Car Accident
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SAN FRANCISCO CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEYSHave You Been Hurt In The Bay Area? We Can Help!
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a car, truck, motorcycle or other motor vehicle, your life has probably been thrown into turmoil. Not only do you have to go through the painstaking process of dealing with your insurance company and that of the other driver, but you may have to take time off of work to receive medical treatment and recover from your injuries.
You need someone by your side who can guide you through this difficult process and ensure you receive the compensation you need to cover your expenses and get your life back on track. The Scarlett Law Group has been helping accident victims in the Bay Area for over 25 years. Our attorneys have been listed amount the Best Lawyers in America® and the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the United States.
At the Scarlett Law Group, we handle all types of auto accidents, including but not limited to:
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Bus accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
Top Causes Of Car Accidents In San Francisco
As a dense metropolitan city, San Francisco experiences thousands of car accidents every year. A majority of car accidents are caused by driver negligence and oversight, which are often preventable in the first place.
Some of the common factors that contribute to car accidents include:
- Distracted driving – Smartphones have provided increased distractions in today’s digital age, as drivers are texting while driving at higher rates than in the past.
- Drunk driving – Driving while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol poses serious dangers to everyone on the road
- Defective designs – Defective car parts such as tires, seat belts, brakes, and air bags are manufacturing defects that are the fault of the manufacturer.
- Traffic violations – Speeding, failure to yield, and running red lights, are just a few examples of common road violations that can cause life-threatening accidents.
Understanding the cause of a car crash is important if you are filing a claim for compensation. If you work with an attorney, he or she can help you investigate your case, gather evidence, and build a strong claim on your behalf.
Do I Need To Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
It is a common misconception that auto accident victims do not need to hire an attorney. Until the victim of an accident retains an attorney, the insurance company knows that the person they are dealing with is not prepared to take their case to court; and, as such, they are unlikely to offer fair compensation.
According to statistics, auto accident victims who work with an attorney are likely to recover three times more than those who settle without legal representation.
Some people attempt to negotiate directly with the insurance carrier themselves. In most instances, the individual is first met with feigned concern by the carrier, who then steadfastly proceeds to build a case against him or her in order to protect their bottom line. The result is that the injured person does not receive the compensation they need, and are left paying the cost of their expenses on their own.
How Is Negligence Established In a Car Accident Case?
In California, all motorists must exercise the degree of care and caution that an ordinarily careful and prudent person, acting in the same or similar circumstances, would exercise for the safety of others traveling on the road. It is well established that a motorist must, at all times, use ordinary care to avoid colliding with another, and must be alert and watchful so as not to place themselves in danger.
An injured motorist can establish their claim through the legal theory of negligence per se. Generally, in order to establish negligence per se, the injured party must show that the defendant violated a statute, ordinance, or regulation. The violation of that statute must have proximately caused the injury.
An example of negligence per se follows: A motorist suddenly stops her car without first giving an appropriate signal to the driver of the vehicle which was immediately behind her. The driver behind her collided with her vehicle – there being no showing that she did not have a reasonable opportunity to give the required signal before stopping. Under virtually these circumstances, a court in California found that the motorist’s failure to give signal of her intention to stop constituted negligence per se.
Do I Have A Case?
If you’d like to speak with an attorney, fill out the form below or call us at (415) 352-6264 or (800) 262-7576 (Toll Free)
To learn more about how we can protect your rights, please contact our San Francisco office.
Juror Bias In Car Accident Cases
Today, it is difficult to find jurors who have not been involved in some type of auto accident, or who do not know someone who has. Juror’s experiences often shape their views on accidents, the injuries resulting therefrom, and the lawsuits that are pursued by those who are injured. Insurance companies have, likewise, done much to taint prospective jurors’ attitudes about those who pursue lawsuits.
Accordingly, the Scarlett Law Group does much to overcome juror bias.
During trial, we often utilize biomechanical engineers to demonstrate the incredible amount of force an accident can have upon the body. Accident reconstructionists are utilized to re-enact the accident, and medical specialists provide the jury with information about the injuries sustained, and the residual impact of those injuries. In short, our firm takes the necessary steps to properly present a case to the jury.
(415) 352-6264 for a FREE consultation. We are here to protect your rights and fight for maximum compensation.
What to Do After a Serious Auto Accident
Following an accident, here are some important actions you should take to protect your claim:
- Exchange driver information: Make sure you exchange information with the other driver. Do not discuss the accident with anyone or admit fault. Assuming you are able, take down the name, address, operator’s license number, date of birth, insurance information, and phone number of the other driver.
- Document witnesses and damage: Write down the names, addresses, and numbers of anyone else who witnessed the accident. Note the make, body type, and license number of the other vehicle. Also make note of any damage.
- File a police report: If any injuries or property damage occurred in the accident, call the police and cooperate with them when they arrive at the scene. Make sure to note the date and time of the accident, and write down the location (street intersection or highway marker) closest to the actual point of impact for your records.
- File an insurance claim: Lastly, report the accident to your insurance agent immediately. Obtain a claim number from your agent as soon as is possible. Likewise, obtain a police report number from the officers at the scene and make note to follow up and obtain a copy of the report. This will be very important for your case.
- Contact an attorney. When claims involve serious injuries, you should contact an attorney to help you handle the claim and maximize your compensation. Insurance agents will often pay out as little as possible to protect their profits. An experienced car accident lawyer can advocate for you and help you recover the highest amount possible.
Ready To Get Started? Request Your Free Consultation!
If you or a loved one has been involved in an auto accident, call the Scarlett Law Group for the help you need. With a determined focus to represent those catastrophically injured, and those suffering the loss of a loved one, our car accident lawyers in San Francisco can fight for you when you need it most.
Call the Scarlett Law Group at (415) 352-6264to speak with a car accident attorney in San Francisco. Your initial consultations is FREE.