California Car Accident Lawyers
We Partner with You to Achieve the Best Results.Even though car accidents are a common occurrence, they are always very scary when they happen to you.
If you have suffered a serious injury in a car accident, it makes the experience even more traumatic.
You may be wondering how you will pay your bills. You may be stressed about missing time from work or perhaps no longer being able to do the things that you enjoy.
When you suffer an injury in a car accident in California, you need a skilled car accident attorney at your side.
Your California car accident lawyer can take over negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurance company and fight for every dollar you deserve.
Simply call our car accident lawyers at (707) 243-8595 or contact us online to get the information you need to get on the road to recovery.
Initial consultations are 100% free and confidential. Hablamos Español.
Hundreds of Millions Recovered
And 40 Years in Practice The case results listed are actual settlement and verdict results from cases recently handled by us. Because the facts and circumstances of every case are different, the results of other cases are not a guarantee of similar results in other cases. The results below do not include all cases, but they include a sample of different types of cases and show how much those results can vary.
Awards & Affiliations
Wells Call Injury Lawyers, has been honored for its professionalism, legal experience, and client care while handling personal injury law.
Below are some of the ways we’ve been recognized.
The Most Common Types of Serious Car Accidents in California
Some of the most common causes of car accidents in California include:
- Texting while driving,
- Distracted driving,
- Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs,
- Improperly maintained vehicles,
- Speeding,
- Failure to follow traffic laws,
- Poor signage or improperly maintained roads,
- Driver fatigue,
- Defective vehicle parts, and
- Inclement weather.
Most of the time, these circumstances involve carelessness on the part of one or more drivers involved in the accident. When someone’s negligent actions cause you injury, you have the right to seek compensation.
At Wells Call, our car accident lawyers in California have the extensive experience and detailed legal knowledge necessary to handle all types of car accident cases, from the simplest fender bender to the most catastrophic multi-vehicle collision.
The Most Common Injuries Caused by Car Accidents
Car accidents can cause any number of serious injuries or even death. Injuries we commonly see following car accidents include:
- Cuts and bruises;
- Whiplash;
- Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions;
- Broken bones;
- Burns;
- Soft tissue damage, including internal bleeding;
- Spinal damage, which may cause paralysis; and
- Lost limbs.
While many accident victims eventually recover from their injuries, some can experience lifelong complications. Injury compensation cannot repair the damage done.
However, it can help to relieve some of the financial burdens that can arise following severe injuries and help to improve your quality of life.
Having an experienced car accident lawyer in California on your side who can protect your rights is helpful in these cases.
As one of the best lawyers in California, Wells Call Injury Lawyers stands by their client every step of the way while achieving excellent results.
Call (707) 302-6088 for a free case review. As your advocate, we will pursue the compensation you require to start putting your life back together.
What to Do After an Accident in California
Immediately after an accident, there are several steps you should take.
Get Help
First, call 911 and make sure to get appropriate medical attention for you and anyone else who has been injured.
In addition to medical help, police should be dispatched to the scene of the accident. A police report can be an important piece of evidence in your personal injury case.
Collect Evidence
If you are able, try to gather evidence at the scene of the accident, including:
- Contact and insurance information for all drivers involved;
- Contact information and statements from witnesses;
- Photographs or video of the vehicles involved and the area where the accident took place; and
- Photographs of any injuries.
This evidence can provide essential support for your personal injury claim.
Seek Medical Treatment
Even if you do not need emergency medical attention, you should see a doctor as soon as possible after your accident.
Some injuries are not apparent right away or may not be visible. Delaying diagnosis and treatment can lead to further complications.
Additionally, if you wait too long to see a doctor, the insurance company might try to downplay the seriousness of your injuries or claim that they were caused by something other than the accident.
Be sure to comply with any treatment recommendations given by your doctor. You should also hang onto your medical records and bills.
Speak to an Attorney
Talk to a car accident lawyer in California as soon as possible after your accident. Don’t provide medical records or any recorded statement to an insurance company until you have spoken to an attorney.
The insurance company may try to use these things against you. An attorney can help protect your interests and communicate with the insurance company on your behalf.
To learn more, request a copy of “5 Things You Must Do After a Car Crash.” This free ebook is written by Wells Call partner Stephen Schofield and details the steps you should take to protect your rights in the aftermath of an accident.
When to Get an Attorney After a Car Accident
You should always consider speaking to an attorney following a car accident. Most accident attorneys offer free consultations so you can get your questions answered without obligation.
If you’re not sure whether you need an attorney or whether you have a good case, you can take advantage of a risk-free consultation.
In most cases, accident victims who are represented by attorneys are able to recover more compensation than those who try to negotiate with insurance companies on their own.
California Car accident attorneys know how to calculate a fair settlement for your case, and they won’t let the insurance company get away with undervaluing your claim.
Insurance companies know that the tactics they use on victims won’t work on seasoned car accident attorneys.
If they know you have an attorney who is willing to take the case to trial, they will be more likely to offer you a fair settlement.
What Happens If You’re at Fault in a Car Accident in California?
The issue of fault in an accident is just one of the many reasons to get a lawyer after a car accident. California law requires that automobile owners be financially responsible for the accidents in which they are involved.
Further, California law requires vehicle owners to have a minimum level of insurance. This minimum requirement means that you must have at least a 15/30/5 policy.
This means that you have to carry liability insurance that covers $15,000 for injuries/death to a single person, $30,000 in coverage for the injuries/death of multiple people, and $5,000 in coverage for property damage.
A California car accident lawyer can help you by speaking to insurance companies on your behalf.
What to Look for in a California Car Accident Lawyer
There are a number of characteristics you should look for in your California car accident lawyer.
1. Experience
The most important attribute your car accident attorney should have is experience—not just experience in the law, but specific experience with car accident cases.
You may have worked with a lawyer on another matter, such as a divorce or estate plan. Even though this lawyer may be willing to take your personal injury case, you should think twice about hiring them if they do not regularly work on car accident cases.
Car accident cases rely on specific types of evidence and legal arguments. They also require experience with insurance company tactics and negotiating strategies. To get the best possible outcome, you need an attorney who works on these types of cases every day.
Furthermore, your attorney should have trial experience. Attorneys who are not comfortable in the courtroom may encourage you to settle for less than you deserve to avoid going to court.
Although most personal injury cases do settle out of court, you need an attorney who is able and willing to take your case to trial if that is in your best interests.
2. Results
Although every case is different, you can have confidence in an attorney who has successfully handled numerous car accident cases.
When you are interviewing attorneys, you should ask them what kind of settlements or verdicts they have obtained in cases like yours.
While this is not a guarantee that your case will turn out the same, previous case results give you an idea of the attorney’s skills and abilities.
3. Reputation
An attorney’s reputation can tell you a lot about their ability to handle your case.
Look for attorneys who are active in their local legal associations and have received recognition from lawyer review organizations. You can also read client testimonials and reviews on sites like Avvo.com.
4. Communication
It is important to have an attorney who will be communicative and give you the attention you deserve. Your attorney should listen to your story and show concern for your needs. They should be patient in responding to your questions.
Once you’ve narrowed down your search to attorneys with the appropriate experience and skills, go with your gut. You should choose an attorney that you personally trust and feel comfortable with.
What Is My Car Accident Claim Settlement Value?
The value of each car accident claim is different. Damages vary drastically depending on the type and extent of the injuries you have suffered and how those injuries have impacted your life.
When you consult with a California car accident attorney, they can evaluate your claim and give you an estimate of what they believe a fair settlement would be.
In a car accident claim, you can recover damages for both tangible financial losses and intangible emotional or physical trauma. In legal speak, tangible losses are referred to as economic damages. They include things like:
- Medical expenses,
- Lost past and future wages,
- Rehabilitation costs,
- Lost household services, and
- Property damage.
Intangible losses are referred to as noneconomic damages. These can include things like:
- Lost earning capacity resulting from disability,
- Lost enjoyment of life,
- Pain and suffering,
- Disfigurement,
- Emotional or psychological trauma, and
- Loss of consortium.
Insurance companies are notorious for significantly undervaluing noneconomic damages. Since these damages can’t be calculated using bills and pay stubs, they will try to convince you that you don’t have a claim.
This is where having an attorney can be particularly valuable. Your attorney will help put a value on your noneconomic damages and gather the evidence needed to support your claim.
How Much are Most Car Accident Settlements?
As mentioned previously, each car accident is different. Therefore, it is difficult to say if there is an accurate average settlement amount.
A car accident lawyer in California can give you an estimate of what they think your settlement is worth once they know the circumstances of your case.
However, one nationwide survey indicated that the average car accident settlement for victims who were not injured is $16,700. On the other hand, the average car accident settlement for victims who were injured is $29,700.
An experienced car accident lawyer in Orange County, like ours at Wells Call Injury Lawyers, can help ensure that you get the most compensation possible for your California car accident.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in California?
In California, you have two years from the date of your injury to file a car accident lawsuit. If you don’t file a lawsuit within that period, you will lose your right to seek damages from the accident.
Because of the short period of time you have to seek compensation, it’s important to contact a California car accident lawyer as soon as possible after your accident.
In many cases, an attorney can help you negotiate a settlement with the insurance company without ever needing to file a lawsuit.
The sooner you contact a lawyer, the more time they will have to negotiate. If it becomes necessary to file a lawsuit, your attorney will make sure you don’t miss the deadline.
There are some limited exceptions to the two-year deadline. So even if you think the time has expired, you should reach out to an attorney to see if any exceptions might apply to your case.
What If I Don’t Speak English?
Language barriers shouldn’t prevent you from obtaining the compensation you deserve.
At Wells Call, we believe in educating clients about their rights and what is happening with their cases. That’s why Wells Call is bilingual.
We can serve clients who speak either Spanish or English without difficulty.
When you choose an auto accident attorney from our team for your car accident case, you benefit from working with someone who can help you understand what is happening, without worrying about things getting lost in translation.
Can I Afford an Attorney?
At Wells Call, we have car accident attorneys available for free consultations. We also take personal injury cases on contingency.
That means that we won’t charge you a cent until your case is won. We will even advance you any court costs incurred before the case is complete.
At that point, we will then take our fee as a portion of your settlement or award. If you do not recover compensation, you won’t owe us anything.
*We value our clients’ personal and private lives. We have removed the names from these reviews for client discretion.
5 Reasons People Choose Us
Get a Free Consultation with a Car Accident Lawyer in California Today
If you suffered an injury in a car accident, contact a car accident lawyer in California at Wells Call today. We have been representing accident victims in California for over 35 years.
We have obtained over half a billion dollars on behalf of our clients, and we want to help you too. We offer a free consultation and would be happy to answer all of your questions.
You don’t have to face the aftermath of a serious car crash alone. Give us a call or contact us online, and learn more about what we can do for you.