Escondido Car Accident Attorney

Most of us never think twice before getting into a car to drive to our destination, yet nearly 20,000 car accidents occur daily in the U.S. Car accidents are a leading cause of injuries and death in our country, including in Escondido. If you’ve suffered a serious car accident in Escondido, the San Diego car accident attorneys at Haffner & Morgan are the allies you need to recover your accident-related losses and take an important step toward financial recovery so you can focus on your physical recovery.

How Can an Escondido Car Accident Lawyer Help?

Because California’s insurance law demands that an injury victim prove the at-fault party’s negligence after an accident, in order to make a claim for damages while you’re busy taking care of yourself, your lawyer from Haffner & Morgan, LLP, will take care of business by doing the following:

Investigating your accident to determine if the liable party is another driver, the manager of a defective car part, or a lax road maintenance crew
Gather evidence to present to the appropriate insurance company in a demand package highlighting your damages
Negotiate from a position of strength to defend your rights and best interests against the insurance company for your settlement
Represent you in court if the insurance company fails to offer an adequate settlement

You shouldn’t go it alone against insurance companies who protect profits over payouts. A car accident lawyer in Escondido can streamline the process and maximize the compensation for your damages.

Why Choose Our Escondido Car Accident Attorneys?

If someone else was responsible for your car accident because they acted negligently or drove recklessly, you shouldn’t be left holding the bag. Even if you were partly at fault, you can still recover a portion of your damages minus your percentage of fault. At Haffner & Morgan, our San Diego personal injury lawyers have a track record of success proceeds us, giving your case a significant advantage. At our law firm, you’ll find what you’re looking for in legal representation.

Case Results

Our 99% success rate has brought millions to our injured clients in Escondido and throughout San Diego County. At Haffner & Morgan, we’ll devote our personalized attention to your case to achieve maximum compensation for your economic damages plus pain and suffering.

$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

Expertise

At Haffner & Morgan, our decades of combined experience make us more than ready to thoroughly investigate all aspects of your accident to identify the liable party and prove negligence by demonstrating that the at-fault party owed a duty of care to take reasonable measures to prevent injury, that they breached this duty by acting negligently or recklessly, and that you suffered an injury with significant damages as a result.

Professionalism

With legal representation from an Escondido car accident attorney, you’re never left out of the loop on the progress of your case. We keep open lines of communication and regularly update you on every aspect to move forward with your input on key aspects of your claim.

san diego coastal cliff view with caption: "trust the escondido car accident lawyers at haffner & morgan"

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 Escondido

If you’re seriously injured after a car accident, you may be able to do little other than remain in place and wait for help. However, if you can safely use your phone, or ask someone else to use it for you, the following steps can help you protect your physical and financial future:

First, call 911 to report the accident
Take photos of your damaged vehicle and any other involved vehicles
Take photos of the accident scene, including anything that contributed to the accident
Record a quick statement of what you remember about the accident since trauma can cloud your memory later
Add the contact information of other drivers and eyewitnesses to the accident

Once at the hospital, undergo a thorough evaluation. Ask for a detailed medical report with your prognosis and your doctor’s recommendations for your treatment. Keep all your medical bills and a copy of the police report. Then call Haffner & Morgan, LLP, for a free consultation.

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 Auto Accidents?

Damages add up quickly after a serious car accident. Bills keep coming in, medical expenses add up, and you may be unable to return to work due to your injuries and painful medical treatment. With an attorney on your side, you could recover compensation for damages including;

Medical expenses
Future medical expenses if you need surgeries, physical therapy, or at-home care
Diminished earning capacity if your accident left you disabled
Pain and suffering
Other applicable non-economic damages like PTSD, disfigurement, or lowered life quality

Once your Escondido attorney gathers evidence of liability and calculates your damages, they’ll send a strong demand package to the insurance company of the at-fault party to begin negotiations for your settlement.

Will I Need To Go To Court For a Car Accident Claim?

Over 90% of car accident and personal injury claims settle out of court through negotiations with the insurance company of the party at fault. In the event that the insurance company denies your valid claim or seriously undervalues your compensation, you may choose to pursue the case through a car accident lawsuit in Escondido. In this case, your attorney from Haffner & Morgan is more than ready to rigorously defend your position in court and argue for full compensation in a jury award.

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

Car accident injury victims have two years from the date of the accident in which to file a lawsuit. Every state places a statute of limitations on these claims to ensure they come to court while evidence is still available and testimony is fresh. If your accident attorney in Escondido needs to pursue your claim in court to secure your compensation, they’ll file the lawsuit within the state’s 2-year time limit.

Car Accident Recovery Tips

The days and weeks following a serious car accident may feel overwhelming. Experts recommend the following tips to maximize your physical recovery while your attorneys focus on your Escondido car accident claim:

Get plenty of rest and don’t try to go back to work before your doctor clears you
Stay as active as your doctor allows
Eat a healthy diet and remember to hydrate
Keep a pain journal detailing your pain level so you can look back later to see your progress
Follow all of your doctor’s instructions and attend every appointment and follow up
See a mental health professional if you experience anxiety, depression, or sleep disturbances. Often, you’ll recover compensation for emotional trauma following an accident

It’s important to prioritize your health and emotional well-being after an accident, even if you’re accustomed to putting the needs of others ahead of your own.

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Contact The Escondido Car Accident Lawyers at Haffner & Morgan Today

Insurance companies use predictable tactics against vulnerable injury victims, including using California’s comparative negligence laws against you by attempting to claim you were partly at fault in order to minimize your payout. Our experienced car accident attorneys in Escondido can counteract these tactics and defend your rights.

Reach out to our San Diego law office today for a free consultation so your attorney from Haffner & Morgan, LLP, can begin strategizing a prompt resolution for your claim.