Orange County RV Accident Lawyer

Recreational Vehicle Accidents

Recreational vehicles are a staple on U.S. highways, and it’s easy to see the appeal for many travelers. Enough room for a large traveling party, somewhere to cook, and sleeping arrangements without checking into a hotel make an RV a popular choice. But these “gentle giants” of the road can be deceptively dangerous, and if you’re involved in a collision with one, you could be injured much worse than the occupants of the RV. If the unthinkable happens and you are involved in a collision with an RV, an Orange County RV accident lawyer can help ensure that you receive the compensation you’re entitled to.

Injuries Sustained from an RV Accident Can Be Life-Changing

The sheer size difference between an RV and a passenger car often means that the occupants of the RV emerge from a crash with just a few bruises while the passenger car occupants are seriously harmed. An RV can weigh up to 10,000 pounds, easily three or four times the weight of a passenger vehicle. With that much extra weight, the force of the collision is greater than that of two regular cars colliding.

Injuries in an RV accident are similar to those of any other traffic collision, but the risk of catastrophic harm is much higher. You and your passengers may suffer:

• Broken bones and fractures, including broken ribs
• Soft tissue injuries like sprains, strains, or torn muscles
• Contusions and deep bruising
• Facial injuries, like broken or missing teeth, orbital damage, or a broken nose
• Lacerations from flying glass and debris
• Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries.

Unfortunately, many people who are in an RV wreck suffer multiple injuries. Healing can be slow and painful, and you may require surgery or physical therapy to recover. Some people may be temporarily or permanently disabled or be unable to walk after the wreck.

Your injuries could preclude you from continuing in the same line of work you were in before your accident, which could impact your family’s finances. You may be unable to enjoy the activities you once used to, or you may even be unable to live independently or take care of the activities of daily living on your own.

The RV driver who caused the accident could be held liable for the injuries you sustained and legally obligated to provide compensation for your losses and medical bills. Ask an experienced RV accident lawyer in Orange County about your legal options.

Common Causes of Recreational Vehicle Accidents

RV Collisions Can Be More Dangerous than You Think

Did you know that RV drivers in California aren’t required to hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL)? A basic Class C driver’s license in California permits drivers to operate a three-axle vehicle weighing up to 6,000 pounds or a 40-foot house trailer — these specifications include many models of recreational vehicles.

However, driving an RV is more difficult than driving a regular car. Most have a higher center of gravity than even a large SUV or pickup truck, and they’re much longer and less easily maneuverable than a passenger car or truck. The vehicles need a wider berth to turn and have much larger blind spots than other vehicles.

Many RV drivers may underestimate the challenges of driving an RV, which is why our RV accident lawyers see so many accident cases each year. You can stay safer when sharing the road with these vehicles by knowing the usual causes of RV accidents:

• Inexperience: Many drivers may not realize how long it takes to learn how to safely operate the vehicle.
• Distraction: Activity in the living quarters, texting, or eating and driving can cause the driver to lose focus.
• Not checking blind spots: The nature of an RV makes the blind spots larger and more dangerous.
• Miscalculating stops and turns: The vehicle needs a longer distance to stop and more room to make a turn.
• Driving under the influence: Drivers who are drinking or using drugs are dangerous on the road.
• A malfunctioning or poorly repaired vehicle: These can break down suddenly and cause a collision.

Remember that some RV drivers may be driving an oversized vehicle for the first time or be unfamiliar with how the vehicle handles. They may be more focused on that than anything else on the road — including your car. One of the first things your RV accident lawyer will do is determine the cause of the accident in order to properly assign liability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Orange County RV Accident Lawyers Answer Your Questions

The moments and days after an RV accident can be confusing and chaotic. You’re likely full of questions — here are the answers to some of the most common concerns our clients have.

How Much Is My RV Accident Case Worth?

Each case is different — and we seek the maximum amount in your case. Cases in which someone is permanently disabled or has a catastrophic injury that keeps them from working will be worth much more than an accident resulting in superficial damage.

The Insurance Company Offered Me a Settlement. Why Do I Need an RV Accident Attorney?

The other driver’s insurance company is interested in settling the case for as little as possible as quickly as possible. They do not have your interests at heart and will likely minimize the damages. Your motorhome accident lawyers fight to prove that you are hurt as badly as you claim and make sure that you get what is fair.

What Should I Say When the Insurance Adjuster Calls Me?

Nothing! Despite what the other party’s insurance adjuster says (they might say they have to have a statement from you for their records), you don’t have any obligation to talk to them. Let your lawyer handle the conversation — that way, the insurance adjustor can’t use what you say as proof that you were partially to blame for the accident.

I Think I Might Have Contributed to the Accident. Can I Still File an RV Accident Lawsuit?

Yes! California pure comparative negligence accident laws permit a plaintiff (the victim) to collect damages even if they had some blame for the accident. Your settlement, however, is reduced by the percentage of the blame for the accident the judge determines you bear.

My Family Member Died Because of an RV Accident. Can I File a Suit Against the Driver that Caused It?

Yes, a personal injury lawyer can file a wrongful death lawsuit on your family’s behalf. You would be entitled to damages similar to those in an accident lawsuit. Call our law firm and we can guide you through this painful process.

These may not be your only questions; our attorneys will discuss your specific concerns in your initial consult.

What Kind of Compensation Can My RV Accident Lawyer in Orange County Get Me?

Why Choose Neale & Fhima?

If the other driver is at fault for the collision, they are also liable for any injuries you suffered and for your losses, both financial and non-economic. However, their insurance company may be unwilling to pay you a fair settlement covering economic, non-economic, and possibly punitive damages. As your lawyers, we will file a suit to recover everything you’re entitled to.

Economic damages in your case are the quantifiable losses you suffered, such as:

• Medical bills and emergency care, like a hospital stay
• Follow-up doctor’s appointments
• Physical therapy
• Surgery and recovery
• Property damage to your vehicle
• Wages from time missed at work due to your injuries.

You are also entitled to noneconomic damages. It’s difficult to put a dollar amount on the pain and suffering you feel from your accident injuries, but your pain and the diminished quality of life you experience as a result are worth something.

Noneconomic damages can include:

• Your pain and suffering from the injuries and healing
• Emotional trauma or mental anguish — many people develop PTSD or anxiety after a crash
• Disfigurement or scarring
• Diminished quality of life or loss of enjoyment in your usual activities.

In some cases, RV accident attorneys may also request punitive damages in the case. If, for example, we discover that the accident was caused because there was a manufacturing flaw in the RV that made it unsafe, we could name the manufacturer of the RV as a defendant in the case. Alternatively, perhaps the mechanic who fixed the RV had a history of cutting corners. They could be named as defendants and punitive damages may be awarded.

Punitive damages are a form of financial punishment and act as a deterrent for others who are tempted to take similar shortcuts that put the safety of other people at risk.

Have You Or a Loved One Been Involved in a Southern California RV Accident?

Contact An Orange County RV Accident Lawyer Today!

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a crash with a recreational vehicle, trust our RV accident attorneys to help you through the process of filing a claim. We negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf and will fight hard in a trial against the at-fault driver.