California Accident Lawyer

California Accident Lawyer

Being in a vehicle accident can be a painful and costly experience, but an experienced accident injury attorney can help you recover the most reimbursement for damages suffered as a result of the accident. Before you file an insurance claim, it may benefit your cause to contact an accident lawyer to get a consultation about your case. In some cases, you may file an insurance claim, other cases may call for a lawsuit to be filed.

Contacting an accident attorney about your case can help get you the proper medical attention, assess the overall damages that were suffered, and give you a proper explanation of any legal options that you may have moving forward.

Some types of damages that may be able to be recovered include medical expenses, loss of income or job opportunities, loss of property, emotional suffering, physical suffering, loss of consortium (affection, love, companionship), and possibly punitive damages.

Our team of highly skilled accident attorneys has experience covering a variety of different accidents. We work tirelessly to make sure that our victims recover the compensation that they need. Just some of the different types of accident cases we handle include:

• Aviation and Airline Accidents
• Big Rig Accidents
• Boating Accidents
• Car Accidents
• Construction Accidents
• Metro Bus Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Premises Liability Accidents
• Ride Share Accidents
• Trucking Accident

What Causes Vehicle Accidents?

Many different things can factor into the cause of a vehicle accident, but there are some factors that are more frequently responsible than others. Here are the most common causes of vehicle accidents in California:

• Drunk or impaired driving
• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Wet road conditions
• Vehicle part or design defects
• Tailgating other drivers
• Potholes or other dangerous road conditions
• Reckless driving habits
• Running stop signs or red lights
• Teenage drivers
• Making an improper turn
• Driving tired
• Heavy fog with low visibility
• Animals crossing the road
• Uneven roads
• Illegal street racing
• Driving at night with poor vision

What Do I Have to Do to Prove in My Accident Case?

Showing that the other party’s negligent action was the cause of the accident & subsequent damages suffered requires four distinct elements to be proven in the court. The plaintiff must prove liability for the accident in the sense that:

1. The defendant had a duty to operate their vehicle in a safe manner;
2. The defendant violated that duty;
3. The other driver’s actions are what caused the accident;
4. The accident was the direct cause of damages suffered.

Evidence is critical in being able to prove liability for accident cases. Our team can help you gather the proof needed to support your case which may include finding photos, video, and witness testimony from officers who investigated the accident.

How much do our accident attorneys cost?

Our accident attorneys are contingency attorneys, which means that our work is done through a contingency fee agreement. This means that our accident attorneys will work towards getting you compensation. When we do win compensation, we will then collect attorneys’ fees. We do not collect a single dollar from our clients unless we win for them.

Do I have to report the accident to my insurance company?

All accidents are different from one another, however, the general answer is yes. You will have to report the accident to your insurance company, even if you were not responsible for the accident. Insurance companies require that you report all types of accidents, including motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, truck accidents, etc. to your insurance company.

How much does it cost to file an accident lawsuit?

There are several different types of fees involved with filing a lawsuit in court. besides Court fees, there may also be other types of fees such as deposition fees when interviewing and deposing witnesses and other parties. But, our contingency fee attorneys will front all these necessary costs to make sure that your case moves forward. 

What if I was not wearing a seatbelt during my accident?

 California law requires that all drivers and passengers of a vehicle wear a seatbelt at all times. In the event that you were not wearing the seatbelt, and you’re involved in an accident, you may still have the right to file a lawsuit against the other party. Contact us today to learn more.

Who could be held responsible for my accident lawsuit?

The different parties that could be held responsible depending on the accident. But, generally, some parties that have been held responsible for accidents include:

•  Drivers
•  Employees
•  Landowners
•  Property managers
•  Employers
•  Contractors
•  Construction companies
•  Government entities
•  Product manufacturers 

Do I have to go to court for my accident lawsuit?

Since each accident and each lawsuit is different from one another, it depends on the circumstances of the accident. For example, if your lawsuit led to severe injuries and the other party is not willing to negotiate or settle, you may have to go to court. 

But, our trial attorneys have decades of experience representing our clients in court and making sure that they get the Justice they need.

Comparative Fault Laws in California

Comparative fault law, also known as comparative negligence, allows a person injured from an accident to recover damages from the other party even if they were not fully responsible for causing the accident. The amount that can be recovered in these situations is reduced based on the % of liability that the injured person has in the overall contribution to causing the accident. This law is modified in different states around the country, but in California, the law is considered to be a “pure comparative fault” where the plaintiff’s negligence offsets the defendant’s liability.

Injuries Frequently Associated with Accidents

A large portion of personal injury cases in California is based on getting compensation for medical expenses caused by a car or truck accident. Whether or not the individual was wearing a seat belt can have a massive impact on how severe the injuries are.

These are some of the most common injuries that occur with auto accidents:

• Whiplash
• Broken bones
• Cuts and scrapes
• Muscle, ligament, tendon or other soft tissue damage
• Head & chest injuries
• Arm, leg, and knee injuries

In the case of any injury after an accident, the best thing to do is seek immediate medical attention.