San Bernardino Car Accident Attorney

What You Should Do After a Car Accident to Acquire Fair Compensation

San Bernardino has a population of over 215,000 residents and is the 17th largest city in California. It is expected that with such a large number of residents, the volume of car owners is high, as well. As the population of this city is constantly growing, the chances of a vehicle accident will continue to increase.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we have skilled San Bernardino car accident attorneys that have over 60 years of collective legal experience in handling personal injury cases. With our track record of winning more than $1 billion in settlements for our clients,  we have been recognized as one of the top personal injury law firms in San Bernardino.

To schedule a free consultation at our San Bernardino personal injury law firm, feel free to reach out to our 24/7 legal team by calling (909) 787-2178 or emailing info@westcoasttriallawyers.com.

Steps to Follow After a Hit and Run Accident

Hit and run collisions are not uncommon in San Bernardino. Experiencing a hit and run is very traumatic and can result in severe injuries or even death. If you were involved in a hit and run car accident, our San Bernardino car accident lawyers suggest that you should immediately:

1. Pull over and park in a safe location. If you can, find a nearby location that is safe for you to park in to avoid dealing with oncoming traffic. If you notice any injuries or damages, you should call 911 as soon as possible.
2. Contact the police. The police officers will arrive at the scene of the accident and conduct an official police report. Paramedics may also be present to provide immediate medical attention to those who need it.
3. Gather important evidence. This includes taking pictures and/or video footage of your injuries, damages, and the location of where the accident took place. You should also request a copy of the official police report. Lastly, it would be ideal to take note of your perspective on what happened before, during, and after the accident. Make sure to include the date and time of when the event occurred.
4. Speak to a witness. If you are physically able to, speak to someone who witnessed the collision. You should approach them and ask for their consent to have them involved in your case. If you get an approval, you should collect their contact information, as their testimony may greatly help your case.
5. Seek immediate medical attention. You should make an appointment to visit a doctor. They will examine your injury and determine a diagnosis. Once a diagnosis has been found, you will be given a treatment plan that will help you with your recovery. Your visit may be saved on file and can be used as a piece of evidence to include in your claim.
6. Reach out to a San Bernardino car accident attorney. The truth is, insurance companies, even your own insurance company, are not on your side. They are in the business of making money and paying as little benefits as possible. Their goal is to attempt to deny your claim or offer very low settlements. For these reasons, it is crucial to speak with a San Bernardino personal injury lawyer. They will help strengthen your case, negotiate with insurance companies, and get you the maximum compensation you deserve.

Negligent Driving 

Every single driver has a duty of care while on the road. Drivers not only must pay attention to road conditions and other vehicles, but also pedestrians. Unfortunately, that is not the case as seen in studies across the United States. A 2019 report from the Insurance Information Institute stated that 51,490 drivers, along with motorcyclists, were involved in a fatal accident due to negligence. Common factors that contributed to these deadly crashes included carelessness, speeding, phone-usage, not paying attention to the road, and so on.

Compensation and How We Can Help

If you are a victim of another driver’s negligent driving, or were in a motor vehicle accident that was not your fault, you have the right to a fair and full compensation for your losses. Recoverable compensation includes economic and non-economic damages. 

Economic damages are intended to compensate a plaintiff for losses that a dollar amount can readily be attached to. It is calculated by determining the amount of out-of-pocket losses an aggrieved individual has or will expect to incur as a result of their injuries. Examples include medical bills, lost wages, property damages, and loss of earning capacity.

Non-economic damages are essentially intended to cover losses that are thought of as subjective and will not necessarily cover out-of-pocket losses. This may include compensation for emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, and pain and suffering.

You may also be able to pursue punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded in addition to compensatory damages. It is designed to punish and deter malicious and reckless wrongdoings.You may be entitled to punitive damages against someone who intentionally harmed you, or acted with gross-negligence, such as drunk driving, intentional collision, or a hit and run.

Liability

Negligent drivers are typically held responsible and are liable for damages caused by their wrongful conduct. However, California is a comparative negligence state. This means that at times, more than one driver is partially responsible for a motor vehicle accident. Liability for damages may be shared based on the degree of fault.

Establishing liability is the most crucial part of presenting a personal injury claim. You should always have a highly experienced and knowledgeable San Bernardino car accident attorney on your side to help you prove your case and obtain fair compensation that you deserve.

Common Accidents Reported in San Bernardino

According to the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, San Bernardino car accidents are the leading cause of injury, death, and economic loss. Unfortunately, statistics also show that pedestrian accidents and deaths are increasing, as well. A growth in population and negligence may signify why these statistics are rising.

• Multi-Car Collisions. This type of accident commonly occurs on busy freeways or interstates where cars are driving at faster speeds and may encounter sudden and unexpected traffic. Unsafe lane changes on the freeways of San Bernardino have caused multiple accidents, as well.
• Rear-Ended Crashes. This highly common car accident occurs when one vehicle follows too closely behind another vehicle or fails to stop in time as a result of speeding and/or carelessness.
• Hit and Run Accidents. A hit and run is when a driver that hits another vehicle or pedestrian flees the scene of the accident.

Contact Us

At West Coast Trial Lawyer, our qualified San Bernardino car accident lawyers are highly-trained and have over 60 years of collective legal experience in handling personal injury cases. We are committed to helping you resolve your legal issues as quickly as possible while receiving the best results.

To schedule a free consultation at our San Bernardino personal injury law firm, contact our 24/7 legal team by calling (909) 787-2178 or emailing info@westcoasttriallawyers.com.