Our Hesperia Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You

Car accidents involve damage to the car and injuries to the people involved. In some cases, the victims feel that they were not served with a fair settlement of their car accident claims. Contacting a Hesperia car accident attorney is the best way to approach payment and compensation after a car accident. Our Hesperia car accident attorneys are proficient and experienced, and they do ask for relatively fair fees for the task. Read through the article to learn more about car accidents, common injuries, types of compensation, and why you need to hire a Hesperia car accident lawyer.

Hesperia is a relatively large desert city in SB County. The city is located in the portion of Mojave Dessert, which is known for its unique temperature. Overall, there are almost 92,755 individuals living in the city who enjoy the high-dessert climate, where temperatures often go below freezing point during the Winter season. For entertainment, the city has its own man-made lake, which is the center of attraction. There are numerous other points of interest including a vast Remote-Controlled Aircraft Field and a popular Golf Course, among others.

Hesperia Accident Statistics

Over the years, the local community has enjoyed a very safe lifestyle. Still, statistics revealed by the California Office of Traffic Safety indicate that drunk driving remains a problem for the city. For instance, the city traffic accident rank is one of the best for cities of its size, but when it comes to accidents involving drunk drivers aged between 21 and 34, the fatality rate rises considerably. In fact, the city ranks among the worst in this category. Interestingly, statistics for drunk drivers over 34 years are not very encouraging either.

Hesperia Car Accident Lawyer
A car crash on the road

Hesperia Crash Statistics for the Year 2019

According to the California Highway Patrol crash statistics under the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), the city of Hesperia recorded a total of 459 crashes in the year 2019.

  •         About 7.6 % of that year’s crashes involved pedestrians.
  •         5% involved motorcycles.
  •         Around 0.7 % involved bicycles.

14 people died in the collisions, 28 sustained major injuries, 203 suffered minor injuries, and 414 sustained possible injuries.

Dangerous Intersections in Hesperia

Hesperia City is located in San Bernardino County with a population of 103,318. Like any other city in California, it has dangerous roads and intersections that have claimed the lives of many road users. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Hesperia City hosts one of the deadliest road stretches in California. The Interstate 15 Freeway stretch, about 4.5 miles from Hesperia down to the Cajon Pass’ Highway 138, recorded 19 fatalities in 2017 and 2019.

Bear Valley Road between Navajo and Tamarisk Roads is one of the most dangerous intersections. According to research by MoneyGeek, 13 deaths and 10 fatal crashes were reported on Bear Road in an approximately 4.7-mile radius. Several factors have led to these crashes, including drunk driving, speeding, and distracted driving.

Should I File A Lawsuit?

You have a legal right to sue the at-fault driver for the personal injuries caused by the crash, including the aggravation of pre-existing injuries. Therefore, you can file a lawsuit if your lawyer believes your case is worth more than what the insurance company offers you.

Types of Injuries According to Hesperia Car Accident Lawyer

The type of injury incurred during an accident depends on the accident’s severity. Below are the most common injuries suffered by motor vehicle accident victims:

Soft Tissue Injuries

The sudden jolt of a car accident can cause the body to move and bend in ways that it is not designed to. Soft tissue injuries occur in three primary forms; strains, sprains, and contusions. Strains are partial or complete tears in the muscle or tendons. Sprains are stretching or tearing of ligaments or tendons. A contusion, also known as a bruise, is a sudden hard impact on an area of the body.

Lacerations and Bruises

During a car accident, the people involved might come into contact with sensitive materials in the car, causing deep cuts or tear in skin or flesh. Broken glass from the accident is one major cause of lacerations and bruises.

Joint Injuries

Major joints injured in an accident include the foot and ankle, the knee, shoulder, and wrist. Shoulder injuries occur due to force absorption after bracing the hands against the dashboard or steering wheel in a car accident. The shoulder locks in position and receives excessive force from the impact of the collision. Foot and ankle injuries are also common in car accidents, and they are often injured in a crash. The knee can also be turned abruptly or twisted in the crash. Lastly is the wrist, which is also caught up when the individual braces the hands against the dashboard or the steering wheel.

Neck Injuries and Whiplash

Whiplash is a neck injury due to rapid back and forth or forceful neck movement. This type of injury is most common in rear-end car accidents.

Amputation/Limb Loss

When you lose a limb due to an accident, it is referred to as traumatic amputation. Traffic accidents, including motorcycles, trains, bicycles, trucks, and passenger accidents, are the most common causes of traumatic amputation.

Facial Injuries and Scars

Injuries and scars on the face in car accidents result from contact with the glass that breaks due to collisions or contact with other parts of the car while it is still in motion. Facial injuries and scars are common in car crashes.

Fractures and Broken Bones

A fracture is a break in the bone due to excessive force. This is a common injury in car accidents.

Internal Injuries

A substantial number of car accidents cause Internal injuries where internal vessels inside the body are torn or crushed. Internal injuries are displayed in the form of abdominal pain, blood in urine, rigid abdomen, tenderness over the injured area, and cold sweaty skin, to mention a few.

Burns

If the car accident leads to a fire, the victim often gets burns as they come into contact with hot chemicals, steam, surfaces, and hot fluids. Severe burns lead to skin grafting and surgery.

Back and Spinal Cord Injuries

The back and spinal cord are common body parts injured due to the impact of a crash or collision. The back and spine are not designed to sustain serious injuries. Severe car accidents could lead to permanent damage to the spine leading to paralysis.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Car accidents might involve excessive force blow to the head. This often causes brain damage which causes traumatic brain injuries. Car accidents are a leading cause of traumatic brain injuries in the USA.

Post-traumatic stress disorder

This is the emotional injury caused by a car accident. It involves anxiety disorders, stress, depression, poor concentration, flashbacks of the accident, etc.

Hesperia Car Accident Lawyer will explain to you the Compensations Available For Car Accident Claims

Below are the types of compensation that you can claim after a car accident:

Medical Expenses

Medical expenses that need to be compensated include; medication, costs for a hospital stay, physical therapy, etc. if the injuries incurred during the accident require ongoing medical care, the court can ensure you get compensated for future medical bills and any modifications to your car/home related to your injury. For example, if you will be using a wheelchair, there will be changes in your car and home to accommodate your new state.

Pain and Suffering

Accidents cause both physical pain and suffering. Physical injuries include fractures, headaches, etc. suffering could be in the form of trouble walking, sleeping, sitting down, and other activities. Most people experience nightmares, flashbacks, and other forms of emotional trauma after an accident. You need to be compensated for this.

Lost Income

This involves compensation for the income you lose due to an accident. Depending on the severity of the accident, you might be off work for a while, or it might cause a permanent impact on your future in your career. For example, if you are a surgeon and incur severe arm damage, you might not be able to practice surgery anymore. You have to be compensated for the time you were unable to work because of the accident and any future loss of income.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are awarded when the driver at fault for conduct was irresponsible or extremely unruly. For instance, if the driver was drunk or rammed into your vehicle for the second time due to frustration while you were still bleeding inside the car.

Loss of Consortium

If an accident leads to the victim being bedridden for weeks or permanent injury, people close to the victim will suffer an emotional connection. For example, suppose a husband is involved in a major accident and is severely injured. In that case, it is possible they won’t be having any loving or memorable moments anymore with his wife. The law dictates that there should be compensation for this loss of consortium.

Loss of Enjoyment of Life

Major accidents could cause severe injuries that mean you will no longer enjoy some things in life. For instance, backbone injuries mean you might never be able to go to the gym or play some games with friends or your kids. Such loss of enjoyment caused by an accident is compensated.

Out-Of-Pocket Costs

This involves other costs incurred due to the accident apart from medical expenses. For example, travel expenses, renting a new car or buying a new phone. These costs strain your financial situation further as a victim. With a good lawyer, you can get compensated for such expenses.

Why Should I Hire a Hesperia Car Accident Lawyer?

You need to hire a Hesperia car accident lawyer because they will help you calculate your compensation. They also help determine the fault in the accident. The lawyer also collects the evidence necessary to prove your case in the lawsuit. Additionally, the lawyer is able to stand up against scare tactics/strong arms, and they keep you, the victim, from giving statements that may damage your case. Lastly, a car accident lawyer in Hesperia CA will keep you from settling too early and missing out on potential compensation.

What Should I Do After A Car Accident in Hesperia?

After a car accident, you should follow a few steps to manage the situation and ensure the insurance claim and compensation process will be smooth. To start with, do not move or run off after the accident. Turn off the engine and Call for medical assistance if you or any of your passengers are injured. You then need to call the police even if there are no severe injuries. Make sure to record the name and badge numbers of the police who will come to the scene.

The next step is to get information about the driver at fault; this includes name, address, contact numbers, license plate numbers, driver’s license number, etc. however, if the police arrive on time, they will take this information. If the police delay, you should also record the names and addresses of eyewitnesses since you may require them in a lawsuit. Make sure you get a copy of the accident report from the responding officers and take pictures of the accident scene and the cars involved. Lastly, you contact your insurer and inform them about the accident in detail, including the injuries you have incurred.

How Do I Prove The Other Driver Was Liable?

Proving that the other driver was liable can be executed using the photos you took and also the eyewitnesses who might have seen the accident occur. An eyewitness is not biased, and they explain the accident as it happened. This can paint a clear picture to the court of who is to blame for the accident. The police report, which is collected and organized at the accident scene, is also a form of proof of who was at fault. As they collect information for the report, they gather Intel from the eyewitnesses and the victims to evaluate who is at fault. Our lawyers at Pacific Attorney Group are experienced and they ensure the court sees who the driver at fault was.

What Should I Do Immediately After An Accident In Hesperia?

The steps to follow after an accident in Hesperia are the exact steps explained earlier in the article, including; calling the police and medical assistance, documenting the scene, taking pictures, and calling your insurance company.

How Much Will It Cost To Hire a Hesperia Car Accident Lawyer?

Our attorneys at Pacific Attorney Group are very affordable, and they usually charge about 33-55 % of the compensation that they will get you. Lawyers in personal injury lawsuits are mostly paid through a contingency fee agreement.

How To Handle your Car-Related Issues? How can a Car Accident Lawyer in Hesperia CA help?

After informing your insurance company that the accident has occurred, you file an insurance claim and then tow the car to a facility approved by your insurer. Check and track the paperwork process by the insurance company, file a GAP claim, and negotiate for a payout, and when they pay, you can proceed to repair or get a new car.

If I Need To Get A Rental Car After A Car Accident In Hesperia, Who Has To Pay For It?

In case you need to get a rental car after a car accident in Hesperia, the at-fault driver’s insurance company is charged with paying for it.

How Is Fault Determined In A Multi-Vehicle Car Accident?

Fault in a multi-vehicle car accident is determined using the principle of comparative negligence. Responsibility is also established using eyewitness statements, video surveillance, whether the driver violates traffic laws, police reports, or the extent of the vehicle damage. If you are involved in a multi-vehicle car accident and are looking for a car accident lawyer in Hesperia CA, give us a call and let us win the case for you.