If you were injured in an accident that was not your fault, hiring an accident attorney in Escondido is essential to obtain the maximum compensation you’re entitled to. Never settle for less. With Broadway Law Firm by your side, obtaining full compensation is within reach.
We’re a personal injury law firm in San Diego county with over 35 years of combined experience working to get people involved in all types of accidents the compensation they deserve. We know the law and also know how to win. We’ll defend you fiercely to maximize your final compensation. Our team also offers dedicated, empathic services. We understand that this is a difficult, stressful time for you. That’s why we always answer the phone and have an answer for you.
If you’re involved in an accident, call us today at (888) 824-1025 to obtain the compensation you deserve by law.
Table of Contents
ToggleReasons to Hire an Accident Attorney in Escondido from our Firm
When you hire Broadway Law, you first obtain peace of mind. That’s because we start working on your defense as soon as you hire our services. Since we work on a contingency basis, you don’t have to pay out of pocket for our services. Our legal fees are paid with a percentage of the final agreement we obtain for you. That percentage is agreed upon with you beforehand, and it shouldn’t change throughout your case.
Some other benefits of hiring Broadway Law include:
- 24/7 assistance – we always answer the phone.
- We help you with your case right away.
- If you don’t have medical insurance, we can give you access to excellent medical experts.
- Cash advances before your case is solved.
- We go to your place if you can’t move.
Types of Accident Claims We Work With
- Car Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Uber/Lyft Accidents
- Wrongful Death
- Dog bite injuries
- Pedestrian accidents
- Premises liability
- Slip and fall
Accident Statistics in Escondido, CA
In 2021, Carlsbad suffered:
- Over 462,000 crashes took place on California roads.
- Tragically, over 3,125 crashes resulted in fatalities, claiming 3,620 lives.
- More than 230,000 people were injured in car accidents throughout the state.
- Drunk driving played a role in over 16,000 crashes, causing more than 800 deaths.
- Speeding was a major contributing factor in over one-quarter (24%) of fatal collisions.
- Distracted driving was responsible for over 8% of all crashes.
- Over 14,000 crashes involved pedestrians and cyclists, with a heartbreaking outcome of over 1,000 deaths.
Dangerous Streets and Intersections in Escondido
Based on a recent study, the most dangerous intersections for pedestrians in Escondido are Valley Parkway and Midway Drive. This intersection had many crashes, including fatalities, between 2016 and 2020. Other dangerous intersections in Escondido include:
- Valley Parkway and Midway Drive Escondido
- Washington Avenue and Rose Street
- Centre City Parkway and El Norte Parkway
Common Injuries in Accidents
Soft Tissue Injuries
These are injuries to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. They can include whiplash, sprains, and strains. Whiplash is a common neck injury when the head is suddenly jerked forward and backward. Symptoms of whiplash can include neck pain, stiffness, and headaches.
Back and Spine Injuries
Back and spine injuries can range from minor strains to severe spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, loss of sensation, and impaired motor function.
Head and Brain Injuries
Head injuries can range from minor concussions to life-threatening traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). TBIs can cause various problems, including difficulty thinking, speaking, and moving.
Broken Bones
Broken bones are a common type of injury in car accidents. They can occur anywhere in the body but are most common in the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis.
Internal Injuries
Diagnosing internal injuries can be challenging because they may not cause immediate symptoms. However, they can be severe and can even be fatal. Internal injuries can include bleeding, organ damage, and puncture wounds.
Common Causes of Accidents
- Distracted driving is consistently ranked as the leading cause of car accidents in California and across the United States. It includes any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the road, such as using cell phones, eating, drinking, texting, talking to passengers, or grooming.
- Driving under the influence (DUI) is another major cause of accidents in California. Alcohol and drugs can impair a driver’s judgment, coordination, and reaction time.
- Speeding is a factor in many accidents, especially serious ones. It reduces a driver’s ability to react to hazards and increases the severity of crashes.
- Reckless driving includes behaviors such as weaving in and out of traffic, running red lights, and making illegal turns, which can increase the risk of accidents.
- Reckless driving car accident
- Not following traffic laws, such as yielding the right of way, failing to stop at stop signs, and making improper lane changes, can also lead to accidents.
- Poor weather conditions such as rain, fog, and snow can make driving more difficult and increase the risk of accidents.
- Vehicle malfunctions such as brake problems, tire blowouts, and steering defects can also cause accidents.
- Poor road conditions, such as potholes, uneven pavement, and missing signs, can contribute to accidents.
Do I Have a Personal Injury Case? How Can I Know?
Determining whether you have a personal injury case involves assessing several vital factors. Here are some considerations to help you determine if you have a valid personal injury claim:
Injury and Damages
- Physical or Emotional Injury: You must have suffered an emotional injury.
- Physical or Financial Damages: These can include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and other costs related to the injury.
Liability
- Negligence: You need to show that the other party was negligent, meaning they failed to act with reasonable care.
- Duty of Care: The responsible party had a duty to ensure your safety or well-being.
- Breach of Duty: They breached this duty through their actions or inactions.
- Causation: The breach directly caused your injury.
Evidence
- Medical Records: Documentation of your injuries and treatments.
- Accident Reports: Police reports, incident reports, or any official event documentation.
- Witness Statements: Testimonies from people who witnessed the incident.
- Photographic Evidence: Photos of the scene, injuries, and property damage.
- Expert Testimony: Sometimes, experts are needed to prove some aspects of your case.
Statute of Limitations
- Time Limits: In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is generally two years from the date of the injury. You may lose your right to file a lawsuit if you miss this deadline.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover in a Personal Injury Case?
You can recover different types of damages, which are generally categorized into economic or non-economic damages:
Economic Damages
These are quantifiable monetary losses that result from the injury.
- Medical Expenses: This includes costs for hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, physical therapy, prescription medications, and any future medical care related to the injury.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost due to the inability to work due to the injury.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: If the injury affects your ability to earn in the future, you can recover damages for the reduction in your earning potential.
- Property Damage: the Cost of repairing or replacing any property damaged in the incident (e.g., car repairs in a car accident).
- Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Any additional costs incurred due to the injury, such as transportation to medical appointments or hiring help for household chores.
Non-Economic Damages
These damages are more subjective and compensate for non-monetary losses.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury.
- Emotional Distress: Damages for psychological impacts, such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD, resulting from the injury.
- Loss of Consortium: Compensation for the impact of the injury on your relationship with your spouse or family members.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If the injury prevents you from enjoying daily activities or hobbies, you can recover damages for this loss.
How Long Will It Take to Receive My Compensation?
The time it takes to receive personal injury compensation in California can vary widely based on several factors. The typical timelines to obtain compensation in a personal injury claim in California are:
- Settlement Without Litigation: 6 months to 1 year. Many cases are settled before a lawsuit is filed, often within this timeframe.
- Cases Involving Litigation: 1 to 3 years or more. The process can extend to several years if a lawsuit is necessary, especially if the case goes to trial and through appeals.
If you think these timelines are long, don’t be discouraged. Remember that this is a typical breakdown of what it usually takes. Your claim might take shorter. Talk to your accident attorney in Escondido to better understand how long it will take for you to receive your compensation.
How Much Time Do I Have to Start My Claim?
In California, the time you have to start a personal injury claim is governed by the statute of limitations. Here are the critical deadlines for different types of personal injury cases:
General Personal Injury Claims
- Statute of Limitations: 2 years
- Details: You have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. This applies to most personal injury cases, including car accidents, slip and fall incidents, and other negligence-based claims.
Claims Against Government Entities
- Statute of Limitations: 6 months
- Details: If your injury claim is against a government entity, you must file an administrative claim within six months from the date of the injury. If the claim is denied, you have six months from the date of denial to file a lawsuit in court.
I Was Partially Responsible for the Accident. Can I Obtain Compensation?
Yes, you may still be able to obtain compensation even if you were partially responsible for the accident. This is because California follows a “pure comparative negligence” system. Here’s how it works:
- The court will determine the percentage of fault for each party involved in the accident.
- You can still recover damages for your injuries and losses, but the amount will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, you were found to be 20% at fault for the accident, and your total damages were $10,000. You would be eligible for $8,000 ($10,000 minus 20%).
Useful Links In Case of Accident in Escondido
- DMV
- Escondido Police Department
- Escondido Fire-Rescue Department
- San Diego County Sheriff
- Escondido Hospitals
- Triple A Escondido
- San Diego County Court
How Much Does Hiring an Accident Lawyer in Escondido Cost?
As we mentioned before, Broadway Law Firm works using contingency fee arrangements.
Contingency fee arrangements allow personal injury victims to pursue claims without upfront costs, paying their attorney a percentage of the recovered amount only if the case is successful. An explicit, written agreement outlining the terms is essential to ensure transparency and understanding of how fees and expenses will be handled. We establish that with you when you hire our services.
The main benefit of this modality is that you can focus on healing from your accident wounds without having to pay legal fees out-of-pocket. It also gives you a sense of security that we will provide our 101% to ensure you receive the maximum compensation for your damages. And in the remote case, we don’t earn any money for you; you don’t pay us.
Have a Free Consultation with an Accident Attorney in Escondido
Having an accident attorney in Escondido by your side gives you peace of mind and dramatically increases your chances of obtaining the maximum compensation for all the damages you received. Don’t face your claim by yourself, and don’t settle for less than what you deserve. Call Broadway Law Firm at (888) 824-1025 and take the first step into obtaining multiple benefits like a new car, paid medical bills, recovered lost wages, and much more.