A car accident can be deeply traumatic, leaving you with a variety of damages from personal injuries to a lower quality of life. While filing a claim can seem legally complex or overwhelming, it is one of the ways to support your recovery by pursuing compensation for your losses. An Ontario car accident lawyer can help you file a claim against an at-fault driver, claiming the compensation you need and holding them accountable.
Why Choose the Gonzales Law Offices
With over a decade of experience, the Gonzales Law Offices have assisted thousands of Californians in filing a claim for their injuries. Our lawyers are knowledgeable about California’s car accident laws and are passionate about ensuring you feel confident and supported throughout this process. We know recovery can be difficult, and we can pursue increased compensation for your damages.
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Car accidents cause some of the most serious injuries and many deaths. In Ontario, there is a higher risk for accidents along I-10, where high speeds and rush hour traffic are common. Intersections, such as San Antonio St and G St, often have drivers failing to stop and issues determining right of way. In 2023, Ontario reported 941 crash victims who were injured or killed.
The leading causes of car accidents are human error, rather than factors such as environmental factors or vehicle malfunctions. Alcohol-impaired driving leads to 1,355 traffic fatalities in California, and speeding is another leading concern, being involved in 129 deadly or injury-causing crashes in Ontario alone. Regardless of what actions led to a car accident, an Ontario car accident lawyer can help you recover compensation for your damages.
Damages in a Car Accident Claim
Identifying what damages you have suffered as a result of a car accident is an essential step to receiving compensation. Compensation varies depending on the types of damages you have sustained and their severity. Your lawyer can ensure that your claim is comprehensive and estimate a fair award that reflects your losses. Some damages that can be included in a claim include:
Medical costs. Physical injuries often require expensive procedures, treatments, medications, and other medical expenses. Compensation can cover your medical costs, allowing you to receive necessary care.
Property damage. Vehicles, bicycles, clothing, personal electronics, and other personal property can all be damaged during a car accident. The cost of repairing or replacing this property can be covered by compensation.
Lost wages. Taking time off from work can mean missing out on income you and others rely on. If you have missed wages due to your recovery or medical appointments, compensation can include the amount of income you lost.
Pain and suffering. Physical and emotional suffering is a common damage after a car crash. Severe pain, psychological disorders, stress, or the crash’s impact on your overall well-being can impact the amount of compensation you receive.
Long-term impact. Car accidents can have long-term or permanent impacts on your life, such as causing a disability, limiting your earning potential, or requiring ongoing medical care. A lawyer can examine your case and include expected future costs in a compensation claim.
Why Hire a Car Accident Lawyer
Trying to navigate filing a claim without a skilled lawyer can be overwhelming and increase the risk of not receiving the compensation you deserve. An experienced Ontario car accident lawyer can help you by:
Explaining California’s car accident laws
Gathering evidence to determine who is at fault
Gathering evidence about the scope and severity of your damages
Since 2007, Mark has represented injured clients across Southern California in car, motorcycle, and truck accidents, traumatic brain injuries, wrongful death, and premises liability. His time in insurance defense gives him inside perspective he uses to help clients take on powerful carriers. He has recovered over a million dollars for clients in difficult cases.
Bar: State Bar of California
Affiliations: CAALA, LACBA
Education: University of La Verne College of Law
Offices: Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino, Ontario
Free Consultation No Fees Unless We Win Se Habla Español
Is California an At-Fault State for Car Accidents?
Yes, California is an at-fault state for car accidents. This means the person at fault for a car accident is liable for damages, rather than the victim’s own insurance. Being an at-fault state can support victims by allowing them to file for compensation for additional factors such as pain or suffering. To receive compensation, you should hire a car accident lawyer who can identify who is at fault and help you file a claim.
What Are Insurance Companies’ Three D’s in Insurance Claims?
The three D’s are the strategies used by some insurance companies to minimize or prevent payouts, and are delay, deny, and defend. Delaying involves dragging out the claims process with trivial procedures or investigations. Denying involves originally denying a claim entirely. Defending involves using aggressive defense strategies in court. A lawyer can challenge these strategies, preventing insurance companies from making it overly difficult to receive compensation.
Can You File a Claim if You Share Fault for a Car Accident?
Yes, if you share fault, you can file a claim against the other at-fault party. Ontario, California uses a pure comparative negligence system for car accidents, which assigns a percentage of fault to each party. If you have partial fault for an accident, you can file a claim for damages, but your compensation can be reduced by the percentage of fault you have. For example, if you are 50% at fault, you can receive 50% less compensation.
When Should You Contact a Car Accident Lawyer?
You should contact an Ontario Car accident lawyer as soon as it is safe and practical to do so. While receiving medical attention and ensuring your safety is the first step, speaking with a lawyer as soon as possible allows them to recover evidence from the accident and represent you when communicating with the at-fault party and law enforcement. Having a lawyer early in this process also allows enough time to file a claim within the two-year statute of limitations.
Learn How an Ontario Car Accident Attorney Can Help You File a Claim
An experienced car crash lawyer can help you throughout each step of a claim. Whether gathering evidence from an accident scene, calculating the cost of your damages, or advocating for you during negotiations or in the courtroom, a lawyer improves the likelihood of receiving a favorable outcome. Contact Gonzales Law Offices to learn how a skilled car accident attorney can assist you during your car crash recovery.
Ontario Car Accident Lawyer Reviews
★★★★★
“Here’s the thing, after my accident, I didn’t know what to do. They guided me step by step and ensured I understood everything. Their attention to detail and patience really stood out. To be fair, I felt like they cared about me as a person, not just a case.” – Eugene Fuller
★★★★★
“If I’m honest, I used to think legal help would be super intimidating, but this team changes my mind . They were approachable, understanding , and made everything manageable. I could focus on recovering while they handled the rest.” – Nikhil Rajput
★★★★★
“Guess what, they settled my case faster than I imagined! Friendly team and great service. I’d definitely recommend them to anyone looking for quick help.” – Clayton Miranda
I could not be more happy with the help Mark Gonzales provided. He was there for me every step of the way. He explained each step in a way that was easy for me to understand. He was available to me when ever I had a concern. His staff made me feel like I was family. I highly recommend Mark to anyone who needs legal help!
Robert R.
Mark helped me recover all my expenses due to my car accident. The insurance company tried to slow the process and doubted that I was even injured. Mark fought for me and gave me peace of mind. I felt like I had an army on my side since his staff worked tirelessly for me. They got the insurance company off my back and helped me get back on my feet faster than I expected.
April F.
Mark did a fantastic job for me when I slipped in a restaurant. I owner had the nerve to claim it was my heels, when clearly the floor was damaged and caused me to fall. He tried to make himself look like the victim of a scam. Mark put an end to that real fast. He took control of everything for me. He helped me get my medical costs paid as well as compensation for the lost time at work.
Dottie F.
The Law Office of Mark Gonzales was a smooth experience people were great and professional !! I would recommend them to anyone and if I ever need an injury attorney again I will definitely come back. THANK YOU.
Vanessa M.
The people working here are very nice and helped make a bad experience better. They made the process go smoothly and were always willing to help and answer my questions. The attorney was very personable and willing to help. The office makes sure you are comfortable and that you understand the process. I highly recommend them.
Elizabeth R.
I would like to thank the attorney Mark Gonzalez and his staff for the prompt results representing my family with our case, I would highly recommend his office, thank you in advance.
Jose G.
I want to highly recommend the lawyer Mark Gonzalez due to his great work. He took my case and won it even though another lawyer had said it was a lost case. Very friendly environment especially with the secretary at the front desk. Thank you!
Marelena R.
Mr. Gonzales did an amazing job in solving my case. I was feeling helpless and all hope lost, but him and his staff got me through it. I wouldn’t consider any other attorney than Mr. Gonzales himself. 100% recommended!
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