Palo Alto Car Accident Lawyers
We’ll tell you if you have a case or not, call (888) 488-1391 — We’re here 24 hours a day.
Our Palo Alto Car Accident Lawyers Are Advocating For Your Legal Rights
Palo Alto has over 400,000 tech workers, 69,700 residents, and thousands of Stanford University students. Having a relatively sizable population, its community is vulnerable to injury-causing incidents. If you get injured in a car crash, you may have a claim. Discuss your situation with our Palo Alto car accident lawyers, and we will give you a detailed solution. Call us at (888) 488-1391.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), there were a total of 251 cases of car accident injuries and fatalities in Palo Alto in 2021.
Arash Law has been helping car accident victims for many years, assisting them in pursuing the compensation they need to move forward.
From the initial consultation to managing your case, our Palo Alto car accident attorneys are dedicated to supporting you throughout the legal process. We are committed to pursuing accountability for your losses.
Our client was stopped at a two-way stop sign before proceeding into an intersection where he was struck by a police cruiser traveling 70 mph, resulting in serious injuries.– ARASH KHORSANDI
What Are The Benefits Of Hiring Our Dedicated Palo Alto Car Accident Lawyers?
Arash Law is a client-focused law firm. We care about your general well-being, so our Palo Alto car accident attorneys can handle the legal matters while you focus on your recovery.
However, there are other things you need to do if you want to pursue a legal claim. These include:
- Gathering all the evidence.
- Coordinating with eyewitnesses.
- Communicating with the other party.
- Filing your insurance claim.
- Representing you in court, if necessary.
Even though these tasks may seem easy, like filling out a form, they are much more than that. They can be time-consuming and stressful, and could delay your rehabilitation. Not only can our auto accident attorneys in Palo Alto assist you with the long and tedious groundwork, but we will also help you avoid accepting an undervalued settlement offer from the other party.
You may receive numerous calls from the other party’s insurance company. They could make an offer immediately. However, it is essential to assess the extent of your losses before accepting any settlement. To help evaluate your potential damages, consider hiring a personal injury lawyer.
Why Should You Get Help From Our Car Accident Attorneys?
Aside from helping you out with collecting evidence and filing the claim, some of the primary reasons why working with our car accident attorneys in Palo Alto can be helpful are:
- Assisting you in determining whether the settlement offer is adequate given the circumstances.
- Preventing you from releasing any statement that could affect your claim.
- Communicating on your behalf when dealing with other parties.
Our Palo Alto car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means we don’t charge any attorney’s fees upfront. We only collect fees if we are able to obtain compensation for your case. Please note that you may still be responsible for covering certain case-related costs regardless of the result.
Common Causes Of Car Accidents In Palo Alto, CA
With nearly 3 million people in Silicon Valley, the volume of cars, including company vehicles, could easily congest Palo Alto highways. Thus, traffic incidents can happen at any time.
Here are some of the most common causes of car accidents reported by the authorities:
- Distracted Driving — As per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nine people die every day as a result of texting while driving incidents. Hence, it is prohibited in all states.
- Drunk Driving — The legal alcohol limit for all drivers is 0.08%. Despite the government’s efforts to educate all drivers about this, drunk driving remains the leading cause of car crashes in the country, accounting for more than 13,000 fatalities each year.
- Speeding — As Palo Alto’s tech industry grows, its traffic is congested, leading to occasional speeding. It’s crucial to remember that California’s statewide speed limit is 65 mph.
- Bad Weather — Bad weather makes driving more difficult due to reduced visibility and slippery roads, increasing the likelihood of accidents. Remember, the speed limit drops to 55 mph when it rains.
- Reckless and Aggressive Driving — These are major violations in California, with a $1,000 maximum fine, a six-month license suspension, and up to 90 days of jail time.
- Teen Driving — Teens and new drivers often cause car accidents due to their lack of driving experience and unfamiliarity with traffic signs and rules. They often receive speeding tickets and get in trouble for DUI.
- Vehicle Defects — Every driver must know the 30-60-90 car maintenance rule. This means that every 30,000 miles, vehicles need preventative maintenance to avoid failures that may lead to accidents.
With years of experience in the industry, our car accident lawyers in Palo Alto have handled many motor vehicle accident cases and helped clients pursue compensation for their losses.
Common Injuries In Palo Alto Car Accidents
Whiplash is the most common injury sustained in a car crash. Whatever the severity of the symptoms, visit a doctor promptly to prevent any complications. If you need assistance, our Palo Alto car accident lawyers can refer you to an experienced medical specialist.
The following are some of the most common injuries sustained in car accidents:
- Head & Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) — These are injuries where the head suffers a sudden, hard blow. Severe cases may result:
- Extreme headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Speech problems
- Dizziness
- Loss of balance
- Blurred vision
- Shoulder Injuries — When the shoulder dislocates, you may feel:
- Pain that radiates to the neck, arm, and back
- Stiffness
- Arm weakness
- Limited range of motion
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Knee Injuries — Our knees are prone to bumping into the dashboard in collisions. You have to watch out for:
- A popping sound occurs when the knee is moved.
- Unable to straighten it.
- Redness in the kneecap.
- Inflammation.
- Neck Injuries — The symptoms of neck injuries vary based on the affected area. But in general, you may feel:
- Inability to move your head
- Numbness
- Weakness
- Tingling sensations
- Pain that radiates to the arms and hands
- Back Injuries — A sudden impact from collisions could strain your back. Some symptoms include:
- Pain that extends to the knees and legs.
- Muscle spasms.
- Bowel or bladder problems indicate that the injury is severe.
- Broken Bones — Fractures range from hairline breaks to shattered bones. Seek medical attention as soon as you feel:
- Intense pain.
- Larger swelling or bruising.
- Open wound with bone protruding.
Car accidents can be a traumatic experience. They can leave a lasting emotional impact on the victims. Our Palo Alto car accident attorneys can help seek accountability for all of your pain and suffering.
Building Your Case With Expert Witnesses
In pursuing compensation for losses, you have to show that the other party is at fault. The evidence you have will be critical in establishing their negligence. Aside from the available proofs, additional documents can support your claim. These are the opinions and statements of medical and economic experts.
Medical Experts
We can connect you with qualified physicians, surgeons, chiropractors, and other medical professionals across California. Based on your doctor’s assessment, medical experts can provide information regarding the impact of your injury on your overall health.
Economic Experts
We can also help you find experienced economic specialists who can serve as expert witnesses in court. They can provide testimony to the jury regarding the financial implications of your injury for your status and capabilities. The economic specialist will mainly calculate your lost salaries and other sources of income, and how they impact your ability to sustain your family.
What To Do If The Other Party Is Uninsured
Not every at-fault motorist is insured or fully insured. There may be an instance where the other party who hit you has no insurance, or their insurance is insufficient to cover your car damage repair and medical bills. Generally, if these situations happen, you may feel like you cannot do anything. But having a lawyer can help you consider other possible options.
Our car accident attorneys in Palo Alto can handle claims from underinsured and uninsured negligent parties. They will explore the options available for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to help address out-of-pocket expenses.
For a general overview:
- Uninsured Motorist Coverage — Gives you coverage in the event of an incident with an uninsured driver.
- Underinsured Motorist Coverage — Provides coverage if you are injured in an accident with a driver who lacks sufficient insurance to cover the costs of the damages or injuries they are responsible for.
You will find these options on your insurance policy. Both of them may pay for your medical bills and damage to your vehicle. Our car accident lawyers in Palo Alto can help you understand these policies. You can have confidence that we will handle the legal matters of your case, including the complicated clauses in your insurance coverage.
When To File A Personal Injury Claim In Palo Alto, CA
California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1 emphasizes that you generally have two years from the accident date to file a case. This deadline is also known as the statute of limitations.
However, there are a few exemptions to this law:
- If guardians do not file a claim at the time of the accident, minor victims can choose to pursue the case when they turn 18. By then, the two-year timeline starts.
- Suppose your injuries developed at a later time after the car crash. The two-year time limit starts on the date when your injury is clinically confirmed.
- If you were injured on government property, you can file a claim within six months instead of the usual two years to prevent losing your right to pursue compensation.
Although two years may appear lengthy, the entire claim procedure can be time-consuming. Collecting evidence alone involves a lot of effort. If required, attending court proceedings would also require a significant amount of time.
Our Palo Alto car accident attorneys can manage the complexities of the claim process, track deadlines, and help you file the necessary paperwork.
Steps You Can Take After A Car Accident In Palo Alto, CA
Time is of the essence when you get into a collision. Don’t just think about the damage to your vehicle. More importantly, consider your and your loved ones’ safety.
Keep these tips handy in case you get into a motor vehicle accident. These will help keep you safe and preserve your rights as well.
- Call 911 — Request police and medical assistance. Detail everyone’s status so the dispatcher can convey the urgency of the situation to the responding crew.
- Get to Safety — Get out of the car slowly and assist your passengers. Make sure to keep away from passing vehicles to avoid further harm.
- Check for Injuries and Get Immediate Medical Attention — Locate any pain point in your body that needs first aid. Let the EMT attend to it. If you are in the driver’s seat, you are mainly responsible for your passengers. Ask if anyone is injured and if they can move or not.
- Document the Scenario — If you can move, capture images and videos of everyone’s condition, focusing on injuries and damage to your vehicle. As mentioned, these can serve as evidence, too.
- Look for Eyewitnesses — Their statements will also count as evidence. Ask for their contact information and permission to testify.
- Get the Other Party’s Details — Calmly ask the other party for their name, phone number, address, and insurance information. If possible, photograph their IDs to support your case.
- Seek Further Care — Aside from first aid, see a doctor immediately to assess your injury thoroughly and discover any underlying conditions caused by the accident.
- Call an Injury Law Firm — Try to avoid providing any statement to the other party, particularly their insurance company. Car accident lawyers in Palo Alto can handle negotiations with insurers and advocate for your rights to seek compensation for your injuries and other losses.
What Not To Do In A Car Accident In Palo Alto, CA
Here are the things you can avoid to help protect your rights and claim:
- Admit Fault — Never apologize to anyone, especially if you are the victim. Your case may be jeopardized if the judge questions why you apologized. Expressing fault may imply that a mistake was made.
- Leaving the Scene — No matter who is at fault, it is illegal to leave the accident scene. A real-life example is a hit-and-run. This would put you at fault and on a police wanted list.
- Not Calling the Police — A police report is essential when filing a claim or case in court. With this, backing up a case is easier.
- Not Seeking Immediate Medical Treatment — Together with a police report, a medical assessment is as critical. Both of them are crucial evidence for a claim or for filing a case. Seeking a doctor at once will also ensure your health and safety.
It is generally advisable to consult with an attorney to help you manage the complexities of the claims process. Our car accident lawyers in Palo Alto can give you a step-by-step guide on what to do and what to avoid during a car accident.
Gil v. Anderson Plumbing: verdict by a Los Angeles County Superior Court jury in Van Nuys awarded to a man who was injured when his vehicle was struck from behind by a large commercial plumbing van. Benny was part of the trial team that obtained this verdict.– BENNY KHORSANDI
Frequently Asked Questions
Is California A Comparative Fault State?
California is a comparative negligence state, also known as comparative fault, which means that in an accident, the court will determine the degree of fault for both the person who caused harm (defendant) and the person who suffered harm (plaintiff).
For example, a fast car rear-ended you while exiting parallel parking, straining your lower back. By not checking your side mirror or being cautious, the police, insurance companies, or the court will determine if you, too, are liable.
If the authorities find that you are 40% responsible for the accident, your claim will be reduced by the same percentage. Despite this ruling, our car accident lawyers in Palo Alto can help you pursue fair compensation and protect your rights.
How Do I Demonstrate The Other Party’s Negligence?
Demonstrating someone else’s negligence in court requires establishing four key elements. In simpler terms, negligence means failing to act with the same level of care and caution as a reasonable person would in a similar situation, resulting in harm, injury, or loss to another individual. If proven in court, negligence can be used to support the injured party’s claims and potentially hold the negligent party accountable.
Here are the four essential elements of negligence:
- Duty of Care — Where the defendant has an obligation to act responsibly to avoid harming the plaintiff. The circumstances of the case or the parties’ relationship determine this legal duty.
- Breach of Duty — Failure to provide the plaintiff with the reasonable care that a responsible person would in similar circumstances.
- Causation — It pertains to the defendant’s breach of duty leading to the plaintiff suffering harm, such as injury or loss. There are two components to causation: factual causation and legal causation.
- Factual Causation — Pertains to evaluating if the defendant’s actions directly resulted in the injury suffered by the plaintiff.
- Legal Causation — Evaluating whether the harm was a foreseeable result of the defendant’s actions and whether it is fair to hold the defendant legally responsible for those consequences.
- Damages — It pertains to the losses suffered by the plaintiff because the defendant failed to fulfill their obligation, such as physical hurt, mental suffering, and monetary setbacks. The following evidence can justify these damages:
- Accident reports
- Medical records
- Video footage
- Surveillance footage
- Photos of your injuries
- Pictures of the accident scene
- Eyewitness statements
- Expert witness opinions
- Employment records
- A journal that describes your suffering
If you find this complicated, our car accident lawyers in Palo Alto can explain it to you and other aspects of your claim and the actions required.
How Do You Negotiate A Settlement?
Once you decide to partner with us, our Palo Alto car accident lawyers can handle communications and negotiations with the other party’s insurance company.
Your assigned auto accident lawyers in Palo Alto will send a detailed demand letter outlining the accident, establishing the other party’s fault, emphasizing medical records showing your injuries, and specifying the desired damages.
The only time that your auto accident attorney will take your case to court is when the other party and their insurance company:
- Decline your demand without a legitimate case.
- Do not provide a fair counteroffer.
- Do not wish to make a settlement.
- Coerce or intimidate you.
We will support you, no matter how influential the other party is. We have faced big corporations such as Walmart and have handled many injury cases.
What Car Accident Types Do We Handle?
Rear-end and side-swipe accident claims are the usual cases our car accident lawyers in Palo Alto handle. We also handle more complicated cases, like:
- Head-on collision claims
- Hit-and-run cases
- T-bone accident claims
- Multi-vehicle collision and pileup claims
- Single-vehicle accidents and rollover claims
Our auto accident attorneys in Palo Alto can handle complex car accident cases. We are a client-focused law practice. Arash Law represents injured victims in various car accident types, regardless of the severity.
Car Accident Statistics In California
The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) cited that the state had a significant increase in traffic accident fatalities, from 3,980 in the previous year to 4,285 in 2021. This accounts for a 7.6% increase.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) topped crash accident cases in the state, where 52.9% of all drivers involved tested positive for drugs or alcohol. Likewise, DUI has been a consistent concern in Palo Alto, with 87 arrests in the same year.
If you are a victim of a reckless DUI driver or any auto incident, let our car accident attorneys in Palo Alto handle your case. We will provide legal support.
Consult Our Car Accident Lawyers In Palo Alto For Legal Help
If you’ve suffered injuries in a car accident that was someone else’s fault, our Palo Alto car accident lawyers can provide personalized guidance and evaluate your potential settlement claim.
We also have on-duty case managers who can assist you with your legal concerns. Our auto accident lawyers in Palo Alto can provide legal support on a contingency basis. Call us at (888) 488-1391.
We also help car accident victims in San Jose, Burbank, Santa Clara, Fruitdale, Sunnyvale, Los Altos, Menlo Park, North Fair Oaks, Cupertino, San Carlos, Belmont, Woodside, Atherton, Loyola, Milpitas, River Oaks, and Bellvale.
