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At Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer, our Fresno car accident lawyers understand how difficult it is to pursue financial recovery from an insurance company, regardless of which party is at fault for causing the collision.
Our car accident law firm in Fresno, CA recognizes the significant physical and emotional impact that car accident injuries inflict on victims. That’s why we’re dedicated to providing our clients with personalized legal support and tireless advocacy to achieve the best possible outcome.
Schedule a free consultation by completing this online form or calling our law offices at (559) 900-3076.
How a Fresno Car Accident Lawyer Benefits Your Case
At Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer, our objective is to safeguard our clients’ rights and ensure they receive rightful compensation for the harm and emotional distress they have suffered.
- Expertise in Personal Injury Law: The experienced attorneys from our firm will ensure that clients’ rights are protected by dealing with the difficult insurance companies and aggressively negotiating to secure the maximum compensation available.
- Contingency Fee Basis: Our Fresno car accident lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis, which means clients are never charged upfront legal fees. Payment is only collected if a successful settlement or verdict is reached, making our professional services both affordable and accessible.
- Thorough Investigation: Our auto accident attorneys possess the resources to fully investigate motor vehicle crashes and can gather critical evidence, such as traffic collision reports, witness statements, and medical records, to build a strong case.
- Accurate Assessment of Damages: A Fresno auto accident lawyer from our firm can accurately assess sustained damages, including medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering, to inform clients of the true value of their cases.
- Courtroom Representation: If the case cannot be settled out of court, our Fresno car accident attorneys will pursue it in trial, providing compelling evidence and arguments to protect your rights and interests.
Fresno car accident lawyers can seamlessly manage the case complexities that many injured victims face, enabling them to prioritize their physical and mental recovery during the legal process.
Who Is at Fault in a Fresno Car Accident?
Any party that exhibits negligent behavior that ultimately leads to a car accident can be found liable for damages in a car accident case. The various parties who are typically named liable in car accident claims include the following:
- A negligent driver
- The party filing the auto accident claim
- Truck driver or the trucking company
- Rideshare drivers or the company they are contracted with (Uber or Lyft)
- An employee operating a company vehicle
- Vehicle manufacturer
When the Claimant and the Other Driver Are Both at Fault
California follows a pure comparative negligence system. This means that individuals who are injured in a personal injury accident can still recover damages even if they are also at fault for causing the accident or their own injuries.
However, financial compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned by California courts. For example, if an injured car accident victim is found to be 30% at fault for their injuries due to not wearing a seatbelt, they will only receive 70% of the total compensation.
Proving Negligence in a California Car Accident Case
Under California law, anyone injured in a Fresno car accident can recover monetary compensation for any damages, like medical expenses and lost wages, incurred due to the car crash.
However, it must be proven that the other party’s “negligence” caused the car accident. The legal elements of negligence are examined in the following ways:
- Duty of Care: The defendant owed a duty of care not to cause harm
- Breach of Duty: The defendant breached that duty of care
- Causation: The breach of duty caused the accident
- Damages: The accident resulted in various damages
Examples of Negligence in a Car Accident
The number of fatal and serious injury car accidents in Fresno, CA has increased by 59% since 2010. This increase is often attributed to reckless driving and driver negligence.
Our Fresno personal injury law firm, Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer, will establish the opposing party’s negligence in causing the automobile accident to obtain the best possible results for clients. Typical behavior of a negligent driver can be exhibited in the following ways:
- Aggressive Driving: Exhibiting road rage, abrupt lane changes, not signaling
- Disobeying traffic laws
- Distracted Driving: Texting, talking on the phone, or adjusting a GPS device
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Driving while fatigued
- Not yielding the right-of-way
- Reckless Driving
- Running a Stop Sign or Red Light
- Speeding
How a Fresno Car Accident Lawyer Establishes Liability
This requires thoroughly examining the other drivers’ actions, including speeding or other reckless driving, to prove negligence. It is extremely difficult for someone to do this while recovering from a serious car accident.
Fresno car accident attorneys play crucial roles in determining liability, as they compile and analyze evidence to build a strong case. Other responsibilities in constructing a winning car accident case include:
- Establishing the events leading up to the incident (weather, road conditions, etc.)
- Investigating the accident scene
- Meeting the statute of limitations requirements
- Obtaining street surveillance footage of the car wreck
- Processing and accurately filing all personal injury claims paperwork
- Reviewing the police report
- Talking to witnesses
Minimum Liability Insurance Requirements/ California Car Insurance Laws
The state follows a fault-based system, meaning the at-fault driver is responsible for covering the damages caused in an accident. Therefore, liability insurance can compensate for personal injury or property damage to the affected party, not the policyholder.
California car insurance laws require all drivers to have minimum liability insurance coverage of at least:Â
- $15,000 for property damage
- $30,000 for injury or death to one person
- $60,000 for injury/death to more than one person
Drivers are encouraged, but not required, to obtain uninsured/underinsured (UI/UIM) motorist coverage to financially protect themselves in an accident with an uninsured driver or driver who lacks sufficient coverage.
Understanding California’s car insurance laws and the insurance claims process is important. A Fresno car accident lawyer can assist with complex legal proceedings to ensure that clients recover the fair compensation they are owed.
What Are the Common Types of Car Accidents in Fresno, CA?
If you are involved in a serious car accident, seek medical attention immediately and consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
The Fresno car accident attorneys at Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer have extensive experience representing clients involved in various car accident cases in Fresno. They can assist in establishing the negligence of the other driver in different types of accidents, such as:
Rear-End Collisions
The severity of damages when one vehicle abruptly collides into the back of another can vary depending on the vehicle’s speed and when the driver attempted to brake. Injuries will also range from minor to serious, causing whiplash, back injuries, and head trauma. While the driver who was rear-ended is not typically at fault, insurance companies may still try to minimize compensation.Â
T-Bone Accidents
A perpendicular side-impact collision, also known as a T-bone accident, occurs when the front or back of a vehicle strikes the side of another vehicle. This frequently occurs in accidents where a speeding driver runs a red light or when a driver fails to yield or see an oncoming driver while making a left turn.
Sideswipes
A sideswipe accident occurs when one car swipes with the side of another while driving in the same direction. These accidents are commonly caused by drivers who neglect to check their mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes. Sideswipe collisions can often lead to larger accidents with more vehicles due to the high speeds typically involved.
Head-On Collisions
A head-on collision occurs when two cars traveling in opposite directions crash into each other. This is often the result of distracted driving, like texting or engaging in any activity that draws attention away from the road. These types of car accidents, even those at low speeds, can cause serious injuries or fatalities.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
In California, leaving a Fresno auto accident scene before exchanging information with the other involved parties is illegal. Hit-and-run drivers can face expensive fines, jail time, and criminal charges. Once the fleeing driver is identified, he or she will also be responsible for the victim’s damages.
Uber Accidents and Lyft Accidents
Rideshare accidents can be complex and establishing fault is not always straightforward. As a result, the compensation provided by insurance companies is often inadequate. Although companies like Uber and Lyft have a $1 million liability policy, not all accidents qualify for this coverage. Determining liability can also be complicated as multiple parties, including the rideshare company and their contracted driver, may be liable for damages.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents are one of the most common types of personal injury accidents, often resulting in a range of injuries. Accident victims with severe injuries usually require ongoing medical care, eventually leading to a significant financial burden.Â
This is why those impacted by a car accident can seek compensation by filing a personal injury claim. Our Fresno car accident lawyers have successfully secured fair compensation for our clients’ medical bills and other resulting damages for the following types of injuries.
Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a sudden movement of the skull causes the brain to shift and strike the skull’s hard surfaces. This impact can lead to bleeding, swelling, bruising, skull fractures, and potentially immediate loss of consciousness.
TBIs require immediate medical attention and may require extensive follow-up care, including diagnostic testing. Severe auto accident cases may require lifelong care and rehabilitation.
Broken Bones
Car accidents can cause severe arm and leg injuries, often requiring emergency medical attention, corrective surgery, and ongoing rehabilitation.
Bone fractures may also lead to infections, further surgeries, and, in severe personal injury cases, amputation, significantly impacting daily life and work. Even minor fractures can necessitate substantial rehabilitation before regaining normal function.
Facial Injuries
These injuries can range from minor injuries, such as cuts and bruises, to severe injuries, including lacerations, facial fractures, and permanent scarring.
The need for medical attention will depend on the severity of the injury, but some form of treatment is likely. Additionally, the need for cosmetic or reconstructive surgery may impact the victim’s confidence and overall quality of life.Â
Back Injuries
A traffic collision can cause significant damage to the back area. Common injuries include sprains, strains, herniated discs, or spinal cord injury.
Treatment may include surgery, physical therapy, and pain management. Severe cases can result in chronic pain, paralysis, and the need for ongoing medical care and lifestyle adaptations.
Pain and Suffering
The chronic pain resulting from a severe physical injury sustained in an accident can be debilitating. Even in the absence of a physical injury, car accident victims may experience psychological injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic attacks, anxiety, and depression.
The ability to work, commute, and engage in social interaction are daily activities that are significantly affected by pain and suffering. These conditions make it challenging to drive or even ride in a motor vehicle again, often causing victims to withdraw from activities they once enjoyed.
Damages That Can Be Recovered in a Personal Injury Claim
Ultimately, any losses suffered as a direct result of car crashes can be compensated after filing an auto accident claim. Recoverable damages can be categorized into out-of-pocket expenses and non-monetary losses.
Economic DamagesÂ
Victims of car accidents can receive compensation for costs that result directly from the accident. These losses can be verified through documentation such as receipts and invoices. Common examples of economic damages include:
- Current medical expenses
- Future medical bills
- Loss of earning potential
- Lost wages
- Physical therapy
- Property damage
Non-Economic DamagesÂ
Non-economic damages are awarded to compensate for intangible losses that do not have a specific monetary value. These damages are subjective and will vary depending on the unique circumstances of each accident. Common examples of non-economic damages include:
- Diminished quality of life
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disfigurement and scarring
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages, also called exemplary damages, are awarded in car accident cases when the at-fault driver’s conduct is determined to be particularly egregious. Unlike damages that compensate an injured victim, punitive damages aim to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.
Wrongful DeathÂ
A wrongful death claim can be filed in civil court by either a qualifying family member or a personal representative of the estate to seek damages on behalf of the deceased. Common examples of damages in a wrongful death case include:
- Emotional trauma
- Funeral cost and burial expenses
- Loss of consortium or emotional support
- Loss of future wages and benefits the victim would have earned
- Lost income
- Medical expenses incurred by the deceased for medical treatment
If you’ve been in a car accident, reach out to the Fresno car accident attorneys at Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer. Our committed legal team will assess your Fresno auto accident at no cost to you and determine the compensation you’re entitled to.
The California Claims Process
The personal injury claims process in Fresno, CA can be lengthy and complex, especially when multiple insurance companies are involved.Â
Generally, the claims process should consist of prioritizing immediate medical attention, reporting the incident to the police, and filing an insurance claim.Â
Additionally, it’s vital to gather evidence, such as witness statements, photos of the car accident site, and a police report summarizing the incident.
Attempting to proceed with the car accident claims process while suffering from serious injury will be extremely challenging. However, working with professional legal representation eases this burden, allowing victims to focus on their recovery. A Fresno car accident lawyer will:
- Handle communication and negotiation with insurance companies
- Ensure proper submission of documentation
- Protect your legal rights and car accident claim
- Represent you in court, if necessary
Insurance Company Tactics in California Car Accident Cases
Insurance companies frequently use strategies to minimize car accident claim values, such as presenting quick settlement offers closely following the accident. These early offers may give the impression that the victim’s well-being is being prioritized, but they often and intentionally undervalue the true cost of damages.
Other strategies used to deny or minimize car accident claims include delaying communication until the statute of limitations expires, minimizing the severity of the victim’s injuries, denying liability due to a lack of evidence, or shifting blame onto the victim, giving the impression that they are no longer eligible for compensation.
A Fresno car accident lawyer can identify and counter these tactics, protecting clients’ rights and fighting for maximum compensation. They will negotiate with insurance companies, gather evidence, and build a strong claim to ensure fair case proceedings.
Do I Need an Auto Accident Attorney if My Accident Was Minor?
Minor car accidents may not be immediately apparent. A thorough investigation and medical evaluation of the impacted driver are necessary to accurately assess the severity of the situation and potential injuries. Based on these results, it can be determined how to best proceed.Â
An experienced car accident attorney can evaluate a car accident case and estimate potential compensation. Consulting with an attorney is always recommended to understand the most beneficial legal options.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Fresno, CA
While hiring a Fresno car accident attorney is not a legal requirement, it can significantly benefit injured victims.
Those involved in most motor vehicle accidents frequently encounter making difficult decisions, potentially hindering their ability to address medical treatment and recover from financial burdens resulting from lost income.
The experienced car accident attorneys at Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer can provide guidance in building a winning strategy to facilitate a successful recovery. To discover how we can maximize your case, schedule a free consultation today. After an accident, Jeff’s got you.
Other Personal Injury Cases Our Law Firm Handles
Our award-winning personal injury law firm specializes in the following practice areas:
- Bicycle Accidents
- Dog Bites
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Personal Injury
- Slip and Fall Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Uber Accidents
- Lyft Accidents
- Workers’ Compensation
- Wrongful Death
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Personal Injury Lawyers
Consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney closely following an automobile accident can ensure an accurate evaluation of the claim, including proving damages like lost wages and medical bills.
We have law offices throughout Fresno County, including Clovis, Del Rey, Madera County, Selma, Tranquility, Parlier, Kingsburg, Auberry, Orange Cove, and Riverdale. Schedule a free case evaluation today.
Address:Â
44 P Street, Suite 304
Fresno, CA 93721
Phone Number: (559) 900-3076
Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer’s Other Locations
We have other locations in Southern California, and our experienced personal injury attorneys are ready to discuss your case. Find the nearest office and schedule your free consultation.