The lawyers at Harshbarger Law, have experience handling car and other motor vehicle accident claims in Orange County – including the cities of Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Costa Mesa and Laguna Nigel. We successfully handle complex cases from the insurance claims level through trial and appeal. If you have been in an accident, we are ready to fight to make sure your case is professionally handled.
In any car accident case, determining fault means figuring out who was negligent, and the level of responsibility for causing the accident. Failure to use reasonable care results in the finding of negligence and is most often based on:
- Failure to obey traffic signs or signals
- Failure to signal when turning
- Careless driving
Drunk Driving Accidents and Under the Influence (UI) Liability
The attorneys of Harsh Law are experienced in negotiating compensation for victims of drunk drivers in California throughout the counties of Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino. When someone is injured in a drunk driving accident, they may be entitled to file a claim against the driver and in extreme cases, against restaurants and bars.
Drivers may also consume alcohol at private homes or other gatherings. Under California social host liability, hosts may be held liable by third-party victims when an underage guest is served alcohol, then leaves intoxicated and causes drunk driving injuries.
Uber, Lyft and Rideshare Accidents in Orange County
In California, when passengers are injured in Uber, Lyft or other rideshare vehicles, the cause may be negligence by the driver or another operator on the road. Passengers may be entitled to seek financial compensation for their injuries. At Harsh Law, all attorneys are experienced in handling rideshare claims resulting from Uber accidents and Lyft accidents. We have helped passengers injured across Orange County and neighboring areas.
Orange County Auto Accidents Caused by Road Defects or Construction Activity
Car accidents can also result from faulty construction of toll roads, embankments, exits, and lighting. If the roadway is defectively designed or improperly constructed, the designers or builders may be liable for the personal injuries they cause. Builders can also be responsible for construction accidents to drivers, including roadway debris, inadequate safety, improper road markings, and loose construction materials.
Experience and Results Handling Car Accident Cases in California
While car crashes comprise a significant portion of personal injury and wrongful death claims, it would be wrong to think that they are always simple to resolve. They often involve extremely complex issues of evidence and insurance law, which is what the accident and injury lawyers at Harsh Law specialize in.
If you have been injured in a car, truck, tractor trailer, motorcycle or other motor vehicle accident as a driver, passenger, bicyclist or pedestrian, and it was the result of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover monetary damages for pain and suffering, payment or reimbursement of reasonable medical expenses incurred or which will be incurred in the future, and lost wages.
What to Do When You Have a Car Accident
If you have been involved in an automobile accident, or injured as a pedestrian:
- Obtain as much information as possible about the vehicles involved, as well as names, addresses and telephone numbers for drivers.
- Request the names, addresses and telephone numbers of any witnesses.
- Make sure police are aware of any traffic violations that the operator may have committed.
- If you are injured, get medical attention as soon as possible.
- Promptly notify your insurance company about the accident.
- Obtain photographs of vehicles, injuries and accident location.
- Call Harsh Law at (909) 793-6261 promptly to determine your legal rights.
Choosing an Orange County Car Accident Lawyer
Your legal rights need to be protected after a car accident. Immediate action may be required to preserve all of your rights. All motor vehicle accidents in California are governed by a Statute of Limitations (generally 2 years, but time is always of the essence). Some accidents also have shorter notice provisions which may be very strict.