Our Irvine Car Accident Lawyers
Are Dedicated To Finding A Solution For You And Your Family
While car accidents can range from relatively mild to deadly, every car accident should be taken seriously. If you or your loved one has been injured in a car accident that was caused by another driver’s negligence, you need experienced Irvine car accident lawyers on your side. We’re available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, so call us today at (888) 488-1391 for a free, confidential consultation.
For more than 40 years, residents and businesses have chosen the City of Irvine, CA because of its dedication to maintaining the reputation as one of the safest, master-planned, business-friendly communities in the country. Yes, it’s true that Irvine is a beautiful city with much to offer, but it also sees more than its fair share of dangerous car accidents. In fact, Irvine is on the move, and we have the traffic to prove it.
Four short decades ago, Irvine was still a fledgling city in Orange County. It was incorporated on December 28 of 1971 and has since become an economic powerhouse and an attractive place to live and work. As of 2023, Irvine has a population of more than300,000., and the community boasts dozens of parks, trails, and other amenities that make Irvine a great place to live.
Today, the city provides more than 275,000 jobs to the community, and more than 21,000 businesses operate within its boundaries. The Irvine City Council provides the public school system with in excess of $9.1 million in support every year and continues to take steps to make Irvine an attractive home for individuals, families, and businesses.
Unfortunately, motor vehicle accidents can happen even in a place as great as Irvine. With increased activities and traffic, comes an increase in car accidents. It’s critical for victims to know what steps to take to protect their rights. Reach out to our car accident lawyers in Irvine by filling out our online form.
No-Fees Unless We-Win, Guaranteed!
Our Irvine injury lawyers are able to charge their fees based on a contingency of your lawsuit settling or reaching a verdict, and essentially, we only get paid if you get paid! We will do all of the legal maneuvering necessary to convince the insurance company to pay. Hiring a lawyer with “deep pockets” is imperative. What this means is that your car accident case may require litigation that could run costs well over $100,000.00.
Our client was driving with his wife and son on a two-lane highway when a drunk driver crossed the double yellow lines, causing a head-on collision that claimed the life of a loving wife and mother.– ARASH KHORSANDI
Irvine Accident Statistics You Need To Know
While Irvine is regularly titled as America’s Safest City among other cities with more than 250,000 residents, injury-causing crashes still occur on a regular basis. Our Irvine car accident lawyers are ready to spring into action to protect the rights of the injured.
In a city with a population of more than 300,000, serious accidents are bound to happen. In 2022, the California Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) reported that:
- A total of 722 car accidents resulted in nine fatalities and 1,039 injuries.
- Around 42 cases involved motorcycles.
- Car accidents led to 44 pedestrian deaths and injuries.
- Bicycles were involved in 73 motor vehicle collisions.
- Impaired drivers caused 109 injuries and fatalities.
- Speeding caused 464 crashes.
- Distracted driving killed two people and injured 68 others.
Damages and Losses Caused by Car Accidents in Irvine
The damages you incur in a car accident are unique to your specific situation, but there are certain kinds of expenses that are likely to come into play:
Even minor injuries associated with car accidents can lead to lost hours and lost wages on the job. When the accident is more serious, the losses are likely to be far more extensive. A severe injury can lead to a severely diminished earning capacity into the future and even to an altered career trajectory.
Calculating the extent of your lost income can be a complicated process, but, our car accident lawyers in Irvine will come up with an accurate reflection of your losses is critical to fully recovering on the damages you’ve suffered.
A serious car accident can lead to tremendous pain and suffering that can be difficult to overcome.
In addition to enduring real pain and suffering, such damages can include the loss of enjoyment, the loss of consortium, and the endurance of disfigurement and/or disability.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence within the city of Irvine, there are specific kinds of medical expenses that you are likely to experience. These include:
- emergency treatment and transportation;
- surgery and aftercare;
- appointments with doctors, specialists, and therapists;
- prescription medications;
- physical and occupational therapy;
- adaptive medical devices;
- home health care; and
- psychological care.
The fact is that the medical expenses associated with a severe accident can be extensive. Until you know the full extent of your injuries, they can be tough to calculate.
Recovering for all of your losses is essential to your ability to reach your fullest recovery. Never underestimate the extent of damages you suffer in an Irvine car accident.
Call our Irvine law firm at (888) 488-1391, we’ll tell you if you have a case rightaway!
Know What to Do After a Car Accident In Or Around The City Of Irvine, CA
If another driver’s negligence leaves you injured in a car accident, you may be at a loss regarding how to proceed. Here are some basic steps that can help you protect yourself in this challenging situation:
You are not obligated to give a formal statement to anyone – unless an Irvine PD Traffic Enforcement Unit officer asks you direct questions. Give short, concise, and honest answers.
Don't Forget To Obtain A Police Report from the Irvine PD
When law enforcement officers respond to the scene of an accident, they conduct an investigation to determine who is at fault. As a victim, it can be very helpful to have a neutral witness to the accident tell the police what happened. For this reason, if you are able to, you should talk to anyone who may have seen the accident. If you find someone who did, you should let the police know.
In addition, when you are talking to the police, be sure to be as detailed and thorough as you can. If the other driver is uninsured, does not have a valid license, or leaves the scene of the accident, it’s a good idea to get a police report. If the other driver drives away without exchanging information, he or she is committing a crime. If this happens in your case, try and get the license plate number of the vehicle, the vehicle’s make and model, and a description of the driver. Our car accident lawyers in Irvine will use all these details to build your case.
The damage threshold for reporting an accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles is very low. If there is damage of $1,000, you must submit an SR-1 form within 10 days of the accident.
There is a legal requirement that you exchange information after any collision. This includes:
- Name
- Address
- Driver’s license number and state of issue
- Insurance policy number and company
- Vehicle identification number (VIN)
- The current address of the registered owner of the vehicle
Dealing With Insurance Companies After Your Car Accident
If you’ve ever been involved in a car accident of any sort, you understand that you’re going to be dealing with an insurance company. The car policy is likely going to cover the damages you incur. It might seem logical, therefore, to want to work directly with the provider and to accept any initial settlement offer.
After all, you’ve been injured in an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, and you need money to cover your expenses and to aid you on your path toward recovery. It’s important to recognize, however, that the insurance company is in the business of turning massive profits.
Remember, the Insurance Company is NOT on Your Side
After a car accident in Irvine, it’s likely that insurance adjusters will start calling. They will likely try to pressure you into accepting their first settlement offer and tell you – “you don’t need to waste time retaining a lawyer.“ They may also try and pressure you into providing a recorded statement.
Here are some tips on how to deal with insurance adjusters after an accident:
- Let the adjuster know that you want to speak to an Irvine personal injury lawyer before you take any steps to resolve your case or communicate with the insurance company further.
- Remember that the insurance adjuster is not on your side and is actively trying to reduce the amount of compensation you receive.
- The adjuster may try and act like he or she is on your side as a tactic to get you to tell him or her information that can be used to justify a lower settlement or deny your claim.
- The adjuster may claim that you need to provide a recorded statement to help them “process” your claim or that you are required to do so. Neither of these things is true. Consult with your Irvine car accident lawyer before any communications with the insurance company.
- Do not authorize the insurance company to go through your medical records without first talking to your Irvine car accident attorney. Any medical authorization should be limited in scope. If it isn’t, the insurance company may dig up injuries or other issues from years ago to try and justify a lower settlement or denial.
- Research indicates that accident victims who retain a lawyer obtain more compensation than those who try and handle their claims themselves. Consequently, it’s highly advisable for you to retain one of the Irvine car accident attorneys at our award-winning law firm as soon as you can.
Don't Be Taken Advantage Of By The Insurance Companies
Insurance companies are able to make such profits by minimizing their payouts in whatever ways they can. In other words, that initial settlement offer that the insurance company makes is unlikely to fully cover the damages you’ve sustained. Never accept an insurance company’s settlement offer after a severe car accident before carefully going over the matter with our experienced Irvine, California, car accident lawyers.
Gil v. Anderson Plumbing: verdict by a Los Angeles County Superior Court jury in Van Nuys awarded to a man who was injured when his vehicle was struck from behind by a large commercial plumbing van. Benny was part of the trial team that obtained this verdict.– BENNY KHORSANDI
Why Do Car Accidents Happen In Irvine, CA?
Most vehicle collisions in California happen due to the driver’s error. They can be negligent in various ways, including recklessly driving, not paying attention, and driving under the influence. However, some external factors also contribute to an accident.
Our lawyers have handled thousands of car accident cases in Irvine. Here are the most common causes we see.
Reckless Driving
Certain driving behaviors can pose significant risks to motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists in Irvine. Drivers may recklessly change lanes, make illegal turns, drive the wrong way, or even run red lights. These unsafe practices lead to various types of car accidents, including:
- Head-on Collision – A car illegally or recklessly overtaking on two-lane roads might strike into oncoming traffic.
- Rear-end Crash – Tailgating often results in crashing into the vehicle in front if it suddenly stops.
- Intersection Pileup – Ignoring traffic lights and failing to yield the right-of-way can cause multiple vehicle pileups in intersections. They might also lead to T-Bone accidents.
- Pedestrian and Cyclist Injury – A reckless driver might also not notice pedestrians and cyclists who take up a small space of the road.
Reckless drivers are responsible for thousands of casualties on the roads of California. That’s why our car accident lawyers in Irvine are here to help victims pursue justice and compensation.
Driving Under The Influence (DUI)
Substances like alcohol and drugs significantly affect an individual’s judgment, reaction time, and coordination. Impaired drivers will find it difficult to control their vehicle safely and may act recklessly on the road. They may also display erratic driving patterns, such as swerving between lanes, increasing the risk of collisions with other motorists.
Moreover, DUI accidents often result in devastating consequences, including death. Families may also suffer from emotional trauma and financial hardship after losing a loved one.
Irvine is continuously combatting this persisting issue. The local law enforcement frequently conducts checkpoints as supported by grant funding from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Speeding
Drivers who exceed the posted speed limits on Irvine roads endanger themselves and other motorists. Overspeeding amplifies several factors leading to an accident in the following ways:
- The driver’s ability to react to changing road conditions and unexpected obstacles is compromised.
- The faster a car goes, the more stopping distance it needs. As a result, the vehicle might not be able to brake in time to avoid a collision.
- Higher speeds result in a greater force of impact, leading to catastrophic injuries or even death.
Bad Weather
Orange County typically enjoys mild and sunny weather. However, heavy rain during the winter months can affect road safety in Irvine. Additionally, dense fog might reduce visibility and increase the risk of collisions.
Southern California also gets regular visits from Santa Ana winds, which can create various hazardous situations. The sudden gusts can be strong enough to knock off power lines and other structures on the road.
The winds might also generate a sandstorm, as observed by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in January 2023. This phenomenon reduced visibility along Interstate 10 and flung various objects onto the streets of the Riverside metropolitan area.
Poor Road Conditions
- Potholes
- Inadequate signage
- Construction areas
- Maintenance activities
- Debris
Unexpected obstacles are some of the most common issues our car accident lawyers see in Irvine. These hazards might catch a driver off guard, leading to loss of control and collisions.
Defective Vehicle Parts
Even well-maintained vehicles can experience mechanical failures in critical components. These malfunctions can occur suddenly while driving and potentially result in a car accident. Some examples include brake failures, steering problems, and defective tires. Such issues may stem from an auto defect during the design or manufacturing process.
In this case, our Irvine car accident lawyers might pursue the manufacturer for a negligent product.
Common Distractions that Cause Car Accidents for Irvine Residents
Distracted drivers are dangerous drivers. According to the NHTSA, distracted driving refers to operating the vehicle while one’s attention is diverted from the primary task of driving safely. There are a variety of potential activities that can tempt a driver’s attention away.
The majority of distracted driving accidents are related to texting and driving. This can easily be prevented by pulling over and parking before responding to a text. Here are some frightening Irvine car accident causes:
- Interacting with one’s smartphone is likely the most dangerous distraction of all. In the average five seconds that it takes to send or read a text, you take your eyes off the road for the length of an entire football field while traveling at highway speeds. That is a long way to drive blind.
- Eating while you drive is a dangerous distraction. If you’re on a road trip, take the time to pull off the road, grab a burger and coke, and stretch a bit before getting back behind the wheel. Taking such driving breaks will allow you the time you need to rejuvenate before returning to your enormous responsibility of driving safely.
- Fiddling with your in-car navigational system, your heating or cooling features, or your entertainment console is a distraction. Before you head out in your car, take the time you need to get things set where you want them – this will allow you to focus your attention on driving safely once you’re on the road.
- Even conversing with passengers can be a form of distraction. Never push your boundaries when it comes to remaining focused on driving safely.
- Finally, an unrestrained pet in your car is a dangerous distraction. Even if your pet is generally calm on car rides, it’s essential to recognize that pets are unpredictable – especially in emergencies. Make it your habit never to allow an unrestrained pet to ride shotgun.
Quick Distracted Driving Facts
Did you know that 8% of all fatal car crashes in 2021 involved a distracted driver? And sadly, drivers aged 16 to 24 regularly talk on their cell phones at higher rates than other groups.
Here are five other facts about distracted driving as per the SafeTREC Traffic Safety Stats report:
- Millennials are most likely to text while driving.
- Victims aged 15 to 24 have the highest fatality rates in distracted driving crashes, making up 24.9% of deaths.
- In 2021, around 3% of traffic fatalities in California were caused by distracted drivers.
- San Diego is the top county in California by fatalities.
- Los Angeles has the highest number of serious injuries.
Common Injuries Obtained in an Irvine Car Accident
A car accident can cause nearly any kind of injury, but there are several types that are most common to such incidents:
Broken Bones
A fracture is an excruciating injury that is slow to heal. Further, broken bones that don't heal correctly can lead to chronic health issues and even permanent disabilities. In this case, our car accident lawyers in Irvine will pursue compensation that will cover all of the victim’s future medical costs.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are typically caused by blunt force to the head or by the violent shaking of the head (both of which are common in car accidents). TBIs are exceedingly unpredictable and can lead to extreme emotional complications. Some sufferers go so far as to describe a diminished sense of self, which is an immense hardship.
Lacerations
Bodily injuries like cuts are pretty common in collisions due to flying debris and broken glass. These wounds can be minor, needing only first-aid solutions. However, some can go deeper into the skin, which might require stitches and surgeries.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Collisions also cause injury to any part of the spinal cord, and they can be very painful and slow to heal. A severe spinal cord injury can also lead to partial or complete paralysis below the affected site.
Internal Injuries
Car accident victims also commonly suffer from damage to the organs. These injuries are dangerous as they might not be immediately apparent but can be life-threatening without medical attention.
Our car accident lawyers in Irvine also handle wrongful death cases. These tragic events leave grieving family members seeking justice for the loss of their loved one. We help them hold responsible parties accountable and get financial compensation.
Do I Need to Hire Irvine Car Accident Lawyers?
If you were in a car accident in Irvine that left you with minor injuries, you might be inclined to think that you don’t need the services of car accident lawyers. After all, your injuries are small, and you’re working closely with the insurance company to obtain the compensation to which you are entitled.
Again, the insurance company is primarily concerned with its bottom line. Further, injuries sustained in car accidents have a way of advancing with time. What seems like a relatively minor injury today can develop into a chronic condition tomorrow. Never settle with an insurance company before you have a complete picture of the damages you have sustained. Our dedicated Irvine car accident lawyers have the experience, knowledge, and commitment to skillfully assess your damages and to aggressively advocate for the compensation to which you are entitled.
Frequently Asked Questions About California Car Accidents
How Much Do Car Accident Lawyers Charge In Irvine, California?
Car accident lawyers in Irvine and across California typically work on a contingency fee basis. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you. The exact amount we take varies, but it’s a fixed percentage we’ll discuss beforehand.
How Much Is Pain And Suffering Worth In A Personal Injury Claim?
Pain and suffering are non-economic damages that don’t come with receipts. As such, they can be hard to quantify in a claim. Our car accident lawyers in Irvine will work with you to determine a fair amount, depending on your injury’s overall impact on your life. We’ll ensure that the compensation will also accurately reflect how the accident affected your emotional and mental states in the present and the future.
What’s The Highest Settlement Amount I Can Recover In California?
The settlement value varies wildly based on the specific facts and circumstances of the case. Our car accident lawyers in Irvine can get you an amount ranging from thousands to millions of dollars after taking into account these factors:
- Severity of injuries
- Property damage
- Liability issues
- Insurance policy limits
Our personal injury lawyers in California are well-known for pursuing maximum compensation. Case in point, our very own Attorney Brian G. Beecher secured nearly $50 Million for a victim in a Walmart attack. Arash Law’s Attorney Tina Eshghieh also won a $4.3 Million settlement from a car accident case.
If Another Driver Leaves You Injured, Consult with Our Experienced Car Accident Lawyers from Irvine, CA ASAP
Irvine is not only a beautiful place to call home but is also a California city that sees its share of dangerous car accidents. A vehicle can be a potentially deadly weapon in the hands of an inexperienced, inattentive, impaired or impatient driver. If you’ve been injured in a car accident that was caused by another motorist’s negligence, the dedicated lawyers at Arash Law, led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., in Irvine, California, have the experience, knowledge, and skill to help.
We’re available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Give us a call today at (888) 488-1391 for a free confidential consultation with our reputable car accident lawyers in Irvine.
Aside from Irvine, our car accident lawyers also extend our services to Cerritos, Buena Park, Fullerton, Anaheim, Garden Grove, Westminster, Santa Ana, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, Trabuco Canyon, Rancho Santa Margarita, El Cerrito, and Dana Point.
Resources for Irvine Residents Who Are Involved in a Car Accident
Traffic Accident Police Reports
A police report documents facts, physical evidence, and any injuries. Based on these factors, law enforcement personnel and your Irvine car accident lawyers are often able to determine who is at fault for causing the collision.
You can request a copy of a report by completing this online report request form or in person at 1 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine, CA 92606, Mondays through Fridays from 7:30 am to 8 pm. and Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm. Call the Irvine Police Dept. at (949) 724-7000 or visit the Traffic Unit’s homepage for more Information.
Orange County Superior Court Locations
North Justice Center
1275 North Berkeley Avenue, Fullerton, CA 92832
Harbor Justice Center
4601 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach, CA 92660
West Justice Center
8141 13th Street, Westminster, CA 92683
Central Justice Center
700 Civic Center Drive West, Irvine, CA 92701
27573 Puerta Real, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Lamoreaux Justice Center
341 The City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868
