Car Accidents

The window of time that you have to file an injury claim in court is not open-ended. Following a car collision, the clock begins ticking, and a missed filing deadline could mean that you do not have recourse to use the civil court system to pursue accountability and compensation. If you were injured in a car collision, you may be wondering how long after a car accident you can sue in California. Why the Courts Set Statutes of Limitations for ... Read More

Finding yourself in the aftermath of a car accident in California is terrifying. You are likely overwhelmed, confused about what actions to take next, and suffering severe injuries. When you know that you didn’t cause the accident, it can offer some relief and vindication, but fear and confusion are likely also at play. Knowing what to do after a car accident that’s not your fault in California is essential, and the team at Bentley & More ... Read More

If you suffered an injury in a car accident in Newport Beach, you are probably trying to understand whether the law recognizes the physical pain, psychological distress, and emotional anguish that often result from collisions like yours. Yes, pain and suffering is a common feature of car accident cases. The question then becomes, how much is my pain and suffering worth? To answer that question satisfactorily, we need to know more about you... Read More

Most people in Newport Beach do not ask about settlement timelines out of curiosity. They ask because they believe they deserve one, and they want to know how long it can take to receive the compensation they are entitled to. It’s a fair (and potentially urgent) question, but the answer is not as cut and dry as you might wish. The time it takes to secure a car accident settlement varies from case to case. The approach of insurance companies... Read More

When a child is hurt in a car accident, parents are forced to think about the future far sooner than they should have to. You are not only dealing with emergency care and unanswered medical questions. You are trying to understand how injuries from the collision could affect your child’s growth, learning, and long-term independence. When a child is involved in a car accident in Newport Beach, the consequences can be profound and permanent. If ... Read More

Car crashes in Orange County do not always happen where security cameras or traffic cameras can see. Even when those cameras are present, dashboard-mounted cameras can provide a clearer, more conclusive account of how the collision occurred. Few types of evidence can be more compelling than video from a dashboard camera. This evidence can be uniquely valuable when an at-fault driver or insurance company contests who is at fault for the coll... Read More

The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) has a reputation that cuts two ways. It is one of the most recognizable and scenic roads in the country, yet it is also one of the most unforgiving. Hazardous blind spots, tight curves, and little room to swerve mean that when collisions occur on the PCH, the results are far from the postcard views the roadway is typically associated with. If you’ve been in such an accident, everything you do now should be ge... Read More

Most people who suffer whiplash do not immediately think about lawsuits. They think about getting over the pain as soon as possible, getting back to work, and getting their life back on track. Yet, recovery and stability become far more probable when a car accident victim receives fair compensation for their whiplash. A lawsuit can be one pathway to such fair compensation. Once they acknowledge their need for a fair settlement or judgment, ... Read More

If you live in or visit Newport Beach long enough, you get used to traffic being part of daily life. Even the scenic roadways of Pacific Coast Highway, Jamboree Road, and the turns around Balboa Island have traffic. While you can get used to this traffic, you can’t get used to being in an accident or suffering a potentially severe, lingering back injury during such a collision. There is no way for a victim to prepare for the jarring, painfu... Read More

Negligent drivers in Southern California often cause car accidents that injure passengers by speeding, running red lights, failing to yield, or driving while distracted or impaired. These actions can lead to rear-end collisions, T-bone crashes, multi-vehicle pileups, and other dangerous accidents. Passengers who suffered an injury as a result may face significant medical bills, lost income, and other damages. The car accident lawyers at B... Read More

Drug-impaired driving is a growing problem in Southern California, contributing to a significant number of serious and fatal crashes each year. Drivers under the influence of drugs—whether marijuana, prescription medications, or illegal substances—often experience delayed reactions and poor judgment, making them more likely to cause collisions. Common accidents include rear-end impacts, head-on crashes, side-impact collisions at intersect... Read More

The question of whether it’s worth suing an uninsured driver is common, and the answer is: it depends. While you can legally sue an uninsured driver who causes an accident, the practical value of a lawsuit hinges on whether that person has assets or income to pay a court-ordered judgment. For many accident victims in Southern California, a lawsuit is not the only or even the best path to recovery. Fortunately, other options, such as your own i... Read More

Determining who is at fault in a car accident while changing lanes in California usually starts with the driver who made the move. In most situations, the driver who changes lanes has a legal responsibility to make sure the path is clear and it is safe to proceed. However, California law recognizes that fault is not always absolute, and other factors, such as the speed or attentiveness of the other driver, can play a significant role in the fi... Read More

Yes, in many cases, you are required by law to report a car accident to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This requirement is completely separate from calling 911 or having the police file a report at the scene. If the collision involved an injury, a fatality, or property damage that appears to be more than $1,000, you have a legal duty to file a special report. Knowing when and how to do this is key to protecting your rights ... Read More

Between 15% and 26% of California drivers are uninsured, according to a report from the Insurance Research Council. Some drivers, however, will not own up to being uninsured after an accident and instead provide fraudulent information. Often, it can take days to discover this deception, only raising the stakes for an insurance claim in the process. False information does not mean the other party is liable for their own damages, nor does it mea... Read More

Your night out in Newport Beach took a terrifying turn when a drunk driver hit your car on the way home. The driver had been drinking at a local bar or restaurant, clearly intoxicated before getting behind the wheel. Now you’re dealing with serious injuries, medical bills, and the stress of wondering if the place that served them can be responsible. California’s dram shop laws let people injured by drunk drivers hold alcohol-serving estab... Read More

The crash happened so quickly, you hardly had a chance to react. One moment, you drove attentively; the next, a distracted driver on their phone slammed into your car. Now you’re left with painful injuries, a damaged vehicle, and the stress of trying to piece your life back together, all because someone thought a text was worth more than your safety. Texting while driving causes countless accidents, and too often, victims are the ones lef... Read More

Tires are an important part of any car. They allow you to safely grip the road, turn corners, and stop. But what if a tire fails? A blowout or sudden tread separation can make you lose control, causing a dangerous crash. Defective tires sometimes result from mistakes made by the tire maker. However, many tire-related accidents happen because drivers do not care for their tires properly. This can include letting the treads get too thin or no... Read More

Roads should be safe for drivers. But sometimes, problems like potholes or debris lead to terrible crashes. If you have suffered an injury in a wreck caused by a road hazard, you might wonder who must pay for your medical bills or lost earnings. Figuring this out can be difficult, and there can be multiple people at fault. Maybe it is the city for not fixing a pothole or a construction business for leaving equipment on the street. Perhaps a... Read More

You might expect your insurance rates to rise when you're involved in a car accident. The degree of increase, however, depends on various factors like fault, the severity of the accident, and your driving history. Insurance companies calculate premiums based on perceived risk; an accident can make you seem like a greater risk to insure. You might not realize how significant these increases can be. However, a car accident lawyer can reduce t... Read More