Long commutes and daily drives are a necessity in sprawling San Bernardino. Any time on the road comes with risks, and the injuries that follow a collision can be life-altering. . If you’ve been injured in a car accident, a San Bernardino car accident lawyer can help you take control of your recovery.
The lawyers at Duque & Price have comprehensive experience managing car accident cases in and around San Bernardino and have collectively represented thousands of personal injury and car accident cases for our clients. Our knack for taking on cases that other firms tend to reject has earned us a strong reputation in the community.
Because we believe every client deserves high-quality service in their accident cases, we ensure that we provide careful attention and communication to each of our clients. At Duque & Price, we are committed to helping accident victims navigate the complexities of personal injury claims. With extensive experience in car accident cases, we provide personalized representation to help you recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and more. Our client-focused approach ensures your case receives the attention it deserves, allowing you to move forward with confidence.
Our attorneys have a record of successful cases due to a combination of unparalleled diligence, proactive assertiveness, and aggressive action from investigations and trial preparation to negotiations and litigation. Whatever the details of your case, don’t hesitate to contact us for a free consultation to find out what your case may be worth.
Car accidents can arise from many different situations and may not be the result of any one particular cause. Determining contributing factors and root causes is important for establishing liability and building a case, however. The following factors represent some of the most common accident causes:
Regardless of fault, car accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries, from minor to severe. Victims often suffer more than one kind of injury. The following demonstrates some of the types of injuries experienced as a result of vehicle collisions:
Many car accident injuries can result in permanent or long-term consequences or disability for victims. Even milder injuries can impact a person’s daily life for weeks to months on end. It is imperative that you seek immediate medical attention following an accident to ensure you receive needed care. Seeking proper compensation is crucial for victims who’ve sustained life-altering injuries.
Unfortunately, personal injury lawsuits can be tedious and time consuming. Without an attorney, you may find the process daunting and strenuous, especially when the other party or insurance company is armed with a team of attorneys on their side. Our lawyers are ready to walk you through each phase of the claims process and can offer both legal counsel and guidance. When you are ready to begin your claim, you and your attorney will:
When you select Duque & Price to represent your claim in San Bernardino County and surrounding areas, you partner with a law firm that is skilled at identifying all potential economic losses from your car accident. We know how overwhelming the aftermath of a crash can be, and we’re committed to helping you recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Our team excels in investigation, handling property damage, negotiation, and trial preparation. We can dedicate our time working on your case to securing all relevant damages by leveraging our experience and attention to detail. Whether through negotiation or litigation, we are here to fight for your rights and guide you through the legal process, providing the support you need during your recovery.
Without a working knowledge of the intricacies of traffic law and statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit, your case can be over before you even enter a courtroom. Your attorney knows the timeline required as well as how to fill out and file the extensive paperwork a lawsuit includes. Too many victims of car accidents are unable to collect the damages they deserve because the paperwork was filed too late or documents were improperly filled out or missing altogether. Don’t let this happen to you!
Car accidents fall under personal injury law, which has a two-year statute of limitation in California. This means victims have two years from the date of their car accidents to bring a claim against an at-fault party. If the case is against a government entity, however, you only have six months to file your case. It is vital that you begin the process as soon as possible to avoid potential delays or denials in your claim.
Proving fault in a California car accident case requires you and your attorney to effectively demonstrate the other party’s negligence. This means proving the following:
In many cases, courts will presume negligence upon a defendant who violated the law under the standard of statutory negligence. This means that if the other driver was guilty of a crime, such as a DUI, speeding, or running a red light, the burden of proof is no longer on the victim to prove negligence, only to provide evidence showing the extent of the harm inflicted.
Following a car accident, you can seek compensation for various damages, including:
Insurance companies often try to minimize their liability by downplaying the severity of your injuries, underestimating the extent of your property damage, or disputing fault altogether. Your attorney should be skilled enough to evaluate your claim and pursue the maximum possible settlement allowed to increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
After a car accident, obtaining fair compensation can be challenging, especially when dealing with underinsured or uninsured drivers. An experienced car accident lawyer can negotiate with your insurance company and explore additional avenues for compensation, such as uninsured motorist coverage.
If the at-fault driver’s insurance is insufficient, an attorney may also pursue litigation to hold the responsible party accountable. Compensation typically covers medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Your lawyer can build a compelling case, collect the necessary evidence, and handle all legal procedures to maximize the outcome of your claim.
There are often exceptions to the rules that you may qualify for but not even know about. An attorney can find these exceptions to ensure that you receive the compensation you are entitled to.
For instance, California law places limits on financial gains for certain types of damage. An uninsured driver may not be eligible to collect the full compensation that those who have insurance may be entitled to. Damages such as pain and suffering, that does not have a determinable monetary amount to award, may not be awarded to an uninsured driver under California law.
Settlement amounts for car accidents in California can vary depending on the extent of the injuries and losses sustained by the accident. Every case is unique and will vary based on all of the previously mentioned factors, such as:
Most car accident attorneys in California work on a contingency fee basis, taking around 33% of the final settlement awards in successful cases. This payment structure is intended to remove any upfront costs associated with obtaining quality legal representation in an effort to remove the barriers to access. It is vital that all car accident victims have the opportunity to secure qualified and skilled legal counsel for their cases. This is because attorneys:
Working with a skilled attorney can lead to significantly higher compensation awards in most cases when compared with settlements offered to victims who choose to represent themselves. For these reasons, hiring a car accident attorney is generally in your interest. Most attorneys, such as those on our team at Duque & Price, offer free consultations where you can determine what legal representation might look like.
A: Lawyer fees for car accident cases are typically contingency-based, meaning attorneys are paid a percentage of the settlement or verdict. This percentage depends on the case details and your agreement with the lawyer. Clients benefit from this arrangement because they don’t pay upfront and only owe fees if compensation is successfully recovered through negotiation or litigation.
A: The amount someone can sue for a car accident in California depends on factors like medical costs, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Each case is unique, and the total compensation reflects the severity of injuries and other losses. A knowledgeable attorney can assess your situation and pursue a claim that accounts for all the damages you have endured.
A: Car accident settlements vary in duration based on case complexity, insurance negotiations, and evidence availability. Some cases are resolved within months, while others may take longer if litigation is required. Working with a skilled attorney can help streamline the process, ensuring all necessary steps are taken to secure fair compensation as efficiently as possible.
In the end, your personal injury attorney is your advocate in court. At the San Bernardino law offices of Duque & Price, we maintain a staff of a highly professional, knowledgeable, aggressive and successful car accident attorneys who represent injured people through our offices that stretch across Southern California. Time limitations apply to any injury claim you might have, so for purposes of investigating a possible case and possibly preserving evidence, it’s best for you to contact us immediately after an accident.
Contact our San Bernardino County car accident attorney at 1-877-590-0080 to learn more about your legal options. A free consultation is just a phone call away. You can even use our online contact form, and we’ll reply to you quickly.
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