Located in the Sacramento Valley near the beautiful Black Butte Lake, Orland is a fast-growing city with its roots firmly planted in agriculture and transportation. Bisected by busy Interstate 5 and just a short drive from the county seat, Willow, Orland retains all its small-town charms while drawing in tourists and residents alike.

About 8,000 people call Orland home, and thousands more visit the area and pass through every year. While Orland’s population has steadily increased since the 19th century, it’s only since the last decade that the area has seen a rapid influx of new residents.

If you have been hurt in an accident in Orland, please contact our experienced personal injury lawyers for guidance. Call our legal team at (530) 392-9400 for a free case evaluation.

With its Mediterranean climate and the natural beauty of the surrounding buttes, Orland is a popular spot to rest and relax, and it’s also becoming increasingly popular with newcomers fueling the city’s unprecedented growth. According to the latest data from the California Office of Traffic Safety, nearly 200 people were injured or killed in car accidents in 2016, a fair number considering under 8,000 residents.

Of those accidents, about 14 involved alcohol, and about 20 were speeding. Eight involved motorcycles, five involved pedestrians, and another four were hit-and-run accidents. The number and diversity of accidents in the area demonstrate that no matter how careful you are on the road, you can’t control the skills and habits of other drivers, which means you can still get into an auto accident.

Considering average cars tip the scales at about two tons, it’s easy to see how even an accident at a low rate of speed can cause considerable damage and injuries. Even a relatively minor accident like a “bump” from behind can cause whiplash and nerve and soft tissue damage that require much medical care and therapy to overcome. Some types of nerve damage can leave you with permanent pain or numbness. And those are the “minor” accidents. Obviously, more severe accidents can cause more severe injuries, including injuries that can take months or even years to heal and some that can result in lifelong disability or even death.

Medical costs can be costly. A single trip to an emergency room can be thousands of dollars, and that doesn’t begin to include the fees for CT scans, MRIs, and other tests. And those are just the initial costs. Most accidents require you to follow up with at least one doctor, often several, which means more office visits, tests, and more expenses.

Because auto accidents typically involve soft tissue injuries, nerve injuries, and musculoskeletal injuries like sprains and fractures, many accident victims require weeks or months of therapy to restore normal function and get back to their regular lives. Still, other victims may need emotional care and treatment to help them get past the traumatic effects of being in a car crash.

Regardless of the type of care you need, one thing’s the same: It will be costly. And while it would be wonderful if your insurance would pay for your costs or the insurance of the at-fault driver, sadly, that’s often not the case. Insurance policies have “caps” or maximum amounts they’re willing to pay to accident victims.

Those caps often fall far short of the actual cost of care, meaning you’ll be left to pay the remainder out of pocket. Considering how expensive medical care can be, it’s easy to see how an accident can result in significant financial strain and hardship, not just for you but also for your loved ones.

Working with an experienced Orland personal injury lawyer right from the start is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself, your loved ones, your finances, and your rights. Ideally, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible after your accident. Since it can take considerable time to build a strong, fair, winning case, the earlier you begin working with an Orland personal injury attorney, the more quickly your case can be resolved.

As vital as it is to contact an attorney, there are a few other necessary steps to take first, beginning with the moments right after your accident.

• Unless your injuries are severe, move to a safe area off the road and away from traffic.
• Call 9-1-1 to report the accident and have emergency personnel proceed to the scene. Get a copy of the police report as soon as it’s available (typically within a few days).
• Check the other vehicle if you can and if it’s safe to see if anyone else is injured.
• Assuming the injuries aren’t severe, exchange information with the other driver, including name, address, phone number, license plate number, and insurance information.
• If you can, take photos and video of the accident scene, showing the angle of the vehicles, the roadways, nearby intersections, road conditions, lighting, weather, and damages.
• Write down what you can recall about the accident while the memory is still fresh in your mind.
• Ask eyewitnesses for their contact information so your attorney can talk to them about the specifics of the accident if necessary.
• Seek medical attention, even if you think you’re “OK” or your injuries seem minor. Even a slight jarring movement can cause whiplash and nerve damage, and seeking medical care as soon as possible is the best way to prevent injuries from becoming more severe. Before leaving the doctor’s office, ask for a record of your visit to keep a “paper trail.”
• Call your insurance company to report the accident and provide them with information about the other driver. Do not share your notes or photos with the insurance company before talking to an attorney; never sign any forms! Signing forms could constitute the “closure” of your case and may result in forfeiture of your ability to seek damages.
• Contact an experienced Orland car accident lawyer to discuss your case and share your information. Your attorney can navigate the claims process and pursue additional damages to ensure your rights are protected and you get the compensation you deserve.

Many accident victims put off speaking with an attorney because they worry they can’t afford the cost. The key is to work with a skilled attorney on a “contingency basis,” which means your lawyer won’t get paid until and unless you get paid.

That means you won’t have to pay anything out of your pocket, and it also ensures your lawyer will work hard to ensure you get all the compensation you deserve. The first step toward protecting your rights is to schedule a free consultation and start working with an Orland car accident lawyer.

View the following video to understand what to expect in the initial free consultation with a personal injury lawyer.

If you have been hurt in an accident in Orland or elsewhere in Glenn County, contact our experienced Orland personal injury lawyers today for free and friendly case advice at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400. See a listing of our past cases on our verdicts and settlements page.

^{Editor’s Note: updated 11.2.23 Image by fietzfotos on Pixabay wa-kz cha [cs 1251]}