A motor vehicle accident can cause serious, even life-altering, injuries that can impact the overall quality of your entire life. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash, contact the experienced attorneys of Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers at (858) 551-2090 for a free case consultation.
Our experienced San Diego car accident attorneys can help you pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
With over 80 years of combined experience, we’ve recovered over $100 million for our clients. Let us fight for your rights and provide the answers you need after a car accident in San Diego.
How Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You After a Car Accident in San Diego, CA
The initial impact in a car accident sets off a chain reaction that presents overwhelming challenges to innocent accident victims. First, you might have to deal with the realities of recovering from a significant injury. Your injury may necessitate complicated medical treatment over a prolonged period of time.
You may not be able to work while you are receiving treatment and recovering from your injuries. All the while, your medical expenses and lost income will create financial hardship for you and your family.
At Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers, we understand the gravity of post-accident life. It can be almost unmanageable to handle all of these burdens by yourself. You need help. When you need to pick up the pieces after a bad car wreck, you can call us for assistance.
Hiring a San Diego car accident lawyer can be the best move when you are trying to recover after a devastating car accident.
When you hire our San Diego personal injury attorneys, you can rely on our ability to:
- Provide you with well-researched information about the law and your rights
- Gather all the relevant and necessary evidence pertaining to your case
- Speak with important witnesses who have information related to your accident
- Hire leading experts to help prove essential elements of your claim
- Speak with insurance company representatives to negotiate a settlement on your behalf
- Present your case at a trial setting if the other parties are unwilling to settle fairly
- Walk with you through your post-accident recovery with a personalized experience
It is true that a car accident can completely turn your life upside down in San Diego, CA. You can feel disoriented, overwhelmed, and pressured beyond belief. Having a trusted legal representative can be the key to your success. Talk with our San Diego car accident attorneys to learn how we can assist you.
Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
You might be thinking that handling your own negotiations and lawsuit can save you time and money. This type of thinking can put you at a severe disadvantage when dealing with sophisticated insurance companies and defense attorneys. Remember, these companies want to pay you as little as possible. If you have no experience in valuing personal injury cases and don’t understand the law, an insurance company might try to take advantage of you.
Contact our San Diego car accident attorneys so you aren’t unrepresented when you negotiate. If you accept a check from an insurance company, you might have to sign a release which could prevent you from filing a lawsuit to recover a reasonable amount of compensation. Work with Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers, to make sure the insurance company treats you fairly.
Our lawyers don’t back down to insurance company representatives and we will never accept anything less than the best for our clients. We know all the tricks and tactics that insurance companies try to use. We don’t let them get away with it, so neither should you. Let us handle all the negotiations so you can be sure that you are receiving as much as possible for your claim.
How Much Money Can I Get From a Car Accident Case?
Navigating the civil legal system without training can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to determining the value of your car accident case. Each case is unique. Many factors influence the compensation you could receive. To accurately assess your case’s worth, you’ll need the help of an experienced San Diego car accident attorney from Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers.
Key factors that affect the value of your case include:
- The severity of your injuries
- The extent of your pain and suffering
- The cost of your medical bills
- The need for future medical treatment, such as surgeries or therapy
- Permanent disabilities or paralysis
- Loss of income or earning capacity
- Reduced quality of life
Our team will work closely with you to understand your situation and calculate the appropriate value of your claim. We take the time to get to know you personally, so we can ensure that you receive the full compensation you deserve after your car wreck.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Case?
In California, you generally have two years from the date of the car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is known as the statute of limitations. Waiting too long can jeopardize your ability to recover compensation.
Filing your case promptly also ensures that crucial evidence, such as accident scene footage or witness testimonies, is preserved. Delaying could result in the loss of important evidence that could support your claim.
That’s why it’s essential to contact a San Diego car accident lawyer as soon as possible. At Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers, we’re here to protect your rights and ensure you meet all the important legal deadlines.
What Type of Damages are Available After a Car Accident?
Car accident cases in California fall under the civil justice system, where injured victims can seek compensatory damages. These are divided into two main categories: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic
Economic damages cover the tangible financial losses you’ve incurred, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Property damages
- Lost wages or loss of future earning capacity
- Physical therapy or rehabilitation costs
- Car rental and other out-of-pocket costs
These types of damages are typically easier to quantify because they should be supported by bills, receipts, or invoices. This makes it easy for the jury or insurance company to assign value to the corresponding expense.
Non-Economic
Non-economic damages address the more subjective, intangible consequences of your accident, which might include:
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Anxiety and depression
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship or consortium
Assigning a value to non-economic damages can be a more complex exercise, but our legal team will work with experts to ensure that you receive fair compensation. In rare cases, punitive damages might also be available. Punitive damages can be awarded when the at-fault party’s behavior was reckless, grossly negligent, or malicious.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay anything unless we win your case. If we secure a settlement or award, our fees will come from a percentage of the recovery. If we don’t win, you don’t owe us a single cent.
At Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers, we believe that everyone should have access to quality legal representation. It shouldn’t matter what your financial situation might be. That’s why we offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case and determine if we are the right fit for your needs.
With the rising cost of living around the country, you might shudder to think about spending your life savings hiring a lawyer to pursue justice after an accident. The days of overpriced legal services and an inaccessible justice system are long gone. Fortunately, our car accident lawyers are not hard to reach. We don’t demand an arm and a leg to get your case started.
Can I Get Money if I was Partly At-fault for My Car Accident?
California follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule, which means that you can still recover compensation even if you’re partially responsible for the accident. In fact, you can still recover damages if you are mostly liable. However, your total recovery will be reduced by the percentage of fault the jury assigns to you.
Even if you are 99% liable for a car accident, you will still be able to seek compensation for your injuries under California law. You don’t have to shy away from bringing a claim simply because you think you might share in some of the blame. It is always wise to consult with your San Diego car accident lawyer to find out whether your claim is worth pursuing. When in doubt, call our law office to discuss your options.
If you are partly liable for the underlying accident, you will still recover damages, but your award will be reduced based on your share of the blame. For example, if you’re awarded $100,000, but found to be 30% at fault, you would still receive $70,000. Our San Diego car accident lawyers will fight to minimize your liability and maximize your compensation.
Will My Car Accident Case Go To Trial?
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, only about 3% of all cases proceed to the trial stage. The vast majority of civil lawsuits, which includes car accident cases, will be resolved prior to trial. Most cases are resolved by a mutual settlement.
A settlement can save all parties involved precious time, money, and energy. Conversely, trials can be expensive and unpredictable. A settlement can provide assurance and finality to a dispute.
Further, when you are an accident victim who has been able to negotiate a fair settlement with the help of your lawyer, a settlement will provide you with quicker payment. These are some of the benefits of having your car accident lawyer negotiate a settlement on your behalf.
While most car accident cases settle before going to trial, some cases may require litigation if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement. At Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers, we are prepared to take your case to trial if necessary. We know that most cases will settle, but we don’t approach your case with the mindset that it will automatically settle. If we did, it could put you at a disadvantage when negotiating with an insurance company.
Our experienced San Diego car accident lawyers are skilled negotiators but are also seasoned trial attorneys. We won’t hesitate to take your case to court to fight for the compensation you deserve. If the at-fault party or their insurance company refuses to negotiate in good faith or won’t offer a reasonable amount, we will prove your case in the courtroom to make sure you get the compensation you are entitled to receive.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in San Diego?
After a car accident, your first priority should be ensuring your safety. If you’re in a dangerous location, try to move to a safe area.
Once safe, follow these steps to protect your rights and strengthen your potential car accident claim:
- Call the police and report the accident
- Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver or drivers
- Document the scene by taking photos of the vehicles, road conditions, and any injuries you sustained
- Speak to witnesses and gather their contact details
- Avoid making any statements to insurance companies until you’ve consulted with a lawyer and never exaggerate your injuries
It’s also crucial that you do not admit fault at the scene. Even an apology could be used against you later. Contact Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers, for guidance on how to best protect yourself immediately following an accident.
Types of Car Accident Claims We Handle
At Pines Salomon Injury Lawyers APC, we have extensive knowledge and training in handling a wide variety of car accident claims in San Diego, including:
- DUI accidents
- Uber and Lyft accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Head-on collisions
- Rollover accidents
- Single-vehicle accidents
- Multiple vehicle accidents
- Distracted driving accidents
- Speeding accidents
- Intersection accidents
No matter the circumstances of your accident, our attorneys are dedicated to holding negligent parties accountable and securing the compensation you need. Call us today to get started on your case.
Who Could be Liable for My Injuries Resulting from a Car Accident?
In a straightforward car accident case, identifying the at-fault party can be a pretty simple exercise. For example, if another driver rear-ended you at a stoplight, it is pretty clear that they are responsible for your injuries.
However, not all accidents are so clear-cut. In multi-vehicle collisions or accidents involving commercial drivers, multiple parties may share liability for your injuries. This could include employers, vehicle manufacturers, or even government entities if road conditions played a role in the crash.
At Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers, we conduct thorough crash investigations to uncover all potential parties responsible for your accident. Once we identify who’s to blame, we will fight to ensure they are held accountable. The law allows you to seek recourse when someone hurts you in a car crash, so take advantage of the law.
Common Types of Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, from minor discomfort to life-changing trauma. The impact of a crash can subject your body to violent forces, leaving you with serious or even life-threatening conditions. Our San Diego car accident lawyers have helped clients recover from various injuries, whether minor or major.
Common car accident injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Paralysis
- Permanent disability
- Broken bones
- Lacerations and cuts
- Bruises and contusions
- Scarring
- Spinal cord injuries
- Catastrophic injuries
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Knee injuries
- Nerve damage
- Joint damage
- Wrongful death
If you’ve been hurt in a car wreck, our legal team is here to help you seek the compensation you need to cover your medical costs, lost income, and mental suffering. We understand how difficult the road to recovery can be, so we can handle the legal aspects of your case while you mend and heal.
Most Common Causes of Car Accidents
Driving in San Diego can be hazardous, especially when negligent or reckless drivers are on the road. Unfortunately, even one short moment of carelessness can lead to disaster and cause serious harm to innocent people.
Some of the most common causes of car accidents in San Diego include:
- Drunk driving
- Impaired driving due to drugs or fatigue
- Distracted driving, including driving while texting or using the phone
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Failure to wear a seatbelt
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Defective car parts
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Ignoring traffic signals and signs
- Poorly maintained roadways
Whether your accident was caused by one of these common factors or something more unusual, the team at Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers has the experience to handle your case. We don’t rest until we’ve been able to hold negligent drivers accountable. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss how we can help you recover from your car crash.
San Diego Car Accident Statistics
Since San Diego is a large metropolitan city, it is easy to understand why so many accidents happen in this beautiful city each year. According to the California Transportation Injury Mapping System, for the entire year of 2022, San Diego County reported 12,838 car accidents.
For each accident, approximately one and a half injuries were reported. The total number of injuries reported during 2022 was 17,386. Unfortunately, there were also 285 fatalities reported during 2022. This is a sad statistic, especially when you consider that many accidents could have been avoided.
Most accidents in San Diego occurred on a highway, where vehicle speeds are increased. Exactly 4,500 accidents occurred on the highway in 2022. There were 982 accidents in which pedestrians were involved, and 761 accidents which involved a bicycle. There were 1,485 accidents involving a motorcycle in 2022.
Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers, you are much more than a statistic. Your life and your ultimate recovery are our first priority. Contact our firm today to discuss how we can assist you.
Call Our San Diego Car Accident Lawyers Today for Help
Since 1992, we’ve fought for justice and financial compensation for injury victims. With a proven track record, our team will stand by your side, protecting your rights and fighting for the compensation you deserve.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a serious car accident in San Diego, contact our legal team at (858) 585-9031 for compassionate legal help. Our San Diego car accident lawyers offer personalized guidance and quality legal service at every step. Schedule your free consultation today.