For many, car accidents lead to severe injuries, expensive medical bills, and lost time from work. Destructive collisions can even result in death to anyone involved. The Stockton personal injury lawyers of OnderLaw know you’re facing a long and painful road to healing. It can be frustrating and overwhelming when you’re already dealing with the physical and emotional implications of a car crash and have to take on legal responsibilities as well.

Car accidents are preventable. As long as drivers behave responsibly at the wheel, no one should have to get hurt. Unfortunately, some people disobey traffic laws and place others in harm’s way. When you suffer injuries in a crash, it’s your right to hold the at-fault motorist liable and seek compensation for your medical care and other costs. You shouldn’t be financially responsible for your expenses if another person’s actions were entirely to blame for your injuries.

It’s challenging to handle an insurance claim or lawsuit while attending your doctor’s appointments and attempting to recover from your injuries. It can take up significant time in your busy schedule and lead to a heavy burden. The Stockton car accident lawyers of OnderLaw are ready to lift the weight off of your shoulders and handle every step of your case on your behalf. You can focus on treatment and getting your life in order without the additional strain of fighting with the insurance company about money.

Call OnderLaw today for a free consultation and learn about your available options for securing compensation from the negligent driver.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer? Why Choose OnderLaw ?

OnderLaw proudly represents accident victims in Stockton. We believe in providing legal services to individuals in need and helping them get back on their feet after a traumatic accident. We know what you’re up against in the coming weeks and months and will be by your side to give you the guidance and support you need.

Our Stockton car accident lawyers tirelessly work to develop a strategy to meet your needs and achieve your goals. Since 2002, we have fought on behalf of accident victims and secured over $3.5 billion in settlements. When you hire us, you will be our priority and receive personalized attention throughout your case.

At OnderLaw , we never place our interests above yours. We do what we can to reach a favorable outcome, so you can afford your medical bills and avoid ending up in debt. The cost of prescriptions, physical therapy, surgery, and other forms of treatment can reach thousands of dollars. It’s a burden you shouldn’t be forced to bear. If someone else’s misconduct put you in this position, they should face the consequences.

Types of Car Accidents

There is a range of circumstances that can lead to a car crash. When you share a road with other people, it’s hard to avoid every dangerous situation. Even if you take certain safety precautions, you can’t prevent others from taking negligent actions that put you at risk of injury.

The most common types of car accidents are:

  • Wrong-way accidents
  • T-bone crashes
  • Hit and run accidents
  • Rollover accidents
  • Rear-end collisions
  • Single-car accidents
  • Head-on collisions
  • Multi-vehicle accidents

 

At OnderLaw , our Stockton car accident lawyers take these cases seriously. If you were involved in any of these types of collisions due to someone else’s carelessness, do not hesitate to contact us. We can review the details of your case and determine whether we can represent you.

Causes of Car Accidents

Multiple contributing factors can result in an accident. You could encounter hazardous road conditions, adverse weather, or another driver making poor decisions at the wheel. Anyone involved in a car crash can sustain debilitating or life-threatening injuries.

The most common causes of car accidents include:

  • Defective parts – Everyone must maintain their vehicles to avoid issues that can lead to an accident. A defective part could cause the car to malfunction and the driver to lose control.
  • Distracted driving – In 2019, driver distractions contributed to 3,142 traffic fatalities. Behaviors that take someone’s focus, eyes, or hands off the tasks necessary to operate a vehicle can lead to catastrophic accidents.
  • Failure to yield – Every motorist must yield to others in the appropriate situations. For example, approaching an intersection requires slowing down or stopping if someone else has a green light.
  • Driving under the influence – Drugs and alcohol affect physical and cognitive function. Anyone impaired by these substances has a harder time following traffic signs, avoiding hazards, and reacting appropriately to emergencies.
  • Tailgating – “Stopping distance” is the distance you must keep between yourself and the car in front to prevent a crash if a hazard occurs. Someone traveling 60 miles per hour needs an overall stopping distance of 268 feet. Unfortunately, if they’re following another car too closely, they likely won’t be able to prevent a collision if traffic suddenly comes to a standstill.
  • Driver fatigue – Driving while tired is as dangerous as being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It causes similar symptoms, such as slower reaction times, inability to notice hazards, and inattention. According to National Safety Council statistics, fatigued drivers are three times more likely to be involved in an accident than those who are well-rested.
  • Speeding – Driving too fast for conditions or over the speed limit is dangerous. Collisions occurring at higher rates of speed often cause more severe injuries and fatalities. It’s difficult for the motorist to control their car and avoid any dangers they encounter.
  • Disobeying signs and signals – Traffic signals and signs are there to direct motorists around other vehicles, alert them to potential hazards, and keep everyone safe. However, some people run red lights while rushing to work or take sharp turns too fast, increasing the likelihood of an accident.
  • Unsafe lane changes – It’s necessary to check both blind spots and use a turn signal before merging into another lane. Failing to take these precautions can result in sideswiping another vehicle or cutting off another driver already in the lane.

 

If you were involved in an accident due to any of these factors, you should reach out to OnderLaw immediately. We can investigate the crash to determine who was at fault and create a plan to hold them accountable.

Common Injuries Suffered in Car Accidents

Heavy traffic is common in large cities like Stockton. When you pass thousands of vehicles during your daily commute, you’re exposed to various dangers that can cause harm. The most common injuries people sustain in car accidents are:

  • Psychological trauma
  • Broken bones
  • Paralysis
  • Whiplash
  • Concussion or traumatic brain injury
  • Back injuries
  • Permanent scarring or disfigurement
  • Dislocated joints, muscle sprains, and torn ligaments
  • Internal bleeding
  • Burns and lacerations
  • Loss of limb
  • Spinal cord damage

 

The bills you receive while treating your injuries can become a financial burden. If you’re out of work and can’t earn an income, you might worry about how you’re going to pay. You should not be forced to pay out of pocket and face economic strain when someone else was at fault for the car crash.

Who Is Responsible?

Many parties could be responsible for a car accident. California follows a fault system, meaning the at-fault party becomes financially responsible for the victim’s injuries and resulting losses. If you can determine who’s to blame for the crash, you could hold them liable.

The most common parties that cause car accidents include:

  • Vehicle parts manufacturers
  • Other drivers
  • Companies responsible for maintaining roadways
  • Bicyclists, motorcyclists, or pedestrians
  • Governmental entities and employees
  • Construction workers

 

The source of compensation will depend on who was at fault for the collision. For example, if another driver caused the accident, you could file a claim with their insurance company. If a governmental employee were to blame, you could file a lawsuit against the agency that employs them.

Compensation for a Car Accident Claim

Every driver in California must carry car insurance with minimum liability limits. These limits can compensate an accident victim’s losses. The losses you could seek payment for might include:

  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Property damage
  • Emotional distress
  • Physical impairment or disfigurement
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering

 

Although state law requires liability coverage, you could discover that the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance. If that happens, you could file a claim with your own car insurance company.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) is an optional coverage you can turn to if the at-fault driver doesn’t have liability insurance or high enough limits for your losses.

If you chose to include it in your policy, you could pursue compensation for your medical bills and property damage. Depending on your insurance carrier, you might even be entitled to coverage for pain and suffering and lost wages.

California and Stockton Accident Statistics

According to statistics, 3,606 people died in motor vehicle accidents in California in 2019. The number of fatalities varied by the type of vehicle occupant. They included:

  • Car occupant – 1,205
  • Pickup and SUV occupant – 685
  • Large truck occupant – 44

 

In Stockton, there were 38 fatal accidents in 2019. They involved 55 vehicles and caused 40 fatalities.

Contact Us

The Stockton car accident lawyers of OnderLaw provide one-on-one attention to every client that hires us. We will treat you with the utmost professionalism and respect while working on your case. You can depend on our legal team to be your advocate and remain in your corner until the end.

If someone else caused your injuries in a car accident in Stockton, contact OnderLaw for your free consultation. We can discuss what happened and advise how we can help. You will not have to deal with this traumatic experience alone. Call now.