Our Fresno Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You
Fresno sees around 172,000 people commuting by car, creating a bustling commuter environment. With so many people on the roads, the risk of accidents naturally increases. A car accident can profoundly disrupt your life, causing pain, damage, and emotional suffering that can be incredibly difficult to cope with.
At Pacific Attorney Group, we understand the challenges you face. We’re here to assist you in seeking compensation while you concentrate on your recovery. Our team of Fresno car accident attorneys can guide you through the necessary steps for a favorable outcome. Dealing with insurance companies on your own can be incredibly frustrating, which is why reaching out to a Fresno car accident lawyer is a wise choice. Let us handle the complexities of your case while you focus on healing.
Common Causes of Fresno Car Accidents
Our Fresno car accident lawyers handle various auto accident cases, ensuring comprehensive assistance for individuals affected by car accident injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car accident, our team of Fresno car accident attorneys is here to help. We are dedicated to building robust car accident cases and ensuring that all victims receive the compensation they rightfully deserve.
If any of the following factors caused your Fresno car accident, contact our personal injury lawyers today to handle your claims effectively.
Distracted Driving
A significant number of car accidents in Fresno result from distracted driving, including activities such as texting or eating while operating a vehicle. Our experienced Fresno car accident attorneys are well-versed in various distracted driving accidents and will guide you through your case to secure the financial compensation you are entitled to.
Drunk Driving
Drunk driving accidents are unfortunately common, with many individuals making the reckless choice to drive after taking alcohol or other substances. These incidents often lead to severe car accidents, causing personal injuries or even wrongful death. If you have been injured due to a drunk driving accident, it is crucial to seek the assistance of a personal injury attorney promptly.
Speeding
Ignoring speed limits poses a significant risk on the road, jeopardizing the safety of drivers and others. Speed limits are in place to ensure safe driving, considering factors like road conditions, intersections, and potential hazards. Disregarding these limits increases the likelihood of accidents. If you are a victim of such an accident, contact our law firm to explore your legal options. Our Fresno car accident lawyers will advocate for your rights, allowing you to focus on your recovery without additional stress.
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
What to Do After a Car Accident?
The moments immediately after a car accident can be incredibly overwhelming. However, this period is absolutely crucial for your future claim. To safeguard yourself and ensure your right to compensation, taking the following steps immediately after the collision is vital.
Your first step should be to call 911 and report the accident to law enforcement. When the police arrive, provide a statement to the responding officer. Make sure to ask for the officer’s name and badge number for future reference when obtaining the police report.
When providing information, stick to the facts that you are certain about. Avoid speculating or making assumptions about the accident’s details.
Refrain from accepting responsibility for the collision. You might not have a complete picture of what happened, and a thorough investigation is necessary to determine fault. Your Fresno accident attorney from Pacific Attorney Group can carry out a comprehensive inquiry into your accident, assisting in identifying the party responsible.
Seeking Compensation for Fresno Car Accident
Car accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries, from minor to severe, often resulting in significant life changes that demand financial compensation. As an accident victim, you have the right to pursue restitution for various losses. This compensation can cover medical expenses, lost wages due to work absence, and intangible damages such as fear of driving, anxiety, diminished quality of life, and pain and suffering.
DOs and DON’Ts After a Car Accident
DO:
- Stay Calm: Try to remain as calm as possible. Take deep breaths to stay composed.
- Check for Injuries: Assess yourself and others for injuries. Seek medical help if necessary.
- Call Emergency Services: Dial emergency services (911) to report the accident and seek medical assistance for injuries.
- Move to a Safe Location: If possible, move vehicles to the side of the road to avoid further accidents.
- Exchange Information: Exchange names, addresses, insurance details, and license plate numbers with other parties involved.
- Document the Scene: Take photos of the accident, including vehicle damage, license plates, and the overall scene.
- Collect Witness Information: If there are witnesses, gather their names and contact details.
DON’T:
- Don’t Admit Fault: Avoid discussing fault or making statements that could be interpreted as an admission of guilt.
- Don’t Sign Anything: Refrain from signing any documents or agreements without consulting an attorney.
- Don’t Discuss the Accident with Others: Limit discussions about the accident, especially on social media.
- Don’t Accept Early Settlements: Avoid accepting quick settlement offers from insurance companies without consulting legal advice.
- Don’t Skip Legal Consultation: If the accident involves significant damage or injuries, consult with an experienced attorney to understand your rights and options.
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:
- What your rights are after an accident
- What evidence do you need to collect?
- What kind of remuneration you might be eligible for?
- The limits of your insurance coverage and how they apply to your situation
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 difficult. 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:
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- 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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Contact Experienced Fresno Car Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Fresno, it’s crucial to have a skilled attorney by your side to navigate the complexities of the legal process. Our experienced Fresno car accident lawyer is dedicated to helping accident victims seek the compensation they deserve. With a deep understanding of California’s personal injury laws and a commitment to client advocacy, Pacific Attorney Group is here to protect your rights and fight for your best interests.
Our team is well-versed in handling various car accident cases, from minor collisions to more severe accidents resulting in significant injuries. We provide personalized legal representation tailored to your unique situation, guiding you through every step of the legal journey. From gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies, our goal is to secure the maximum compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Contact our experienced Fresno car accident lawyer today for a free consultation, and let us help you pursue the financial recovery you deserve.
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.
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.
What Are the Factors Determining Compensation?
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.