If you were seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident, your entire life could be turned upside down. With exorbitant medical expenses, an inability to continue working, and the struggles of a debilitating injury, it is easy to lose hope. You should not be stuck going through the fallout of the collision on your own. Those responsible for causing your injury should be held accountable and compelled to compensate you for the total value of your damages.
With help from a dedicated San Clemente car accident lawyer from Text Kevin Accident Attorneys, you can fight for the compensation you deserve. Spend more of your time healing and rebuilding your life while our personal injury team handles the legalities of your case. Let us explore every option for financial relief on your behalf. Contact our office to schedule a free consultation today and learn more about how car insurance claims work, what your damages could be worth, and what to expect from the claims process.
San Clemente Car Accident Statistics
Reviewing notable car accident statistics can help government officials reduce the number of collisions, injuries, and fatalities. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety OTS Crash Ranking Results, there were 141 total injuries and deaths related to car accidents in 2021 alone. Other notable stats include:
- 16 alcohol-involved accidents
- Nine motorcycle accidents
- 11 pedestrian accidents
- 19 bicycle accidents
- 72 DUI arrests
- 16 speeding accidents
- 12 hit-and-runs
Which Roads and Intersections in San Clemente Are the Most Dangerous?
Some of the most dangerous roads and intersections in San Clemente, California include:
- Avenida Pico & Interstate 5 (I-5)
- El Camino Real & Avenida Pico
- Cristianitos Road & Interstate 5 (I-5)
- El Toro Road
- Alicia Parkway
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in San Clemente?
Immediately after the accident, do not panic. You should:
- Call emergency responders for help
- Document the accident scene
- Get medical attention
- Call a car accident lawyer in San Clemente, CA
Note
Do not post anything on social media after the car accident. You do not want to share something that the defense could use to get your settlement reduced.
Weāll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Car Accident Injuries
Text Kevin Accident Attorneys has extensive experience representing car accident victims who have dealt with a wide variety of injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Neck injuries
- Concussions
- Whiplash
- Internal injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Paralysis
- Amputation
Tip
Keep detailed notes of the various ways your injuries are affecting your life. This way, you have powerful evidence to support your compensation demands.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
You can hire a car accident attorney in San Clemente from Text Kevin Accident Attorneys on contingency. We charge nothing for our legal services unless or until we recover compensation for your damages. Your contingency fee will never be more than 40% per Rule 1.5 Fees for Legal Services by the State Bar of California.
Can I Recover Compensation if I Share Some of the Blame for a Car Accident in San Clemente?
You may be able to recover compensation despite sharing the blame for your car accident injuries. California follows pure comparative negligence laws under California Civil Code 1714. Even if you were 99% responsible for the collision, you could be awarded compensation for one percent of your damages.
Local Results
Detainee Received $1,045,000 Settlement for Head Injury During Police Car Accident While Being Transported in Los Angeles
Case Type | Car Accident |
Location | California |
Settlement | $1,045,000.00 |
What Causes Car Accidents in San Clemente, CA?
Driver negligence is one of the top causes of car accidents in San Clemente. Defective motor vehicle parts, dangerous road conditions, and irresponsible dram shops have also been known to contribute to car accident injuries and fatalities.
Pro Tip
Do not be surprised if multiple parties share blame for your injuries. Your case may be more complicated, but with multiple liable parties sharing the financial obligation, you have a greater chance of maximizing your award.
San Clemente Car Accident FAQs
California is a fault insurance state. This means under California Insurance Code – INS Ā§ 11580.1, the individual or entity who caused the accident will be expected to compensate the victim for the full value of their losses. Generally, this applies to auto insurance claims. Every motorist is required to carry auto insurance coverage per the California Department of Insurance, which may lead you to believe you file a claim with your own auto insurance provider after a collision. However, since California is a fault insurance state, you file a claim with the liable partyās insurance company instead.
As you can imagine, you may receive a lot of pushback from the insurer, as they will lose money by paying out on your claim. Fortunately, when you have your car accident attorney handle the claim filing and negotiations on your behalf, you do not need to worry about being taken advantage of or manipulated into accepting a settlement that is less than your damages are worth.
After being involved in a car accident, your vehicle will lose value. You may be able to get the vehicle repaired and back in working order, but even with the highest quality repairs, your vehicle will be worth less after it has been involved in a collision. This is known as diminished value. This is a type of loss you can seek compensation for as part of your car accident claim in San Clemente.
Most diminished value claims are filed in conjunction with your insurance claim. However, if the insurance company is engaging in bad faith tactics or otherwise refuses to settle your claim reasonably, we may need to take further legal action in court.
When filing a car accident lawsuit, your claim must be initiated within two years of the accident date according to California Code of Civil Procedure Ā§ 335.1. The personal injury statute of limitations deadline is in place to ensure claims are filed in a timely manner. While two years is the maximum deadline, every case is different, and you may find yourself with more time than you were expecting, particularly if you have a minor child who was in a car accident or your injuries were not diagnosed until days, weeks, or even months after the wreck.
When this happens, the statute of limitations countdown will temporarily pause. This is known as ātollingā the statute of limitations. If you are unsure how much longer you have to file your car accident lawsuit, do not hesitate to connect with our catastrophic injury attorneys to get the clarity you need.
No, it is almost never in an injury victim’s best interest to accept a lump sum settlement offer from the insurance company. Remember, insurance companies are self-serving. They only make money by paying out as little as possible on claims while bringing in as much as possible in premiums. Insurance adjusters are often responsible for picking apart claims to look for reasons to deny them. When you receive a lump sum settlement offer from the insurance company, it is almost always because the insurance company sees the true value of your damages and does not want to be responsible for the costs.
By making you a lump sum settlement offer, they can absolve themselves from future liability. The offer of quick cash is often tempting for injury victims who are struggling to stay afloat. However, if your condition rapidly deteriorates and requires further medical expenses, the insurance company will not be expected to pay out anymore if you have accepted a lump sum settlement. Before you accept the insurance company’s offer, make sure you review it with your car accident attorney in San Clemente from Text Kevin Accident Attorneys. We will be by your side ready to renegotiate the settlement terms and ensure the insurance company meets their financial obligations.
You can seek punitive damages in your car accident claim, but you cannot sue for them. Punitive damages are not a loss you are entitled to recover the way you are entitled to compensatory relief. Under California Civil Code Section 3294, punitive damages will only be awarded in limited circumstances.
The defendantās actions must have been egregious, malicious, intentionally harmful, or grossly negligent for a punitive damages award to apply. For example, if the driver who hit you was intoxicated and has a history of drunk driving on their criminal record, punitive damages may be appropriate. However, if the driver who hit you did so because their tire blew out, punitive damages would not apply.
Life is better now!
Its going to be tough to thank Kevin enough! His guidance, support and optimism from day one helped me get thru the arduous process of appointments and treatments required to recover from my injuries and pay the bills.
My calls were returned promptly, I always felt he “truly” cared about me, my case and the outcome. I know he fought hard and brought my case to a very successful conclusion (the Max).
“OH” and can’t forget, His support team gets 5 stars as well.
Thank you Kevin, Thank you!
Rob Peltier
San Clemente, CA Accident
Contact Our San Clemente Car Accident Attorneys Today for Legal Help
When you have been critically injured in a serious motor vehicle wreck, taking action against the at-fault party should be a top priority. We understand you may be overwhelmed, exhausted, traumatized, and unsure of what to do next. Let us point you in the right direction and help you navigate the claims process while you heal.
Your highly experienced San Clemente car accident lawyer from Text Kevin Accident Attorneys will work tirelessly to maximize your compensation. We are not afraid to negotiate with insurance companies or bring your case to trial if that is what it takes to get the most out of your claim. Fill out our secured contact form or call our office to schedule your no-cost, risk-free consultation today.
Getting medical attention as soon as possible after your accident in San Clemente should be one of your top priorities. Here are some of the top-rated urgent care facilities, medical groups, and hospitals nearby:
South County Urgent Care
1300 Avenida Vista Hermosa Suite 100
Located in: Talega Business Park
MemorialCare Medical Group – San Clemente
638 Camino De Los Mares Suite D4
Located in: Ocean View Plaza
Camino Health Center
1300 Avenida Vista Hermosa #250
Located in: The Courtyards At Talega
The emotional distress of your collision may be too much to bear. Speaking with a counselor or therapist can do wonders for your mental health. Here are some of the most reputable therapists located in San Clemente, CA:
San Clemente Psychological Services
629 Camino De Los Mares Ste 207
Located in: Plaza De Los Meres
Balanced Growth Counseling
Located in: LA PLAZA
Testimony Life
San Clemente is approximately an hour and a half from Los Angeles. If you take CA-73 South for approximately 69 miles, you will get there in just over 90 minutes. Here is the most direct route from San Clemente to Los Angeles:
- Head northwest on W Temple St toward N Broadway
- Turn right to merge onto US-101 S
- Merge onto US-101 S
- Keep right to stay on US-101 S
- Merge onto I-5 S
- Take exit 130B to merge onto I-710 S toward Long Beach
- Take exit 4 to merge onto I-405 S toward San Diego
- Keep left at the fork
- At the toll road keep right
- Merge onto I-405 S
- Keep left at the fork
- Merge onto I-405 S
- Keep left at the fork
- Merge onto CA-73 S
- Merge onto I-5 S
- Take exit 75 for Ave Palizada toward San Clemente
- Turn right onto E Avenida Palizada
- Turn left onto N El Camino Real
- Arrive in San Clemente, California