Huntington Beach Injury and Accident Lawyers

Why Huntington Beach Chooses DK Law

As a popular coastal city, Huntington Beach experiences its share of car accidents, from busy intersections along Beach Boulevard to crowded summer traffic near Pacific Coast Highway.

If you were injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to recover financial compensation. Whether you were hurt in a fall, crash, or another type of accident, DK Law is ready to help.

Our personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, so we don’t charge any fees unless we win your case. You can reach us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—we’re here when you need us most. Call us now to schedule a free consultation.

Huntington Beach Accident Statistics

Huntington Beach is a bustling city in Orange County, boasting miles of Pacific Coast Highway frontage and a population of over 190,000, making it one of the most popular destinations in the region. With so many residents, visitors, and vehicles on the road, traffic accidents in Huntington Beach are unfortunately all too common.

A car accident can change someone’s life in an instant. Regardless of the type of accident (motorcycle, bike, pedestrian), the aftermath is devastating. In 2019, the city experienced the following:

• 18 car accident fatalities
• 27 vehicles were involved in fatal accidents
• 6 fatal accidents involving intoxicated driving
• 8 pedestrians were involved in fatal accidents

If you or a family member were injured in a car accident in Huntington Beach, please don’t delay seeking legal representation. Delaying the process will only hurt your accident claim. In addition, you are limited by the CA statute of limitations to file a claim.

Dangerous Roads and Intersections

When to Hire an Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been in an accident, there are certain signs that it may be time to hire a personal injury lawyer to ensure your rights are protected and you’re treated fairly. You may want to consult with a lawyer if:

• Your injuries are serious or require long-term medical treatment
• It’s unclear who is at fault for the accident
• The other party is denying responsibility
• The insurance company is offering less than your claim is worth, or denying it outright

At DK Law, our experienced accident lawyers will carefully review the details of your case and work hard to ensure you receive maximum compensation.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?

In California, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim.

However, there are exceptions. If your injury wasn’t immediately apparent, the “discovery rule” may apply, allowing you to file a claim starting from the date you discovered the injury or when you reasonably should have discovered it.

It’s important to file your claim within this time window, as waiting too long could prevent you from getting the compensation you deserve. Reaching out to a personal injury lawyer early can help you stay on track with all the important deadlines. At DK Law, we will ensure all deadlines are met and that your case is resolved in a timely manner.

How Fault Is Determined in Accident Cases

Determining who is legally at fault after an accident is one of the most important parts of any personal injury case. In California, proving fault usually comes down to the concept of negligence—when someone fails to act with the level of care a reasonable person would in the same situation.

To establish negligence, four key elements must be proven:

Duty of Care

Everyone has a basic duty of care to others, meaning they are responsible for acting in a way that doesn’t cause harm. For example, every driver has a legal responsibility to follow traffic laws and operate their vehicle safely.

Breach of Duty of Care

A breach occurs when someone fails to uphold their duty of care. For example, a driver breaches their duty of care when they engage in reckless behaviors like texting while driving or speeding.

Causation

Causation is the connection between the breach of duty and the injury. It must be shown that the breach directly caused the accident and your injuries.

Damages

Damages refer to the physical, emotional, and financial harm you’ve suffered as a result of the accident. This includes medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, or any other type of injury you sustained.

How Comparative Negligence Affects Compensation

In California, even if you’re partially at fault for the accident, you can still pursue damages. Under the state’s comparative negligence law, each party is held responsible for their portion of the fault.

For example, if your total damages amount to $120,000 and you’re found to be 10% responsible, you could still recover 90% of the total, or $108,000. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you prove liability and recover full and fair compensation for your losses.

Common Injuries: From Minor Bruises to Serious Spine Injuries

Here are some of the most common injuries people suffer from accidents:

• Broken bones – Fractures and broken bones often require casts, surgery, or long recovery periods.
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) – A TBI can lead to long-term problems with memory, mood, coordination, and other brain functions.
• Spinal cord injury – Damage to the spine can cause partial or full paralysis. Serious spinal injuries often require long-term medical care and rehabilitation.
• Whiplash – Whiplash occurs when the head is suddenly jerked forward and back and can lead to pain and limited movement.
• Soft tissue injuries – These kinds of injuries involve damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons, such as sprains, strains, and deep bruising.

At DK Law, our Huntington Beach accident attorneys are dedicated to helping clients recover the compensation they deserve for these injuries, including hospital bills, treatment, medication, and physical therapy. We’ll also support your recovery by connecting you with top medical professionals.

What Your Personal Injury Claim May Cover

After being injured in an accident caused by another person’s negligence, you could be eligible for compensation. There are different types of recoverable damages, including:

• Medical bills – This includes all injury-related expenses caused by the accident, such as emergency room visits, surgeries, medications, and long-term care needs like physical therapy or rehabilitation. Future medical costs, such as ongoing treatments, may also be included in your compensation.
• Loss of wages – If your injuries caused you to miss work, you may be able to recover the income you lost during your recovery. This can also cover future lost earnings if your ability to work is reduced or permanently affected.
• Pain and suffering – These are known as non-economic damages and refer to the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident. This can include anxiety, depression, trauma, or loss of enjoyment of life.
• Punitive damages – Punitive damages are meant to punish the at-fault party for reckless or intentionally harmful behavior. They are awarded in cases where the conduct was especially outrageous or egregious.
• Property damage – If personal property was damaged in the incident, such as a vehicle, clothing, phone, or other belongings, you may be compensated for the cost to repair or replace those items.
• Loss of consortium – This refers to the effect your injuries have had on your relationship with a spouse or partner. It includes loss of companionship, affection, support, or intimacy as a result of the accident.

Dealing With Insurance Companies

Insurance companies have their own methods for deciding who’s at fault in an accident, but those methods often shift the blame onto the victim. By doing this, they reduce how much they have to pay out. While settling without a lawsuit can sometimes speed things up, insurers often use this opportunity to make lowball offers that don’t come close to covering the full extent of your damages.

Some cases take longer, especially when the injuries are severe or life-altering, like those involving surgeries, long-term care, or even amputations. That’s why it’s so important to have a personal injury lawyer who knows how to handle even the toughest situations.

At DK Law, we’ve successfully represented clients in serious injury cases, maintaining a 99% success rate and recovering over $500 million in settlements and verdicts.

What To Do Immediately After an Accident

The moments after an accident can be overwhelming, but taking the right steps early on can protect your health, your rights, and your ability to recover compensation. Here’s what you should do right away:

Call the Police

No matter how minor the accident seems, it’s important to contact the police and have them file an official police report. 

Exchange Information

Always exchange contact and insurance details with the other parties involved. This includes names, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance information. If there are witnesses nearby, try to get their contact information as well.

Collect Evidence

Take photos or videos of everything at the scene—the vehicles, property damage, injuries, street signs, and road conditions. Evidence collected at the scene can be key in determining fault and proving your case. A personal injury attorney can help you gather compelling evidence to build your claim.

Seek Medical Attention

Even if you don’t feel hurt right away, it’s essential to see a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries take time to appear, and having medical records that link your injuries to the accident is key to any injury claim. Your health should always come first.

Call a Personal Injury Attorney

Before you speak to insurance adjusters or sign anything, contact a trusted personal injury attorney. At DK Law, we help protect your rights from day one, guide you through the process, and fight to recover the compensation you deserve.

The DK Law Difference

At DK Law, our top priority is ensuring you can recover to a state of well-being physically, mentally, and financially. Our legal team works tirelessly to fulfill each client’s unique needs. This also includes:

• 24/7 client support
• Working on contingency and not charging any upfront fees
• Dedicated case managers who facilitate every step in the claims process
• Free case evaluation to get started

Our proven strategies have amounted to a 99% success rate, while our commitment to our clients has resulted in accolades from the most respected legal organizations in our industry. DK Law has been honored with awards from the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys, the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys, and many more.