Palo Alto Car Accident Lawyers
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Our Palo Alto Car Accident Lawyers Are Turning Injured Victims Into Victors
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 today.
Authorities recorded a total of 251 cases of car accident injuries and fatalities in Palo Alto in 2021 alone, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). The number signals caution to its residents and visitors.
Arash Law, spearheaded by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., has been helping car accident victims for many years and has recovered more than $500 Million in total compensation, making us the go-to personal injury law firm in California.
From the initial consultation to securing a successful outcome, our Palo Alto car accident attorneys stand by your side, committed to holding the responsible party accountable and obtaining the maximum compensation you deserve.
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 will handle everything for you while you recover at home. Focusing on your recovery after an accident should be your utmost priority.
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 as easy as filling out a form, they are much more than that. They are time-consuming, stressful, and could delay your rehabilitation. Not only can our committed auto accident attorneys in Palo Alto assist you with the long and tedious groundwork, but we will also prevent you from accepting an undervalued settlement offer from the other party.
Be prepared to receive numerous calls from the other party’s insurance company. They will make an offer that appears too good to pass up. But do not grab it because your claim may be worth more. Aside from an offer, the other party may coerce you into stating things that could jeopardize your case or position you as at fault. When these circumstances happen, you should hire a personal injury lawyer to handle these sensitive and critical matters.
Why Should You Get Help From Our Car Accident Attorneys?
Aside from helping you out with collecting the evidence and filing the claim, some of the primary reasons you should hire our car accident attorneys in Palo Alto are:
- To prevent you from grabbing a lowball offer
- To prevent you from releasing any statement that will put your claim at risk
- To shield you from the other party’s possible coercion and intimidation
Partnering with our attorneys immediately after an accident is advantageous in all manners—particularly financially. Our Palo Alto car accident lawyers will collaborate with you on a contingency fee basis. This means no payment is required unless your case is won, ensuring a risk-free and mutually beneficial scenario.
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, leading to a higher chance 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, six months 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 many decades in the industry, our car accident lawyers in Palo Alto have handled many motor vehicle accident cases and have helped more than 3,000 clients obtain maximum compensation claims. Call us or use this contact form to learn how we can help you win your case.
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 will 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 visions
- Shoulder Injuries – When the shoulder dislocates, you will 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 need to watch out for:
- A popping sound 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 will 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 are traumatic, near-death experiences. The memories from the crash will haunt you for life. Our Palo Alto car accident attorneys will hold the other party responsible for all of your pain and suffering.
Building Your Case With Expert Witnesses
To maximize your compensation, you must prove that the other party is at fault. The evidence you have will be critical to proving their negligence. Aside from the available proofs, additional documents will strengthen your claim and case. These are the opinions and statements of medical and economic experts.
Medical Experts
We can connect you with top-tier physicians, surgeons, chiropractors, and other medical professionals across California. Based on your doctor’s assessment, our medical experts will provide information regarding the impact of your injury on your overall health.
Economic Experts
We also have connections to 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 on your status and capability. The economic specialist will mainly calculate your lost salaries and other sources of revenue and how they impact your ability to sustain your family.
To learn more about how to get additional evidence, give us a call. Our car accident lawyers in Palo Alto will help you connect with our expert partners.
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 cannot do anything; you may be at a dead end. But having a lawyer will help you solve these problems.
Our car accident attorneys in Palo Alto have successfully handled claims from underinsured and uninsured negligent parties. They will explore the options available for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to prevent you from covering 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 better. You can have confidence that we will take care of everything, 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 must file a case two years from the accident date. 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 after 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 must file a claim within six months instead of the usual two years to prevent losing your right to compensation.
Although two years may appear lengthy, the entire claim procedure is time-consuming. Collecting evidence alone involves a lot of effort. If required, attending court proceedings would also require a significant amount of time, which would hinder your recovery.
Trusting our Palo Alto car accident attorneys guarantees stress-free healing and a quick recovery. Working with our team immediately can help you avoid missing the deadline.
Steps You Should 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, you should consider your and your loved ones’ safety.
Keep these tips handy in case you get into a motor vehicle accident. These will not only ensure your utmost safety but 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 will 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 Arash Law – Do not provide a statement to the other party, particularly their insurance company. Instead, let our car accident lawyers in Palo Alto handle these critical parts. Call us at (888) 488-1391 today.
What Not To Do In A Car Accident In Palo Alto, CA
Here are the things you should not do to protect your rights and avoid devaluing your 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 implies 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 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 filing a case. Seeking a doctor at once will also ensure your health and safety.
We strongly advise you to contact an attorney immediately. Our car accident lawyers in Palo Alto are on standby 24/7 and ready to give you a step-by-step guide on what to do and what to avoid during a car accident.
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 $100,000 claim will be reduced to $60,000. This reflects a reduction of $40,000, which constitutes 40% of the original amount. Despite this ruling, our adept car accident lawyers in Palo Alto can still give you the maximum compensation and protect your rights.
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
How Do I Prove The Other Party’s Negligence?
Proving 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 ensure the safety and well-being of 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 reasonably 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 determining if the defendant’s actions directly resulted in the injury suffered by the plaintiff.
- Legal Causation – Assesses the fairness of holding the defendant legally responsible for the injury suffered by the plaintiff.
- Damage – It pertains to the tangible damage suffered by the plaintiff because the defendant failed to fulfill their obligation, such as physical hurt, mental suffering, and monetary setbacks. To have a bearing, the following must be present with the damage:
- Accident reports
- Medical records
- Video footages
- Surveillance footages
- Photos of your injuries
- Pictures of the accident scene
- Eyewitness statements
- Expert witness opinions
- Employment records
- A journal that describes your suffering
You may find this complicated, but our car accident lawyers in Palo Alto can fully 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 will communicate and negotiate with the other party’s insurance company as much as possible.
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 escalate your case to court is when the other party and their insurance company:
- Decline your demand without a legitimate case
- Are unwilling to provide a fair counteroffer
- Do not wish to make a settlement
- Coerce or intimidate you
We will not back down, no matter how influential the other party is. We have faced big corporations such as Walmart and won our clients’ cases, amounting to almost $50 million.
What Car Accident Types Do We Handle?
Rear-end and side-swipe accident crash 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
Other law firms initially turned down some of the lawsuits that we had, but our hardworking auto accident attorneys in Palo Alto worked them out and won for our clients. We are a client-focused law practice, and we are not selective. Arash Law represents all people injured 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 give you justice.
Consult The Car Accident Lawyers Palo Alto Turns To For Help!
If you’ve suffered injuries in a car accident that was someone else’s fault, don’t wait to get help. Our Palo Alto car accident lawyers can provide personalized guidance and estimate your potential settlement claim.
We also have on-duty multilingual case managers who speak Spanish, Italian, Farsi, Korean, French, Hebrew, and more. Our auto accident lawyers in Palo Alto will provide legal advice on a contingency or no-win, no-fee basis. Call us at (888) 488-1391 today.
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.
