A car accident is a sudden, traumatic experience. Your life may change in an instant. The injuries you suffer can cause financial hardship, physical pain, and emotional anguish. The consequences of a car accident cannot be understated.

Our San Bernardino car accident lawyers are here to help you file for financial compensation if you’re hurt in a car accident. We help victims bring their claims and maximize the amounts that they receive. If you have been injured in a car accident, our lawyers can represent you in San Bernardino and throughout Southern California.

LA Century Law – Car Accident Attorneys Serving San Bernardino

At LA Century Law, we’re proud of the success that we’ve had for our car accident clients:

• Millions recovered. With a 99% success rate, you can expect results!
• Our representation comes with a no-fee guarantee. There’s no charge for our services unless you win your case.
• Experience in car accident claims of all kinds.
• Courtroom experience – We are trial lawyers. We fight for justice for you until you have the compensation that you deserve.
• Our law firm is like a family. Our clients are an extension of that family. That’s our commitment to your success.
• Recognition from professional organizations like Super Lawyers, American Academy of Attorneys Top 40 Under 40, and International Advisory Experts Award, Personal Injury.
• We’re proud of our success fighting for compensation for the injuries and damages of our clients.

The LA Century Law car accident lawyers in San Bernardino are full-service advocates for car accident victims. Contact us today for a consultation regarding your claim.

Types of Car Accidents in San Bernardino

Our lawyers handle a wide variety of car accident claims, including:

• Car, SUV, and pickup truck accidents
• Semi-truck, delivery vehicle, bus, and other commercial vehicle accidents
• Crashes involving motorcycles, pedestrians, and bicyclists
• Head-on collisions, sideswipes, rear-end accidents, rollovers, T-bone, and pile-up accidents
• Catastrophic injury claims involving paralysis, spinal cord injuries, and broken bones
• Wrongful death
• Crashes that result from defective vehicles and poor vehicle design, tire defects
• Uber/Lyft/Taxi accidents
• DUI/DWI/OWI/Drunk driving/Drugged driving/Furnishing alcohol to a minor
• Distracted driving and texting crashes; driving while tired or fatigued
• Collisions that result from poor road maintenance and design

There are a lot of reasons that car accidents occur. At LA Century Law, we investigate the underlying causes to ensure that the responsible party is held accountable for their actions.

San Bernardino County Accident Statistics

A motor vehicle collision could alter the trajectory of your life for years to come. Property damage, physical injuries, and emotional trauma could complicate your recovery and ability to rebound. Involving our team of trustworthy San Bernardino car accident attorneys can alleviate some of the uncertainty of your future.

In a study reported by the California Office of Traffic Safety, fatalities from motor vehicle collisions increased nearly 8% between 2020 and 2021 in the state. Car accidents include DUI-related crashes and pedestrian collisions. The prevalence of these incidents in San Bernardino County is up approximately 35% since 2010. Hit-and-run accidents are among the most common types of collisions in the county.

The basis for car accident compensation

California uses a negligence standard to determine legal fault for car accidents. Legal negligence is when a party fails to live up to a reasonable standard of care. Because vehicles are inherently dangerous, the legal standard is quite high. A driver must use ordinary care and caution in all activities – their speed, obeying traffic laws, and even being in fit condition to drive. Whether or not the police issue a traffic ticket, when an accident occurs because of the negligence of a driver, the victim may claim financial compensation.

*Proving negligence is not required in defective product claims (i.e., claims related to manufacturing and design defects that cause accidents). Identifying the product as defective or malfunctioning may be sufficient to prove the right to compensation.

What To Do if You Are in a Car Accident in San Bernardino

The circumstances surrounding your accident could trigger an onslaught of overwhelm. Working with our team of San Bernardino car accident lawyers gives you more time to focus on your recovery while we handle the details.

Acquire contact information

After the collision, make it a priority to get somewhere safe. Move your car to the side of the street if possible; otherwise, leave your disabled vehicle and walk to the side of the road away from traffic flow. Ask the other driver(s) involved for contact information. This should include a name and phone number and can also include insurance company information.

Gather evidence

The process of gathering evidence begins at the accident scene and could last weeks after your crash. Local authorities will also take part in this process and will complete an investigation of their own. Your team of San Bernardino car accident attorneys may also seek and organize additional evidence.

Seek medical attention

Depending on the nature of the collision you experienced, you may require emergency medical attention. Physical injuries may range from mild to severe and could also include traumatic injuries like brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burns, and fractures. You might also need follow-up medical treatment that extends months or years.

Contact insurance companies

You will need to reach out to your insurance company as well as the other driver’s insurance company. Dealing with these entities can cause confusion and frustration. Our team can communicate with these parties to alleviate that responsibility for you.

The process that follows a motor vehicle accident can be over as quickly as a few weeks in a minor incident to as long as a few years in a severe case.

Evidence Worth Gathering During a Car Accident Investigation

Collecting enough evidence after your car crash is paramount for acquiring compensation. The sooner you can gather evidence, the more convincing it may be in a court of law.

Incident reports

An incident report will describe what happened from the perspective of authorities and first responders.

Accident photographs

When photographing the scene, get pictures of the damaged vehicles, road signage, the point of impact, license plates, and vehicle position on the road.

Driver contact information

At the very least, you should have the other driver’s name and phone number. You might also ask for the person’s driver’s license number and insurance company information.

Medical bills

Keep a record of all of the medical treatment you receive as a result of your accident. Document each bill and update your medical history as needed.

Witness statements

Collect witness statements from anyone who might have seen what happened. This testimony could provide critical support to corroborate your version of events in a court of law.

Legal Standards for Car Accident Compensation in San Bernardino

Car accident compensation may be based on the following standards in California:

• Negligence: An absence of ordinary care in the specific circumstances
• Recklessness: Choosing to disregard an obvious risk of danger
• Intentional harm: Road rage and using a vehicle as a weapon
• Strict liability: May apply in claims involving defective vehicles and tires

One or more parties may have fault for an accident; fault may be shared. It is not always shared equally. Proving fault is only one step. You must also prove damages and the appropriate amount of compensation.

Knowing When To Accept a Car Insurance Company’s First Offer

While you could accept a car insurance company’s first offer, doing so relinquishes your right to acquire more compensation. As a rule of thumb, settling for the first offer is not in your best interest. Once you receive the insurance company’s initial offer, we can help you leverage their offer to negotiate more compensation. Our team of San Bernardino car accident attorneys will make an exhaustive list of the expenses stemming from your accident to create an accurate depiction of its impact on your life.

Why Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in San Bernardino?

Hiring an attorney might not be the first thing on your mind after an accident, but this decision can lessen your load and provide support during a difficult time. Challenges you may face after a car crash include:

• Painful physical injuries
• Brain fog
• Unresponsive insurance companies
• Discrepancies in incident reports
• Difficulty replacing damaged property
• Lost wages

Working with our team of San Bernardino car accident attorneys will provide you with the peace of mind that each of your concerns will receive adequate attention. We will take responsibility for the process of amending damages. Our team will exhaust all resources to acquire fair compensation for the difficulties you now face.

You can expect our team to review investigative reports, organize evidence, calculate damages, and determine the impact of your accident on the remainder of your life.

How does a car accident lawyer represent their client?

You may already know that a car accident lawyer helps you in the claims process after an accident. You may wonder how exactly they go about representing your interests. Our car accident lawyers may help you claim financial compensation by taking the following steps:

• Determining whether negligence has occurred and who has legal fault for the accident
• Identifying additional parties like an employer or manufacturer who may be liable
• Handling all contact with the insurance company
• Beginning your legal claim with formal documents
• Understanding the civil procedure code that you must follow to advance your claim
• Utilizing legal avenues to gather evidence and narrow the issues in dispute
• Reviewing damages and gathering proof of their value
• Proving all elements of the case, including breach of duty, causation, and damages
• Identifying insurance policies and other ways to collect compensation
• Responding to defenses asserted by other parties
• Negotiating a fair settlement or presenting the case at trial
• Collecting your judgment, ensuring that it is structured in a way that meets your needs
• Explaining the legal process and your options at each stage in the case

Contact Our San Bernardino Car Accident Lawyers

At LA Century Law, our San Bernardino lawyers represent you in all the steps necessary to receive fair compensation. There are many different things we do on behalf of a client. Each of these steps works together for you to receive the result that you deserve. It’s also our goal to take on the burden of the legal system and resolve your case efficiently.

Car Accident Lawsuit FAQs

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What if the other side says I am at fault?

If the other driver or the insurance company says that you’re at fault for the car accident, don’t panic. That may not be true. If you played a role in the events leading to the accident, the compensation that you receive may be reduced. However, California law does not completely prohibit a victim from claiming compensation even if they are 99% at fault.

What should you do if you crash while operating a company vehicle?

A car accident that happens in a company vehicle often has more complications than one that happens in your personal vehicle. Your employer will most likely want to perform their own investigation of the accident. Our team of San Bernardino car accident attorneys will assess all angles to provide the best possible chance at recovering damages on your behalf.

How long does the insurance company have to respond to my claim?

The insurance company must respond to your report within 15 days. When you submit your final proof of loss form, they have 40 days to decide the claim. They must pay an approved claim within 30 days.

Will I get more or less than average for my car accident claim?

A car accident claim is based on the actual losses sustained by the victim. The amount reflects the true losses to the victim. The more serious the injuries and damages, the more compensation.

Whether your case is more or less than average depends on the severity and the clarity of each element. Our lawyers can give you a personalized evaluation of what your case may be worth.

Do I need a lawyer for a fender bender?

If you do not have a physical injury and the insurance company agrees to pay for your damages, you may not need a lawyer for a fender bender. Any time you have a physical injury, it’s worth consulting with a car accident lawyer to learn more.

How are back injuries compensated in a car accident?

Back injuries are compensated for the financial costs associated with them and the way that they impact your life. For example, if the nature of the injury is that it causes significant pain, you should be compensated for that pain. You may need to work with the appropriate experts to explain how your injuries create pain and physical limitations.

Is whiplash a type of injury from a car accident?

Whiplash is a type of injury that you can claim in a car accident. It is a physical injury, so it qualifies for compensation. However, proving the injury and its impact on your life can be challenging. Our lawyers can help you document your injury and prove the appropriate amount of compensation.

What should I expect for pain and suffering compensation for a car accident?

There isn’t a calculator to precisely know what pain and suffering compensation you will receive. When injuries are minor and heal quickly, the amount the victim receives is less than if the injuries are catastrophic. Pain and suffering may account for a significant portion of car accident compensation, so it’s important not to overlook the amount you may receive.

What is a wrongful death car accident claim?

When a person loses their life in a car accident, the victim’s surviving family and their estate may claim compensation. Damages are different from other personal injury claims because the compensation must reflect the family’s financial and emotional struggle of losing their loved one. Our San Bernardino lawyers handle wrongful death car accident claims.

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Taking New Cases – Consultations

LA Century Law is currently accepting new cases for car accident claims in San Bernardino. Your time to file a claim is limited. Do not wait to contact our lawyers.

At your consultation, we learn about you and what happened. Our experienced professionals know what questions to ask to learn more about your case. We explain what you may deserve in compensation and what may impact the amount you receive. We talk about the legal process and how we can help you fight for justice.

We know how hard it can be to be a car accident victim. We’re proud of our success helping people just like you. Contact us today for a consultation about your claim.