Have you been hurt in a car accident in Chula Vista, CA? If someone else’s negligence contributed to your crash, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact our law office today at (619) 722-3032 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Chula Vista car accident attorney from Mission Personal Injury Lawyers.
We are committed to helping car accident victims recover the full compensation they deserve. Our law firm works on a contingency-fee basis. You pay nothing unless we win.
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How Mission Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Car Accident in Chula Vista
Our award-winning Chula Vista personal injury lawyers will give you the legal representation you need to fight back against the insurance company. We have been named the Best of the Bar by the San Diego Business Journal and have a 10.0 Superb AVVO rating based on our track record of success.
When you choose Mission to represent you, we will:
- Offer insightful legal advice and guidance
- Conduct an independent investigation into your accident to prove liability and causation
- Work with top experts to prove negligence and determine an accurate value of your damages
- Negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company
- Take your case to court and fight for maximum damages if needed
Call our Chula Vista law office today to schedule your free consultation. We have recovered tens of millions in settlements and jury awards, and we will put this experience to work for you.
How Common Are Car Accidents in Chula Vista, CA?
Nationwide, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death. In 2018 alone, there were 36,560 people were killed in traffic crashes, the leading cause of death for Americans between ages 1 and 54. That gives the United States a fatality rate of 1.13 deaths per 100 million miles traveled.
California had the highest number of fatal crashes in 2018, beating Texas and Florida. However, its fatality rate is slightly lower than the U.S. average. Even so, 3,563 people were killed in traffic accidents in 2018.
Of course, most car accidents aren’t fatal but instead lead to injuries that may be mild or life-changing. In 2017, the California Highway Patrol reported 193,564 injury crashes in the state. Over 277,000 people were hurt in traffic accidents in a single year.
According to some statistics, San Diego County had over 21,500 accidents in 2016 alone. Car accidents are becoming more deadly in the region due to poor road conditions, increased traffic congestion, and an increase in dangerous driving behavior, like distracted driving.
What Is My Car Accident Case Worth?
Many factors determine the value of your Chula Vista car accident case. The only way to estimate your car accident claim’s value is through a consultation and investigation of your crash, injuries, and damages. However, it may help to understand some of the factors that determine the value of your car accident claim.
These damages are highly personal and dependent on the details of your case, including:
- Circumstances of the crash
- Whether you contributed to your accident
- The type and severity of your injuries
- The type of medical treatment you received
- Whether you were impaired, disfigured, or disabled
- How your injuries affect your quality of life, independence, and health
Contact the personal injury law firm of Mission today to schedule a free case review. We will help you understand what your case may be worth.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Car Accident Victims?
When someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional wrongdoing caused your accident, you are entitled to seek compensation for the damages you suffered.
Car accident victims in Chula Vista, CA may be entitled to economic damages, such as:
- Medical bills, current and future, including surgery, doctor’s visits, ER visits, medication, medical devices, physical therapy, and more
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Lost wages while recovering from your accident
- Lost or reduced future earnings and benefits
You may pursue non-economic damages, too, like:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement
If the accident ends in a wrongful death, wrongful death compensation is available to family members. In some cases, a jury may also award punitive damages. These are designed to punish someone for particularly shocking behavior, such as drunk driving.
Mission will help you pursue full compensation for the damages you have suffered.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for a Car Accident in California?
Absolutely. Under California’s pure comparative negligence system, injury victims can recover compensation even if they are up to 99% at fault for the crash. This rule is used to divide financial responsibility after an accident involving shared liability.
If any fault is assigned to you for the accident, your damages will be reduced according to your share of fault. For example, if you suffer $100,000 in damages but are assigned 20% of the blame, your damages are reduced by 20% to $80,000.
Insurance companies often use this rule to attempt to escape or limit liability for an accident. Our car accident lawyers will help you fight back against attempts to shift fault and escape responsibility.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Car Accident Injuries
Most car accidents result in mild to moderate injuries, and injury victims are able to fully recover. However, many accidents result in serious, catastrophic injuries that can come with disfigurement, disability, or long-term psychological and emotional harm.
At Mission, we will fight for full compensation for all of the injuries you suffered, such as:
- Amputation
- Back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Burns
- Catastrophic injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Nerve damage
- Organ damage
- Spinal cord injuries
Our car accident attorneys will work with experts to determine your injuries’ extent and impact, and we will fight for the full compensation you deserve.
What Causes Most Car Accidents in Chula Vista?
Whether it is a motorcycle accident, truck accident, any type of traffic accident may have multiple contributing factors. Road conditions, weather, and even the time of day can contribute to a crash. However, most Chula Vista car accidents are caused by someone’s negligence or simple human error.
The National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Study (NMVCCS) was a major study into the causes of accidents and how they can be avoided. This study found that 94% of all car accidents are caused by human error. Vehicle issues (such as faulty brakes) and environmental factors played a role in just 2% of crashes.
The following are forms of negligence responsible for the vast majority of accidents in Chula Vista and the rest of the nation.
Drunk Driving
Driving under the influence is a leading factor in car crashes, particularly fatal accidents. In 2016, 29% of the 3,600 motor vehicle deaths in California involved a drunk driver.
Distracted Driving
In 2018 alone, the NHTSA estimated that distracted driving killed 2,841 people in the U.S. and caused over 400,000 injuries. The National Safety Council reports that an astounding 25% of car wrecks are related to some type of cellphone use, such as texting while driving.
Speeding
Speeding is one of the top three factors in car accidents. In 2018, speeding was a factor in 26% of car accident fatalities. Speeding doesn’t just increase the risk of a crash; it also increases the rate of important injuries and wrongful death.
Running Stop Signs & Red Lights
Nearly 40% of car crashes happen at intersections in Chula Vista and other cities. These accidents are often related to running a stop sign or red light. Drivers may run red lights due to inattention, fatigue, speeding, drunk driving, or aggressive driving.
Fatigued Driving
Driving while fatigued is considered as dangerous as drunk driving, as it reduces reaction time and affects decision-making and alertness. The National Safety Council estimates 328,000 drowsy driving accidents occur every year in the U.S., which causes approximately 109,000 injuries and 6,400 deaths.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Car Accident in California?
Your car accident attorney at Mission will conduct a careful investigation into your accident to determine how it happened. We will work with experts to gather evidence that proves negligence.
Evidence may include:
- Surveillance and dash cam footage
- Witness statements
- Expert testimony based on crash scene photos and conditions
- Damage to all vehicles
- Police reports, citations, or arrest of the other driver
- Subpoena of the other driver’s cellphone records if cellphone use was suspected
- Maintenance and driver logs, black box recorder, and trucking company records if your accident involved a truck
We will work tirelessly to gather and analyze evidence in your case to make causation and liability as clear as possible.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Car Accident in California?
The California statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is two years from the date of your accident. Your car accident claim must be filed before this time limit expires, or you will lose your legal right to recover money for your injuries.
It’s important to contact an experienced car accident attorney in Chula Vista as soon as possible. Two years may sound like plenty of time, but delays can allow crucial evidence to be lost. This can damage the strength and value of your personal injury claim.
Contact a Chula Vista Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
When you have been left seriously injured after a car accident in Chula Vista, you deserve a compassionate personal injury attorney who will help you pursue the fair compensation you need. While the insurance company won’t be on your side, Mission will be in your corner fighting for your rights.
Contact our personal injury law firm today to schedule a free case review with a Chula Vista car accident attorney. We will help you explore your legal options and begin building your case.
Our law firm handles all types of car accident cases involving:
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