Oxnard Car Accident Attorneys

Car accidents occur across Oxnard every day. Whether at an intersection, in a parking lot, or on the highway, a car accident can change your life forever. Minor car accidents can result in bumps and bruises but serious crashes can lead to devastating injuries that can prevent you from working, create a pile of medical bills you cannot pay, and lead to a lower quality of life.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an Oxnard car accident, the personal injury lawyers at Maho Prentice, LLP can help you obtain fair compensation for your injuries.

Common Causes Of Car Accidents in Oxnard

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), driving while under the influence of alcohol was the leading cause of accidents in Oxnard in 2020. Among similarly-sized California cities, Oxnard ranked first for this tragic statistic.

There are several unique challenges faced by Oxnard drivers compared to those residing in other parts of the state. Oxnard is a large distribution and agricultural area with an abundance of commercial trucks and other slow-moving vehicles compared to other similarly-sized California cities. When a car crashes with one of these large vehicles, the injuries passengers suffer can be devastating.

Common Types of Injuries From Oxnard Car Accidents

No two car accidents result in the same types of injuries due to different sets of circumstances, but there are certain injuries that tend to be more common in car accidents. Factors that determine injuries include:

• Speed of the vehicles
• Point of impact
• Seatbelt usage
• Airbag deployment
• Drivers being under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Taking into consideration these factors, some of the more common injuries in Oxnard car accidents include:

• Cuts and lacerations
• Broken bones
• Amputations
• Internal bleeding
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Whiplash
• Spinal cord injury

Typically, a driver and passengers are facing forward and buckled when a crash occurs. Under these circumstances, many Oxnard car accident victims receive impact injuries if any body parts hit the interior sections of the vehicle. When an accident is more serious, a victim can suffer penetrating injuries, which can occur when there are flying objects or broken glass airborne in the vehicle.

One of the most common injuries in a car accident is whiplash. Whiplash is caused when a victim’s head is violently jerked forward and backward when restrained by a seatbelt. It is also a serious injury that can take days or weeks to manifest. Insurance companies often downplay this injury as being minor or nonexistent. A high-impact car crash can cause a victim chronic neck pain and headaches that can last for months and sometimes years.

What Damages Can I Claim in an Oxnard Car Accident?

Your Oxnard car accident attorney will collect the necessary evidence to prove the damages you suffered. We are also available to assist with wrongful death claims in Oxnard, CA.

Damages are broken down into two categories: economic and non-economic.

Economic Damages

Economic damages cover the expenses directly related to the injury sustained in your car accident.

Some of the most common economic damages include:

• Medical bills
• Property damage, including vehicle repairs
• Lost wages
• Long-term medical care
• Diminished earning potential

Economic damages include any losses the accident victim has already incurred, such as missed paychecks, medical expenses, etc, and anticipated future losses. If you have ongoing medical care, you can seek compensation for likely future losses as part of your economic damages.

Non-Economic Damages in Ventura County

Non-economic damages attempt to place value on the emotional toll your car accident injuries caused you and your loved ones. These damages can often be higher than economic damages.

Some of the most common non-economic damages include:

• Mental anguish
• Pain and suffering
• Scarring or disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Long-term disability

There is no average amount for an Oxnard car accident. Everyone’s damages will be different, and only your car accident lawyer can help you determine the value of your damages. Their goal is to help you seek the maximum compensation possible for your damages.

Is There a Time Limit For Filing a Claim For Damages?

According to the California statute of limitations, a personal injury victim has two years from the date of the car crash to file a claim against the responsible driver(s). If your Oxnard car accident involves a government vehicle, such as an emergency vehicle or law enforcement vehicle, you are only given six months to file your injury claim.

You could have as little as six months to file an injury claim, so it is important you do not wait too long to start the process. You should contact Maho Prentice, LLP, right away to ensure your legal rights are protected and your attorney has enough time to build a strong legal case.

There are many reasons you should file your injury case right away:

• Our law firm’s investigators need to investigate the accident scene right away to gather vital evidence that can strengthen your injury claim. Waiting too long could cause this crucial evidence to become lost forever and could have a significant impact on the result of your case.
• Our Oxnard car accident lawyers can begin working on your case immediately. Personal injury cases can be time-consuming, so the sooner they can start the process, the better results they can achieve.
• Our personal injury attorneys will want to speak with witnesses to your car accident. The sooner you contact us, the better chance their contact information does not become lost. If too much time has passed, people can move away, change their contact information, or forget some of the important details of the accident. The benefits of having a solid eyewitness can disappear if we do not contact them right away.
• The validity and seriousness of the accident and your injuries may be questioned by the insurance company. If you do not act on your claim right away, the insurance company could try to say your injuries were not caused by the Oxnard car accident, but by something else.

Our Oxnard Attorneys Answer Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have to go to court to win?

The majority of Oxnard personal injury cases never go to trial. However, this does not mean it could not happen. Your attorney will try to negotiate with the insurance company to agree upon a fair settlement amount for your injuries, but if an agreement cannot be made, your attorney can file a lawsuit and present your case before a judge and jury.

Can a child sue for car accident injuries?

If your child sustained injuries in an Oxnard car accident, a parent or guardian can seek justice on their behalf. Since minors are under 18, they have two options. The first is that their legal guardian or parent can file a lawsuit for them.

The second option is for the minor to wait till their 18th birthday to file a claim. This also changes the California statute of limitations, which is typically two years from the date of the accident. Once the victim turns 18 years of age, they have up to two years from their 18th birthday to file an injury claim.

Many car accident injuries cost the victims a tremendous amount of money in damages, so a parent or guardian of a minor should not wait to file a claim against the negligent parties that caused their child’s car accident injuries.

Contact Maho Prentice, LLP Today

We understand that a car accident can be devastating for you and your family. Accidents are never expected, and the financial devastation from medical bills and lost income can be tremendous. Our dedicated law firm is here to help you seek full compensation for your injuries and hold the liable party responsible. Contact Maho Prentice, LLP, today using our secure online form to schedule your free consultation.