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Why Us ?

At Accident Lawyers USA, our mission is to connect you with the best personal injury lawyers and accident attorneys in the country that will help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.

For your convenience, we will connect you with a highly qualified accident lawyer from a local law firm in your area.

You will not be required to pay anything, unless you receive compensation for your accident.

Table of Contents

A car accident can be a very traumatic event. You may be injured, your car may be damaged, and you may be left feeling confused and overwhelmed.

San Bernardino County, CA, has some of the highest car accident rates in the state. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, In 2019, San Bernardino car accidents resulted in around 1,604 deaths.

As vehicle miles travelled increase, so does the number of car accidents. If you have been involved in a car accident, you might be entitled to compensation for your damages, loss, or injury. Contacting a personal injury lawyer in San Bernardino, CA, can help you understand your legal options and ensure you are fairly compensated.

The first step is to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who can evaluate your case and help determine if you have personal injury claims.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident?

Since motor vehicle accidents are so common, you might wonder what you should do if you’re involved in one.

Here are some steps to take after a car accident:

Stop

The law in California requires that you stop your vehicle after an accident. You could be charged with a hit and run if you don’t. If someone is injured, you could be charged with a felony. Stopping is the right thing to do; it could save you from criminal charges. It also allows you to check your vehicle and the other driver’s vehicle for damage.

Check if anyone is injured

After you stop, check yourself and your passengers for injuries. Do this before stepping out of your vehicle. If anyone is injured, call medical attention right away. If the injuries seem minor, you can still go to the hospital or doctor for a check-up. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

If the injury is severe or someone has died, you must immediately call the CHP or police.

Move your car to the side of the road

If your vehicle is blocking traffic, and it’s safe to move it, you should move it to the side of the road. If you can’t drive your vehicle, turn on your hazard lights, so other drivers will know there’s an accident ahead.

Exchange information with the other driver

You should exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver. If there are any witnesses, you should get their information as well. Take as many photos as possible of the accident scene, the damage to both vehicles, and any injuries. These will all be helpful when filing a claim with the insurance company.

Call your insurance company

After exchanging information with the other driver, you should call your insurance company to report the accident. They will ask you for basic information about what happened and open a claim.

While calling your insurance company is essential, you should be careful about what you say. Don’t admit fault or apologize for anything. These could be used against you later.

See a doctor

Even if you don’t think you’re injured, you must see a doctor after an accident. Some injuries, like whiplash, might not show symptoms right away. A doctor can assess your injuries and help you get your needed treatment.

Call a car accident lawyer

After you’ve taken care of the immediate aftermath of the accident, you should call a San Bernardino car accident lawyer. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you understand your rights and options. They can also deal with insurance companies for you to focus on recovering from your injuries.

What compensation could I be entitled to for my San Bernardino car accident?

If you are involved in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, you might be entitled to compensation for your damages. This compensation includes both economic and non-economic damages. The California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) has set up rules for who can be compensated in an accident.

These damages might include:

Medical Expenses

An injured car accident victim can seek compensation for their medical expenses. Since medical bills can be expensive, this can be a significant part of a car accident claim.

Some of the medical expenses you might be able to recover include:

Emergency room bills
Hospitalization costs
Doctor’s visits
Physical therapy
Rehabilitation
Prescription medication
Pain and suffering
Ambulance bills
Consultation

In addition to medical expenses, a car accident victim can also seek compensation for pain and suffering. This is non-economic damage, which means it does not have a set value. The amount of pain and suffering damages will depend on the severity of your injuries.

Property damage

Another type of compensation you might be entitled to is property damage. This includes damage to your vehicle as well as any personal belongings that were damaged in the accident. Sometimes, property damage can be expensive to repair. If your car is totaled, you might be entitled to the value of your vehicle.

Lost wages

If your injuries prevent you from working, you might be able to seek compensation for lost wages. This includes the wages you’ve already lost and any future wages you will fail because of the accident.

Loss of earning capacity

In addition to lost wages, you might also be able to seek compensation for loss of earning capacity. This is different from lost wages because it covers the loss of future earnings. It is usually only awarded in cases where the victim has suffered a severe injury that prevents them from working in the future.

Punitive damages

In some cases, the court might punitive damages. These damages are meant to punish the at-fault party for their negligence. Punitive damages are usually only awarded in cases of gross negligence.

Loss of companionship due to the death of a loved one

Some accidents result in the death of a loved one. If this happens, the victim’s family might be able to seek damages for their loss. These are wrongful death damages and can include loss of companionship, support, and funeral expenses.

Common causes of car accidents in San Bernardino

Although accidents are unpredictable, there are some common causes of car accidents. These include:

Distracted driving

One of the leading causes of car accidents is distracted driving. Distracted driving includes anything that takes a driver’s attention away from the road. This can consist of texting, talking on the phone, eating, and changing the radio station.

It doesn’t take a second for a driver to become distracted. And, even if they only look away from the road for a second, it can be enough time to cause an accident.

Driving under the influence

Another common cause of car accidents is driving under the influence. This includes both drugs and alcohol. Drivers under the influence are more likely to make mistakes and cause accidents.

The law in California is clear: drivers are not allowed to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or higher.

You might be entitled to compensation if you have an accident with a driver under the influence.

Failing to adhere to right-of-way traffic laws

Another common cause of car accidents is failing to adhere to right-of-way traffic laws. These laws dictate who has the right of way in different situations.

For example, when two motor vehicles approach an intersection simultaneously, the vehicle on the left should yield to the car on the right. If the car on the left fails to yield and an accident occurs, they might be held responsible.

Driving at unsafe speeds

Most car accident victims are familiar with the posted speed limits. These are the maximum speeds that are allowed in different areas. But, if you’re driving at or below the posted speed limit, you might still be driving too fast for the conditions.

For example, if it’s raining or snowing, you might need to slow down to ensure you have enough time to stop.

Driving on the wrong side of the road

Driving on the wrong side of the road is another common cause of auto accidents. This can happen when a driver turns onto the wrong street or gets confused in an unfamiliar area.

It’s essential to be aware of your surroundings and ensure you’re always driving on the correct side of the road.

Improper turns

Improper turns can also lead to motor vehicle accidents and injuries. Drivers making wrong turns might not signal, or they might turn too wide or too tight.

Not stopping properly

It might surprise you that not stopping properly is another leading cause of motor vehicle accidents. This can happen when a driver doesn’t stop in time or completely stops in the middle of the road.

Trucks with poor braking might fail to stop in time, especially if they carry a heavy load.

Ignoring traffic regulations and traffic signs

There are some traffic regulations and traffic signs that are meant to keep drivers and pedestrians safe. For example, yield signs and stop signs.

If drivers ignore these traffic regulations or signs, they might cause an accident.

Typical car accident injuries

Although many motor vehicle accidents are minor, some can cause serious injuries. These might require extensive medical treatment and time off work to recover. Some common car accident injuries include:

Whiplash

Whiplash is a neck injury that often occurs in rear-end collisions. It’s caused by the sudden jerking motion of the head and neck. Symptoms of whiplash might not appear until hours or days after the accident.

Common symptoms of whiplash include neck pain, headaches, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating.

Neck and head injuries

Neck and head injuries are also common in auto accidents. These might include concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and skull fractures.

Symptoms of neck and head injuries might include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and blurred vision.

Brain Injuries

This kind of injury can range from mild to severe. A mild brain injury might cause a temporary loss of consciousness or confusion. A more severe brain injury might result in long-term memory, thinking, and concentrating problems.

Broken Bones

Broken bones are also common in car accidents, especially if the accident is severe. Auto accidents’ most common break bones include ribs, collarbone, and pelvis fractures. Signs that you might have a broken bone include pain, swelling, and bruising.

Torn ligaments

Another common car crash injury is torn ligaments. This kind of injury often occurs in side-impact collisions and might require surgery to repair.

Severe lacerations

When auto accidents occur, broken glass and metal might cause severe cuts and gashes. These might require stitches or surgery to close the wound.

Internal Bleeding

This injury might go unnoticed at first because there are no visible signs. But, if you have internal bleeding, you might feel dizzy, lightheaded, or nauseous.

Concussions

Concussions might range from mild to serious injury. A concussion is a type of brain injury that’s caused by a blow to the head.

Many more types of injuries might occur in a car crash. These are just some of the most common ones.

How to choose the right car accident lawyer

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you might need to hire a San Bernardino car accident attorney But how do you know if you need a lawyer, and how do you choose the right one?

These are a few of the things you should consider when choosing a San Bernardino auto accident attorney:

A strong legal team

You’ll want to ensure that the lawyer you choose has a strong legal team. This team should include paralegals, investigators, and other support staff.

The size of the law firm might also matter. A large law firm might have more resources to dedicate to your case. But, a smaller personal injury law firm might be more personal and attentive.

Also, ensure that the personal injury law firm has the resources to handle your case, but you should also make sure you feel comfortable with the team.

An experienced attorney

You’ll also want to choose an experienced car accident attorney. This attorney should have experience handling cases like yours.

For example, if you were injured in a hit and run, you’ll want an attorney with experience with these personal injury cases.

Clear communication

Another critical factor to consider when choosing a San Bernardino car accident attorney is clear communication. You’ll want to ensure that the attorney you choose returns your calls promptly and keeps you updated on your case.

You should also feel comfortable communicating with the attorney. You might want to consider another lawyer if you don’t feel comfortable.

Check the lawyer’s fee structure

You’ll also need to consider the fee structure when hiring an attorney. Some attorneys charge by the hour, while others work on a contingency basis.

Hourly rates can vary depending on the lawyer’s experience and location. Contingency fees are typically a percentage of the settlement or verdict.

You should also ensure you understand the fee structure before hiring an attorney. This way, there are no surprises down the road.

A good reputation

When choosing an attorney, you’ll also want to consider the law firm’s reputation. An excellent way to do this is by reading online reviews. You can also ask the attorney for references and check with the local bar association.

These are just a few things to consider when choosing a San Bernardino car accident lawyer. Choose the right attorney for your case if you’ve been injured in an accident.

Get a free consultation

Finally, ensure you get a free consultation from the car accident lawyer you’re considering. That will allow you to meet with the lawyer and ask any questions.

It will also allow the lawyer to assess your case and see if they can help you. Most consultations are free, but some lawyers might charge a small fee.

It would help to consider these things when choosing a San Bernardino car accident attorney. Choose the right attorney for your case if you’ve been injured in an accident.

What can a lawyer do for you?

San Bernardino car accident lawyers are essential to the legal process if you’ve been injured in a car accident. A lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve.

Helps You Understand Your Rights

Most car accident victims are unfamiliar with the law, which could hurt their case. A lawyer will help you understand your rights and ensure that they are protected.

Lawyers will also help you understand the deadlines for filing a claim and other important information. It is critical because your case could be dismissed if you miss a deadline.

Gathers Evidence

San Bernardino car accident lawyers will also gather evidence to support your injury claim. It might include photos of the accident, witness statements, and medical records. The lawyer will also obtain the police report.

They will use this evidence to prove that you were not at fault for the accident and deserve compensation.

Offers Legal Advice

Another advantage of having a lawyer is that they can offer legal advice. They will help you understand the law and how it applies to your case.

The lawyer will also offer guidance on how to proceed with your case. It will include settlement offers and going to trial.

Negotiates With Insurance Companies

Insurance companies will likely give you a low settlement offer if you don’t have a lawyer. A lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to get a fair settlement.

The personal injury attorney will also help you file lawsuits if the insurance company refuses to give you a fair settlement.

Represents You in Court

Another advantage of having a lawyer is that they can represent you in court. It is important if your case goes to trial.

The lawyer will present your case in the best light possible and fight for a fair verdict. The lawyer will help you collect the settlement if you win your case.

If you lose, the lawyer will help you appeal the decision.

A car accident lawyer is essential to the legal process if you’ve been injured in a car accident. A lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve.

The right attorney will help you understand your rights, gather evidence, offer legal advice, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court. Choose the right lawyer for your case to ensure the best possible outcome.

Negotiates for a Fair Settlement

Personal injury attorneys will also negotiate for a fair settlement. They will consider your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

The lawyer will fight to get you the best possible settlement. If you receive a settlement offer, the lawyer will review it and advise you on whether or not to accept it.

Car Accident FAQ

How much does a lawyer cost?

Cost is a huge factor when choosing a car accident lawyer. You don’t want to choose a lawyer that you can’t afford. However, you also don’t want to choose a lawyer that is too cheap. The cheapest lawyer may not be the best lawyer for your case.

When it comes to cost, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Some lawyers charge by the hour, while others charge a flat fee. Some lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning they only get paid if you win your case.

Before you choose a lawyer, be sure to ask about the cost. Get a detailed estimate of your case’s fees and expenses, which will help you make an informed decision about whether or not you can afford to hire a particular lawyer.

What is a contingency fee?

A contingency fee is a fee that a lawyer charges if you win your case. The lawyer only gets paid if you win, which means they have a financial incentive to bring you the best possible settlement.

Contingency fees are usually a percentage of the settlement, so the more money you get, the more the lawyer makes.

Before you agree to a contingency fee, understand how it works. Ask the lawyer to explain the fee arrangement in detail. This will help you make an informed decision about whether or not to hire a particular lawyer.

What is an hourly rate?

An hourly rate is a fee that a lawyer charges for each hour they work on your case. The lawyer will keep track of the hours they work and bill you accordingly.

Hourly rates can be expensive, so ask the lawyer to estimate how many hours they think your case will take. It will help you make an informed decision about whether or not to hire a particular lawyer.

What is a flat fee?

A flat fee is a fixed price that a lawyer charges for their services. The lawyer will agree to work on your case for a set amount of money.

Flat fees are typically used for simple personal injury cases like speeding tickets or minor accidents. You may be charged an hourly or contingency fee if your case is more complicated.

Conclusion

Hiring a car accident lawyer is an important decision. The right lawyer can make a big difference in the outcome of your case. Be sure to choose a lawyer you can afford and with experience handling similar cases.

Get a detailed estimate of all the fees and costs associated with your case before you make a decision. This will help you make an informed decision about whether or not to hire a particular lawyer.

To learn more about other types of motor vehicle accidents, click here.