El Cajon Car Accident Attorney

A car accident is a frightening experience, with the terror of the crash followed by the painful and chaotic aftermath. Sadly, the distress doesn’t usually end there. If you’ve suffered serious injuries in a car accident, you’ll soon find bills piling up while your injuries may prevent you from returning to work. When financial stress weighs you down, you’re less able to focus on healing from your injuries. A San Diego car accident attorney in El Cajon is the best ally during your recovery after a car accident in San Diego County.

At Haffner & Morgan, LLP, we have great compassion for car accident victims who have to deal with the complicated process of navigating California’s comparative negligence insurance system which requires them to prove the negligence of the party at fault for the accident. Insurance companies prioritize profits over paying out on claims. An experienced car accident attorney in El Cajon anticipates the common tactics insurance companies use to deny claims and understands how to effectively counteract these methods to make a compelling claim for your damages.

How Can an El Cajon Car Accident Attorney Help?

Your El Cajon car accident lawyer from Haffner & Morgan will diligently work on your claim while you work on recovering from your injuries. You need an experienced San Diego personal injury attorney to do the following:

Investigate the accident by examining police reports, photos, traffic camera videos, and eyewitness testimony
Craft a compelling case proving liability on the part of the person or entity at fault—typically a negligent driver, but sometimes a road maintenance agency or the manufacturer of a defective car part
Carefully calculate your damages, including compensation for your pain and suffering
Negotiate with the appropriate insurance company to gain the maximum compensation for your damages
Argue your case in a lawsuit in the event the insurance company denies your valid claim or seriously undervalues it

When it comes to the legal issues involved in the California system of comparative negligence, it’s critical to have an experienced attorney on your side. Insurance companies commonly try to assign injury victims an unfair percentage of fault in the accident in order to minimize their payout on a claim.

sky view of city of san diego at sunset with the caption: "contact the el cajon car accident lawyers today"

Why Choose Our El Cajon Car Accident Attorneys?

At Haffner & Morgan, LLP, we purposely take on fewer clients than most large law firms in San Diego County so we can give personalized attention to each client’s unique case. With our focused attention and strong local resources, Haffner & Morgan has a reputation for success that includes:

Case Results

Our 99% success rate gives our clients an edge in negotiations with insurance companies who know our reputation for results in car accident cases in San Diego County.

$3.5 million | T-bone accident and significant spine injuries
$1.48 million | Side impact vehicle collision settlement with major injuries
$1 million | Rear-end motor vehicle accident with neck and back injuries
$725k | Car accident settlement
$500k | Car accident settlement
$400k | Car accident settlement

Expertise

Haffner & Morgan is a law firm with decades of combined experience helping clients recover the maximum compensation for car accident damages in El Cajon. We understand how to gather evidence to prove liability and present it in a compelling way during negotiations for your settlement. We are powerful litigators in court with a track record of winning millions for our clients.

Professionalism

Our compassion and consideration for our clients during their most vulnerable moments means we keep open lines of communication. With Haffner & Morgan representing your interests, you’ll never feel left out of the loop. We’ll keep you informed on every step of your case and make critical decisions based on your input.

Car Accident Statistics in California

California is known for its congested traffic conditions, including highways and intersections in El Cajon. Because California’s cities have sprawling designs rather than being constructed upwards in skyrises as in small areas like New York City, unlike New Yorkers, California residents typically own and drive cars rather than relying on public transportation. California’s car accident statistics are alarming. Consider the following recent statistics:

There were 216,366 total traffic accidents in California in 2022
3,854 fatalities occurred in California car accidents in 2022
Of the 3,854 fatalities, 1,998 deaths occurred to drivers while 723 were passengers, 482 were pedestrians, 406 were motorcyclists, and the remainder were those on bicycles, skateboards, and skates
165,978 injuries occurred in California car accidents in 2022
Rear-end collisions were the most common car accident type on California roadways in 2022
Almost 50 percent of all California car accidents occur in intersections

California’s Department of Transportation’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) set a goal of 0 annual traffic deaths by 2050.

Common Types of Car Accidents in El Cajon

No one leaves home expecting to experience an accident, but car accidents occur in California every day, including traffic accidents in El Cajon. Common types of car accidents include the following:

Rear-end accidents (tailgate collisions)
Sideswipes
Side-impact collisions (T-bone accidents)
Head-on collisions
Rollovers
Road departure accidents
Back-up accidents
Multi-car pile-ups

In California’s fault-based insurance state, it matters how an accident occurs and who is at fault. The above accident types may require an investigation to determine the accident’s cause and whether one driver caused the accident or both drivers contributed a percentage of fault.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in California?

Some accidents result from inclement weather conditions, defective car parts, or a negligent road maintenance agency that fails to repair a dangerous road condition or faulty signal light; however, driver error is the most common cause of car accidents in El Cajon and throughout California. Common causes of car accidents include:

Distracted driving
Tailgating
Speeding
Reckless or aggressive driving
Failure to yield the right of way
Running red lights or stop signs
Unsafe lane changes
Fatigued driving
Intoxicated driving

When a driver engages in any of the above unsafe driving behaviors, they are liable for damages to injury victims if their negligent actions cause an accident.

What to Do After a Car Accident in El Cajon

In the chaotic aftermath of a car accident, keeping a cool head can make a big difference in your physical and financial recovery. If you’re seriously injured, you should wait in place for help to arrive so you don’t risk further injury. If you’re able to move and use your phone—or ask someone else to use it for you—it becomes an important tool to take the following steps:

Call 911 to report the accident
Record a brief statement detailing what you remember about the accident
Take photos of the accident scene, including the damaged vehicles and anything relevant to the crash
Take photos of your visible injuries
Collect the contact information of involved drivers and eyewitnesses

Once at the hospital, tell the doctor about every symptom, even if it seems minor. Ask for a medical report with details about your injury, the doctor’s recommendations for treatment, and your prognosis. Keep all of your medical bills and get a copy of the police report. Then, call the California car accident attorneys at the El Cajon law firm of Haffner & Morgan, LLP.

Common Injuries Suffered in Car Accidents

The crash force of an accident causes tremendous trauma to the human body. In a collision at only 30 miles per hour, a 100-pound person becomes a 3,000-pound force. While wearing a seatbelt prevents ejection from the vehicle, this force still propels drivers and passengers first forward and then back against the seatbelt. Seatbelts substantially reduce fatalities but they do not prevent all injuries. Common injuries victims experienced in El Cajon car accidents include the following:

Back injuries
Neck injuries
Head injuries/traumatic brain injuries
Single or multiple fractures
Burns
Internal organ damage
Spinal cord injuries
Soft-tissue damage
Disfiguring facial injuries
Traumatic limb loss

Injuries cause impacts on the victim that range from painful and inconvenient to life-altering, leaving the victim with significant disabilities or impairment.

What Type of Compensation is Available For Car Accidents?

Car accidents cause far more damage than simple property damage to your vehicle. Injuries are not only painful and debilitating, they’re also costly. Fortunately, you can recover your financial losses with a successful car accident claim for damages including:

Property damage
Past and future medical expenses related to the injury
Lost income and future lost wages
Diminished earning capacity if the accident left you disabled
Pain and suffering
Any other applicable non-economic damages like disfigurement, loss of pleasure in life, loss of consortium, or traumatic amputation
Wrongful death

Even if you are found to be partly at fault in the accident, California’s comparative negligence insurance law allows you to still recover a portion of your damages. For instance, if you were 10% at fault in the accident and your damages amount to $100,000 you’ll recover $90,000.

Will I Need to Go to Court for a Car Accident Claim?

An estimated 94% of car accident claims in California settle out of court through the insurance claim process, especially with an experienced El Cajon car accident lawyer on your side. However, if the insurance company denies your valid claim for damages or seriously underestimates your payout, your attorney from Haffner & Morgan is more than ready to use their litigation skills to aggressively defend your rights and best interests through a lawsuit in court.

What is the Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents in California?

Like all states, California places a limit on the amount of time to file a lawsuit after a car accident. Car accident victims in El Cajon have up to two years to file a lawsuit for damages. This typically allows enough time for your attorney to negotiate an ample settlement, or in the event they’re unable to achieve a satisfactory settlement, they can file a lawsuit within the 2-year statute of limitations.

Car Accident Recovery Tips

During the days and weeks following a car accident, it’s essential to prioritize rest, nutrition, and hydration. You should carefully follow all of your doctor’s orders and engage in doctor-advised mild physical exercise to keep up your circulation and strength.

Keep a journal detailing your pain, progress, and the impacts of the accident on your daily routine. If you experience depression, anxiety, PTSD, nightmares, or other emotional distress, see a counselor or psychologist for help. Often this is covered by compensation from your car accident claim.

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Contact The El Cajon Car Accident Lawyers at Haffner & Morgan Today

Reach out to the El Cajon car accident attorneys at Haffner & Morgan today for a free consultation. We’re waiting to hear about your accident and injuries so we can begin a strong strategy to recover your damages. Though financial compensation can’t erase your injury or pain, it can ease the financial burdens on you and your family while you focus on healing and moving forward with the best possible recovery. Call today at (619) 541-8787.