Mission Viejo Car Accident Lawyer

If you live in Orange County, you are no stranger to car accidents congesting the freeways. Between the 5 and 55 freeways, we hear about multi-vehicle crashes every day. However, hearing about another’s misfortune is much different than being involved in an accident yourself. The reality is most of us will be involved in a car accident in our lifetime. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are over 2.6 million car crashes per year in the United States that lead to injury.

Actually being involved in an auto accident can cause a significant amount of emotional strife. Even low speed accidents can lead to whiplash, burns, or other forms of injury that can sometimes mean long-term discomfort.

Unfortunately, dealing with insurance companies can be a burden, especially when it comes to asking for reimbursement to repair damage done to your car or for paying for medical bills. Let experience speak for you. Retain the legal services of a skilled law firm as soon as possible.

I Have Been in an Auto Accident – Now What?

If you have been involved in an auto accident, the more documentation you have, the stronger your case. Even if you have been in a minor fender bender, you should always take notes. Here’s a step-by-step guide to how you should proceed in an accident situation:

• Check to make sure everyone is okay, and call 911 if you need to.

• If the damage is minor enough, move the vehicles to the side of the road.

• Call the police to file a report. Having a police file on record will help expedite your claims process.

• Take pictures of everything you see: the damage to your vehicle, license plates, the road signs, and any damage to the surrounding landmarks.

File a claim with your insurance company as soon as you can, but it is equally important to retain legal services to receive the compensation you deserve. Insurance companies are so large that they are notorious for using a “cookie-cutter” approach to claims reimbursements. Usually, this amounts to an unfair settlement for victims, especially those involved in minor accidents. The right injury attorney will work with your insurance company (or the other drivers’) to decide on a fair compensation package so you can attend to your needs and move on with your life.

In certain cases, the driver at-fault is clear, like in a rear-end collision. However, Mission Viejo’s congested roadways can lead to multi-vehicle collisions where there is no immediately clear driver at fault.

A good lawyer will launch his or her own investigation into the case, using the police report, traffic camera footage, and witness testimony to patch together a timeline of events. Remember, your legal team is only focused on what is best for you. The police’s main goal is to close the case, and the insurance company wants to pay out as little as possible.

Consulting an Irvine Accident Attorney

Even minor accidents can cause head, neck, or orthopedic injuries resulting in lost time from work or expensive medical bills. If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, call the Law Offices at Mann & Elias. We use a no-nonsense approach with insurance companies to get you the compensation you deserve. Even if the other driver has been convicted on criminal charges, like a DUI, you can still pursue a civil suit.

Costa Mesa | Mission Viejo | Irvine

Our firm has been representing the needs of auto accident clients since 1998. If you have any questions about your involvement in an auto accident or would like to schedule a free initial consultation, contact our office.