Our Fresno Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You
Why Should One Hire a Fresno Car Accident Lawyer?
When you get into a car accident, you may find yourself facing questions like:
1. How much will I need to pay for my injuries?
2. How much will it cost to repair my car?
3. Who is liable for my medical bills and other out-of-pocket expenses?
4. How can I make sure that no one else gets hurt in this accident?
5. Will the insurance company pay for my medical treatment or drop me as a client if they think I may not be able to pay for future treatment?
It’s also important to note that the law can be confusing, and it’s not always obvious what your rights are after the accident. That’s why it’s important to hire a Fresno Car Accident Lawyer. Therefore, you should hire a lawyer to help you understand:
1. What your rights are after an accident
2. What evidence do you need to collect?
3. What kind of remuneration you might be eligible for?
4. The limits of your insurance coverage and how they apply to your situation
Dangerous Intersections in Fresno
Blackstone and McKinley Avenues has been determined to be Fresno’s busiest, most congested, and most dangerous intersection. Railroad tracks cross diagonally across traffic lanes and pedestrian walkways creating congestion and danger. In the last ten years, there have been 44 pedestrian accidents along North Blackstone, according to data, and at least four of those incidents resulted in fatalities. At least 30,000 cars and 29 trains run through the intersection every day.
Motorists using the intersection experience an average of 90-minute delay due to traffic congestion at the intersection. City authorities have announced plans to redesign the intersection near Fresno City College so that the streets and sidewalks run underneath the railroad tracks. The other two intersections with the highest number of pedestrian crashes were Cedar and Shaw avenues with 13 crashes, and North Blackstone Avenue and East Saginaw Way, where 12 collisions occurred. Route 99 is Fresno’s was also found to be the most dangerous highway, with 18 pedestrian fatalities out of 38 crashes.
Damaged Car Front
Should I File a Lawsuit?
You might file a personal injury claim against the other motorist who was at fault if you were hurt in a car accident that was not your fault. Please read on if you would like to learn more about this process and how it works.
You and your Fresno Car Accident Lawyer may be tempted to launch a lawsuit against the individual who caused the accident after it occurs. However, before you do so, think about whether it’s even necessary to file one in the first place.
Why You Might Want to File a Lawsuit?
- If you’re seeking compensation for medical bills or lost wages. For example, suppose you’ve been injured and have had to miss work. As a result, you are entitled to compensation for your lost wages and medical expenses. However, while this type of compensation can help cover these costs, it’s often not enough to cover everything — especially if your injuries are severe.
- If you sustained serious injuries that require costly medical treatment and rehabilitation. For example, if you’ve suffered serious injuries due to being involved in an auto accident, then filing a lawsuit could help cover any additional expenses that arise from those injuries (such as ongoing therapy).
- If the other driver was intoxicated at the crash (and they weren’t driving while on their cell phone). Unfortunately, DUIs are responsible for thousands of collisions every year — many of them involving fatalities or serious injuries, and they will be required by law to compensate the other party.
Also, ask yourself how serious the injury was. How long did it take for the injury to heal? Was there permanent damage or scarring? How much money does it cost for medical bills? Were any other losses sustained (such as lost wages)? Is there any possibility that future medical bills could be incurred due to this injury? Finally, what kind of insurance coverage does my insurance company offer me if I file?
If you get injured, it’s crucial to consult with an experienced Fresno car accident lawyer to determine if you should file a lawsuit. They will help you go over the facts and evidence available for the case and advise you further.
Further reasons that should prompt you to file a suit
- The insurance company declined your claim.
- You suffered serious injuries to require medical attention and surgical treatment.
- The at-fault driver caused your injuries by driving negligently or recklessly.
- Some witnesses can verify that the at-fault driver was driving carelessly or recklessly.
- The other motorist does not have insurance or may not have enough insurance to cover your damages.
What Should I Do After a Fresno Car Accident?
Car accidents can be extremely dangerous and fatal. You should be aware of your rights and what to do in the event of an accident.
You may be shocked if you’ve been in a car accident, but you must act quickly. Please do not put it off till the next day or even the next hour. You must call 911 right away if someone has been hurt or murdered! If no one is wounded, report the collision to the police department.
After an accident, the first thing is to call the police immediately. The police will be able to file a report and ensure that everyone involved in the accident is safe and unharmed. They will also help assess and determine who was at fault for the accident, which can help them determine how much compensation each person should receive from their insurance company.
If possible, take pictures of the scene and the vehicles involved. It will help with any legal actions taken against you later on.
To ensure that you are protected after an auto accident, you must hire a Fresno car accident lawyer who has experience dealing with these types of cases and can help protect your rights and help recover damages for injuries sustained in an accident.
Immediate Steps to take After Getting Involved in A Car Accident
First and foremost, you should never try to handle a car accident on your own. Instead, always call the authorities and let them know what happened. This will help them determine if any injuries or property damage need to be addressed.
If your car gets damaged in the accident, there are some steps you can take before calling a mechanic or body shop:
- Check on any injuries. If you have any pain or other symptoms of injury that didn’t seem serious at the time of the accident but have since worsened, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
- Check your car’s fluid level and tire pressure. Driving with low tire pressure is dangerous because it can affect handling and accelerate wear on your tires and brakes. Driving with low coolant levels can cause engine overheating and lead to expensive repairs. Ensure all fluids are topped up before driving again to avoid further damage to your vehicle.
- Make sure everyone involved is safe.
- The priority is to ensure that everyone involved in the accident is safe. If there are injuries, call for medical help immediately.
- Call a Fresno Car Accident Lawyer, for legal advice.
Other Important Things To Keep in Mind
1. Stay at the scene until authorities arrive. It ensures that no one gets hurt and makes sure that you have insurance coverage for any injuries or property damage.
2. Do not admit fault for the accident, even if it seems obvious who was at fault. The police report helps determine who was at fault, so avoid making statements until you have had time to consult with your Fresno car accident lawyer.
3. Get the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all other drivers involved in the collision.
4. Exchange insurance information with every other driver at the scene
5. Record everything that happened before the crash – what was happening on the road before it happened? Who was at fault? Were there any witnesses?
6. Contact and file a statement with your insurance company
7. Contact an experienced Fresno Car Accident Lawyer as soon as possible so we can begin investigating your case and protecting your rights.
How Do I Prove Other Drivers Liable?
To prove that the other motorists were liable, you will have to show that they were negligent. It means that they failed to use reasonable care when driving their vehicle. To prove negligence, your Fresno Car Accident Lawyer will help show that:
1. The other driver violated a traffic law.
2. A traffic infringement caused the accident.
3. The violation of the traffic law caused you harm.
Who Is Responsible for The Cost If I Require a Rental Automobile After a Car Accident in Fresno?
You might be wondering who would pay for a rental automobile if you’re in a car accident in Fresno. Of course, the answer is contingent on who caused the accident.
- If You Were at Fault for the Accident.
- If you are at fault in an accident, your auto insurance policy will cover the expenses of the rental car while the vehicle is being repaired.
- If the accident Was from Someone Else’s negligence.
- If someone else was deemed at fault for the accident, then their personal auto insurance policy will cover the cost of the rental car while yours is being repaired.
How Is Fault Determined in a Multi-Vehicle Car Accident?
When several vehicles are involved in a car accident, determining who is at fault can be. If an injured individual is found to be even 1% at fault for an accident, they will not recover compensation from anyone involved in the crash unless they can prove that the other party was more than 50% at fault.
To determine who is at fault, police officers and insurance adjusters or even the car accident attorney in Fresno CA often use the following guidelines:
- If you are driving the car that caused the accident, you are automatically 100% at fault for causing it. This doesn’t mean your insurance company will refuse to pay for any damages caused by this accident. But it does mean that you will likely need to pay out of pocket for those damages.
- Suppose you were driving another vehicle and caused a crash with one or more other vehicles. In that case, you are 100% liable for causing any damages resulting from this collision (but may be entitled to recover from other parties).
- If you were hit from behind by another vehicle and then rear-ended someone else before stopping suddenly, then you are probably responsible for some of their damages (but may be entitled to recover from other parties involved).
Fresno Car Accident and Insurance Laws
All states’ insurance codes require that vehicle drivers are covered with a minimum of 15/30/5. This mandate ensures that the injured or death of one person is redeemed properly and with a sufficient amount. This person could be guaranteed up to 15,000 for injury or if a death was caused, 30,000 for injury or death to more than one person and 5,000 for property damages.
Insurance requirements
In the state of California, the following requirements are to be up to par to properly and safely be legal behind a steering wheel.
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- Having Commercial General Liability: Limits of not less than two million dollars per occurrence and an annual aggregate of four million dollars. The policy should be based on a per-occurrence basis.
- Having Automobile Liability: Comprehensive automobile liability has limits of not less than one million dollars per accident for bodily injury and for property damages. Coverage should include any and all auto used in connection with the agreement
- Professional Liability: Limits of not less than one million dollars per occurrence and three million dollars annual aggregate. Coverage should be issued on a per-claim basis. This occurs if a contractor employs licensed professional staff. The contractor is agreeing that it shall maintain in full force and effect for a period of three years.
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Get A Fresno Car Accident Attorney in Time!
Every car accident attorney in Fresno CA understands that your injuries are more than just physical — they can affect your ability to work, earn money and enjoy life. That’s why the Fresno Car Accident Lawyer is committed to helping you with your recovery, whether through securing medical care or pursuing financial compensation for your losses.
How much will it cost to hire Fresno Car Accident Attorney?
Depending on whether the matter is settled out of court or goes to trial, the cost of hiring a car accident attorney in Fresno CA can vary. The cost of hiring a car accident attorney in Fresno CA also depends on your case’s complexity and the damages you are seeking.
If you decide to employ a Fresno car accident lawyer after an automobile accident, you will almost certainly be required to pay an upfront fee. This fee, which is often around $1,000, covers the costs of investigating your case, filing your claim, negotiating with insurers, and, if necessary, representing you in court.
If your case goes to trial, the Fresno Car Accident Attorney may charge additional fees depending on how long it takes to resolve the dispute. If more than one defendant is involved in your claim, each defendant will also have a Fresno car accident lawyer who charges for legal services separately from yours.
Common FAQs on Car Accident Claims
An initial car accident ruling can take from anywhere nine months to 18 months after the said accident. This timeframe is set to insure that all information needed is gathered properly and fully reviewed by both parties before coming to a settlement. The acceptance or denial of a car accident claim should take no longer than 40 days after having received proof of the claim. Insurance agencies are to acknowledge the claim, start the investigation, and provide forms and instructions regarding what to do next.
Healthy communication between drivers and their insurance agencies is highly important and should have distinguished reasonable assistance no later than 15 days after receiving notice of the claim. Once a claim has been accepted, the insurer must then pay the claim immediately but no later than 30 days from the date the settlement was reached on.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
When driving anywhere, a driver’s key concept is to get from point A to point B. However, many obstacles could prevent this simple task from being completed, and the number one cause is a car accident! Car accidents can happen randomly and at any given time. With that being said, car accidents could give a new driver high anxiety or paranoia when it comes to getting behind the wheel. Here are a few factors that could potentially lead up to a severe car crash:
- Alcohol
- Drugs ( Driving Under the Influence )
- Speeding
- Distractions
These causes can turn a simple trip to the grocery store into a trip to the hospital, depending on the damages caused.
Who can be Held Liable?
The sticky situation behind who is really held liable after a vehicle accident is that proof is needed to validate any wrongdoing. Liability can fall into either party’s hands with enough proof to back up the claim. However, the initial verdict of liability is left up to the insurance team and/or lawyers that may be involved.
Let’s say a driver was to rear-end the driver in front of them and then gained injury from the car behind them for the abrupt stop, then vehicle code section 17150 would take over stating that the civil liability for any accidents lies with the owner of the car who rear-ended the one in front of them.
Now let’s say an owner was to give the car to an unlicensed driver then, the owner would be held liable for the negligence of not ensuring that the person behind the wheel had an actual driver’s license. Again, the liability falls down to being able to provide valuable proof and having that proof determine that the other driver was actually at fault.
Determining Liability After a Collision
Having liability determined plays off many key factors and should have withstanding proof that either party is at fault. As stated before, it is a good idea to have your ducks in a row showing proof of the person at fault. Although a police report seems to be the main key to come in handy, it is not always the guaranteed factor. Only 80% of the time do you have a chance of a police report actually having all the information given to be correct and viable.
There is a 20% chance that the information could not have anything correct or sustainable to be used in a ruling. This happens because one of the driver’s information was not able to be heard due to either needing medical attention immediately or being unconscious and not being able to give a clear statement. By acquiring a top-flight car accident lawyer, you can insure that they will provide their own investigators, accident reconstruction experts, people who are able to measure skid mark damages, and people who are able to determine the injury or damage that occurred to the vehicles.
Comparative Fault Laws in Fresno California
Comparative fault law is a legal doctrine that is able to divide up any faults between all parties. The state court allows injured parties to collect funds for damages even if they are the ones that are at fault for the initial accident. In a personal injury lawsuit, a defendant would claim that the plaintiff’s own negligence caused or contributed to their own harm. When the defendant makes this claim, the jury would then decide what percentage of fault is due to the injured party’s own negligence. That percentage will then reduce the plaintiff’s overall award for damages caused.
Compensation Available to Injured victims. Talk to your Fresno Car Accident Attorney to know more
Being compensated for a car accident can vary from state to state and be different in so many ways. Here are a few compensation amounts pertaining to certain injuries:
- Two million for motorcyclists suffering a traumatic brain injury
- 906,000$ for a pedestrian being hit by a truck while in a store
- 825,000$ for an auto accident victim
- 812,500$ for a car crash victim
- 625,000$ for a car crash victim requiring multiple surgeries
- 450,000$ for a client being hurt by the airport shuttle driver who ran a red light
These amounts are just a gist of how much could be received if the parties were put in this situation.
Factors on which Compensation is Based
However, compensation is based on all viable proof and many other factors, such as:
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- The extent of one’s injuries, having been documented by medical records
- The total amount of incurred and medical expenses to come thereafter
- Whether the party’s injuries are temporary or permanent
- The course of the party’s treatment and however many medical providers are involved
- The prospects for one’s recovery
- Whether or not the collision has resulted in scarring or disfigurement
- The degree of physical pain and emotional suffering
- If and how the injury has impacted your work, daily activities, ability to play sports, and/or participate in hobbies
- Being whether or not you were partially at fault for the initial crash
- Clarity is given in the argument proving the other party’s fault for the crash.