you’ll want to submit a request. Once the report is ready, you can request a copy of it either in person or online. Depending on which city in Orange County the accident occurred in, like Anaheim, the report might even be posted online here.

Keep in mind that in order to request a copy of the traffic collision report, you’ll need to prove you’re one of the following people:

  • The driver of a vehicle involved;
  • A registered owner of a vehicle involved;
  • A parent of a minor driver involved;
  • A passenger involved so long as you’re listed on the report;
  • An insurance adjuster for a party involved; or
  • An attorney who represents one of the people above.

What Should You Not Say to an Insurance Adjuster?

What you should not say to an insurance adjuster depends on whose insurance company you’re speaking with.

If you receive a call from the other driver’s insurance company—and I’m sure you will—don’t speak with them. I can assure you that there is nothing good that can come from that conversation. You’re also not legally obligated to speak to them anyhow. The insurance adjuster will probably act like your friend and make it seem like an innocuous call. However, they will use whatever you say against you later on.

If by some chance you end up on the phone with an adjuster and they ask for a recorded statement, say no. If they ask for medical authorization, say no. If they try to make you a settlement offer, decline it. If they try to friend you on social media, decline their request, and change your privacy settings.

If you receive a call from your own insurance company, you should not say any of the following:

“I Think”

Don’t speculate about what happened, just say the facts. If you don’t know the answer to a question, say so. Otherwise, the insurance adjuster might try to claim later on that you changed your story.

“Sorry”

Saying sorry could negatively affect the insurance adjuster’s apportionment of fault. Sometimes we say “sorry” out of habit or embarrassment, but don’t do it. It can be misconstrued.

“I’m Fine”

The insurance adjuster might introduce themselves and ask how you’re doing, to which you reply: “I’m fine.” This, too, can be misconstrued and negatively affect a future bodily injury claim.

“I think I Might See a Doctor”

Don’t discuss the details of your injuries with the insurance adjuster. It’s okay to let them know you’re injured and leave it at that.

“Intentional”

Insurance only covers accidents, not intentional acts. Discussing intent is speculative anyhow because it refers to the state of mind of the defendant.

Is It Worth Getting a Lawyer for an Orange County Car Accident?

If you feel comfortable dealing with the insurance company on your own, by all means. However, we’ve found that a majority of our clients don’t want to be bothered with all the stress that accompanies property damage and bodily injury claims. So, for the sake of convenience alone, it makes sense for most people to hire a lawyer after a car accident near Orange County.

Another reason to hire a lawyer after a car accident is if fault might be disputed. An accident that involves disputed liability is a difficult claim to make. It requires the expertise and tenacity of an aggressive attorney to overcome the challenges that come along with it.

Even if fault is not an issue, it makes sense to hire an orange county car accident attorney after a car accident because you won’t have any bite to your bark without one. The insurance company knows you’ll have no real recourse if they deny your demand for settlement and make a lowball offer instead. The reason insurance adjusters make a higher settlement offer to someone who is attorney-represented than to someone who is not is because there is a greater risk their insured could be sued if they don’t settle the claim. Put simply, you don’t have any leverage without an attorney fighting by your side.

How Long Do Auto Settlements Take?

This is easily one of the most common questions I field from clients. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer. It depends on so many factors, but here some:

The Severity of Injuries and Treatment Needed

The value of your claim will depend in part on the severity of your injuries and the extent of your medical treatment. We want to obtain the most compensation for you as possible. So if you require medical treatment for 6 months, we should wait that long before making a demand to the insurance company. Similarly, if you require medical treatment for 12 months, we should wait that long too.

The Defendants Insurance

Sometimes it doesn’t make sense to wait for your medical treatment to wrap up before making a demand because the value of your claim already exceeds the at-fault party’s policy limits. In California, all drivers are required to carry bodily injury liability coverage with a minimum of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident. A car accident settlement will probably happen faster against a driver who is only insured with minimum liability coverage.

If the Claim Goes to Court

This is largely dependent on who the defendant is insured with. Some insurance companies are known to delay, deny, and defend all the way into litigation, whereas others are more interested in settling claims out of court.

The Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations for car accident injuries in California is generally two years from the date of the accident. This means that you have to either settle your injury claim or file suit within two years from the date of the accident in order to preserve your claim. Keep in mind that the statute could be shorter depending on who the defendant is, like a public entity. It’s important that you hire an experienced car accident attorney near Orange County to ensure your injury claim is preserved.

What Can Determine Compensation in an Orange County Car Accident?

There are many factors that can go into determining how much compensation you receive.  An Orange County car accident lawyer at Crockett Law Group can help you navigate the multitude of options.  Below are some examples of determining factors for car accident compensation;

  • Emotional distress
  • Existing medical debts
  • Future hospital bills and health care expenses
  • Lost enjoyment of life
  • Mental anguish
  • Past and future lost wages
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Punitive damages
  • Temporary or permanent disability accommodations
  • Vehicle repairs or replacement
  • Wrongful death damages

How Much Compensation Can You Get for a Car Accident in Orange County?

This is the million-dollar question, isn’t it? No two claims are alike, though. The amount of compensation you receive from a car accident will depend on the following factors:

Medical Expenses

This refers to the cost of your past, present, and future medical expenses, and is commonly referred to as economic damages. As you can imagine, someone who has $2,000 in medical bills will probably receive a smaller settlement than someone who has $200,000 in medical bills.

An insurance adjuster reviewing damage after an Orange County car accident.

Lost Wages

This refers to your past and future loss of earnings. These are also considered a part of your economic damages and should be factored into your settlement.

Pain and Suffering

Your pain, suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment is largely subjective. It depends on who you are and what your personal story is. Keeping a personal journal is useful when trying to prove the value of your pain and suffering claim. Photographs and statements from friends and family can also be useful.

The Severity of Your Injuries

The severity of your injuries will impact the value of your pain and suffering claim more than anything else. A person with a sprained back will probably receive less money than someone with a fractured leg, and a person with a fractured leg will probably receive less money than someone with a fractured leg that undergoes surgery.

Venue

This refers to the location where the accident occurred. If you have to try your case, certain venues tend to have higher settlement verdicts than others. For example, settlement verdicts tend to be higher on average in Orange County than in San Bernardino County.

Car Accident Statistics

The odds of being injured in an auto accident in Orange County California are high because of the large population. According to the United States Census Bureau, Orange County has a population of over 3.1 million people, making it the 6th most populated county in the United States and larger than 21 states. As a result of this booming population, in the year 2017 alone there were 21,969 car accidents in Orange County that resulted in injuries according to the California Office of Traffic Safety.

Due to its large population, California is consistently one of the national leaders in car accidents, and car accident fatalities. In 2016, there were more than 36,000 deadly accidents across the country, with California accounting for more than 10% of the national total. We were particularly interested to know which city in Orange County has the most car accidents.

It turns out that Anaheim does, which isn’t surprising. Anaheim also happens to have the largest population in Orange County so it makes sense that they would have the most car accidents. The number of deaths by motor vehicle accidents in California increased from 3,540 in 2019 to 3,723 in 2020, despite 2020 including long periods of lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

California auto accident deaths chart

Schedule a Free Case Review With An Orange County Car Accident Attorney

As Orange County car accident attorneys, we regularly represent the interests of victims who have been treated unfairly by an insurance company. Crockett Law Group is committed to handling your injury claim from start to finish and will fight to make sure that you receive the money you deserve. If you’ve been injured as a result of a car crash, contact Crockett Law Group to speak with a car accident attorney at (800) 900-9393

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