San Francisco Car Accident Lawyer

Getting into a car crash is incredibly scary. Regardless of the circumstances, individuals who get into car accidents often feel rattled, and many feel hesitant to get back on the road. This is understandable, as car collisions can be extremely dangerous and can easily become deadly.

Some car accidents are the result of mutual mistakes, bad weather, or other unforeseen circumstances. However, many car accidents are the result of a single driver’s failure to follow the law. In these scenarios, victims have the right to create a personal injury claim to pay for expenses resulting from the crash.

If you have been in a car accident, it is important to know your rights and options. No matter the scenario, it is best to hire a car accident attorney to represent you. Even the smallest claims can cause problems without the help of a legal representative.

Rush Injury Law: The Best San Francisco Auto Accident Lawyers

When it comes to finding an attorney for car accidents, you have many options in the San Francisco area. However, our team at Rush Injury Law leads the industry in car accident claims and settlements. With over 20 years of experience, our team has specific expertise in helping victims of car accidents to seek proper compensation and reparations for their suffering. No other firm has the expert personal injury attorneys that we have at Rush Injury Law.

We have been in the business for so long because we truly care about our clients. We know how difficult it can be to navigate a car accident case for the first time. With us by your side, you can navigate your personal injury claim with ease and confidence. We will act as your primary resource throughout your case and empower you with the information you need to get what you deserve.

Car accident victims should not have to worry about the financial aftermath of an accident that was not their fault, and we fight diligently to make this a reality for all our clients. Though we are patient and compassionate with our clients, we are ruthless in court and with insurance companies. We have no patience for those who try to take advantage of victims, so we fight ruthlessly for your rights.

No matter the circumstances of your car accident, our team is here to help you to get the settlement that you deserve.

What Is a Car Accident Claim?

Though many people understand what a car accident is, very few understand what calls for a car accident claim. However, it is important to know this information so that you can protect your rights and get what you deserve after a car accident.

Some car accidents occur because of mutual mistakes, bad road conditions, or unavoidable circumstances. However, in most car accident scenarios, one individual is at fault for what happened. If that individual acted negligently, they need to be held responsible for the damage that they caused. This happens through a car accident claim.

A car accident claim is a type of personal injury claim in which a car accident victim holds a negligent individual responsible for the damage that they caused. Ultimately, the victim is seeking compensation for their suffering.

Negligence and Car Accident Law

If you are looking to achieve compensation from your car accident case, you and your attorney need to prove that another driver acted negligently and caused injuries through their negligence.

In the context of car accidents, negligence appears any time a driver fails to follow traffic laws or ignores their responsibilities as a licensed driver. Some examples of negligence while driving include:

• Texting or talking on the phone while driving
• Eating, drinking, or engaging with passengers in the car
• Driving while under the influence of drugs or over the legal limit of blood alcohol content
• Ignoring traffic signs, signals, or laws
• Speeding

In any scenario in which a driver fails to follow road laws, they can be charged with negligence and be held responsible for the damages that result.

Why Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer?

If you have been injured in a car accident, it is important that you take time to rest and recover. If you try to represent yourself in court, you will add stress to your situation, which can negatively affect your health. You will need to meet strict deadlines, craft airtight arguments, assemble evidence, and attend multiple hearings and court dates. This is a significant commitment, especially if you are injured. It is best to hire an attorney to handle these tasks for you and to give you the best chance of winning.

There is a lot on the line in these cases. If you win, your settlement can cover your medical expenses, lost income, and other key costs. Many families can ill afford these expenses without support, so the settlement can be the difference between financial stability and years of insecurity. With so much on the line, it is important that you hire an attorney to help you fight your case.

Civil vs. Criminal Cases

In many cases, car accident claims are civil cases. This means that one individual brings a case against another individual for the harm or damage that they caused. In this scenario, you are bringing a case against the driver who caused the accident that resulted in your injuries.

This contrasts with criminal cases in which the state or federal government brings a case against an individual or business for breaking the law. Criminal cases are the method by which the government enforces the law.

In a civil case, you have the power as the prosecuting party. You can settle your claim outside of court or drop your case if you so choose. However, in criminal cases, charges are rarely dropped.

Car Accidents and DUI Cases

In California, a person can be charged with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI) if they drive:

• While under the influence of any amount of drugs of any kind
• With a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or higher

In some situations, car accident cases involve a DUI. If this is the case, you still have the right to press charges for the damage that the individual caused to you. However, there may be a criminal case against them as well for driving under the influence. DUIs are criminal offenses, and the state acts against individuals who commit these crimes.

If your car accident case involves a DUI, it may be easier to prove your case depending on the results of the criminal case. However, it may be more complicated due to the nature of two different charges against the same individual. Your attorney will be an especially important resource if this is the case in your car accident claim.

Possible Injuries in a Car Accident Case

All car accidents are different, but they all have the capacity to be very dangerous and cause serious damage. If you are in a car accident, it is important to be on the lookout for certain conditions and injuries. Some of these injuries may take days or weeks to fully appear.

Common car accident injuries include:

• Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
• Whiplash
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), including concussions
• Broken bones
• Lacerations
• Burns and road rash
• Dental injuries

It is important to seek medical care right away after a car accident. This can help an attorney to draw a definitive connection between the accident and your resulting injuries.

Car Accidents and Wrongful Death

Unfortunately, car accident victims do not always survive the incident. This can be extremely devastating and be a sudden shock for the family. It is easy to feel lost if you lose a loved one in a car accident.

Though no amount of legal work can ever bring your loved one back, an attorney can help you to get compensation for your loved one’s death. These cases work similarly to personal injury cases in that they rely on negligence. However, if the other driver was negligent and caused your loved one to perish, you will likely get a settlement.

Settlements often cover:

• Any of the victim’s medical bills associated with the crash
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering, depending on the situation

A settlement will certainly not replace your loved one, but it can help you to focus on your grieving process rather than on financial concerns. Many families cannot afford an unexpected funeral and burial, so a settlement helps to ease this burden and allow you to focus on what is important.

Proving Negligence in Car Accident Cases

Whether you have been injured or lost a loved one in a car accident, the key to your claim will be to prove that the negligent behavior of the responsible party was the cause of the accident. There are many ways to do this, and your method will depend upon your attorney’s recommendation and the types of evidence that your attorney can obtain.

Evidence is by far the best way to prove negligence. Common types of evidence include:

• Photos and videos of the accident
• CCTV footage of the accident
• Witness statements about the incident
• Medical records
• Phone records
• Accident simulations or reenactments

Your attorney will oversee determining what evidence is best and how to get it. In some situations, you may need to collect footage from businesses or government buildings. This is much easier to do as an attorney than it is to do as a citizen. Many business owners or building managers hesitate to release information or data to civilians.

Other Car Accident Claims

Not all car accident claims result in a personal injury case. In some situations, you may be the only person involved in the accident. In situations where you and the other driver were both responsible, or in scenarios where bad weather led to a somewhat unavoidable situation, you may not be able to collect a settlement to pay for your medical bills and damages.

Even in situations like these, it is important to have an attorney on your side. We are here to help you to navigate your claim and collect money from your insurance company. Though many people believe that insurance protects them, most insurance companies are primarily concerned with their profits and business success. Because of this, they will do anything to avoid paying for an accident. They may ask you loaded questions, pressure you into making a statement when you do not need to, and even have you followed to determine if your injury claims are aligned with your daily activities.

When you have an attorney working for your best interests, you can navigate insurance companies with ease. We can make sure that your rights are protected and that the insurance company fulfills its obligation to you. Your attorney will speak to insurance on your behalf and ensure that you do not give up your rights accidentally.

What To Do After a Car Accident in San Francisco

If you get into a car accident, being prepared can help to preserve your case and may even save your life. The following steps can help.

1. Assess yourself for any injuries. If you were unconscious at any point, are suffering from significant pain, or lost feeling in any parts of your body, remain where you are until help arrives.
2. If you can, take photos and videos of the scene, including damage, injuries, street signs, surrounding areas, etc. There is no such thing as too many photos for a case.
3. Exchange information with the other driver and any witnesses in the area.
4. Call your attorney.

Your attorney will be able to advise you about what to do next and how to further preserve your case based on your unique situation.

Contact A Car Accident Attorney At Rush Injury Law

For many years, our team has been representing car accident victims in court and with insurance companies. Our experience gives you a significant advantage in your claim and helps to make sure that you heal financially as well as physically.

For more about how we can help you, reach out to Rush Injury Law today.