Facebook Pixel

FOLLOW US

San Ramon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyer | Free Consultation

start your free consultation
Home San Ramon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyer | Free Consultation

San Ramon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyer

landscape

San Ramon, situated in the picturesque Contra Costa County of California, is a city that appeals to families with its welcoming atmosphere. The stunning Mt. Diablo serves as a breathtaking backdrop to this vibrant community. What makes San Ramon even more appealing is its convenient proximity to both San Francisco and Santa Cruz, making day trips or weekend getaways easily accessible. With a population of over 84,000, the city’s growing popularity and the resulting increase in traffic can negatively impact your life if you suffer an injury due to the negligence of a driver or other responsible party. In such cases, seeking the assistance of a San Ramon personal injury attorney becomes crucial as they can help you recover the financial compensation you deserve.

When your life has been affected by a recent crash, you need an auto accident attorney in San Ramon who genuinely cares about your well-being. At AutoAccident.com, our team of compassionate and skilled lawyers understands your challenges. We are here to support you in obtaining the financial compensation necessary to cover your losses and move forward with your life. To learn more about how our dedicated legal team can assist you, do not hesitate to call us today at (925) 428-5220 or (800) 404-5400. We offer free and friendly advice regarding your potential case, ensuring you receive the guidance you need during this difficult time.

Traffic Collisions in San Ramon and Contra Costa County

California’s Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) released its most recent report on traffic crashes for 2020, which found 118 injuries and fatalities in San Ramon caused by collisions. There were 6 accidents involving alcohol, around 19 were related to speeding, and 6 were hit-and-runs. Seven involved pedestrians, and 7 were bicycle riders.

What is My San Ramon Auto Accident Claim Worth?

It’s common to wonder how much a personal injury claim will be worth after a motor vehicle crash. The number and severity of the injuries, the insurance coverage on the at-fault party’s vehicle, and other factors may determine the claim amount. 

What Types of Damages May Be Recovered in a Bodily Injury Claim?

In such claims, recoverable damages are either economic or non-economic. Economic damages include monetary expenses, such as medical bills for a traumatic injury. Non-economic damages represent the intangibles, such as the emotional and psychological damage the accident injury caused. Below are some examples of damages you may recover:

  • Medical Expenses: A plaintiff may be entitled to reimbursement for past and future medical costs associated with the accident. For some, the medical treatment for their injuries may have been completed. For others, the injury is ongoing and requires further care, and more medical bills will accrue. Generally, prognosis reports from physicians caring for the injured party and expert witnesses are used to establish the cost of future treatment and care.
  • Lost wages: The injured party may be entitled to reimbursement for lost wages if they miss unpaid work because of the accident. A San Ramon personal injury lawyer can help calculate the lost income, including insurance and pension benefits, bonuses, and more. If the injury is expected to continue into the future or the injured party has to take a lower-paying job, those losses can be factored in also. If the injury results in permanent disability, the lost wages can be factored in until retirement.
  • Pain and suffering: Recovery of damages for pain and suffering refers not only to the physical side but the psychological and emotional trauma the accident caused. The recovery of damages for emotional and psychological trauma must include compelling evidence such as professional treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. 
  • Loss of consortium: Compensation for loss of consortium may be sought when a traffic collision damages a married relationship. Additionally, damages for loss of consortium could also be considered where the claimant has been severely injured, such as suffering spinal cord trauma and thus unable to conceive a child in the future.
Why Should You Seek Medical Care After a Traffic Collision?

When you are involved in a traffic collision, you must seek medical attention afterward, even if you think your injury wasn’t serious. This is because some traffic accident symptoms are delayed and may arise a few hours to days or weeks later. In addition, without documentation of your accident and injury, the insurance company can deny your compensation claim. The physician will note any symptoms, essential to document your injury and support your claim later. Some of the reasons an insurance company can deny your claim include:

  • When someone involved in a traffic collision does not immediately seek medical attention, the insurance adjuster can say that your injury was not severe and did not require care and deny your claim. Your San Ramon car accident lawyer can show that your symptoms were delayed and use an expert witness to prove it.
  • The insurer may say that your medical condition was pre-existing and unrelated to the accident, which was why you didn’t seek medical attention immediately. However, claimants with pre-existing conditions can still obtain compensation because it can be shown that your accident worsened your previous trauma. 
  • A typical insurance company tactic is using gaps in treatment to deny a claim. Your injury lawyer can argue that medical scheduling was the physician’s choice, not the client’s.
What Defense Tactics Do Insurance Carriers Use?

Additional tactics used by an insurance company include:

  • Because you didn’t seek medical treatment immediately, there is no proof that your trauma resulted from the accident.
  • Delaying until the injured person either gives up or settles for a much lower offer than they deserve is a ploy used by some insurance companies.
  • Sitting on the claim until it is too late to file a personal injury lawsuit is a common tactic insurance companies use.
  • Supplying the injured party with the wrong forms to fill out or delaying accepting them occurs all too often.
  • Playing telephone tag or putting the policyholder on hold for long periods prevents the client from seeking the compensation they need.
How Much Auto Insurance Coverage Do You Need in California?

Liability coverage is a requirement for all California motorists. This provides coverage if a driver causes an accident. The minimum coverage offered includes:

  • $15,000 bodily injury coverage, which covers one individual in an accident who suffers harm or dies.
  • $30,000 bodily injury coverage for multiple people injured in a traffic accident. This amount is shared among those who are injured.
  • $5,000 liability coverage for property damage in a traffic accident. 
Is It Worthwhile to Take Coverage for Uninsured and Underinsured Drivers?

According to the Insurance Information Institute, California ranks as the 10th highest state in the number of uninsured drivers at 16.6 percent. Because of the high number of motorists who are either uninsured or underinsured, many drivers opt to take this add-on policy. Because most drivers with little to no liability coverage do not have the financial means to pay for accident injuries to others, having this additional protection may be crucial.

Dealing With the Insurance Company After a Traffic Accident Injury

Discussing your accident and injury with the insurance adjuster can feel like walking a tightrope. How much information is too little? How much info could cause you problems? It is important to remember that insurance companies are in business to make profits, and it is in their best interest to pay as little as possible. 

Adjusters become especially concerned when injuries are involved because medical care is so expensive, and the accident may have caused severe trauma or a permanent disability. It is their advantage to get the injured party to accept an offer and sign off on it as quickly as possible. Unfortunately for the injured party, the amount they receive in an early settlement may be too little to cover all their medical expenses and other losses, and they can’t go back and ask for more.

Handling an Insurance Claim

When a collision involves trauma, it is essential to speak first with a San Ramon personal injury lawyer about your car accident. Don’t give a recorded statement until you do this. Your lawyer knows all the ins and outs of dealing with an insurance company to obtain the best resolution for your case. In addition, the law firm can handle the negotiations for you with the insurer and protect your rights. It has been demonstrated that using an attorney to handle your accident case means you can recover two to three times more compensation than if you handled it yourself. It is always free to call and talk to us. 

Can I Afford to Hire an Injury Lawyer for My Case?

Our San Ramon car accident and personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means the injured client pays nothing until they receive their compensation. The lawyer’s fee usually comes through the settlement with the insurance company or a jury verdict if the case goes to court. 

To discover how to choose an accident lawyer near San Ramon to handle your case, take a look at the following video:

Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys Serving San Ramon, CA

Since 1982, our team of experienced San Ramon personal injury lawyers at AutoAccident.com has been dedicated to handling a wide range of accident cases with great success. We have the knowledge and expertise to assist you as well. At AutoAccident.com, we are committed to fighting for your rights and helping you obtain the financial compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses. Contact us today at (925) 428-5220 or (800) 404-5400 to schedule a consultation for free, friendly advice and learn how our skilled team can assist you in your personal injury case.

To gain insight into our track record of success, we encourage you to visit our Verdicts and Settlements page.

Editor’s Note: Updated for accuracy and relevancy [cha 5.15.23]
Photo by alvin matthews on Unsplash
cd [1672] bw

Additional Resources:

    HOW CAN WE HELP?