Santa Barbara Personal Injury Lawyers
We’ll tell you if you have a case or not, call (888) 488-1391 — We’re here 24 hours a day.
Our Santa Barbara Personal Injury Lawyers Are Committed To Injury Victims Across California
Got injured in an accident in Santa Barbara? Our Santa Barbara Personal Injury Lawyers can help you with your case. At Arash Law, our attorneys are dedicated to helping victims seek fair compensation for their medical bills and other damages they have suffered.
Contact us for a free initial consultation at (888) 488-1391. Our lines are open 24/7 to address questions and concerns from injured victims in Santa Barbara and throughout California.
A Lay Of The Land
Santa Barbara is a coastal city located in Santa Barbara County, California. The city faces south toward the coastline, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains. As of 2020, the Census reports the population at 88,665. The city is known for its Mediterranean climate and is often referred to as the “American Riviera.”
It is a popular tourist and resort destination. It also has a diverse economy comprising education, technology, health care, finance, manufacturing, and agriculture. There are four higher learning institutions in the area:
There are various modes of transportation available for residents and visitors. The Amtrak train and Santa Barbara Airport are popular modes for getting to distant destinations. The Amtrak runs from San Diego to San Luis Obispo. For short-distance travel, there are several highways, including U.S. Highway 101, which connects to various places like:
- Los Angeles
- San Francisco
While these highways are convenient, they pose a serious risk to drivers. Accidents are prevalent throughout Santa Barbara County. After a collision, victims can benefit from the legal assistance of skilled Santa Barbara personal injury lawyers.
Santa Barbara has pristine beaches, an excellent climate, and Spanish architecture, making it a pleasant place to live. The biggest downside, as you might imagine, is the city traffic. With more traffic, there is a higher chance of a vehicle collision. Like other populous cities, Santa Barbara sees many accidents on its streets. Serious accidents are common for residents throughout the city. Heavy tourism is another factor that contributes to the high rate of collisions.
After an accident, California allows victims to seek compensation when negligence or careless actions cause their injuries. Whether the incident involves a car crash, dog bite, medical malpractice, or another form of negligence, you may have legal options to pursue. If you intend to file a claim, our experienced Santa Barbara personal injury lawyers can guide you through the process.
How Our Santa Barbara Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help With Your Claim
Arash Law, founded by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., is dedicated to helping you seek the compensation you may be entitled to. Generally, you may be able to pursue monetary damages for your injuries. However, other forms of compensation may also be available.
To build a case that reflects your losses, it’s essential to identify and establish the potential liability of the party responsible for your damages. Our lawyers have been assisting clients with personal injury cases for decades across the state.
Before pursuing a legal claim, you should prioritize your health and seek medical attention. Once your condition is stable, gathering evidence from the scene of the accident can be helpful to your case. Consider seeking assistance from an attorney who can conduct investigations and help you collect evidence. Following these recommendations can help you protect yourself and your injury claim.
Our experienced personal injury lawyers in Santa Barbara can help you navigate your case, from a free initial case review through settlement or trial. Contact us to schedule a consultation to discuss your case and explore your legal options.
Our firm handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t have to pay us attorneys’ fees unless we obtain compensation on your behalf. Although certain case-related costs may still apply regardless of the outcome, our fee structure allows you to seek legal counsel with no upfront costs.
Some cases may be resolved with a demand packet and several letters, while others may require extensive legal action, including litigation. When Arash Law takes on a case, we prepare it for trial even if we expect to settle out of court. This approach can be helpful in situations where a fair settlement cannot be reached during negotiations.
We have flexible options for meeting with potential clients. You can schedule an appointment through our online form or call us for a free initial consultation at (888) 488-1391. If you’d prefer to meet in person, our attorneys can meet with you at a location of your choosing.
2019: $27M confidential settlement in a case involving multiple plaintiffs.– BRIAN BEECHER
Statistics For Personal Injury Incidents In Santa Barbara
The California Office of Traffic Safety collects accident data and compares it to various cities throughout California. Comparing Santa Barbara to 106 other cities, it is ranked the 19th worst city for traffic accident injuries and deaths. In their latest reporting year, there were 544 traffic accidents.
Pedestrian And Bicycle Accidents In Santa Barbara
The general statistics for accident rates in Santa Barbara are startling, but it is even more worrisome when you look at the data closely. While motorists are in grave danger, bicycle riders and pedestrians have an elevated risk. Accidents involving cars and bicycles in Santa Barbara injured or killed 86 victims. This number gives Santa Barbara the third-worst ranking among the 106 cities analyzed by the OTS.
While it is unsafe for bicycles, it is also dangerous for pedestrians. Therefore, the city ranks as the 13th worst for pedestrians among the 106 cities compared. OTS found 57 pedestrian accidents resulting in injury or death.
Making matters worse, young pedestrians under 15 are at greater risk than others. Their injuries and deaths put Santa Barbara in the 10th spot for accidents involving children. Senior adults are also in danger. Accidents involving those 65 and older give us a ranking of 12 out of 106. Seniors and children face higher risks when they go walking around Santa Barbara.
Traffic Accident Causes In Santa Barbara
Negligence often contributes to traffic collisions in Santa Barbara, including drunk driving, speeding, distracted driving, and traffic infractions. In 2021, the OTS ranked Santa Barbara third out of 105 California cities for alcohol-related accidents among drivers aged 21 to 34. You cannot discuss alcohol-related accidents without considering nighttime accidents as well. In the same year, Santa Barbara was 18th among cities with the highest number of nighttime collisions.
Auto Accident Lawsuits In Santa Barbara
Most traffic accidents settle before a lawsuit is filed. There is a two-year deadline for filing lawsuits, legally known as the statute of limitations. This means victims have two years after their accident to file a lawsuit against the responsible party. Failing to meet this legal deadline could bar the victim from seeking compensation.
Other legal exceptions may change the deadline, such as when a minor is injured in a car accident. In this case, the minor will have two years to file a lawsuit after they turn 18.
If you need to file a case for a traffic collision in Santa Barbara, Arash Law is ready to help you take that step.
Your lawsuit will be filed in the Superior Court for Santa Barbara. The Santa Barbara County Courthouse is located at 1100 Anacapa Street. It is a beautiful courthouse and a historic structure. The courthouse has six judges who hear civil cases such as personal injury matters.
In the most recent reporting year, 267 motor vehicle accident lawsuits were filed. For the same reporting year, there were 244 of those lawsuits resolved. There was only one jury trial among those 244 cases. Three-fourths of motor vehicle accident claims are resolved within one year of filing, and 92 percent are resolved within two years.
Even though the above statistics may show a likely resolution of accident cases, each case has different circumstances that result in different outcomes.
Cases Our Santa Barbara Personal Injury Lawyers Handle
The personal injury landscape has many subcategories. While car accidents make up most of these claims, there are several others. Arash Law handles a multitude of personal injury cases, including:
- Car accidents
- Bike accidents
- 18-wheeler accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Motorcycle collisions
- Dog bites
- Aviation accident
- Boat accident
- Slip-and-falls
- Catastrophic injuries
- Premises liability
- Bus collisions
- Train accidents
- Rideshare collisions
- Wrongful death
If you have suffered an injury from someone else’s negligence, consider speaking with our Santa Barbara personal injury lawyers to help you with your case. We will investigate the situation to identify who may be responsible and file a claim on your behalf.
What Compensation Can You Pursue?
It is common for injury victims to face financial challenges while they are recovering from an accident. Your health is essential, which means missing work and capping your health insurance policy. You might have to dip into your savings accounts or borrow money. Our Santa Barbara personal injury attorneys can assist victims in pursuing compensation for these losses.
Seeking the compensation you may be entitled to can help with the financial strain associated with your accident. If you have a permanent injury, that will also impact the rest of your life. The goal of our Santa Barbara personal injury lawyers is to pursue compensation on behalf of victims who have suffered losses, allowing them to focus on healing from their injuries.
When we file accident claims with insurance companies, we can help you assess the value of your claim and negotiate on your behalf. We can estimate your losses and consider individual factors. The compensation we plan to pursue on your behalf may include the following:
- Medical Bills — Medical expenses will pile up quickly after an injury. Filing a personal injury claim is often the only way to seek compensation for these losses. For severe injuries, the insurance policy may max out quickly. The insurance company may also prevent you from pursuing these damages. Costs that are related to injuries include:
- Hospitalization
- Prescriptions
- Ambulance transport
- Emergency medical care
- Surgery
- Medical equipment or devices
- Future medical care
- Lost Income — Some injuries require a few days off work, while others prevent victims from returning to the jobs they had before the accident. If you cannot work, your income may be significantly reduced. You may be able to include lost income in your demand. If your injuries prevent you from working, we can also consider the money you will not earn due to a lower earning potential.
- Property Damage — Your vehicle, bicycle, personal effects, and more can be a significant financial burden after an accident. Totaled vehicles can cost victims thousands to replace them. It is important to note that with property damage, the estimate is based on the item’s current value, not what you paid for it. Our Santa Barbara personal injury lawyers can help you estimate the compensation you may be entitled to for this type of damage.
- Pain and Suffering — Many injury cases involve non-economic damages. California allows injury victims to pursue emotional trauma, pain, and suffering damages. These damages can be challenging to calculate. Our personal injury attorneys can help you estimate your non-economic damages and advocate for fair compensation.
After reviewing your case, our Santa Barbara personal injury lawyers can help you pursue compensation for your current and future losses. Arash Law can assist you in building a case that reflects the extent of your losses and injuries.
California Pure Comparative Negligence Law
Each state has different laws for negligence. California works with pure comparative negligence, meaning injury victims in Santa Barbara can file claims against the at-fault party even when they contribute to the accident. Sometimes mistakes happen, or there are multiple parties involved.
Comparative negligence is especially vital when there are multiple parties involved. Suppose there are five vehicles involved in a collision. Each driver, including you, was assigned 20 percent responsibility for causing the accident. That means the other four drivers would be responsible for compensating your total damages minus your percentage of fault. In this case, your potential award could only reach up to 80%.
Working with Santa Barbara personal injury lawyers can be beneficial if shared fault is involved. They can negotiate with the involved parties on your behalf and help you avoid making any statements that could increase your liability.
Aside from that, evidence may also be helpful in cases involving shared fault. The following evidence may support a case:
- Medical records
- Photographs and videos of the accident scene
- Police reports
How To File A Personal Injury Claim
You should consider filing an insurance claim before resorting to a Santa Barbara lawsuit. Settling out of court is often preferable to litigating a case, which can be time-consuming and costly. To establish grounds for a claim, you need to demonstrate that someone else’s negligence was the cause of the accident and your injuries. A victim’s medical records can be crucial in establishing causation. These records will correlate the accident to your injuries. Gathering pieces of evidence may also impact the outcome of your claim.
It is vital to prioritize your health above all else. Many medical conditions can last for years. Sometimes, symptoms do not appear for hours or days after the collision. This is why it is essential to seek medical attention, even if you feel fine after an accident.
Sometimes victims report suffering chronic pain years after the accident. Your health insurance can help cover some of your losses. Unfortunately, that might not be enough to cover everything. Our Santa Barbara personal injury lawyers can help protect your rights to seek compensation. We will evaluate your case and pursue compensation that reflects the extent of your losses.
The insurance company may try to challenge the extent of its responsibility. Arash Law can file insurance documents, collect evidence, and negotiate with the insurance company. We will file a lawsuit when necessary to protect our clients. Our Santa Barbara personal injury attorneys can assist you in navigating the legal process to file your claim.
Should You Speak With An Insurance Representative?
Generally, talking to insurance companies without seeking legal advice can be challenging. You need to be mindful of what you say and avoid making statements that may harm your claim. If an insurance agent reaches out, it may be wise to direct them to your Santa Barbara personal injury attorney.
Our lawyers at Arash Law can handle communications with the insurers on your behalf. We can inform the insurance company of our representation and request that all communications go through our office. Our team can help you protect your rights throughout the claims process.
Why Choose Arash Law As Your Santa Barbara Personal Injury Lawyer?
Arash Law can help you navigate various challenges in your case. We can coordinate medical treatment for your injuries by referring you to healthcare professionals in Santa Barbara. Additionally, our team works diligently to help you pursue compensation while you recover from your injuries. Here’s what we can do for you:
- Investigating your accident to identify who may be liable.
- Building a claim that reflects the extent of your losses.
- Negotiating with the insurance company.
- Finding medical providers.
- Seeking damages for repairs or replacement of your property.
Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers In Santa Barbara
Backed with decades of cumulative experience, our attorneys have assisted accident victims in California in pursuing fair compensation. Our team has managed various personal injury cases involving bus accidents, motorcycle collisions, car crashes, tractor-trailer incidents, defective products, and wrongful deaths. We also handle cases involving unsafe premises and catastrophic injuries. We represent clients in Santa Barbara County from consultation to trial.
No Win, No Fee Policy
Another benefit of working with Arash Law is that we provide legal representation to victims on a contingency fee basis. Injury victims don’t need to worry about paying attorney fees upfront to speak with us or use our services. You only pay us if we obtain compensation on your behalf.
However, we may still charge other fees related to your case regardless of the outcome. We can go over our payment structure and potential costs with you during one of our meetings.
Personalized Case Strategy
When we prepare your case, we customize our approach to your specific circumstances. An attorney from our firm provides individualized attention to your case rather than juggling multiple cases at once. We can keep you updated on your case’s progress so you can make informed decisions on how to move forward.
There are many other reasons why selecting our Arash Law injury attorneys can benefit your case. To learn more, consult our Santa Barbara personal injury lawyers.
Morales v. Construction Group Staffing (settled on 7/23/2020) – settlement involving a client who was catastrophically injured when he fell from a height of 4 stories down a shaft. This is a record breaking California Workers’ Compensation settlement. Read more about this case on Yahoo! Finance News– TINA ESHGHIEH
How Should I Prepare For My Initial Consultation With A Personal Injury Lawyer?
Scheduling an initial consultation with an attorney may be wise if you’ve been injured in an accident. Many potential clients are unsure of what to expect and what to bring. The stakes are high, and you may need experienced legal assistance when you are filing a claim.
Financially, you are likely facing job loss, debt, and medical bills. Your claim can also impact the quality of your life for years to come. Permanent disability caused by your injuries can be challenging to tackle. Having legal representation from Arash Law may be helpful when seeking compensation for your losses.
When preparing for your initial consultation, there are many things you should bring. Being prepared and having a Santa Barbara personal injury attorney can be vital for your claim.
When you prepare for your initial consultation, your personal injury attorney in Santa Barbara has a strong starting point. From there, they can continue to strengthen your case. The sooner your lawyer knows about potential disputes or problem areas, the better they can prepare. Bring the good and the bad.
Injury victims should prepare for an initial consultation by:
- Writing Down What You Remember — The accident happened so fast that you don’t know where to start. Write down everything you remember as soon as you can. Include details, big and small. While you might think a small detail is insignificant, it might change the course of your claim. Suppose you notice a surveillance camera; make a note of it. Such an observation can be useful when your Santa Barbara personal injury lawyers are looking for evidence. Be sure to record details like the date, time, location, law enforcement response, your statement, injuries sustained, and what happened at the scene.
- Compiling Evidence — If you can gather evidence at the scene, you must bring it to your initial consultation. Evidence can include photographs, witnesses’ information, property damage photos, etc. Your Santa Barbara personal injury lawyers will review your evidence and discuss how it will impact your claim.
- Gathering Medical Documents — We will need medical documentation to demonstrate that your injuries resulted from or were exacerbated by the accident. By showing that you required medical attention from the scene or shortly after, the insurer is less likely to argue your damages.
- Bringing Receipts and Invoices — You must keep receipts and invoices for any expenses you accumulate from the accident. These documents may help demonstrate your losses and be included in your injury claim. Bring what you have to your initial consultation. As you continue to gather more, send them to your lawyer.
- Printing Your Insurance Policies — Many insurance policies can help you during an accident claim. You should bring your car insurance, health insurance, and other policy information. We can review these documents to assess your options for seeking compensation.
- Gathering Financial Documents — You will need compensation if you miss work or lose your job. You must provide documents to help demonstrate that the accident resulted in financial burdens. Tax documents and employment records might be required if you cannot work in the same capacity.
- Printing Out Correspondence From the Opposing Party — If the at-fault party or their insurance company has contacted you, records of that communication may also serve as evidence. Bring any emails, texts, letters, or other correspondence with you to an initial consultation. Provide what you have, even if you did not respond to the communications.
Understandably, each case is unique, and you might not have some of the documents ready. Bring what you have and discuss ways to gather other relevant documents with Santa Barbara personal injury lawyers.
Can I Use Social Media While My Claim Is Pending?
After a traumatic accident, it is understandable to want to inform your friends and family of your condition. Communication has heavily moved to social media. However, any posts regarding your claim, injury, or accident may be used against you. Your posts can be taken out of context and harm your claim, potentially reducing its value. Santa Barbara personal injury lawyers generally advise clients to stay off social media.
If you can deactivate your social media accounts, you should consider doing so. When that is not an option, there are other steps you can take to protect yourself. Steps you can take include:
- Switch to Private — Most social media platforms let users change the privacy settings of their page. This setting means that only you and your connections can see what you post.
- Avoid Accepting Friend Requests — Refrain from accepting friend requests from people you do not recognize. This may help you protect your privacy and your right to seek compensation.
- Refrain From Discussing Your Personal Injury Case — You must not speak about your accident, even if you have private pages. Anything you post about the case may be used to challenge your claim. You can’t be sure whether someone is covertly investigating your accident, reaching out to people in your circle, and taking screenshots of your posts and communications.
- Do Not Post Photos of Yourself — During your recovery, it may be wise to avoid sharing photos or updates on social media. Even images of you spending time with your loved ones or attending events can be misinterpreted or taken out of context. Waiting to post on social media until your claim is resolved may help you protect your rights and prevent misunderstandings about your condition after the accident.
- Ask Friends Not to Tag You in Posts — Consequently, you also need to ask your loved ones to refrain from tagging you in posts or photos on social media. Many platforms offer privacy settings that let you review or approve tags before they appear on your profile. Limiting tags can help prevent confusion and keep information about your case private.
Social media platforms can provide valuable information to insurance companies during an active claim. Even seemingly innocuous posts, comments, or images could be interpreted in ways that change the perception of your case. If you have posted anything on social media since your accident, let your Santa Barbara personal injury attorney know about it. They can advise you on how to manage your accounts and whether any content might influence your claim.
What Mistakes Can Harm My Personal Injury Case?
Some injury victims are confident in their claim because it is clear that the other party was responsible for their injuries. This confidence can sometimes lead to making costly mistakes. Opposing counsel may raise defenses to challenge your claim. Any mistake can lead to them accomplishing that goal.
Arash Law can explain what you should and should not do following an accident. Some mistakes you should avoid:
- Putting Off an Initial Consultation — Some evidence is only available immediately following a collision. When you put off meeting with a Santa Barbara personal injury lawyer, it can prevent them from gathering evidence, speaking to witnesses, and helping you protect your rights during the claims process.
- Waiting Too Long to Seek Medical Treatment — Putting off treatment, even for a minor injury, can be detrimental to your case. The insurance adjuster can argue that you suffered an injury from something else or did not take the proper steps to mitigate your losses.
- Posting About Your Case or Accident Online — As previously mentioned, stay offline, as your posts can be used as evidence.
- Providing a Recorded Statement — In most cases, it’s advisable to avoid direct communication with insurance companies following an accident. They may ask for a recorded statement, which could harm your claim. It is important to consult a personal injury attorney in Santa Barbara for guidance.
- Ignoring Doctor’s Orders — Follow all instructions that the doctor and medical professionals advise. If you deviate from their instructions, it may impact your compensation award significantly.
Discuss Your Case With Our Personal Injury Lawyers In Santa Barbara
If you suffer an injury and want to discuss your legal options, Arash Law can assist you. We bring experience, professionalism, and compassion to every case. We are dedicated to helping victims pursue just compensation for the losses they’ve suffered.
Besides helping injured victims in Santa Barbara, we also assist clients in nearby areas such as San Francisco, Riverside, Sacramento, San Jose, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sherman Oaks, and throughout California. We have experience in managing personal injury cases and can walk you through the legal complexities involved in each type of case. Call us at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation.
