Richmond Car Accident Lawyers
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Our Richmond Car Accident Lawyers Offer Legal Representation Grounded In Experience
Driving is an important part of getting around Richmond, California. Cars are everywhere. Whether you are driving your own vehicle, carpooling, or using a ridesharing service, however, the number of cars on the road makes the risk of getting into an accident serious. A crash may cause severe life-altering injuries and even death.
Richmond, California, is home to just over 100,000 people in Contra Costa County. As part of the San Francisco Bay Area’s East Bay region, it is a bustling area that sees its fair share of traffic, as well as traffic accidents. With attractions like The Point, the Masquers Playhouse, and The Plunge, there is plenty to do in Richmond. Car accidents are a side effect of congested traffic.
Many car accidents are caused by driver error. A lawyer can help advocate for your rights if you’ve been hurt in an accident caused by a negligent driver. An experienced Richmond car accident lawyer can help you seek compensation for your losses.
Car accidents happen every day in California. In fact, the California Highway Patrol indicates that there were nearly 270,000 people injured in traffic accidents in 2019 alone. In many cases, these accidents happen because of the negligence of motorists, bicyclists, or pedestrians. The Richmond car accident lawyers at our law firm can gather evidence to hold potentially negligent drivers responsible for their actions on the roads. You may be able to seek reimbursement for your injuries and other kinds of losses, including those related to the mental and emotional impacts of your crash.
An accident attorney can assist you in seeking a settlement from the at-fault parties and their insurance providers. Arash Law has the resources, experience, and skills to build an evidence-backed case on your behalf. Call us or visit one of our offices in California to learn about your legal options and rights.
A farm worker, suffered multiple broken bones and other orthopedic injuries resulting from an auto accident where the defendant driver attempted to make a left turn in front of our client in heavy fog.– ARASH KHORSANDI
California Car Accident Statistics
The California Highway Patrol provides the following statistics regarding traffic accidents in California from 2019:
- There were 218,707 vehicle occupants injured.
- On average, a person was injured every 1 minute and 57 seconds.
- There were 14,073 motorcyclists injured.
- One out of every 148 people was injured in a traffic crash.
How Do I Build A Car Accident Case?
A valid car accident case is one that can prove all the elements of negligence. These are duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages. Each of these elements must be proven for you to pursue compensation. An accident attorney knows how to build a case to establish whether the other driver in a car accident was negligent.
An accident attorney can employ various investigative methods, collect evidence, speak with experts, and collect documents and witness testimony to build your case and negotiate a satisfactory settlement. What follows are some of the ways that an accident attorney may help with your claim:
Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may require an expert witness. Their job is to observe physical evidence and identify what likely happened at the scene of the accident. These witnesses may also examine your injuries and determine whether there is causation. If you are unrepresented, finding a qualified expert witness may be difficult. Experienced accident attorneys can work with these witnesses and can connect you with them.
Accident lawyers know what facts are necessary to prove that a duty exists and if the driver breached that duty. Every Richmond driver has a duty to drive safely on the road. That means that every driver must avoid things like driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, distracted driving, speeding, or fatigued driving. If they fail to uphold this duty, they have breached it. It is your attorney’s job to investigate the case and find evidence of a breach of duty. Whether that is getting arrest records for drunk driving, if one exists at the time of the accident, or getting a copy of a citation for speeding, your attorney can use relevant information to build your case.
Attorneys may use the facts in the police report to help build a case. Usually, a police officer will respond to the scene of the accident. If a police officer responds to the scene of the accident, they will complete an accident report. In the accident report, the police officer will write down details of the accident and will make an initial determination of liability. The report that the police officer completes may help you prove your case. A police report can be a reliable source of information because it is completed by a third party who has no interest in the outcome of a civil lawsuit. Your attorney can help you by getting a copy of the accident report and using the facts within to support the facts of your case.
Eye-witness accounts of an accident can help make your claim more credible. Showing the judge or jury a person who saw everything that happened can help your case as you try to seek compensation in a lawsuit. Your attorney can interview your witnesses and identify whose accounts of the accident may help substantiate your claim. During interviews, your attorney may also prep them for giving testimony at trial.
What Makes Richmond A Risky Place For Car Accidents?
Car accidents can happen on any road, but the streets of Richmond are particularly vulnerable to car accidents because of the uniqueness of the city. What follows are some common risk factors for car accidents in Richmond.
The Nightlife And Entertainment Districts In Richmond
Richmond has plenty of nightlife options for people to choose from. From the clubs in The Point to various bars and restaurants scattered throughout the city, there are plenty of places for people to socialize and drink alcohol. In addition to alcohol consumption, the sheer number of people who are at these large events may cause accidents. Congested traffic makes driver errors happen more often and causes more accidents. The traffic congestion may cause rear-end accidents. If you have been injured in a rear-end accident, the Richmond car accident lawyers can help you pursue compensation for your injuries and losses.
Construction
Construction usually means some roads are closed. In many cities, when roads are closed during construction, the flow of traffic is changed. An accident can occur when a driver is not aware of a change in the flow of traffic. The construction itself may leave dangerous debris on the road and cause an accident.
Traffic
Traffic can be a breeding ground for accidents. For example, the stress of traffic during rush hour and large events may lead to aggressive driving behaviors. Traffic congestion may also lead to distracted driving. When traffic is slow, it is tempting to use the time in the car looking at our phones, texting people, checking emails, and changing our music. However, when we take our minds off the task of driving, we risk getting into an accident. An accident can happen the second you choose to check a text message.
There are many different types of car accidents. These accidents can cause various injuries and lead to a range of damages that victims may be eligible to seek by filing a claim.
What Kinds Of Car Accidents Can Happen?
What follows are some of the common traffic accidents that occur in Richmond.
Drunk Driving Accidents
Drunk driving is a major cause of accidents in Richmond. They are also largely preventable. Despite their motivations, the impaired driver may not only face serious criminal charges but also civil penalties like a personal injury lawsuit. “Drunk driving” also includes driving under the influence of drugs, whether legal or illegal. With the growing opiate epidemic, the prevalence of driving under the influence of drugs has increased, and so has the number of car crashes.
Wrong-Way Drivers
A wrong-way accident occurs when a driver is traveling on the wrong side of the road. They may happen because a driver is lost, they are unfamiliar with the neighborhood or area, or they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The severity of the accident and its aftermath may depend on the speed the lost driver is traveling at the time of impact.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions cause some of the most serious aftermaths of any traffic accident. They happen when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions, usually at high speed, hit each other. A head-on collision may be caused by an impaired or distracted driver.
Texting And Driving
Texting and driving accidents are among the most preventable accidents that happen on Richmond roads. Checking a text message may take one second. In that one second, however, an accident can occur, potentially leading to severe and permanent injuries and even death.
It can be difficult to prove that one driver was texting and caused the accident. One way is to speak to a witness who saw the driver texting. Another way to prove that the driver was texting is to get the driver’s phone records. Our Richmond car accident lawyers can help you obtain the necessary evidence to support your claim.
Are There Common Injuries That Happen In Car Accidents?
Each car accident case is unique. However, despite the unique facts of the case, there are some common types of injuries that a car accident victim may sustain. To learn more about the different types of injuries, continue reading.
Wrongful Death
In the event of a fatal car accident, a victim’s surviving family members may be able to file wrongful death claims. They are usually complicated, but you can consider working with an experienced advocate who understands the law and can help you pursue related losses, such as funeral and burial costs.
Facial Disfigurement
Facial disfigurement can happen after a car accident. Your face is the first thing that people see, and you want to present well to other people. In this case, there may be a potential compensatory damage award for this injury.
Internal Injuries
Car accidents may cause injuries that are not visible and require medical attention so that they can be caught. An example of internal injuries is internal bleeding. There is no way to determine if you are bleeding internally on your own. If left untreated, these injuries can worsen and potentially prove fatal. You might need surgery to fix internal bleeding.
Even if the hospital catches internal bleeding in time to save your life, you may still suffer damage to your organs, leading to infection and organ failure. It is important to get medical attention right away after a car accident.
Back Injuries
Back injuries may not present themselves for quite a while. That is why you should seek prompt medical attention. A doctor can notice the signs of a back injury and try to prevent the effects before you begin to feel them.
The effects of back injuries can stay with you for life. They may require major treatment. You may need surgery, a visit to the chiropractor, or physical therapy to treat your injuries. Time is a factor when it comes to any injury after a car accident. To seek reimbursement for any injury-related costs, you will need to show an insurance company or a court that the harm you suffered is related to the accident.
Neck Injuries
Neck injuries are common after car accidents and may present themselves as whiplash more often than not. Whiplash occurs when your head is jolted back and forth or side to side. While not a serious injury, it must be treated by a medical professional. Symptoms of whiplash may not be seen immediately, but it is important to know that the symptoms can show up and last for days and weeks after the accident. The effects of whiplash may cause you to lose time at work. You may also experience pain and stiffness for days or weeks from torn muscles and tendons in your neck. If your pain leaves and returns, go back to the doctor.
Can I Sue For My Injuries After A Car Accident?
Knowing what to do after a car accident can be confusing. However, identifying who to sue is one of the first questions that you may ask.
You might be able to sue if a car accident was caused by a negligent driver. An attorney can help you learn if their actions caused your accident. To prove a case of negligence, you must prove the following elements:
- There is a duty that the defendant owed to the plaintiff. In the car accident context, the duty is to use care to avoid accidents by following traffic laws and traveling safely.
- The driver breached their duty to all other people who use the road. If it is proven that the driver failed to perform their duty, the breach element is met.
- The driver’s failure to perform their duty of safe driving caused your injuries and losses. Through the study of your medical records, causation can be proven.
- You suffer some injury or loss because of the negligence of the other driver. A look at all the expenses and the emotional damage caused by the car accident can serve as proof of damages.
If you cannot prove each of these elements, your claim will not be valid. You can work with an attorney who can help you build your case. Although it may seem simple, a negligence case has many ups and downs and may require extensive legal research, interviews with expert witnesses, and other tasks related to case preparation. An attorney can do these activities on your behalf so you can focus more on recovering from your accident-related injuries.
Who Is Responsible If I Am Hurt In A Car Accident In Richmond?
Finding the responsible party for your injuries is one challenge you may face when you are seeking compensation for your injuries after a car accident. There may be more than one person or company that is responsible for your injuries. Everyone responsible for your injuries may be legally obligated to pay for your injuries. The question is: how do you determine if someone or some company is accountable for your injuries?
That is where an attorney comes in. Our Richmond personal injury lawyers have decades of collective experience identifying people and companies who may have caused accidents through their negligence. Here are some examples of potentially liable defendants in car crash cases.
- Companies – The company is responsible for its employees’ actions and for the products it places on the marketplace. Any kind of company may be negligent, and its negligence may cause an accident. Examples of companies that may cause damage by being negligent include construction companies and car manufacturers, but any company that sells defective vehicles, fails to supervise drivers, fails to maintain vehicles properly, or causes road hazards may cause a car accident and be liable for your injuries.
- Employee Drivers – Drivers may operate company vehicles negligently and cause an accident. If an employee driver is negligent, then the employee’s company may also be on the hook to pay for your damages.
- Drivers – Every driver has the duty to operate their vehicle safely. If a driver fails to drive safely and causes an accident, their negligence can cause an accident and lead to devastating results. There are many types of accidents, some involving multiple drivers. It is important to identify the correct driver for liability purposes.
In many of the above circumstances, you may be required to file multiple insurance claims. An attorney can help you identify the potentially liable parties and pursue a settlement for the accident. The experienced attorneys at Arash Law can work to help you seek compensation that closely aligns with the value of your losses.
Settlement in a motor vehicle accident; client suffered internal injuries.– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
What Actions Are Considered Negligent In A Car Crash Case?
Not every action is negligent, but some actions have been done by people who have failed to act reasonably. In Richmond, there have been numerous injuries, fatalities, and crashes in the state in the past year, according to the Highway Safety Office. According to the office, 120,000 crashes happened across the state, and 5,000 occurred in one year in Richmond alone. These accidents have led to a significant number of injuries and fatalities. One of the leading factors in these accidents is driver negligence. The following are examples of negligent acts:
- Fatigued Driving — It is unsafe to drive while sleepy, and it could mean that you are liable for someone’s injuries if you choose to drive without adequate sleep. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), almost 56,000 car accidents happen each year because a driver is fatigued. Drivers who drove while sleepy caused 40,000 injuries and 1,500 deaths. Fatigued driving is unsafe because the driver lacks the focus that driving requires.
- Distracted Driving — Distracted driving happens when the driver does anything that takes their focus off the task of driving. Distracted driving may include texting and driving, speaking on the phone, changing music, eating, or talking to passengers. According to the NHTSA, distracted driving causes 450,000 injuries and 1,550 deaths across the country each year.
- Drugged Driving — Driving under the influence is legally considered negligent. According to the NHTSA, the number of fatally injured people in car accidents has increased by 13 percent in one year. The implementation of “anti-drunk” laws has made the penalty for impaired driving more severe. The public awareness campaigns that the state has used also contribute to the effort to stop DUI-related accidents and fatalities.
- Reckless Driving — Operating a vehicle without any regard for the safety of others is reckless driving. A driver operates their vehicle recklessly when they speed through a red light or a stop sign, change lanes carelessly, or challenge other drivers to a race.
- Failing to Have Insurance — If you get into an accident with a driver who does not have insurance or does not have adequate insurance to pay for your damages, you may have to rely on your own insurance policy. In this case, you can make a claim with your uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) policy. To check your limits, take a look at your policy. Our car accident attorneys have experience filing different insurance claims and can guide you on what steps to take to seek a fair settlement.
What Steps Do I Take After An Accident In Richmond?
There are certain things that you should do after an accident to protect your physical health and your legal rights. Here are some examples.
- Gather Evidence – It is important to get as much evidence at the scene as possible. Take pictures, take videos, and talk to the other driver and their passengers to get their side of the story if you can. When you speak to the other driver and their passengers, do not admit fault. It is very important that you do not even apologize as you get out of your car.
- Get Medical Attention – It is necessary to get medical attention promptly after the accident and continue to do so until you no longer need treatment. If you refuse medical attention, it may affect your chances of pursuing compensation in the future.
- Get Legal Guidance – Consider not signing anything or talking to another driver’s insurance company or a defense attorney before speaking to an attorney. Consulting a lawyer can help you learn about your rights, how to uphold them, and whether you can pursue compensation. If you have a case, they can also help handle your accident claim.
What Damages Can I Seek In A Richmond Car Accident Case?
There are a variety of damages that you can pursue in a personal injury case. The Richmond car accident attorneys at our law firm know that calculating a fair settlement can be difficult. As you try to seek compensation, you should keep a record of all the money you have spent on caring for yourself in the aftermath of a car accident. You may then be able to pursue the following:
- Wrongful Death Damages — After a fatal car accident, a victim’s surviving family members may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim. These may seek compensation for related expenses, such as funeral and burial costs.
- Lost Earning Capacity — This means that you are unable to work in the same industry or at the same rate as you had before the accident. A car accident that takes your chosen career away may be grounds for seeking damages.
- Lost Wages — Some injuries leave you unable to work. Victims can often pursue reimbursement for lost wages through a personal injury claim.
- Pain and Suffering Damages — These compensate for the intangible losses of the victim, such as emotional distress, PTSD, loss of companionship, and more.
- Rehabilitation Costs — Some injuries do not require you to spend time as a patient in a hospital, but they may require some rehab. For example, whiplash does not require hospitalization, but you may need some physical therapy to make the pain go away.
- Future Medical Bills — Some injuries from a car accident may require long-term medical care. These may be estimated and factored into a car accident claim.
- Medical Bills — Medical bills can range from getting a physical examination from a doctor to undergoing major surgery (including amputation). We can include these expenses when seeking compensation for your accident-related losses.
What Happens If An Insurance Company Denies My Claim?
There are circumstances when an insurance company will deny your claim. Here are some common reasons that an insurance company will deny your claim:
- You refused to see a doctor.
- There is insufficient evidence that the accident caused your injuries.
- Your insurance policy has lapsed or has been canceled.
- You delayed in filing your claim.
If an insurance company denies your accident claim, consider working with a Richmond car accident attorney who can help you negotiate a settlement with that provider.
How Long Do I Have To File A Lawsuit In California?
The deadline to file a lawsuit is called the statute of limitations. The purpose of the statute of limitations is to prevent people from delaying filing a lawsuit. A plaintiff has two years from the date of the accident to file a claim in California. Some exceptions may extend or shorten this deadline in your case. Missing it may mean losing your right to pursue compensation, even if you have a valid claim.
What Happens If I Cannot Afford To Hire An Attorney?
If you cannot afford an attorney, you can enter into a contingency plan agreement with your attorney. We work with clients on a contingency fee basis. We do not get paid attorney fees unless there is a settlement awarded to our client. They do not pay us up front, which aims to make our services more accessible. However, please note that clients may still be asked to pay other case-related costs outside this agreement.
The attorneys at our firm can help your case by:
- Negotiating a settlement with insurance companies on your behalf.
- Taking a client-focused approach to your case, which considers your unique needs and circumstances after a car accident.
- Being ready to go to trial if they cannot negotiate a settlement with the insurance company.
Our Richmond Car Accident Attorneys Are Ready To Review Your Case
The lawyers at our firm are here to help you if you’ve recently been injured in a car crash. We’ll review your case to learn if we can help you seek compensation for your accident-related losses. Arash Law has years of experience helping injured clients across California through the claims process. Call us at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free initial consultation.
