San Bernardino Car Accident Attorney
Experienced Legal Advocates for Car Accident Victims in San Bernardino, CA
Every year, San Bernardino experiences many serious car crashes that cause severe injuries and deaths. These accidents often happen because of drivers who are careless, drunk, or negligent in some other way. If you or someone you care about has been hurt in a major car accident, get in touch with the San Bernardino car accident attorneys at Aitken * Aitken * Cohn. We are personal injury attorneys who have been helping injured people for over thirty years, and we’re dedicated to assisting you.
Insight on Car Accidents in San Bernardino
Frequently, careless drivers are to blame for car accidents or other types of motor vehicle accidents. However, liability can also extend to car manufacturers for defects, repair shops for inadequate maintenance, or government entities for unsafe roads. The legal experts at Aitken * Aitken * Cohn, a personal injury law firm, thoroughly investigate your accident to identify the causes and responsible parties. We’re dedicated to seeking justice relentlessly, holding all accountable for their actions and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes for Car Accidents
Several factors can lead to car accidents, often involving a combination of elements. Some common causes include:
- Distracted Driving: This includes activities like texting, calling, eating, adjusting the radio, or chatting with passengers while driving, which can all distract from the road.
- Speeding: Driving too fast for the conditions or exceeding speed limits reduces reaction times, making it harder to avoid obstacles or stop in time.
- Impaired Driving: Being under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or certain medications affects judgment, coordination, and reaction times, making accidents more likely.
- Reckless Driving: Risky behaviors such as tailgating, changing lanes frequently, or ignoring traffic signals can lead to collisions.
- Fatigue: Driving while tired decreases alertness, slows decision-making, and impairs reaction times.
- Weather Conditions: Rain, snow, ice, fog, and strong winds can reduce visibility and traction, increasing the risk of accidents
- Poor Road Conditions: Issues like potholes, uneven surfaces, unclear signs, or construction zones without proper markings contribute significantly to accidents.
If you’ve been injured, we encourage you to reach out to our car accident lawyers in San Bernardino for assistance.
2023 Auto Collision Overview in San Bernardino
- Increase in Auto Collisions: San Bernardino experienced a rise in car accidents in 2023, with the number of collisions exceeding previous years’ averages.
- Contributing Factors: Various factors contributed to the uptick in accidents, including distracted driving, speeding, impaired driving, and adverse weather conditions.
- Severity of Accidents: Many of the collisions resulted in significant injuries and fatalities, highlighting the seriousness of the issue and the need for improved road safety measures.
- Legal Response: Local law firms, such as Aitken * Aitken * Cohn, have been actively assisting accident victims in navigating legal proceedings and seeking compensation for damages incurred.
What To Do After a Car Accident
For many, experiencing a serious injury in a car accident is unfamiliar territory, leaving them uncertain about what steps to take. Here are some important actions to consider following a car accident:
- Seek medical assistance: It’s crucial to prioritize your health after a collision. Whether you need an ambulance or can get to the emergency room yourself, seeing a medical professional promptly is essential. They can diagnose your injuries and create a record, which can be vital in proving the extent of your injuries. Prompt diagnosis also ensures you receive the necessary treatment for a speedy recovery.
- Reach out to a lawyer: Once your injuries are attended to, it’s advisable to contact a reputable car accident law firm. Our attorneys can listen to your account, conduct investigations if necessary, and advise you on your rights and options. If you have a valid claim, our legal team can handle all aspects of your case, alleviating your concerns.
- File an insurance claim: Often, the initial step is to file a claim against the negligent driver’s or company’s insurance. Dealing with insurance companies can be challenging, as they may dispute liability, question your injuries, delay payouts, or offer inadequate compensation. Our firm knows how to navigate these challenges and pursue the compensation you deserve.
- Pursue a personal injury lawsuit if necessary: If insurance coverage falls short of covering your losses, your attorney can file a personal injury lawsuit in California civil court. This legal process involves various stages, including pleadings, discovery, settlement negotiations, and potentially a jury trial. Having an experienced litigator on your side ensures your interests are protected, especially if your case progresses to court.
What Compensation Can You Anticipate?
When someone sustains serious injuries in a car accident, they often face significant losses, both financially and in terms of their well-being. Here are some examples of damages that can be recovered in a car accident case:
- Medical expenses: The costs of medical treatment can vary widely depending on the severity of the injury and the required care. This may include expenses such as ambulance transportation, emergency room visits, hospitalization, surgeries, physical therapy, medications, medical equipment, and more. If you will require ongoing medical care in the future, those expenses should also be considered recoverable damages.
- Lost income: Serious injuries often result in the inability to work. Whether due to hospitalization, doctor’s orders for rest, or the inability to perform job duties, every hour of missed work represents lost income. Those with disabilities may face reduced earning potential or may be unable to return to work at all, leading to future lost income being compensable.
- Non-economic damages: Some damages aren’t tied directly to financial losses but represent intangible losses that are difficult to quantify. These include physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and the psychological impact of permanent disfigurement or disabilities.
Why You Need Legal Help After a Car Accident
Trying to handle car accident claims alone, especially when dealing with serious injuries, might lead car accident victims to negotiate directly with insurance companies. These companies are focused on their bottom line and often try to minimize compensation for victims. Without skilled legal representation, claimants are at a disadvantage, as the insurance company may use initial cooperation to offer less compensation through lowball tactics. Working with experienced local legal professionals ensures that your interests are strongly protected.
Get Expert Legal Advice From Our Car Accident Attorney in San Bernardino
If you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, it’s important to understand your rights regarding compensation. Our experienced car accident attorneys in San Bernardino are here to help you navigate this process. We promise to carefully assess your case and strive for the justice and compensation you’re entitled to. For a detailed review of your case, please contact us at (866) 434-1424.
