Have You Been Injured and Need A Car Accident Lawyer San Francisco Trusts?
Have your well-being protected and claim defended by a respected and reputable car accident lawyer San Francisco respects.
Even the smallest car accident can take the biggest toll on your health, bank account, and time. In 2017, San Francisco was ranked the 5th in having the highest automobile traffic in the world. With that reputation, the odds of getting into a car accident are incredibly high. Knowing this, any car accident lawyer San Francisco has to offer is invaluable to the safety its citizens. We have successfully handled hundreds of car accident related injury cases. Through our wide experience in criminal law, we provide a car accident lawyer San Francisco can call.
The Process: What You Need to Know to Be Prepared
Prevention and Preparation: How to Avoid Another Accident
Avoiding an accident is impossible, but preparing to prevent accidents lowers your risk of getting into one. There are three ways you may prepare before ever having to contact a car accident attorney San Francisco has to offer:
Insurance: Although minimum insurance is required by California law, it is a smart way to protect your assets and the lives of others around you. Insurance ensures that certain damages are reimbursed depending on the circumstances of the accident. It is beneficial to remember that your insurance rating may changed because of the where you live, the car you drive, how much you drive, and your driving record.
Learning the Common Causes and Steering Clear of Them: Car accidents and injuries occur every day and the best way to avoid them is to avoid the habits that lead to them. Here are some common causes of accidents:
- Excessive speed
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Driving while tired
- Driving aggressively
- Ignoring bad weather
- Neglecting your car
- Driving an unfamiliar vehicle
- Trusting other drivers
Act and Respond: Every car accident lawyer San Francisco has knows that the most difficult time to focus is right after a car accident but this crucial time can have a critical impact on the success of your claim. In a car accident, the first thing to do is to stop and check yourself and the passengers of the other vehicle for any bodily injuries. The next thing to do is to call 911 and report the accident with the authorities for the well-being of those involved. It is also useful as a police report provides proof to insurance companies not only that the accident happened but also as a description of the facts that may be used in court. It is important to remember to remain calm and not admit fault because any apology or attempt to placate the other driver may be twisted by a lawyer to express negligence on your part.
Collecting information is vital to making a case and it is recommended you take information from the other driver, witness, and the surrounding scene in order to recreate the accident in court. Once gathered, it should be given to any officer at the scene. Cooperate with the officer as much as possible and ask for the name of the officer and any information you need to secure a police report. As a participant in the accident it is smart to write down your own account as well as submitting reports to both your insurance company and the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Signs of a Traumatic Brain Injury After a Car Accident
A car accident can wreak havoc on your life. Not only might you face significant amounts of physical pain, but it can destroy your car and your finances. You may be left unable to work, and if the crash is severe enough, you may find yourself facing a lifetime of medical care. As a car accident lawyer in San Francisco might explain to you, one of the most catastrophic injuries people suffer in car crashes is a traumatic brain injury. Damage to the brain can be temporary, or it can be deadly. Educate yourself on the signs and symptoms of a TBI, so you are better able to help yourself or a loved one after a crash.
If you suffered from a TBI or other brain injury after a collision, please call a San Francisco car accident lawyer now.
How a Crash Causes a TBI
During a collision, the body can be violently jerked back and forth. If the force of impact is higher, the body is put under more significant strain while inside the vehicle. You may hit various parts of your body on the window, steering wheel, dash , and headliner. You may even impact other people in the car, depending on where you’re sitting.
Your skull is built to withstand a significant impact, but it can still be compromised with enough force. A concussion is a fairly common injury in a car accident. However, the head does not have to contact a hard surface for the brain to get injured. The sheer force of the crash may be enough to rattle the brain in the skull, forcing it to hit the skull. It can bruise or bleed, and if this happens, you may not have any physical indicators of a head injury. These are the brain injuries you should be concerned about, for if left unchecked, they can lead to more serious health issues. As a car accident lawyer in San Francisco may tell you, seeking medical attention is very important after a car accident.
Physical Symptoms
In the hours and days following an accident, play close attention to your body. If you have a headache that gets worse instead of better, or suddenly feel exhausted after a full night’s sleep, you may have a traumatic brain injury. Other physical indicators of a problem with the brain are nausea or vomiting, ringing ears, dizziness, and slurred speech. In general, if you are exhibiting any of the aforementioned symptoms, or something else that doesn’t seem right, please get medical attention. After you have sought treatment, you may consider speaking with a car accident lawyer in San Francisco.
Behavior May Start To Change
Physical changes aren’t the only thing to be watching. Behavioral changes can often come on quickly after a brain injury. Depending on what part of the brain is impacted, someone who is ordinarily outgoing and happy may suddenly become moody, sullen, or angry. Significant swings between sadness and happiness, along with inappropriate laughter, may point to a problem with the brain.
A traumatic brain injury is serious, and can be included in a personal injury claim. To ensure that you are taken care of, it is best to seek medical help immediately following an accident of any kind. Consult with a San Francisco car accident lawyer for further advice.
Creating a Successful Claim: Choosing The RIght San Francisco Car Accident Lawyer
Step One: Start to Learn About Your Legal Problem
The first step to any claim is to understand the legal problem you may end up in. A quick search on the Internet will return many bits of information that give you some understanding as to what you may be dealing with. Additionally, there should be lots of searches for available attorneys.
Step Two: Start to Gather Names
Your own personal network may sometimes have a lawyer, so it is best to ask anyone close to you if they know of any competent lawyers that can take on your case. Through a quick look on the Internet or the Yellow Pages, the amount of car accident lawyers San Francisco has to offer may be overwhelming and confusing. The best way to find your attorney is to research their background. Typically, lawyers may have many areas of expertise but it may be the case that you need a specific type of lawyer. Certain lawyers may be experienced in multiple fields and these may be the kind of lawyers you need.
Step Three: Call and Ask for Written Information
Once you have your list of prospective lawyers, call and ask for any information regarding your case. It would be best to ask for any information packet they may have on your type of case. With this information you can narrow down the large number of car accident lawyers San Francisco offers to a handful of options. Feeling comfortable with the lawyer you have chosen is extremely important.
Step Four: Ask the Right Questions
- Have you handles this type of case?
- What are the likely outcomes in my case?
- What will the fees and expenses be?
- Are there alternatives to a trial?
- How long will my case take?
- How will we communicate?
- Have you ever been sanctioned for, or accused of, attorney misconduct?
Step Five: Rank the Information In Terms of Importance
- Consistent results in the past
- Experience
- Board certification
- A listing in the book, “Best Lawyers in America”
- “AV” rating from Martindale Hubbell
- Active participation in trial lawyer associations
What To Do After an Auto Accident
Most people do not think they will ever be involved in a car accident and do not know what to do. There are many things that you should do following an accident, some of which is for your own safety. Other things are precautions to protect you financially or legally. Learn everything you should do after an auto accident so you will be prepared in case you are ever in this situation.
What To Do
Some things are more important to do than others. You should do everything on this list, but do them in this order, taking care of the most important things first:
- Evaluate whether you are hurt. The adrenaline may mean you feel no pain, so visually inspect your body for cuts and broken bones. If you find any injuries, immediately call 911.
- If you are not hurt, evaluate whether everyone else who was involved in the accident is hurt. If anyone was injured, immediately call 911.
- If no one is hurt, check whether any vehicles are blocking traffic. If so, evaluate how safe it would be to move the vehicles to the side of the road. Do not attempt to move the vehicles if the accident was severe enough to cause visible damage to the vehicles. Likewise, you should not move the vehicles if you would have to cross multiple lanes of traffic to do so. If you cannot move the vehicles, get everyone off the road and call 911.
- Exchange contact and insurance information with everyone involved in the accident. Do not discuss who is at fault for the accident at this time.
- Try to identify anyone who may have witnessed the accident. If you find anyone, write down their contact information.
- Take extensive notes and pictures of the crash, including any damage to the vehicles, any minor injuries, the orientation of the vehicles, and the environment the accident happened in.
- Call the police non-emergency number. A police officer may come to the scene to create an accident report. If no officers can come, you can visit the police office later to have an accident report created.
- Call your auto insurance provider. Provide as much information as you can and answer all their questions. You will need to give your insurance provider with the contact information of everyone involved in the crash.
If you follow these steps carefully, you will be protected physically, financially, and legally. It is easy to get caught up in the heat of the moment, but stay calm and remember the proper things to do.
The Litigation Process
If you are looking for a car accident lawyer San Francisco provides many to choose from, but don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with our experienced and professional lawyers. Call (415) 552-1215 to contact us today. At The Morales Law Firm, we have helped thousands of accident victims and families attain compelling verdicts and settlements. We have fought for clients in the past let us fight for you!
