Injured in an Accident? Find a San Bernardino Car Accident Lawyer to Help You
Car accidents happen unexpectedly and can have life-changing consequences. One moment you’re driving to work or running errands, and the next, you’re dealing with injuries, vehicle damage, and the stress of figuring out how to recover your losses.
For many car accident victims in San Bernardino, understanding the legal process and determining how to proceed can be overwhelming.
This is where a San Bernardino car accident lawyer can make a significant difference. These legal professionals specialize in helping accident victims secure the compensation they deserve. From gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies or even taking your case to court, a skilled attorney can handle the complexities of your claim while you focus on your recovery.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in San Bernardino, it’s essential to know your rights and understand the steps you need to take to pursue a claim. This guide will explain to you what you need to know about California car accident laws and how a car accident lawyer in San Bernardino can help you every step of the way.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in San Bernardino
Car accidents in San Bernardino can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Failure to yield
- Failure to obey traffic signals
- Vehicle defects
- Road conditions
These factors can contribute to the severity of the accident and the resulting injuries. If you have been involved in a car accident, it is essential to seek the help of a car accident lawyer who can help you navigate the complexities of personal injury law.
How Do I Know Whether I Have an Actionable Car Accident Claim Under California Law?
One of the first questions victims ask after a motor vehicle accident is whether they have a valid legal claim. In California, car accident claims are based on negligence. To succeed, you must prove that another party’s carelessness or wrongful actions caused your injuries.
To establish a car accident claim in San Bernardino, you need to demonstrate these four essential elements:
Duty of Care
Every driver on the road has a legal obligation to operate their vehicle safely and responsibly. This includes following traffic laws, avoiding distractions, and taking reasonable precautions to prevent harm to others. Personal injury attorneys emphasize the importance of this duty of care in representing car accident victims and securing maximum compensation for their clients.
Breach of Duty
A breach occurs when a driver fails to meet their duty of care, potentially leading to a serious injury. Examples include running a red light, texting while driving, or speeding.
Causation
You must show that the other driver’s breach of duty directly caused the accident and your injuries. This involves linking their actions to the harm you suffered, which can be particularly challenging when dealing with an insurance company that may attempt to minimize your compensation.
Damages
Finally, you must prove that you experienced losses, such as medical bills, lost wages, property damage, or emotional distress.
An experienced San Bernardino car accident lawyer from a reputable personal injury law firm can evaluate your case, gather evidence, and build a strong claim on your behalf.
Injuries and Damages from Car Accidents
Car accidents can result in a range of injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to more severe injuries such as broken bones, head trauma, and spinal cord injuries. In addition to physical harm, car accidents can also cause emotional distress, lost wages, and medical expenses. The financial burden of medical bills and the inability to work can be overwhelming for accident victims. A personal injury lawyer can help you pursue compensation for these damages, ensuring you receive the support you need to recover and move forward with your life.
What is Negligence Per Se, and How Might It Apply to My Case?
Negligence per se is a legal doctrine that can simplify the process of proving liability in a car accident case. Under this concept, a person is automatically considered negligent if they violate a law or regulation designed to protect public safety, and that violation causes harm.
In the context of car accidents, negligence per se often applies when drivers break traffic laws. For example:
- Speeding: Driving above the speed limit increases the risk of accidents.
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol is both illegal and dangerous.
- Running a Stop Sign or Red Light: Failing to obey traffic signals can lead to serious collisions.
If a driver involved in your accident violated any of these laws, proving negligence becomes much easier. A San Bernardino car accident lawyer can gather evidence, such as police reports, witness statements, and video footage, to show that the other driver violated traffic laws. This evidence strengthens your case and improves your chances of recovering compensation. Many lawyers offer a free consultation to discuss the specifics of your case.
What Happens If I’m Partially at Fault for My Car Accident Injuries?
Car accident victims often worry that if they share some responsibility for the crash, they won’t be able to recover compensation. However, California follows a pure comparative fault system. This means that even if you are partially at fault, you can still recover damages—though your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Example:
- Suppose you were in an accident with total damages amounting to $100,000.
- If it is determined that you were 25% at fault for the accident because you were slightly speeding, your compensation would be reduced by 25%.
- You would still receive $75,000.
It’s important to remember that insurance companies often try to assign as much blame as possible to reduce their payouts. A skilled car accident lawyer in San Bernardino will work to minimize your fault and ensure you receive a fair settlement.
How Much Am I Entitled to Receive as Compensation for My Accident Claim?
The amount of compensation you can recover depends on the specifics of your case. In a motor vehicle accident claim, damages are typically divided into two categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
These are tangible, measurable losses, such as:
- Medical Expenses: Hospital bills, surgeries, physical therapy, medications, and future medical care.
- Lost Wages: Income lost while you were unable to work due to your injuries.
- Property Damage: Costs to repair or replace your vehicle or other damaged property.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from working in the future, you can seek compensation for the income you would have earned.
Non-Economic Damages
These damages are harder to quantify but are just as important:
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injuries prevent you from enjoying activities you once loved.
- Emotional Distress: Anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) stemming from the accident.
In rare cases, you may also be entitled to punitive damages if the at-fault driver acted with extreme recklessness or intentional misconduct, such as in a DUI accident.
A San Bernardino car accident lawyer will work to calculate all your damages accurately and ensure you pursue the full amount you deserve.
How Long Do I Have to Sue If I Get Into a Car Accident in San Bernardino?
California imposes a statute of limitations for car accident claims, which is the time limit for filing a lawsuit. Generally, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. For property damage claims, the time limit is three years.
However, there are exceptions to this rule:
- Delayed Discovery Rule: If your injuries were not immediately apparent, the two-year clock starts when you discover (or should have discovered) the injury.
- Claims Against Government Entities: If your accident involved a government vehicle or hazardous road conditions, you must file a claim within six months.
Missing the statute of limitations can result in your case being dismissed, so it’s crucial to act quickly. Personal injury attorneys in San Bernardino can help ensure you meet all legal deadlines.
How Much Does a San Bernardino Car Accident Lawyer Cost to Hire?
One of the biggest concerns for accident victims is the cost of hiring a personal injury law firm. Fortunately, most car accident lawyers in San Bernardino work on a contingency fee basis. This means:
- You don’t pay any upfront fees.
- Your lawyer only gets paid if they win your case.
- The fee is typically a percentage (usually 33-40%) of your settlement or court award.
This arrangement allows you to access legal representation without worrying about upfront costs. A contingency fee structure also motivates your attorney to secure the highest possible compensation for your case.
Dangers of Driving in San Bernardino, CA
San Bernardino is a growing city in California with busy streets, highways, and intersections that contribute to a higher risk of serious injury from car accidents. Here are some things to consider:
Thousands of car accidents occur in San Bernardino County each year, many of which result in severe injuries or fatalities.
Dangerous Roads and Intersections
Certain roads in San Bernardino are particularly hazardous:
- Interstate 10 (I-10): Heavy congestion and speeding drivers contribute to frequent accidents.
- Interstate 215 (I-215): Known for its high traffic volume and dangerous merging areas.
- Baseline Street and Waterman Avenue: This busy intersection sees numerous collisions due to high traffic and poor visibility.
San Bernardino’s diverse roadways, from crowded freeways to rural streets, present unique challenges for drivers. A San Bernardino car accident lawyer understands these risks and can use their knowledge of local accident hotspots to build a strong case.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in San Bernardino, you don’t have to face the legal process alone. A skilled car accident lawyer in San Bernardino can help you navigate the complexities of your claim, fight for your rights, and help you secure the compensation you need to rebuild your life. An experienced attorney can also deal with the insurance company, which often tries to minimize compensation, ensuring you get the settlement you deserve. Don’t wait—reach out to an experienced attorney today.
Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a Free Legal Consultation
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in San Bernardino, then you may be dealing with severe injuries, as well as major career and lifestyle changes — changes that could impact you and your family’s ability to move forward happily and healthily.
Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 to connect to an experienced personal injury attorney in our network. The attorneys in our network offer a free consultation, and there’s no obligation to continue if you decide against it, so there’s really no downside to calling in and getting started by talking about your case — at the very least, you’ll be able to get your case evaluated so that you have an idea of how best to move forward.
We look forward to assisting you.
