Find The Best Car Accident Lawyer In Irvine (2025)

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Sarah Edwards

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Reviewed By Adam Ramirez, J.D.

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Summary

  • Irvine has hundreds of traffic crashes annually that cause injury or death
  • California crash victims can seek compensation from negligent drivers
  • A car accident lawyer in Irvine represents injured victims in their claims

Southern California roads are among the most congested in the country. Unfortunately, many drivers become impatient and reckless in heavy traffic instead of exercising greater care. These behaviors result in hundreds of crashes in Irvine that injure or kill motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.

California law gives injured people the right to recover compensation from those responsible for harming them. A car accident lawyer in Irvine helps crash victims pursue legal claims against negligent drivers and their insurers. ConsumerShield educates crash victims and helps them find legal representation. Contact us for a free case review and lawyer referral.

Read on to learn about car accident claims in California and the role a lawyer might play in your claim.

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How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost in Irvine, CA?

Car crash attorneys usually charge contingency fees. These fees depend on the outcome the lawyer produces. If they win or settle your case, your car accident lawyer fees will be a percentage of your compensation.

The average percentage for a contingency fee in California falls between 33.3% and 40%. However, you will see some variation in fees based on several factors, including the lawyer’s experience, the difficulty of the legal issues and the time your case will require.

How to Hire an Irvine, CA, Car Accident Attorney

Start your search for a lawyer by gathering names of reputable attorneys. You should ask friends and relatives whether they can recommend lawyers they have used. You can also contact a lawyer referral service such as ConsumerShield to recommend an attorney.

Make sure the lawyers on your list practice car accident law. Some lawyers limit their practices to particular types of cases. For example, a premises liability lawyer recommended by your cousin might not take car accident cases.

Arrange some free consultations. Try to meet with multiple lawyers so you can compare them. Different lawyers have varying backgrounds and experiences. The best lawyer for your case will have the right mix of legal knowledge and practical skills for your unique situation.

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Average Car Accident Settlement in Irvine, CA

The settlement you recover depends on many factors, including your losses and the at-fault driver’s insurance policy limits. Your losses include your medical costs and missed paychecks. More serious injuries will have a greater impact on your finances.

The typical car accident settlement amounts with injury are around $30,416. The minimum bodily injury liability coverage in California currently sits at $15,000 per victim. However, the state has passed a law to increase this minimum to $30,000 starting in 2025. This law will likely increase the average car crash settlement in California.

Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in California

You can expect to start your case by filing an insurance claim with the other driver’s insurer. You’ll include a description of the accident and supporting documents such as medical bills. The insurer will investigate the claim and determine whether to accept liability.

Your lawyer will negotiate a settlement if the insurer accepts the claim. However, insurers deny many claims. These are some possible grounds for denial:

  • The policy was not in effect during the accident.
  • The covered driver was not negligent.
  • Your injuries did not result from the accident.

You and your lawyer can submit additional evidence or present legal arguments to attempt to overcome a claim denial. You can also file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.

Free Car Accident Case Review

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How Does a Car Accident Lawsuit Work in Irvine?

A lawyer will start a lawsuit by filing a complaint against the at-fault driver. The complaint informs the other party and the court of the basis for the lawsuit. A lawyer for the other driver’s insurance company will file an answer to the complaint. In this answer, they will respond to the allegations in the complaint and raise any applicable defenses.

The next phase of litigation is discovery. The parties will gather evidence for their cases, including documents like medical records and witness testimony. Witnesses, including you and the other driver, may give depositions so the lawyers can preview your testimonies.

Trials are time-consuming and unpredictable, so the lawyers will attempt to settle the case and avoid trial.

If the case does not settle, both lawyers will present their case to a jury. Your lawyer has the burden of proving the other party’s liability. This means the jury must agree that your evidence establishes that the other driver acted negligently. If you fail to prove your case, the other party wins.

Conversely, the jury will award you money if it believes you made your case and overcame the defense’s arguments. This award will cover the economic and non-economic losses you suffered because of the other driver’s actions.

Types of Car Accident Cases in Irvine, CA

You can categorize car accident cases in many ways. For example, Irvine averaged 12 fatalities each year over the past three years. Fatal accidents are different from nonfatal injury accidents. After a fatal crash, the deceased person’s family can pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. After a nonfatal crash, the injured victim files a personal injury claim.

Another way to categorize car accident cases is by the victim. Car accidents can injure motorists, motorcyclists, pedestrians or bicyclists. While the same legal principles apply regardless of the victim’s identity, these cases will involve different factual issues.

Free Car Accident Case Review

Preparing Case Review Form. ConsumerShield is transforming the way consumers experience law.

Find a Car Accident Lawyer in Irvine With ConsumerShield

The compensation you recover for your car accident claim could depend on the lawyer you hire. ConsumerShield has extensive experience helping accident victims find lawyers for their cases. Contact us for a free case review and lawyer referral.

Car Accident Knowledge Base

Read the latest information on Car Accident and find answers to your questions. Currently there are 86 topics about Car Accident Claims.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Consider consulting an attorney when you have significant losses. For example, you may have suffered an injury that required expensive surgery or long-term therapy. You might have also experienced disabilities that prevent you from working. In these cases, a lawyer can fight insurers to assert your rights.

  • Your car accident lawyer may handle two aspects of your case. First, they can file your insurance claim against the at-fault driver’s policy. Second, they can litigate if the insurer denies your claim. Most accident claims get settled before they reach trial. However, your lawyer might start a lawsuit to pressure the insurer to negotiate.

  • Your lawyer can seek full compensation for your economic and non-economic losses. Economic losses encompass specific costs, such as medical expenses. They also include the income you could not earn due to missed work. Non-economic losses cover the reduction in your quality of life caused by pain, anguish and disability.

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