Fullerton Car Accident Lawyers Advise Accident Victims Not to Neglect Their Rights

Fullerton in Orange County, California continues to have its share of car crashes. If you are unlucky enough to be in a car collision, most Fullerton car accident lawyers strongly recommend that you consult an experienced lawyer to protect your rights under California law.

CHP Car Accident Statistics are Alarming

According to data from the California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), in 2006, there were seven auto accident deaths in Fullerton and 760 traffic accident-related injuries. Motorcycle accidents killed two and injured 38. DUI collisions took their toll, accounting for three fatalities and 69 injuries. One pedestrian was killed and 45 were injured in city car collisions.

A Car Accident Lawyer Can Ensure Just Compensation for All Your Losses

Many accident victims will often let their emotions rule their thinking and will lash out at the driver who may have caused the accident by filing a "revenge lawsuit." The problem with these lawsuits is that they call for a major investment in time, money and emotion. They also distract crash victims from their main goal--compensation for their losses and inconvenience. The wise thing to do is to first consult an experienced car collision lawyer. By negotiating on your behalf, they can resolve the major issues that will save you considerable time and money in the long run.

A skilled car crash attorney can make sure you are compensated for all your losses, not just medical costs or vehicle repairs. As most Fullerton car accident lawyers will tell you, as a car accident victim, you have many additional rights, including the right to be reimbursed for lost wages even if you use sick time. You also have the right to recover any expenses while your vehicle was being repaired or replaced.

Letting Insurance Companies Handle Everything May Not be Wise

It is not always best to allow insurance companies to handle everything. This is a mistake made by many car crash victims. They think that legal representation is too expensive, when the opposite it true. Many personal injury law firms offer free initial consultations and take their fees only after they have negotiated a settlement with various insurance entities. Insurance companies, on the other hand, have no obligation to look out for your interests. Their main goal is to limit the compensation amounts to an absolute minimum.

If you get in a car accident, there are many car crash lawyers in Fullerton who can help you. Try to find one who has the experience, track record, and credentials to fight for your rights. Remember too, that as an advocate on your behalf, you want someone who is both experienced and respected in the legal community.

How to Avoid Getting Speeding Tickets

There are many things you should and should not do if your unfortunate enough to be stopped by a law enforcement officer for a traffic violation. This article by no means is meant to replace the advice of an attorney or representative of the court or law enforcement agency whom stopped you. It is simply a guide from a couple who has over 25 years of experience in law enforcement.

The Initial Traffic Stop

The first bit of advice we have to offer is after you get pulled over do not make any sudden moves that may lead the police officer to believe you are trying to hide something or retrieving a weapon to hurt the police officer. There will be plenty of time to assemble your driver's license and proof of insurance after the officer makes contact with you. After you have made contact with the police officer always act as if you do not know what you did (unless you have a very, very good explanation like "My wife is in labor" or "I am being chased by armed terrorist"). If you choose one of these explanations make sure you either have a pregnant woman in the vehicle with you or there are armed terrorist nearby.

The Interrogation

When inquiring as to why you were stopped, do not go overboard. Let the officer explain to you why you have been stopped. Most importantly, do not argue or get an attitude with the police officer as this will surely ensure that you will get a traffic violation and a hefty one at that. Police officers in most states somewhat have discretion as what they will write you a ticket for. For example, let's say that you were pulled over for driving 70 mph in a posted 45 mph zone. If you have a pretty good driving record but the officer feels you still need to be ticketed, if you were cooperative and polite the officer might only write a ticket for 5 mph over the speed limit instead of a ticket for 20 mph over the speed limit which ultimately means a lower fee you have to pay and less points on your license. If you still feel that you need to voice your unhappiness and feel that you have been pulled over unjustly, calmly explain your reasons to the police officer.

Driving License Status

When asked about your current driver license status or past driving record DO NOT LIE. Police officers may not be rocket scientists but they do have access to law enforcement computers that interface with national crime computers that access your driver license status and any current and past violations. This rings true for out-of-state travelers also. For example, if you live in Tennessee and are traveling in Michigan and get pulled over, police dispatchers can run you through national computers that interface with other state's computers and any extraditable warrants (felony warrants) and your driving status from your home state will be displayed. Bottom line, getting caught lying just irritates cops and causes them to think you are trying to hide something. Not all police officers are traffic violation ticket writing robots and may consider writing you a lesser violation (as discussed earlier) or release you with a warning that does not go into any record, cost you any money, and does not put points on you driver's license if you are simply just honest with him/her