Car Accident Injury
$3,600,000
Head-On Car Accident Injury
$3,600,000
Serious head-on car accident, client was making a left turn with the light in an intersection. Other driver claimed they had green light; Multiple serious and life-changing injuries to our client, that required multiple surgeries.
Passenger in a Rideshare Car Accident
$1.4 Million
Passenger in a Taxi Accident
$1.4 Million
Our client was a passenger in a taxi when the cab driver had an accident. Our client suffered serious back injuries and ultimately had extensive back surgery. In addition to settlement we negotiated a substantial six figure reduction in her associated medical bills allowing her to keep more for recovery.
Rear End Accident Injury
High 6 Figures
Rear End Accident Injury
High 6 Figures
Rear end accidents usually result in neck and back injuries among other complications. It is not unusual for symptoms from these injuries to take weeks or months to become noticeable. This is why it is important to see a trauma doctor within 24 to 48 hours of any impact accident.
The 4 Most Important Things to Know If You Are Injured in a Car Accident:
- You need to see a trauma physician within 24 to 48 hours of the accident, even if you think you are uninjured. (Many injuries actually take days or weeks to show any symptoms.) If not, the insurance company can and will deny your otherwise valid personal injury claim.
- Do not speak with the insurance adjuster until you have spoken with Rivers Morrell. Adjusters are highly trained interrogators who have one job: pay the absolute minimum possible on your personal injury claim.
- Call Rivers Morrell, a personal injury attorney with more than 40 years of proven, successful experience for a free and substantive consultation at (949) 305-1400.
- According to the IRS and the Insurance Research Institute itself those who are represented by an experienced personal injury attorney (like Rivers Morrell) will receive more than three to five times more than those without a lawyer.
Contact the Law Firm of Rivers Morrell
3 Most Common Questions We Are Asked About a Car Accident Personal Injury Claim:
- Do I have a case? Answer: After more than 40 years of experience I can tell you the vast majority of those who have asked me that question absolutely do have a case.
If you were injured in a car accident as a passenger you will almost always have a valid personal injury claim.
- Why do I need an attorney to handle my personal injury claim? Answer: the IRS and the Insurance Institute (insurance industry) will both report you will receive several times 4 to 5 times more with an attorney. The insurance company’s initial offer is often less than 10% of what they ultimately pay our clients.
What is the strategy of insurance company representatives? Answer: Look like heroes fixing your car to gain your trust and get you to take hundreds of thousands less when it really matters! The insurance representatives work hard to over-achieve on your property damage / car repair claim (less than 10% of what they will ultimately pay out). They’re trying to gain your trust so they can apply leverage where it really counts: the highest portion of the amount the insurance company will pay, your personal injury claim (90+ percent of what they owe you for what has happened). Most expert authorities report you will receive up to 5 to 10 times more when you are represented by an experienced attorney.
- What is my injury claim actually worth? Answer: Much more than the insurance company will ever offer.
Insurance companies always offer a fraction of what your claim is really worth at the outset. This is why you need an attorney.
The amount of the claim will be based on the amount of available coverage to cover all of your past, present and future medical bills and expenses, lost wages from missing work, modifications to your home or vehicle, as well as full, fair and just compensation for having to endure your injuries, recovery, and the impact they will have on your life in the future.
Actual Case Example: Broken Ribs
Original Insurance Offer: $3,450
Our Client Received: $147,000
Many cases, such as broken ribs, simply don’t require a lot of medical treatment or generate substantial medical bills. In fact, broken ribs are often allowed to mend without being set and the primary prescription in these cases is plenty of rest and regular ice application.Insurance adjusters will use the seemingly low medical bills to offer a much lower amount than our clients are owed under the policy, and the law. Their original offer in this case was literally $3,450.00.
The pain of broken ribs and recovery from these types of injuries is, in the words of our client, “terrible…awful.” Our clients have often told us “it hurts to breathe, let alone move, get dressed, cough or even laugh.” Suffering broken ribs in a car accident will usually result in the patient missing a lot of work, as well as the activities of their life. This results in not only significant lost wages, but missed experiences and time in the lives of your children, family, friends, and loved ones.
When you suffer injuries in a motor vehicle accident due to someone else’s negligence, their insurance policy should cover your past, present and future medical bills as well as compensation for missing work and having to endure the process of suffering your injuries and the process of recovery.
What Should You Do After a Car Accident?
Why do you need our firm to represent you after any collision?
Actual case: Individual hit from behind at a full stop on the highway by a car traveling 50+ MPH at impact. This individual refused to hire an attorney.
Injury Settlement: $0
He told everyone he felt “ok,” and thought he was just shaken up a bit after the accident. He did not hire an injury attorney. He did not go to a doctor, and went to work the next day. 3 weeks later he was flat on his back unable to get out of bed, severe tears in the discs of his back and neck among other injuries.
He received no personal injury settlement, as the insurance company said “you told everyone including us, you were ok. You went on with your normal life. You must’ve hurt yourself somewhere else, and are trying to pin it on the car accident.”
There was no settlement to pay for the years of subsequent medical bills, lost time from work or to compensate him for having to suffer and endure the painful injuries, loss of mobility, permanent medical issues and all associated bills.
Actual case: Our client had a glass of wine in the hours before the accident and tested 0.08 at the scene, after being hit head-on at speed by a person who ran a red light and turned left. She suffered severe injuries.
Injury Settlement: $3.6 Million
The insurance company tried to claim it was a DUI; The original offer from the insurance company was less than 10% of what they had to pay.
Ultimately, after multiple surgeries and permanent injury, we achieved a $3.6 million settlement to compensate her for her past, present and future bills, and the impact her injuries will have upon her life.
The IRS has found those who hire a personal injury attorney receive 5 to 10 times more than those who represent themselves in personal injury cases.
Actual case: Our client was seriously injured when a car pulled out in front of his motorcycle.
Injury Settlement: $1.265 Million
“I wasn’t sure if I needed an attorney, but my pastor’s wife explained it to me in her own personal experience, because of her brother’s business (personal injury attorney in another state) that you don’t want to go against Goliath and be a David. You really need to have somebody in your corner that can take on the giant that is these insurance companies and these hospitals and medical insurance company corporations.
It’s not just the insurance company… but it’s everybody else involved in it as well. Your hospitals,…
You have so many different people who want to come after you to pay for fees for all the services that are rendered for your injuries, your hospital stay, your medical coverage. Everybody wants a piece of that.
It Doesn’t Cost You Anything to Learn How to Protect Your Valid Personal Injury Claim, and How to Handle Yourself After a Serious Car Accident.
Call today for a free consultation,
speak with Rivers Morrell personally at (949) 305-1400.
Insurance adjusters have one job: get you to accept the lowest possible settlement for your injuries. I know. I worked for the car insurance companies for the first several years of my career. I know their strategies and how they work to protect their profits.
This experience drove me to dedicate my work to represent those who were injured and to protect their legal rights and financial interests. I work not only to hold insurance companies responsible to the extent of policy coverage, I work with medical providers to negotiate lower fees so that you are able to keep as much of your injury settlement as possible. This provides the maximum amount of money for you to recover from your injuries and move forward with your life.
Car Accident and Injury Information Hub:
Car Accident and Injury Lawyer Near Me in Orange County California
Car Accident and Injury Lawyer Near Irvine
When a Child is Injured in a Car Accident
What to Do if you are Injured in a Car Accident
What to do as a Passenger Injured in a Car Accident
Dealing With Insurance After a Car Accident
Why Should You See a Doctor Within 24 to 48 Hours of Any Motor Vehicle Collision in California
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Highly Recommended by Former Clients and the Legal Industry
The trial and case experience of your car accident injury attorney will have a significant impact on the amount you will receive from the insurance company when you are injured in a car accident.
Insurance companies offer the lowest amounts possible to settle a case and do not have your best interests in mind.
If you have been involved in any collision, regardless of how minor you think it might have been, you need to see an urgent care or trauma physician within 24 to 48 hours of the accident or you may not be able to file an enforceable personal injury insurance claim.
Many injuries can take weeks or even months before you experience symptoms. If you don’t see a doctor within 48 hours your otherwise valid personal injury claim can and will be rejected by the insurance company.
Rivers Morrell is an experienced and proven car accident injury attorney based in Mission Viejo Laguna Niguel and Irvine for over 40 years. Serving all of Orange County, Los Angeles and the Inland Empire, Mr. Morrell is highly respected by insurance companies, his peers, the legal industry and his clients alike.
You need to speak with Rivers Morrell before talking with the insurance adjuster and absolutely before giving any sort of statement. There is no cost to you for a free and substantive consultation.
“That phone call was the difference between hundreds of thousands of dollars and years of suffering without the ability to pay for medical treatment.” – A. Porter
or Call for a Free Consultation Today
(949)305-1400
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Passengers Almost Always Have a Valid Personal Injury Claim in Southern California
Injured passengers almost always have a valid personal injury claim. If you have been injured as a passenger in a car accident, motorcycle accident or a rideshare you need the experienced, proven counsel of Rivers Morrell.
There are many car accidents that result in injury here in Southern California every day. If you were injured as a driver or passenger, or lost a loved one in a fatal auto accident in Orange County or anywhere in Southern California, make sure you have a proven, experienced attorney protecting your rights. The Law Firm of Rivers J. Morrell, III, has more than 40 years of experience providing the best representation to help you recover full compensation through skillful settlement negotiations or in a court of law, if trial becomes necessary.
There is no cost to you out of pocket as we work on a contingency fee basis, and you can speak with an experienced car accident injury lawyer for a free consultation by calling (949)305-1400. If you are too injured to visit our office we will come to you.
Contact Rivers Morrell personally to learn more more and get answers to all of your questions based upon 40 years of personal injury trials and settlements.
or Call for a Free Consultation Today
(949)305-1400
What are the Leading Causes of a Mission Viejo or Laguna Niguel Car Accident
The area encompassing Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, Laguna Beach, San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente is a busy Orange County corridor and unfortunately there are thousands of car accidents each year which result in injury or loss of life. Mission Viejo is located along Interstate 5 or the I-5 corridor in southern Orange County which touches the 73 toll at its southernmost point and Foothill Transportation Corridor Toll Road or the 241 in the North. The busiest streets in Mission Viejo include:
Crown Valley Parkway (Near our Office)- Marguerite Parkway
- Oso Parkway
- La Paz Road
- Alicia Parkway
- Jeronimo Road
- Felipe Road / Olympiad Road
The most recent reports provided by the California Highway Patrol show the leading causes of a Mission Viejo or Laguna Niguel area car accident include but are not limited to:
- Unsafe Speed
- Intersections and Turns
- Improper Lane Change
- Failure to Observe Traffic Lights and Signs
- Failure to Yield the Right of Way
The most recent “California’s Annual Report” published by the California Office of Traffic Safety alcohol and driving under the influence is still a factor in more than 25% of fatal traffic accidents across California and here in Mission Viejo. Distracted driving and the use of a cell phone as well as accidents at intersections remain the greatest causes of concern for Mission Viejo drivers.
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(949)305-1400
Mission Viejo Car Accident at an Intersection
One of the major sources of a Mission Viejo car accident involves intersections and left hand turns. Intersections represent the greatest risk to Mission Viejo drivers, especially when a car, truck or motorcycle is making a left turn. There are a variety of reasons why collisions occur at Mission Viejo intersection, but the primary causes are speed and the failure to properly yield the right of way. Accidents at an intersection involve tremendous forces to one of the least protected areas of most cars: the side.
Side impacts unleash severe forces on the spine and neck as the body violently shifts during impact. The resulting damage to discs which are designed to protect your vertebrae may not actually present symptoms for several weeks. We have had several clients over the years who basically felt ok after the initial accident, but were bedridden within a few weeks due to damage to the discs in their back or other soft tissue injury.
Head injury may occur as you come in contact with side supports, windows or other obstructions within the car. Many Mission Viejo accident victims never lose consciousness yet suffer a mild brain injury which can take weeks or months to fully understand and diagnose. The primary take away is this: visit the ER, urgent care or your primary physician within 24 to 48 hours of any car accident – especially if you think you are uninjured.
It is best to establish a medical baseline and make sure you are genuinely uninjured. If you do not visit a doctor within the hours after an accident the insurance company has a legally valid reason to deny any insurance claim you may wish to raise in the future.
or Call for a Free Consultation Today
(949)305-1400
Car Accident Lawyer Serving Mission Viejo Laguna Niguel Lake Forest and Laguna Hills
Are you searching for the most experienced Mission Viejo car accident lawyer to ensure the best possible outcome in your injury case?
What should you do if you are injured in a Mission Viejo car accident?
Why do you need an attorney for your personal injury claim?
Rivers Morrell has more than 40 years of experience as a personal injury attorney representing those who are injured in a car accident in Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills or anywhere in Southern California. Have you or someone you love been injured in a car accident in Mission Viejo or anywhere in Southern California?
or Call for a Free Consultation Today
(949)305-1400
Don’t Let the Insurance Company Rip You Off
The insurance adjuster in your case has one and only one goal: settle your case for the lowest amount possible. Insurance companies always offer a much lower settlement than the full and fair compensation an injured party is entitled to under California law.
I know. I worked for the car insurance companies for the first several years of my career. I know their tactics and how they work with 2 goals in mind:
- Pay you the lowest amount possible
- Protect the maximum amount of profit for their insurance company
This experience drove me to dedicate my work to represent those who were injured and to protect their legal rights and financial interests. I work not only to hold insurance companies responsible to the extent of policy coverage, I work with medical providers to negotiate lower fees so that you are able to keep as much of your injury settlement as possible. This provides the maximum amount of money for you to recover from your injuries and move forward with your life.
It is important to understand you only have one chance to resolve your personal injury claim. The resulting settlement or verdict must cover all your past, present and future medical expenses, physical therapy, time missed from work as well as compensation for having to endure your injuries and the resulting recovery.
uthern California. Have you or someone you love been injured in a car accident in Mission Viejo or anywhere in Southern California?
or Call for a Free Consultation Today
(949)305-1400
What Should You Do if You are Injured in a Mission Viejo or Laguna Niguel Car Accident?
What should you do if you are injured in a Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, Laguna Beach, San Clemente or San Juan Capistrano car accident? See a doctor within 24 to 48 hours of the accident, even if you believe you aren’t injured. The forces in a car accident take a significant toll on the human body, even at slow speeds.
Injuries to the head, neck, back and spine can take weeks or even months to present any symptoms at all. However, these injuries can impact your ability to work and the quality of your life for the years to come.
If you do not see a doctor within 48 hours of the accident you will not be able to present a successful claim for any resulting injuries down the road.
This is definitely a case of “better to be safe than sorry.” If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, even at slow speed, see a doctor for a thorough physical examination within 48 hours of the accident.
or Call for a Free Consultation Today
(949)305-1400
Additional Car Accident Information:
There is a lot of information on this site about car accident personal injury cases.
It is important not to post to social media or speak with an insurance representative before contacting our office. It is also important to see a trauma doctor within 24 to 48 hours of any collision, even if you think you are uninjured. You may have been injured by a distracted driver using their cell phone, a DUI driver or in a hit and run accident. Passengers always have a claim in an injury accident.
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San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano Injury
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Why Do You Need an Attorney for your Personal Injury Claim
Rivers worked as defense counsel for almost all of the major insurance carriers during the first 20 years of his career. This experience provides valuable insight for Mission Viejo car accident and injury victims. Insurance companies are in business for one reason: to earn a profit.
The job of an insurance adjuster is to convince you to accept the lowest possible settlement for your injury claim in order to retain maximum profitability for their employer – the insurance company.
Insurance companies start with a low offer. We have had many large cases which were ultimately resolved in favor of our clients for hundreds of thousands or over a million dollars where the original offer from the insurance company was in the low tens of thousands. The table to the right shows the actual amount the insurance company originally offered in the case, and the amount we were able to ultimately achieve for our client.
They want you to settle your case as soon as possible, within 60 to 90 days of the accident. This is NOT in your best interest. It will take several months to learn the full extent of your injuries, an accurate understanding of the extent of all your past, present and future medical expenses and the impact they will have upon your life in the future.
The Law Firm of Rivers Morrell knows the tactics an insurance company will use to reduce the amount you are offered, and the laws which governs injury claims arising from a Mission Viejo car accident.
or Call for a Free Consultation Today
(949)305-1400
Experienced Trial Attorney Significantly Increase Your Personal Injury Compensation
The insurance companies are well aware of our proven, decades-long track record of successful trial outcomes. They know we are experienced trial attorneys who will put our client’s case before a jury if necessary to ensure they receive full and fair compensation for their injuries, lost wages and the pain and interruption of life associated with the trauma of having to endure their injuries and the challenges of recovery.
It may surprise you to learn insurance companies keep extensive records on every personal injury attorney. They know which lawyers settle their cases quickly (for much less than their clients actually deserve) and which attorneys are prepared, able and willing to take a case to trial in order to achieve the best possible outcome for clients.
Insurance companies understand only one thing: risk.
The greater the risk, the higher the amount they know they must pay. There is no greater risk to an insurance company than the jury at a trial. This is why the first question you should always ask a personal injury attorney is “How many cases have you taken to a successful verdict at trial, and what are the amounts of the verdicts you’ve achieved?” Ask for specifics before you consider hiring an injury attorney.
What is a “Personal Injury” Claim
Personal Injury includes civil wrongs and economic or non-economic damages to a person, or their property, reputation, or rights. Usually, this involves injury or loss of life due to a Mission Viejo car accident or other motor vehicle accident or the negligence of another person or company. We represent the personal injury claims of those who are injured in a Mission Viejo car accident and the families of those who lose a loved one in a fatal accident. There is no cost out of pocket as we work on a contingency fee basis.
What Should You Look For In a Personal Injury Attorney?
Contact an Experienced and Proven Mission Viejo Car Accident Lawyer
Have you or a loved one been injured in a Mission Viejo car accident? Have you been involved in an injury collision in Laguna Niguel, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, Laguna Beach, San Juan Capistrano or San Clemente?
Rivers Morrell has more than 40 years of experience as a personal injury attorney based here in Mission Viejo, CA and Irvine, Ca.
We invite you to review the recommendations of our clients, our peers and the legal industry and contact us or call (949)305-1400 to speak personally with an experienced injury attorney for a free consultation.