Car accidents are some of the most common types of personal injury claims.
In a Car Accident? What’s Next?
Get Medical Treatment:
If you are injured, remain calm and seek medical attention immediately for yourself and for anyone else who is injured. If your injuries require additional medical treatment, keep track of all your medical providers and be consistent in your treatment.
Gather Contact Information:
A police report contains pertinent information about the accident. However, in California, a police report is not required unless the accident resulted in injury or death. Whether there is a police report or not, we recommended you gather the following information from all parties involved:
Info Needed:
1. Full name
2. Address
3. House and business phone numbers
4. Drivers license number and state of issuance
5. Insurance company and policy number
6. Make, model, and license plate number
7. Witness or passenger names, and phone numbers
Take Pictures and Notes:
Document injuries and the damage to vehicles and property involved in the accident. Do not sign any documents until you have consulted with an attorney. Signing statements can affect your legal rights and can result in inadvertent admissions of fault or liability.
Document How Your Injuries Affect You:
Keep notes on how your injury impacts your daily life. This includes lost income, missed workdays, difficulties performing everyday activities such as caring for children or family members, and the emotional and psychological effects of the injury.
Injuries from a car accident can vary from back pain and whiplash to life-altering traumatic brain injuries or orthopedic trauma requiring surgery with years of rehabilitation.
Use Caution Discussing the Accident:
Contact Smith Trial Group For a Free Consultation:
The personal injury attorneys at Smith Trial Group handle all types of car accident cases and can represent you and your loved ones be “made whole” again after any type of injury. Contact Smith Trial Group today for a free consultation.
Most Common Types of Car Accidents
Rear-End Collisions:
Rear-end collisions are the most common type of car accident that occurs. It accounts for approximately 29% of all car accidents. This occurs when the front of one car collides with the back of another car. Usually, because one car is not able to stop quick enough or was not paying attention.
Head-On:
One of the most dangerous types of car accidents that may cause catastrophic injuries or even death. It occurs when the front of one car collides with the front of another car.
T-Bone Collision:
This is one of the most severe types of car accidents because it usually occurs at an intersection where the vehicles involved are moving in different directions. It occurs when the front of one car collides with the side of another car.
Multi-Vehicle Crashes:
Usually occurs on the highway or the interstate. This is when any type of car accident occurs with three or more vehicles.
Roll Over:
Common Causes of Crashes
Distracted Driving:
Distracted driving is the number one cause of car accidents across the country and claimed 3,142 lives in 2019. It frequently involves texting, talking to a passenger, eating, or looking away from the road even for just a second.
Speeding:
The faster you drive the less time you have to react. People who consistently drive 10-15 mph or more over the speed limit have a much higher risk of accident or injury.
Drunk Driving:
Alcohol dulls your cognitive functions and reaction time. After a night out of drinking, many people think they can drive when they are actually past the legal limit of intoxication. According to the CDC, 10,497 people died in 2016 in alcohol-impaired car accidents, accounting for 28% of all car accident deaths in the United States. Call an Uber or have a designated driver to make sure you travel safely on the roads.
Inclement Weather:
In California rain is a common driving hazard. During thunderstorms, the roads can become very slick and dangerous. The California Drivers Handbook recommends driving 5-10 miles under the speed limit when it is raining and the roads are slippery.
Common Injuries from Crashes
(TBI) Traumatic Brain Injuries:
A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is an injury that affects how the brain works. Traumatic brain injuries are usually caused by a blow or puncture to the head.
Spinal Cord or Back Injuries:
The blunt force that a car accident produces can be catastrophic. The injury from the trauma can range from a bulging or herniated disc to a fractured spine that results in long-term paralysis.
Fractures and Broken Bones:
Broken bones are common in high-impact auto accidents. Broken bones in car accidents can range from fractures requiring minimal medical treatment to significant bone breaks requiring orthopedic surgery and internal placement of hardware.
Whiplash and Neck Injuries:
Why Hire an Attorney for your Auto Accident?
Higher Settlement Amount:
Studies show individuals represented by an attorney receive higher settlement payouts.
This famous auto injury study in 1999 showed that individuals who hired attorneys received 40% more in insurance settlement money than those who did not hire an attorney.
Knowledge of the Process:
There are many details pursuing a car accident injury claim that if done incorrectly will result in a denial of the claim or a much lower settlement. An experienced attorney can navigate these issues. Allowing an attorney to handle the burden of the claims process will also give you more time to focus on your medical treatment and your physical and emotional recovery.
Free Consultation:
Call the car accident personal injury attorneys at Smith Trial Group today for a free and confidential consultation. The attorneys at Smith Trial Group have over 40 years of experience in car accident personal injury claims and will discuss how to maximize the value of your claim.
It’s Not Just You vs the At-fault Driver:
Individuals injured in a car accident are forced to deal with the at-fault driver’s insurance company–typically a billion-dollar corporation with armies of lawyers and claims adjusters working to pay injured individuals as little as possible. The car accident personal injury attorneys at Smith Trial Group have been standing up to the insurance companies for 40 years and have the experience and reputation to take on the insurance companies and protect your rights.
Average Car Accident Settlement Amount
The average car accident settlement amount is around $21,000 in the US but every claim is different depending on the specific circumstances of the collision. The car accident attorneys at Smith Trial Group have secured millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for individuals injured in car accidents. No matter how small or large your claim, the attorneys at Smith Trial Group will help you achieve the maximum compensation for your claim.
How is the Compensation for a Car Accident Claim Calculated?
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Combined medical bills related to the crash
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Compensation for past and future lost income if you can no longer work
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Mental anguish damages
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Loss of enjoyment of life damages
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Possible punitive damages against the negligent party
The attorneys at Smith Trial Group have over 40 years experience in dealing with auto accidents. We can help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Our results listed below speak for themselves! Contact us for a free case evaluation or call anytime at 855-202-2232.
Free Case Evaluation
Call us anytime at 855-202-2232 or fill out the form below to receive a free and confidential initial consultation.
Testimonials
Cardon and Jennifer were knowledgeable, compassionate and went the extra mile for me with my case.
I would and do recommend them to anyone and everyone.
After I was terminated from my job due to a disability, Smith Trial Group worked relentlessly on my behalf.
They took my case to trial and obtained a fantastic result.
Cardon Smith is a strategic, articulate, and results-driven attorney. His strong work ethic and excellent judgement facilitate decisive action. A five-star experience all the way!
I’ve worked in the legal industry for over thirty years. I recommend Smith Trial Group to anyone seeking legal help. Mr Smith obtained a result that was better than I ever imagined.
Meet Your Attorneys
Cardon Smith
Founding Attorney
Cardon Smith graduated from Georgetown University Law Center where he was a member of the nationally-ranked mock trial team. After Georgetown, Mr. Smith clerked for a federal district court judge and then litigated high-stakes business disputes for Fortune 500 companies at a law firm in Newport Beach, California.
Jennifer Smith
Attorney
Jennifer Smith has been a lawyer for over thirty years. During her extensive legal career, and prior to her personal injury practice, she worked as a prosecutor and a criminal defense attorney. Mrs. Smith is an award-winning personal injury lawyer and has obtained numerous seven and eight-figure verdicts and settlements for her personal injury clients, including a record-setting verdict in California.
Free Case Evaluation
Call us anytime at 855-202-2232 or fill out the form below to receive a free and confidential initial consultation.
Car Accident Results
$10 M
TRIAL VERDICT
Auto accident resulting in severe back and knee injuries.
$1.7 M
TRIAL VERDICT
Auto accident resulting in back injury.
$350 K
TRIAL VERDICT
Auto accident resulting in back injuries.
$450 K
SETTLEMENT
Semi-truck auto accident resulting in neck injury.
$250 K
SETTLEMENT
Motorcycle accident involving knee injury.
Free Case Evaluation
Call us anytime at 855-202-2232 or fill out the form below to receive a free and confidential initial consultation.