San Bernardino, CA has a population of over 224,2000 residents and is the 17th largest city in California. With such a large number of residents, the volume of car owners is equally as high and the probability of being involved in a car crash increases significantly. As such, navigating the aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming and confusing. Whether you’ve been involved in an accident on the I-215 or on Hospitality Lane. It is vital to find the right car accident lawyer to fight for your rights.
At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our skilled car accident lawyers have handled thousands of personal injury cases and are ready to take on your case and give you the legal support you need during this trying time. With over 25 years of legal experience, our firm has won more than $1.7 billion in settlements for our clients and will continue to do their duty to watch out for our clients best interests.
Whether you are a car accident victim or know someone who is, this comprehensive guide will provide valuable insights and practical advice to help you through this challenging time and lead you to recovery and compensation. Let us handle the legal headaches that come with filing a car accident claim, while you spend time recovering and healing from this traumatic event.
Contact us today for a free consultation by calling (213) 927-3700 or by filling out our quick and easy contact form.
How Often Do Car Accidents Happen In San Bernardino?
Car accidents are a serious and growing concern across San Bernardino County. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), thousands of collisions occur each year on major roadways such as Interstate 10, the 215 Freeway, and Route 210, which cut directly through the city. In a recent reporting year, San Bernardino recorded over 2,000 traffic collisions resulting in injuries or fatalities, many of which involved speeding, distracted driving, or alcohol use.
Urban congestion, heavy commuter traffic, and large commercial truck routes all contribute to the high accident rate. The city’s downtown corridors such as E Street, Waterman Avenue, and Baseline Street see a significant number of side-impact and rear-end crashes during rush hour.
Meanwhile, high-speed collisions are more common on the 15 and 210 freeways that connect San Bernardino with Riverside and Los Angeles counties. Unfortunately, these numbers represent more than statistics, they reflect real victims who suffer physical, emotional, and financial losses.
Most Common Causes of San Bernardino Car Accidents
While every collision is unique, certain patterns appear repeatedly in San Bernardino crash reports. The most common causes include:
1. Distracted Driving
Texting, adjusting navigation apps, or eating while driving are leading causes of preventable crashes in the area. Distracted drivers are frequently involved in rear-end collisions near intersections like Highland Avenue and Waterman Avenue, where traffic stops and starts quickly. Depending on the nature of the crash and the overall speed, distracted driving accidents can be potentially fatal.
2. Speeding
San Bernardino’s long stretches of freeway and wide city streets often tempt drivers to exceed the speed limit. High-speed crashes tend to cause severe or fatal injuries, particularly on I-215 and I-10, where vehicles travel at higher velocities and reaction time is limited.
3. Impaired Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs remains a major safety issue, even in San Bernardino. According to local CHP data, DUI-related crashes make up a significant portion of traffic fatalities in San Bernardino County, especially during weekends and holidays. Which is why, it is vital to practice extreme caution if you encounter an impaired driver on the road or else you can suddenly become a victim in a severe drunk driving accident.
4. Reckless or Aggressive Driving
Tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and red-light running frequently contribute to intersection collisions. Areas near downtown San Bernardino and San Manuel Stadium see increased risk due to dense traffic and pedestrian activity.
5. Poor Road or Weather Conditions
Potholes, poorly maintained intersections, and low visibility during heavy rain can increase the likelihood of losing control of a vehicle. The city’s aging infrastructure sometimes plays a role in multi-vehicle pileups or rollovers.
No matter the cause, a single act of negligence can change a victim’s life forever. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in San Bernardino, our experienced legal team can investigate the cause, identify the responsible parties, and fight to recover the compensation you deserve.
What To Do After a Car Accident
If you have been involved in a car accident, it is important to remain calm and act appropriately to ensure your rights are protected and to make the legal process as smooth as possible should you wish to file a car accident case with an attorney. In fact, it is recommended to do the following:
- Stay calm and move to a safe area
- Call 911 if there are severe injuries or a severe crash
- Exchange contact and insurance information with everyone involved
- Take pictures and videos of the accident scene
- If police arrive, make a police report and ask for a copy at a later time
- Contact a San Bernardino personal injury attorney for further assistance
What Is A Car Accident Claim Worth in San Bernardino?
After everything you have been through, it makes sense that you would wonder how much your car accident claim is worth. To find out the value of your claim, your attorney will need to separate your damages in order to calculate a proper estimate for your personal injury claim. However, they will typically separate your expenses into three categories known as economic, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are most commonly thought of, as they are financial in nature. All of your monetary damages, including lost wages, medical care/medical bills, property damages, and other financial losses, fall into this category. However, there are also non-economic damages you may have the right to recover.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages consist of the ways your entire life has been affected by the accident and your resulting injuries. Non-economic damages do not have a fixed monetary value. Your lawyer will need to quantify them based on their specific impact on your life. With that in mind, some of the more commonly awarded types of non-economic damages in a San Bernardino car accident claim include:
- Emotional distress
- Physical pain and suffering
- Disfigurement and skin scarring
- Loss of household services
- Loss of companionship
- Damage to your reputation
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive Damages
If the defendant’s actions are considered abhorrent or reprehensible, you may also be awarded punitive damages. Although they are awarded rarely, if you are awarded punitive damages in your case, it could significantly impact the outcome of your injury settlement. Punitive damages are typically only issued when the San Bernardino civil courts find it necessary and appropriate to punish the liable party and send a message to the public that the court system will not tolerate actions of this nature.
Do I Really Need a Car Accident Lawyer?
While hiring a San Bernardino personal injury attorney is not mandatory, it is highly recommended because it ensures your chances of recovering compensation from your motor vehicle accident. In fact, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help calculate your damages, negotiate with insurance companies and opposing counsel, and make sure all paperwork and motions are properly filed and accounted for.
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Charge?
Typically, car accident lawyers tend to operate under a contingency fee basis, meaning they would not charge any legal fees on the condition that they win their client’s case or secure a settlement offer. In the event that they manage to achieve either, the attorney would charge a flat fee for their services, which can range anywhere between 25% to 40%. However, it is important to note that these fees will vary based on the complexity of the case, but it can be negotiated before you hire an attorney.
Highly Rated San Bernardino Car Accident Lawyers at WCTL
Car accidents can be life-altering events, leaving victims with physical, emotional, and financial burdens. Finding the right car accident lawyer in San Bernardino is crucial to ensure you receive the best possible legal representation and fair compensation for your losses.
At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our qualified San Bernardino car accident lawyers are highly-trained and ready to offer you world class legal representation. We know how to handle these cases with the utmost care and accuracy. Our firm understands the physical and emotional pain brought by car crashes can sometimes be unquantifiable. That’s why our goal is to hold all negligent parties accountable and bring, at minimum, the maximum award possible for you and your loved ones.
We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that our services are free until we settle your case. To schedule a meeting with one of our top-rated San Bernardino lawyers, you may reach out to us by calling (213) 927-3700 or completing our quick contact form.
