If you’ve been involved in an accident without insurance, either as the uninsured party or the victim of one, the situation can quickly become complex and daunting. You’re not only attempting to recover from your injuries but also facing a car accident without insurance, which complicates your pursuit of compensation to cover your losses — and rightfully so. However, an uninsured or underinsured driver may not have the liability coverage necessary to pay out the compensation you need. In many states that require car insurance, driving without it can lead to severe legal and financial consequences, emphasizing the importance of being insured to avoid potential liabilities and penalties.

A lack of car insurance can have many impacts on your claim. Given the complexity, we do encourage you to get in touch with an experienced auto accident attorney who can help navigate these car insurance laws and related challenges. That being said, if you’d like to learn more about the issues and opportunities in an uninsured/underinsured accident dispute, then read on!

Getting into an accident without uninsured motorist coverage: the issue

So, what’s the problem with getting into a car accident with no insurance (i.e., the driver who hit you has no insurance coverage)?  It boils down to one thing: the “capacity” to compensate you for your losses. The defendant’s driver’s insurance or lack of car insurance demonstrates an inability to compensate you. Additionally, driving without insurance can lead to severe legal penalties, including a suspended driver’s license, highlighting the importance of maintaining proper insurance coverage.

Let’s break it down.

If you’re injured in a serious auto accident, then you may suffer many different losses — some minor, some debilitating and life-changing — as a result:

• Wage loss
• Loss of earning capacity
• Medical expenses
• Property loss
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of companionship
• And more

For example, if you’re forced to take six months off from work due to debilitating back injuries after a car collision, then you would likely have a substantial wage loss claim.  You might also have a substantial claim for loss of earning capacity damages if the injuries are likely to impact your ability to work in the future.  These losses can add up very quickly.  It’s not uncommon for an injury dispute centered around an auto accident to give rise to $100,000 (or even more in damages).

The problem with uninsured and underinsured drivers is that they don’t have the financial resources to cover your losses.  Their insurance coverage is inadequate (or nonexistent).  If you suffered $100,000 or more in losses, how could they possibly compensate you?  They have no financial responsibility and no insurance!

Fortunately, you’re not without options in a “no car insurance” dispute.  The driver is not necessarily the only one responsible for your accident.  There may be other defendants, some of whom have substantial coverage with which to pay out.

Finding a deep-pocket defendant

If the defendant is an uninsured driver or underinsured driver, you won’t necessarily be able to secure the compensation you need from them.  That leaves you with a few other strategic options for obtaining compensation — chief among them, identifying and suing other defendants who “do” have adequate insurance coverage.

This strategy is known to many litigators as “finding the deep-pockets defendant.”  In other words, if you can identify and sue a defendant with substantial liability insurance and coverage (who is liable for your injuries), then you can be assured that they have enough financial resources to pay out fully.

Beyond the at-fault driver, potential defendants in your accident dispute may include:

• The driver’s employer
• The auto manufacturer
• The auto repair shop
• The City
• Private property owners
• And more

For example, suppose that you’re injured in a car collision at an intersection in the middle of the day.  It turns out that the driver doesn’t have any insurance coverage.  With the aid of an attorney, you investigate the case further and discover that the driver was working at the time of the accident — in fact, they were conducting door-to-door sales visits for their employer.

Under these circumstances, you’d likely be able to sue their employer (pursuant to a legal principle called vicarious liability).  As a business, the employer would not only be more likely to have sufficient insurance coverage, and legal penalties but would also have an incentive to avoid the negative publicity of a lawsuit — they might therefore be more willing to offer an early and favorable settlement.

Submitting a claim with your own insurer

If your auto insurance policy has UM or UIM coverage (uninsured motorist coverage or underinsured motorist coverage), then you can potentially submit a claim with your own insurance company to get paid out through your policy.  Uninsured motorist coverage is a solid option if it’s available to you through your auto insurance coverage or provider.  That being said, the insurer will not necessarily be willing to pay out the maximum, so you’ll want to “prove” your claims to them with the aid of a qualified attorney.

Car insurance companies are NOT your ally

The general public has often been taught that insurance companies are their allies.  It’s not surprising — insurers spend a lot of money on advertising meant to bolster this image of them as a friendly, allied entity (for example, State Farm’s “Like a Good Neighbor” branding).  In fact, this perception is so ingrained in American society, that many people don’t realize that insurers are actually working in opposition to getting you paid!

Here’s how it all works.

Auto insurance companies make more profit when they can underpay (or even outright reject) claims.  Even if those claims are reasonable or legitimate, insurers are incentivized to do everything possible to weaken the claimant’s argument and thereby avoid paying out.  When you’re talking to an insurance adjuster after your accident, they’re not trying to get you paid the maximum possible amount — their job is to identify any information that they can use to avoid paying too much.

That’s why it’s so dangerous to communicate with insurers until you’ve consulted an experienced car accident attorney.  Your attorney will be able to speak to them on your behalf and help you avoid the many hassles and issues associated with car insurance company disclosures.

Have an attorney engage all communications with insurers

Attorney litigators play a number of different roles — they’re not just meant to play the role that you might see on television (i.e., arguing before a judge in court).  They are also key communicators and advocates outside of court and will speak to insurers on your behalf to advocate for your interests.

Insurers know that they cannot force sensitive, potentially-undermining disclosures out of an attorney.  This means that they will usually be more serious in considering your injury claims and in making a settlement offer.

Given the potential for damaging your case by disclosing sensitive information to an insurance company, it’s critical that you consult with an attorney first before having any detailed discussions about the accident with an insurer.

What do insurance companies use to underpay or reject your claims?

If you’ve been in an accident with an uninsured driver, or whether the driver involved actually has insurance coverage (but it’s insufficient), you may find that your own insurer is all too willing to underpay or reject your attempts to recover compensation. Now, it would be illegal for insurance to outright deny or pay less than what you’re reasonably entitled to under your policy. So they come up with various justifications for taking actions that have negative financial and legal consequences for you.

What are these justifications? Here are a few:

• Policy exception applies to the claim
• Insufficient documentation/proof for the claim
• The claimant was at fault
• The policy simply doesn’t cover the injury at issue
• And more

This can be a bit difficult to understand, so let’s go through a quick example.

Suppose that you’re involved in an accident and the other driver (the driver responsible for your injuries and vehicle damage) has no insurance. You decide not to take legal action against the driver at fault for the accident, since there is no reasonable compensation to obtain from engaging the legal process in that regard. Instead, you submit a claim through your own insurance to seek compensation.

Your insurer denies your claim, surprising you. They argue that you are not entitled to benefits as per your policy, since the contract language prohibits you from getting a payout if you were even partially at fault for the accident. They are attempting to paint the car accident as your fault, pointing to the fact that you were distracted at the time of the accident by your phone.

This is where an attorney is helpful. Your attorney would be able to argue that — while you were using a phone — you had it on speakerphone and placed in a holder. Thus, it was no different than if you were speaking to a passenger in your own vehicle. These back-and-forth arguments are part of the insurance claim process, too, so don’t just rush to submit your benefits claim. Car accidents can be complex. Work with a qualified attorney.

Using an attorney for your car accident dispute doesn’t have to cost anything

Most plaintiffs’-side accident attorneys don’t just offer free consultations — they also work on contingency.  Contingency fee arrangements make legal representation easy and accessible for everyone.  How does it work?

When an attorney represents you on contingency, you don’t have to pay them anything upfront or out-of-pocket.  That’s right — it costs you nothing to get started with your case.  Instead, you agree to pay the attorney a “percentage cut” of the compensation they secure on your behalf.  You only pay this percentage cut if they’re able to successfully obtain compensation for you.  If not, then you don’t pay anything.

This creates a powerful incentive for attorneys to work effectively and efficiently to maximize your compensation.  The more you get paid, the more they get paid.  Note: percentage fees for contingency arrangements vary from attorney to attorney.  They can go as low as 25 percent, and up to 40 percent or more.  Before you hire an attorney, you should make sure to discuss the details of this percentage cut.

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a Free Legal Consultation

If you’ve been injured in a car accident with no insurance (i.e., the other driver is uninsured or underinsured), then you may be feeling lost and confused about what options you have for recovery.  That’s entirely reasonable.  Accidents involving uninsured drivers lead to serious medical bills and significant strategic challenges — but there may still be legal opportunities for you to secure compensation.  That’s why it’s so important to consult with an experienced car accident attorney for guidance.

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 to get connected to a qualified attorney in your area in just 10 minutes or less.  Our network attorney will be able to provide a free legal consultation.  During this initial consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your case in detail and learn about the next steps.  If you decide against moving forward, that’s okay — there’s no obligation for you to continue.  So call in and have your case evaluated!

We look forward to assisting you.

Injured in a minor car accident?  Not every car accident is severe and shocking — but even minor accidents or a low-speed collision could lead to a cascade of issues.  Whether or not you think the accident led to significant losses, it’s crucial to promptly contact your insurance carrier to report the accident for documentation and claims purposes. It’s worth talking to an experienced accident attorney for an evaluation of your case and a better understanding of your legal options.

If you’d like to learn more about minor car accidents, and the basic legal issues associated with these sorts of disputes, read on!  We’ll briefly explore and explain these issues so that you have clarity as you move forward with your case.

Minor car accidents can lead to major injuries — don’t make assumptions about your case too early

Minor car accidents are not always as straightforward or as simple as one might assume.  A minor car accident can very well give rise to severe injuries/conditions, including traumatic brain injuries, even if it is not immediately apparent or obvious at first glance.

For example, suppose that you’re in a low-speed rear-end collision with another driver, at a red light.  It’s a minor collision and — beyond some light neck stiffness — you don’t believe you’ve suffered any serious injuries.  Two years later, you suddenly start to experience severe stiffness and pain in your neck.

Your doctor runs a battery of tests and discovers that the low-speed collision accelerated the development of a condition that you already had: spinal degeneration.  This has led to daily, severe neck stiffness and pain, now.  Under these circumstances, you would be able to potentially sue and recover substantial damages from the insurance company and defendant-driver, even though they were going relatively slow when they hit you.

Cases like this are quite common in the personal or bodily injury claim context.  That’s why it’s so important that you don’t assume too much about your case.  A comprehensive investigation — including a medical assessment — has to be done before you “decide” that your car accident was not severe.

What to do in the aftermath of an accident

In the aftermath of an auto accident, there are several steps you should take to ensure that you maximize your case potential — if you want to pursue compensation for your losses.

• Seek medical attention, if necessary.  If you require emergency care, and you delay in obtaining such care, then the defendant may later argue that your injuries were worsened by the delay — they may therefore try and undermine your claims and avoid having to pay out more damages.
• Take photos and video at the scene of the accident.  If you do not require emergency care, then you can take photos and video.  This will serve as useful evidence of the accident scene in the immediate aftermath of the collision and can be used to reconstruct the accident.  This can be particularly valuable when you and the defendant have different narratives about how the accident occurred.
• Obtain the contact information of any eyewitnesses.  Eyewitness accounts will be invaluable for supporting your claims.
• Obtain the contact information of the other driver involved in the accident.
• Call law enforcement officers to the accident scene, if they haven’t already arrived.  This will ensure that a police report is written about the accident, giving you important documentary evidence for use later.
• It is crucial to have a police officer at the scene to write up an accident report for insurance and legal purposes.
• Avoid speaking to your insurer until you have consulted an attorney.  Insurance adjusters will use the opportunity to try and get you to disclose information that could undermine your claims.  Don’t give an insurance company that opportunity.  Your attorney can speak to insurance adjusters on your behalf.

Potential compensation in a car accident

After a car accident in which someone else caused you to have bodily injuries or suffer losses, you may be entitled to take legal action in order to secure compensation for those losses.  Claimable losses from auto accidents include, but are not limited to:

• Wage loss
• Loss of earning capacity
• Medical expenses
• Property loss
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of companionship
• And more

In a minor accident, you may not have substantial pain and suffering, or other lifestyle impacts, and your wage loss, medical bills, and other expenses might also be limited.  That being said, it’s best not to assume or speculate about your losses too early — sometimes, these losses may be more severe than you anticipated.

And even if those losses are not significant, you are likely to have sustained property loss (i.e., damage to your vehicle) that is also claimable as compensation.

Consulting a car accident lawyer is crucial to protect your rights during the insurance claim process, ensuring a fair outcome by negotiating with the insurance company, investigating the accident, and working towards a fair settlement or filing a lawsuit if necessary.

Statute of limitations deadlines: you don’t have an infinite amount of time

Every case — even those involving minor injuries or car accidents — has a procedural deadline for bringing a legal action.  If you don’t file your claims before the applicable deadline period has passed, then courts will dismiss your claims and you won’t have an opportunity to recover compensation under the law.  These deadlines are established by statute of limitations laws in various jurisdictions.

Statute of limitations deadlines are different from state to state.  In California, for example, you have just two years (from the date of the accident) to bring an action.  That’s not much time, especially if you’ve been focusing on your physical and financial recovery and have not properly considered your legal options.  Time flies when you’re attempting to reconfigure your life after an accident, after all.

Given the high-stakes nature of a lawsuit, and just how important it is that you have the opportunity to pursue compensation after the accident, we encourage you to get in touch with a qualified accident attorney who can help evaluate your insurance claims and push them forward in a timely manner — before the deadlines have passed.

That being said, if you waited too long, don’t give up!  Depending on the circumstances of your accident report your case and medical treatment, there may be legal exceptions you can call upon to extend the normal statute of limitations deadline (for example, your injuries may not have been “discovered” until a later date and require medical treatment).

Does your insurance go up after a claim that is not your fault?

In most states, insurers are prohibited from increasing your insurance rates if you’re involved in an accident that is not your fault.  This is meant to encourage injury victims to seek compensation from their own insurance company or carrier when they are entitled to do so.

That being said, insurers are NOT your allies.

They will do whatever they can to undermine your claims so that they don’t have to pay, or so that they can lowball you cash payment.  Alternatively, they may pay out but then attempt to raise your insurance rates.  How?  The insurer may try to get insurance information to paint you as partially at-fault for the accident, thus getting around the rates-increase prohibition implemented by the states.

For this (and many other reasons), it’s crucial that you consult an attorney who can communicate to insurers on your behalf and advocate for your interests.

It is worth working with an attorney, even in a minor car accident case

As the accident victim, you do not necessarily have a perfect understanding of your own personal injuries, property damage, and losses.  After all, what may have seemed (at first) like a minor car accident could reveal much more severe injuries and more substantial losses.

Given the uncertainty and opportunity inherent to legal compensation for minor car accidents, it’s worth consulting an attorney for strategic assistance in the claims process.  Attorneys work to maximize your compensation — even in a minor car accident dispute.  The potential “increase” in recoverable compensation would likely offset whatever contingency fee percentage they take.

Point of note: most plaintiffs’ injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis.  They only get paid if you secure compensation.  If you don’t get paid, you don’t have to pay the attorney for their services.  Convenient, right?  And when you do get paid, they take a percentage cut of your compensation.  That means you can bring legal action without paying anything upfront or out-of-pocket, making a lawsuit very accessible for those who do not have the funds to expend.

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a Free Legal Consultation

If you’ve been injured and/or sustained damage to your vehicle in a minor car accident, then you could be entitled to compensation.  This may be through submitting a claim with your own auto insurer, pursuing legal action against the driver who hit you, or by suing other potentially liable defendants.  And while your case may appear “simple” at first, further investigation may reveal more severe injuries, and a more complex liability web of vehicles involved — giving you an opportunity to recover substantial compensation to cover your losses.

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 to get connected to an experienced car accident attorney in our legal network.  Our network attorneys provide free legal consultations, during which you’ll have an opportunity to discuss your case in detail and get professional advice on your strategic options and how best to proceed.  If you decide not to move forward, you are under no obligation to do so!  As such, there’s really no downside to picking up the phone and calling in for a free consultation.

Semi-trucks are a regular feature of American roadways.  If you’ve been injured in a collision involving a large truck, then you could be entitled to semi-truck accident compensation under the law.  These cases are unique, both with respect to the legal opportunities and the challenges you may face.  As such, it’s important to work with an experienced, truck accident settlement attorney who knows how to navigate the litigation process effectively.

That being said if you’d like to learn more about some of the basics of semi-truck accident compensation, read on!

Semi-truck accidents are Uniquely Dangerous

Semi-trucks are uniquely dangerous.  Not only do they cause a disproportionately large number of accidents, but the accidents they do cause very often lead to severe and life-changing injuries.

1. Semi-trucks are unwieldy.  This can make it difficult for them to maneuver safely on the roadway, leading to a higher number of accidents.
2. Semi-trucks are massive and heavy.  As such, the force of impact is substantial when a collision occurs.  This can crumple vehicles and cause severe injury (or even death) upon impact.

Given the severity of injuries that often result from a truck accident, it’s that much more important to pursue your legal options so that you can recover fair compensation for all your losses.

Damages in a semi-truck accident dispute

Damages are meant to compensate you for the losses and property damage you sustained as a result of the truck accident case.  As such, they vary substantially from case to case, as the losses will differ depending on many factors.  In any case, recoverable losses may include the following types:

• Wage loss
• Loss of earning capacity
• Medical expenses (i.e., medical bills)
• Property loss
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of companionship
• And more

Suppose you’re unemployed when you get into a truck accident.  You can’t then claim wage loss damages, as you would not have taken any time off work (and therefore sustained a loss in lost wages) to be compensated for.  By contrast, someone who works a high-paying job — who is forced to take a year off to recover — will likely have a substantial wage loss claim.

What is punitive loss?

Punitive damages are not quite like other forms of damages (i.e., wage loss, medical expenses, etc.), which are intended to “compensate” the injury victim by replacing their losses through financial remuneration.

Instead, punitive damages are intended to “punish” the defendant and discourage others from engaging in similar behavior.  That being said, punitive damages are paid out to the injury victim and do result in a financial windfall.  In that sense, they can be conceived as “bonus” damages.

Punitive damages are therefore worth pursuing in your accident settlements and any case where they may potentially be available.  Courts only award punitive damages at their discretion, however, and that too in cases where the defendant’s behavior is deemed sufficiently egregious or malicious to qualify for the “punishment.”  Given the possibilities and complications, it’s worth consulting your accident attorney for guidance on pursuing punitive damages in your case.

Why are most injury disputes resolved through settlement?

According to many industry observers, nearly 95 percent of injury disputes are resolved through either legal representation or a settlement agreement.  This can surprise many people unfamiliar with the legal process and its challenges.  So, why are the majority of injury disputes concluded through settlement, instead of at trial?

Litigation has several disadvantages for (at least some of) the parties involved:

• Financially costly
• Time-demanding
• Mentally exhausting
• Uncertain outcome
• Negative publicity
• And more

For example, consider how litigation “feels” to a trucking company being sued for discrimination in the workplace.  The business defendant may not only spend a year or more in litigation, paying substantial fees to defend themselves in court, but this will distract their organization from their core business — pulling away key resources.

Further, even if the business defendant were to litigate the case thoroughly, there’s no guarantee that they’d win if they go to court.  And if they’re forced to pay out compensation to the plaintiff, the court may require that they pay more than expected.  This uncertainty is extremely frustrating, especially for a business that is attempting to handle its operations in a predictable, process-driven manner.

Finally, discrimination lawsuits are bad publicity.  Even if the business is “innocent,” the lawsuit itself will be reported on and the general public may draw their negative conclusions regardless of the actual outcome of the case.  This could damage the brand and impact their ability to sell their goods/services.

Given all of this, most defendants (and plaintiffs) would rather negotiate an agreement themselves and avoid the hassle, uncertainty, and challenge of litigation.

How long does an injury claim take to settle?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here.  A truck accident injury claim can be settled in a few weeks, or a few months, or it may even take a year or more.  Whether a trucking accident or accident settlement happens early depends on several different factors:

• Hostility of the defendant
• How damaging negative publicity would be to the defendant
• Whether you have sufficient evidence to establish liability and your damages claim
• How sympathetic you appear as a plaintiff
• The financial resources of the defendant
• And more

What happens if you get hit by an uninsured driver in Texas?

If you are hit by a motor vehicle by an uninsured truck driver — in Texas or anywhere else — then you’ll be facing a strategic challenge in your dispute. Commercial truck drivers are not generally uninsured, but let’s examine this possibility.

See, when the truck driver doesn’t have insurance, even if they’re liable for your injuries, you may not be able to secure enough of a payout to cover your losses.  That leaves you in a difficult position.  To secure adequate compensation, you’ll therefore have to explore other options.  You can sue other potentially liable parties, or even submit a claim with your insurer (if you have uninsured motorist coverage on your plan).

Depending on the law firm and facts of the case, your options may include:

• UIM Coverage
• Employer of the driver who hit you (trucking company)
• Auto manufacturer
• City Government
• Other drivers who contributed to the accident (in a multi-vehicle scenario)
• Private property owners whose property contributed to the accident
• Treating medical professionals if they engaged in malpractice
• And more

This is known as a “deep pockets” strategy.  You benefit from suing or otherwise involving parties who have sufficient insurance coverage to pay out your losses.  These parties may also be incentivized to avoid the negative publicity of a lawsuit (i.e., an auto manufacturer may not want to have its brand dragged through the mud publicly, and trucking companies might want to avoid the brand damage of their driver being sued for auto accident). They may therefore be more willing to agree to an early, favorable settlement.

Truck accident attorneys usually work on contingency

Truck accident attorneys — like other plaintiffs’-side personal injury attorneys — often work with their clients on a contingency basis.  Contingency fee arrangements create a positive incentive dynamic and also lowers the barrier to entry for bringing a lawsuit.  What exactly does this fee arrangement entail?

In a contingency fee arrangement, the attorney doesn’t take any money upfront.  Instead, they agree to represent your interests in the lawsuit and agree to take a percentage cut of the compensation you ultimately receive.  That being said, they only get paid if and when they successfully secure compensation.  If you don’t receive any compensation from an insurance company for your losses (through a court judgment or a settlement or any other mechanism), then they don’t get paid at all.

You could go through an entire lawsuit without paying a dime.  That levels the playing field for plaintiffs who don’t have sufficient finances to cover an expensive lawsuit!

Further, because your attorney gets paid a percentage fee (which can range anywhere from 25 to 40 percent, or more), they are incentivized to litigate your case efficiently and to try and maximize your compensation.  The more you get paid, the more they get paid, after all.

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a Free Legal Consultation

If you’ve been injured in a semi-truck accident, then you could be entitled to sue for damages as compensation.  Bringing a legal action for damages isn’t always straightforward, however, as the case can transform over time — new facts may be brought to light, and defendants may strategically maneuver through the dispute in unexpected ways.  That’s why it’s so important to work with an experienced semi-truck accident compensation attorney as you move forward.

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 to get connected to a local truck accident attorney in just 10 minutes or less.  They’ll provide a free legal consultation, during which you’ll have an opportunity to discuss your case in detail.  Based on these discussions, they’ll be able to give you insights into some of the opportunities and challenges you may face as you pursue litigation, as well as your strategic options and next steps.

There’s no obligation to work with the attorney if you decide against it.  So there’s no downside to picking up the phone and calling in to get started.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Have you been injured in an accident involving a large truck?  Commercial vehicles — like semi-trucks — can lead to unique challenges and opportunities in litigation.  Given that you’re likely to have suffered serious injuries in a collision with a semi-truck, your damages are also likely to be substantial.  The high-stakes nature of compensation for commercial truck accidents means that you should absolutely consult with an experienced semi-truck accident attorney for guidance on how best to proceed.

Of course, if you’d like to learn more about truck accident lawsuits, read on, and let’s explore.

Why are truck accidents so serious?

Accidents involving large trucks — like semi-trucks — are uniquely dangerous due to the size and mass of the vehicle involved, among other factors.  There are two categorical risk elements to discuss:

1. Heightened risk of an accident: large trucks have several issues that make them more likely to get into an accident.  First, they are large and lack easy maneuverability, so their clunky structure creates blind spots and takes up enough physical space that accidents are more likely to occur.  For example, when a semi-truck has to make a sudden turn, its turn radius is so large that it may cut across several lanes simultaneously, exposing other drivers to a heightened collision risk.
2. More severe accidents: large trucks simply have more mass.  They’re weightier than other vehicles, especially when considering the cargo they’re carrying.  This means that the force of impact will be substantial.  Normal vehicles are not necessarily equipped with the sort of safety features (or structure) that would enable them to protect you in a collision with a large truck.  The force of impact will crumple the structure and damage your body more easily.  This leads to more severe injuries on average.

What percentage of accidents are caused by semi-trucks?

Large trucks (which include massive semi-trucks, large delivery vans, and other large commercial vehicles, etc.) account for roughly six to seven percent of all accidents on American roadways, despite making up an even smaller portion of total traffic.  In other words, large commercial truck accidents comprise a disproportionately greater amount of total accidents than one would expect given the low numbers of commercial trucks on the road.

Compensation in a semi-truck accident dispute

Every case is different, and the compensation you can secure is directly linked to the losses you suffered.  In truck accidents, as with other personal injury disputes, you can be compensated for your losses — nothing more.  Recoverable losses from truck crashes include the following:

• Wage loss
• Loss of earning capacity
• Property loss
• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of companionship
• And more

To better understand how a damages claim works, let’s consider a brief example.  Suppose that you’re injured in a semi-truck accident.  Your injuries are severe enough that they prevent you from working for an entire year, and — as a construction worker — they cause permanent damage that limits your on-the-job responsibilities in the future.  This prevents you from being assigned to as many projects by your company, limiting your future income.  Your medical bills and expenses (even though they’re covered entirely by your insurance) are substantial, and the pain you feel everyday is quite severe — that’s claimable too.

Tallying some realistic numbers together:

• Wage loss: $70,000
• Loss of earning capacity: $200,000
• Property loss: $15,000
• Medical expenses: $100,000
• Pain and suffering: $100,000
• Total: $485,000

See how quickly it can add up?  That’s why it’s crucial to work with an experienced semi-truck accident attorney who can persuasively develop a damages claim that the court will accept as reasonable.

There may be several “liable parties” in your semi-truck lawsuit

Semi-truck lawsuits can be complex, involving multiple defendants.  This is potentially a good thing — it means you can establish liability across several different parties, and thus secure compensation from various parties.  If the driver doesn’t have adequate insurance coverage, for example, it’s not necessarily a problem, as you are also suing the truck company and other defendants who may have sufficient insurance coverage to pay out your losses.

Every case is different, of course, but potential defendants may include:

• The truck driver involved in the collision with you
• The truck driver’s employer
• The warehouse where the truck driver loaded their goods
• The repair shop that inspected and maintained the truck
• The truck manufacturer
• The City
• And more

For example, suppose that you’re involved in an accident with an eighteen wheeler.  You sustain serious injuries, and hire an attorney to help you sue the trucking company and defendants for compensation to cover your losses.  The two obvious defendants are the truck driver and his employer.

But after further investigation (using an accident reconstruction expert), your attorney discovers that the crash was caused due to improper loading of goods at the warehouse.  You’d potentially be entitled to sue the warehouse as their employees improperly loaded the goods onto the truck, creating an imbalance that led to the accident.

Don’t rely on your insurer to understand your situation and be your ally

Broadly speaking, the general public has been incorrectly taught to go directly to their insurance company after an accident.  In fact, if you ask most people what to do after an accident, they’d probably tell you (among other things, like getting contact info and securing medical attention) to talk to your insurer about the accident.

This is a huge mistake.  Don’t rely on your insurer to be an ally.

Insurance companies profit from rejecting and/or underpaying claims.  When an insurance adjuster is talking to you after an accident, they’re not trying to get you paid more — their job is to identify things that you’re saying that could be used to deny your claim or lowball your payout.  If they can get away with denying your claim, they’ll have made a substantial profit off of you.

That’s the essential dynamic of the insurance business.

Insurance is good — but you should not be talking to them directly.  Have your attorney talk to them instead.  That way, you won’t make any problematic disclosures that could be used against you.  And your attorney will strongly represent your interests to the insurer, increasing the likelihood that you’ll receive a fair payout.

Unique strategic advantages you have as the injury victim in a semi-truck accident dispute

Large truck accident disputes are similar in some ways to a car accident dispute, but there are several important differences, too.  These can give rise to substantial strategic differences, and in fact, from a legal strategy perspective, you may actually have some unique advantages when litigating a large truck accident case.

Consider the following:

• Semi-truck drivers must have a commercial license to operate their vehicles legally.  CDLs impose a number of heightened expectations on drivers.  Commercial truck drivers are expected to operate their vehicles in a reasonably safe manner, but this behavioral standard is higher than the standard imposed on a non-commercial driver.  As such, for “small mistakes” that you might get away with on the road, a commercial driver could be found negligent (and therefore liable).  This makes it easier for you to prove that the driver is liable for your injuries.
• Commercial drivers will have an employer.  Assuming that the accident occurred when they were working (or at least, occurred in the “course and scope” of their employment), you’d likely be legally entitled to sue their employer for damages.  This gives you access to deeper pockets, as employers are likely to have business insurance coverage that is sufficient to pay out all your losses.  Employers also may have business concerns relating to the negative publicity of a lawsuit — as such, they may be more willing to negotiate an early settlement to avoid damage to their brand.
• Semi-truck accidents tend to lead to severe, even life-changing injuries.  That makes you — the injury victim — a more relatable and sympathetic figure to the jury.  This is strategically beneficial, as “playing to the jury” is a key psychological tool for securing a win (and maximum compensation).
• And more

You don’t need to pay upfront to work with a semi-truck accident attorney

Semi-truck lawyers fall under the umbrella category of personal injury lawyers.  In other words, they work for injury victims — like yourself — with the intention of securing compensation for property damage on their behalf.  Plaintiffs ’-side personal injury lawyers generally work on a contingency basis, which is quite beneficial for everyone involved.

Contingency fees are paid out if and when the client gets compensated.  So, if you don’t get compensated (i.e., you don’t “win” your case or secure a settlement), then you don’t have to pay the attorney anything.  In fact, they’ll advocate for you from start to finish without you having to pay a cent up-front or out-of-pocket.

This takes away the stress of having to think about the “cost” of working with an attorney.  After all, if you’ve been in a serious semi-truck accident, chances are that you’ve sustained major personal injuries and you may not have a lot of funds at your disposal.

Now, if your attorney does secure compensation on your behalf, they’ll get paid a percentage cut of your total recovered compensation.  This can vary anywhere from 25 percent to 40 percent or more, depending on your law firm and what you agree to when you hire them.

This contingency fee dynamic is beneficial for you — the injured claimant — as it incentivizes the attorney to act efficiently and effectively to maximize your compensation.  The more you get paid, the more they get paid.

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a Free Legal Consultation

If you’ve been injured in a truck crash, following a truck accident, then you may be dealing with severe injuries, as well as major career and lifestyle changes — changes that could impact you and your family’s ability to move forward happily and healthily.

Under the various truck accident laws, you could be entitled to significant compensation to cover the losses you’ve sustained as a result of the truck crash.  But taking legal action isn’t always as straightforward as it seems.  That’s why it’s important to work closely with an experienced truck accident lawyer who can help you navigate the challenges of a dispute.

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 to speak to one of our agents.  We’ll ask you a few initial intake questions to better understand how to serve you — then, in just 10 minutes or less, we’ll connect you to a qualified truck accident lawyer in your area who can provide a free legal consultation.  During this initial consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your truck accident claim in more detail, and better understand your strategic options and next steps.

You’re under no pressure to proceed if you choose otherwise, meaning there’s no drawback to reaching out and talking about your case.

We look forward to assisting you.

If you’ve been injured in a hit and run (in other words, if the other driver flees the scene of the accident before you can get their information), then you might be entitled to compensation — but a hit and run makes obtaining compensation a bit more complicated.

It’s not always easy to determine the identify of the vehicle involved, or the driver involved. You might not have caught the full license number or plate number of the fleeing driver, for example.

But don’t worry!

With the aid of a skilled attorney-investigator and police, you may be able to dive into the evidence/footage and piece together the information you need to pursue the defendant.

That being said, there are a number of unique issues surrounding hit and runs. Let’s take a closer look.

Why do people flee the scene of an accident?

People flee the scene of an accident for a variety of reasons:

• Lack of a driver’s license
• Expired driver’s license
• Improper driver’s license type (i.e., do not have a commercial license and they’re operating a large delivery truck)
• They caused more damage than they anticipated (property damage, severe injury, etc.), and are afraid of the consequences
• Their motor vehicle is stolen
• Their vehicle does not actually belong to them — perhaps they were borrowing a family member or friend’s vehicle
• They do not have adequate insurance coverage
• They do not have insurance coverage at all
• They have an extensive crash record and are concerned about an uptick in insurance fees if they get caught again
• And more

Leaving the Scene of an Accident Qualifies as a Hit and Run

In most jurisdictions of the United States, a person is required to stay at the scene of an accident if there is property damage or the accident resulted in an injury.

Failure to stay at the scene of the accident until law enforcement agents arrive is a violation known as a “hit and run,” and could lead to serious civil penalties and criminal penalties.

Being Injured by a Hit and Run Driver Could Impact Your Lawsuit in Several Ways

There are a number of different ways that hit and run accidents differ strategically from accidents where the defendant-driver doesn’t leave, or even stops to render aid. The strategic impact of a “hit and run” can be both positive and negative.

Positive Impacts

• If you can obtain the hit and run driver’s identity, then the fact that they “fled” the scene of the accident makes a court less likely to believe their narratives
• Juries tend to be more supportive of the injury victim in hit and run accidents
• Bonus punitive damages may be available depending on how severe the accident was — fleeing the scene of a severe accident when an injury victim needs help may be egregious enough behavior for a court to award punitive damages

Negative Impacts

• The hit and run driver might successfully “get away” without leaving any possible trace or clue as to their identity, thus preventing any lawsuit against them for damages recovery — you’d then have to explore suing alternative defendants for a partial recovery
• Even if you do identify a hit and run defendant, they may have fled because they don’t have insurance coverage. That means that it’s not strategically valuable to sue them, especially if you have substantial losses. Again, you’d have to explore suing alternative defendants with deeper pockets

Alternative Strategies for Recovery in a Hit and Run

Suppose that the fleeing driver does actually “get away” and you and your defense attorney can’t identify them. There’s no footage, no trail left behind — nothing. Do you have other options for recovery?

In many cases, yes.

When you’re left with a dead-end as far as pursuing a claim against the insurance company or driver of the other vehicle, then you will want to more deeply explore other potentially liable parties who you can sue to secure at least a portion of the compensation owed.

These parties or other party may include:

• The City (who may have improperly designed or maintained the roadway, leading to the auto accident)
• The auto manufacturer (who may have developed a defective vehicle or part that contributed to the accident, whether it was the victim’s vehicle or yours that was defective)
• Other drivers (whose negligent, reckless, or intentional misconduct might have contributed to the accident — for example, a third driver may have recklessly pushed the defendant-driver into your lane, forcing a collision)
• Treating medical professionals (who may have engaged in medical malpractice, thus exacerbating your condition)
• And more

Worth noting is that in most states you can submit a claim with your own insurer (through your uninsured motorist coverage policy, if you have it) that may allow you to receive a benefits payout in the event of a hit and run accident.

Why shouldn’t a driver leave the scene of a car accident if no one is injured?

A driver who prematurely leaves the scene of an accident — even if there is no injured person — is not acting reasonably, as “injuries” are not always obvious.

In many cases, the apparent extent of a physical injury is hidden or doesn’t reveal itself until advanced diagnostic tests have been conducted. The adrenaline of a traffic collision can also hide the pain of a serious injury in the hours after the accident.

So instead of leaving the scene of an accident, the driver should provide law enforcement agency with their information (contact info, insurance info, etc.), make sure that law enforcement agents have arrived and have been given adequate information with which to file a police report, and — once everything is adequately handled — may leave.

Steps to take after a car accident

After a car accident, there are a number of steps that you should take to preserve your claims and maximize the likelihood of compensation. These steps are by no means exhaustive, but should include the following:

• Secure emergency medical attention, if necessary. Waiting too long to be seen by a medical professional can be used against you when you bring your lawsuit, as the defendant will likely claim that your injuries worsened due to your delay. Even if you think you haven’t suffered an injury, it’s important to see a medical professional to confirm — some injuries aren’t obvious on the surface.
• Take pictures and video of the accident scene, if possible. Assuming that you don’t have an immediate, emergency medical need, it may be worth taking pictures and videos of the accident scene to use as evidence later. These will help experts reconstruct the accident, and will help support your narrative of how the accident actually occurred.
• Avoid speaking to insurers or defendants at-length without an attorney. Anything you say can be used to undermine your claims. For example, if you reveal to an insurance adjuster you were mentally exhausted at the time of the accident, they may take your words and misinterpret them against you — they’ll argue that you were so exhausted that you shouldn’t have been driving, and in fact, that the accident was your fault (at least partially). They will then use this to reject your claim or underpay you. Attorneys are skilled and experienced in handling the challenges of communication with insurers and others. Consult an attorney before getting into any important discussions with third-parties.
• Obtain the contact info of any eyewitnesses before they leave. Eyewitness testimony is critical for supporting your claims, as consistent, favorable eyewitness testimony can counter the defendant’s incorrect factual narrative.
• Get in touch with a law enforcement officer if one has not arrived. Law enforcement officers will file a police report, which will prove useful as a factual reference point for your lawsuit.
• Consult an attorney, even if you are still at the scene of an accident. Attorneys are comprehensive advocates who will support you throughout the entire litigation process — and that includes the initial phase, right after you’ve gotten into an accident. They will communicate with third parties on your behalf, protect your rights, gather evidence, and identify potential strategic opportunities early. Contact an attorney as soon as possible to maximize your chance of success.

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a Free Legal Consultation

If you’ve been injured in a car accident under circumstances where the other person involved fled the accident scene, then you could be entitled to significant damages as compensation — and given that the case is a hit-and-run accident involving you, it could potentially be easier to establish liability.

That being said, though disputes involving motor vehicles may seem straightforward, they are often more complicated than they initially appear. That’s why it’s so crucial to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney for guidance on how best to proceed.

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 to speak to a personal injury attorney in our legal network in just ten minutes or less. They’ll be able to offer you a free initial consultation, during which you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your motor vehicle accident case in more detail. If you decide against moving forward, that’s okay! You’re under no obligation to continue. So call in to get started.

We look forward to assisting you.

If you’ve been injured in an accident in the Chicago area, then you may be interested in pursuing legal action against the offending parties — but before you do, it’s likely that you have many questions and concerns about the process.  For example, you’re probably wondering what happens if your Chicago car accident lawyer wins your case.  Do you have to pay anything to your attorney if you win?  Is the car accident lawsuit over?

We understand that litigating a car accident claim can be confusing and overwhelming for those who are not familiar with the process.  Let’s take a brief look at some of the basic questions that a Chicago car accident plaintiff is likely to have.  Read on to learn more about car accidents and the basic legal issues relating to pursuing a car accident lawsuit!

Winning a case: what happens?

When you “win” a case (either by securing a damages award in court, or by settling the case with the defendants), then you will be entitled to compensation.  That compensation will be secured by your Chicago car accident lawyer.  In other words, they will take the steps necessary to ensure that the liable parties actually distribute the necessary compensation so that you can receive your payout.

Beyond that, your lawyer (assuming that they are working on a contingency fee basis) will take a percentage cut of the total compensation.  This typically ranges from 25 to 40 percent of the compensation amount, but can vary further depending on what you negotiated with your attorney when you hired them.

Contingency fee arrangements are extremely common in personal injury law (e.g., car accident lawsuits and other car crash issues), as they have a number of advantages.

First, you don’t have to pay out-of-pocket or up-front.  Instead, your attorney will litigate the case “for free” at first.  They only get paid if and when you get paid.  If you “lose,” then they don’t get paid.

Second, this dynamic puts pressure on your attorney to act efficiently, and to maximize your damages.  The faster they can secure you a maximum payout, the better they get paid, too (and the sooner they get paid).  That means they’re incentivized to help you win big.  So don’t be afraid of entering into a contingency fee arrangement — it’s standard in car accident disputes (for good reason).

Can I Get Car Accident Damages in Illinois if I’m Partially at-Fault?

Most car accident cases are a little more complex than they might seem at first glance. As a car accident victim, you might be partially at-fault for your accident — in other words, you might still be able to place most of the blame on the at fault driver who injured you, but some of the blame might fall on you, too. In those situations, Illinois law provides adequate solutions so that you can still be compensated for your personal injury claim.

For an car accident injury claim — as with any personal injury claim — the state of Illinois implements the principle of “modified comparative fault.” This principle is rather simple. It allows the injury victim to sue and recover damages even if they’re partially at-fault. The damages will simply be reduced by the fault percentage, so maximum compensation will be capped. Further, the principle bars recovery altogether if the injury victim is 51 percent at-fault (or more).

That’s a lot of legalese! So let’s use an example to clarify.

Suppose that you were in a car crash due to a negligent driver, and you sustained severe injuries as a result. Though it was a serious car accident, and you’re not to blame for how the accident occurred, the court finds that — because you weren’t wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident — you are partially at-fault for having sustained serious injuries. The court determines that you are 25 percent responsible for your car accident injury.

Given that your damages claim was $100,000, your actual car accident compensation will have to be reduced at the top end by 25 percent, leaving you with a maximum compensation amount of $75,000. So yes, while you aren’t the fully at fault party, your car accident claims (whether in the form of a car accident settlement or a trial award) will lead to slightly reduced compensation.

Don’t Rely on Insurers to Pay a Fair Settlement

In America, we’re often taught to talk to our car insurance contacts as soon as we’ve gotten into an accident — but whether you’re dealing with your own insurance, or the other driver’s insurance company, you could be undermining your own payout by engaging in unprotected communication with an insurer.

See, insurance companies make greater profits when they can underpay claims, or even when an insurance company denies a legitimate claim outright. And they maximize their profits by having their insurance adjusters talk to you after an accident in an attempt to identify factors that could allow them to deny or underpay your claim. This is often why injured victims get paid less than they deserve.

Attorneys can help in this regard. They not only do the research and evidence-gathering to determine how much your car accident claim worth or “value range” is, but they also work as advocates who can communicate on your behalf. They’ll handle all negotiations with the insurance company so that no statements are made that could potentially undermine your claims.

That’s why it’s important to get in touch with an attorney before you have any lengthy discussions with the insurance company. After all, innocuous statements you make could come back to bite you.

Multiple Defendants Can Be Held Liable

Chicago car accident cases are not always going to be straightforward. Though we might think that the other driver is the only liable party, there are often many parties who can be held responsible for the injury victim’s losses. Skilled injury lawyers know how to navigate these strategic opportunities and will generally take steps to sue all relevant and potentially-liable parties.

Besides the other driver, defendants (that you might be entitled to sue for damages) may include the following parties:

• The other driver’s employer, if the other driver was acting within the course and scope of their employment.
• The City, if the roadway exposed you to an unreasonable risk of injury under the circumstances.
• The auto manufacturer, if some vehicular defect contributed to the accident. They may be aggressive and hostile to discourage other auto accident victims from coming forward.
• And more

Suing other parties can be a useful legal strategy for a number of reasons, but especially so that you can gain access to “deep pockets” — simply put, not every defendant has substantial insurance coverage with which to pay out all your losses. By identifying a defendant who has substantial insurance coverage (i.e., the City, or a business entity), you can maximize compensation in your lawsuit and avoid a low payout that doesn’t properly cover your losses.

How many car accidents happen a day in Illinois?

As per the latest statistics reported by the Illinois Department of Transportation (in 2021), there were a total of 810 car crash incidents per day in the state.  Looking deeper, these accidents led to 216 injuries per day and more than three deaths per day.  Clearly, Illinois roads pose significant risks for car accident injuries.  As such, it’s important to take steps to protect yourself — and in the event that you suffered car accident injuries, to pursue legal action against the offending parties (by working with an experienced car accident lawyer).

What is the statute of limitations for an accident in Illinois?

In Illinois — and by extension, Chicago — the “standard” statute of limitations period for a car accident claim is two years from the date of the accident.  The statute of limitations period operates like a strict deadline.  If you do not file your claim before the applicable deadline, then the court will find that you have relinquished your right to sue for damages.  In other words, you won’t have an opportunity to secure compensation under the law.

Given the severe and adverse consequences of a delay, it’s critical that you move forward in a timely manner.  An experienced Chicago car accident lawyer can help, as they have a legal duty to help you navigate your claims in a timely manner — once you hire a car accident attorney, it’s their responsibility to work with you to develop your claims and file them before the statute of limitations period for your car accident case passes.

Does Illinois have caps on damages?

The state of Illinois does not have any caps on personal injury damages (like those arising from a car accident) — as such, any lawsuit you bring based on a car accident case in Chicago will not be artificially limited with respect to your damages claim.

Illinois has allowed damages in auto accidents to be determined by the court.  This means that to secure the maximum possible damages in a motor vehicle accident dispute, you’ll have to convince the court that your damages are accurate and well-supported by the evidence.

Damages are a reflection of the losses you sustained as a consequence of the defendant’s negligent, reckless, or intentional misconduct.  Car accident cases vary, and so do damages. That being said, car accident victims may include the following as part of their damages claim:

• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Medical expenses
• Loss of property
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of companionship
• And more

With the aid of a skilled Chicago car accident lawyer, you can craft a persuasive argument for damages that maximizes your potential recovery.  An experienced car accident attorney is key to successfully covering your losses.

Chicago Has Unique Road Dangers to Look Out For

Though Chicago has changed greatly over the years, it remains one of the most populous and busiest cities in North America — it’s no surprise, then, that its roadways are among the most dangerous, too.

There are a number of dangerous roadways in Chicago — from portions of Route 66 (which was once known as the “Bloody 66”) to the intersection where Western Avenue meets Peterson Avenue — but the most dangerous of all is the intersection where Stony Island Avenue meets South Chicago Avenue.

The Stony Island intersection is by far the most dangerous in Chicago, with over 60 accidents occurring at the intersection per year.  So if you’ve been injured in an accident at the Stony Island intersection, or on any other roadway in the Chicago area, be sure to get in touch with a skilled Chicago car accident lawyer who can help you litigate your claims.

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a Free Legal Consultation

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Chicago, then you may be entitled to significant damages as compensation for your losses.  But pursuing a car accident legal claim can be intimidating and complex for the first-time plaintiff — and the dispute may morph and change over time.  As such, it’s important to work with qualified Chicago car accident lawyers who can help you navigate the dispute effectively and efficiently.

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 to get connected to an experienced Chicago car accident lawyer in our network.  They’ll be able to provide you a free initial consultation, during which you’ll have an opportunity to discuss your case in detail and better understand your legal options.  There’s no obligation to continue if you decide against it, so there’s really no downside to calling in to talk about your case — even briefly.

We look forward to assisting you with your car accident claim.

If you’ve been injured in a Texas auto accident, then you may be entitled to sue for significant damages — but it’s important that you consult with an experienced car accident lawyer in San Antonio for professional guidance on your case. They will work with you to develop a persuasive claim for damages.

Let’s take a closer look at some basic issues that many first-time plaintiffs have about hiring an attorney.

Do you need a lawyer to file a lawsuit in Texas?

Technically, you do not need a lawyer to file a lawsuit in Texas. That being said, the courts highly discourage plaintiffs (and even defendants) “representing themselves.” It’s considered to be inefficient and ineffective. As a non-lawyer, you may not have an in-depth understanding of all the procedural and substantive law issues. This could lead to mistakes that undermine your claims and prevent you from a successful recovery.

If you’re concerned about the cost of a car accident lawyer in San Antonio, don’t be — most plaintiff’s-side injury lawyers work on a contingency basis. What this means is that they don’t cost anything upfront or out-of-pocket. They only take a percentage cut of the compensation you secure if and when you are paid. If you don’t get paid, they don’t get paid. This means there’s no financial risk to working with most injury attorneys. It’s a win-win situation!

What percentage do most lawyers take?

Lawyers can negotiate a wide range of percentages (though many courts won’t allow percentages above 50 percent, or even above 40 percent). Generally speaking, however, most lawyers take a 25 to 40 percent cut of the total compensation that they help secure on your behalf.

This may seem substantial, but it’s worth pointing out that you’re not only much more likely to win a case with the assistance of an attorney (as opposed to handling it on your own), but your recoverable damages are also likely to be higher than they would otherwise be. Simply put, hiring an attorney is a strategically (and financially) sound decision in most serious injury disputes.

Who decides fault in a car accident in Texas?

Courts decide who is at fault in a car accident.

In Texas, fault allocation is extremely important for determining damages (and even whether you have an actionable claim). Specifically, Texas implements a doctrine known as modified comparative fault. This doctrine allows an injured plaintiff to recover damages even if they were partially at-fault — but only if they contributed 50 percent or less fault. If the injured plaintiff is more than 50 percent at fault, then they cannot recover anything.

Suppose that you are injured in a car collision, and you weren’t wearing your seatbelt at the time of the accident. The court determines that you are 30 percent at-fault for your injuries. Even though your theoretical damages claim is $100,000, you are only entitled to recover 70 percent of that total, as you were 30 percent at-fault. You would therefore have a capped damages recovery of $70,000 — in other words, you’d still be able to recover damages (but the recovery would just be less than maximum).

How long does it take to settle a personal injury claim in Texas?

In Texas, and elsewhere, settlements are not a one-size-fits-all default. Whether a settlement compromise is reached — and how long it takes to get there — depends on a variety of factors, including:

• The hostility of the defendant towards the plaintiff
• How “certain” liability is
• How “certain” the damages total is
• Whether there would be a substantial and negative impact from the lawsuit becoming a publicly-known issue
• Whether the defendant has the financial resources to pay for a lengthy litigation process
• Whether the defendant is concerned that there would be other plaintiffs in the future
• And more

Confusing? Let’s explain briefly.

Suppose that you are injured in a car accident due to defective brakes in your car. You sue the auto manufacturer for damages. Auto manufacturers are known to fight tooth-and-nail against would-be plaintiffs, as they want to discourage other plaintiffs from bringing similar claims.

Auto manufacturers tend to have substantial financial resources at their disposal to fight the case, and will often act in a hostile manner. This can lead to longer timelines for a settlement compromise — that being said, if liability is well-supported by the evidence, and there is a strong damages claim, then they could be pressured into an early settlement.

How much can someone sue for a car accident in Texas?

As the injury victim, you may be entitled to sue the defendant to recover compensation for your losses. This form of compensation — known as damages — can vary based on the severity and type of your losses. Losses that are recoverable in a lawsuit include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Medical expenses
• Loss of property
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of companionship
• And more

Even if you’ve been in the same exact accident as another person, your damages are likely to be different (due to your different life circumstances, and the different consequences of the suffered injuries). For example, if you have weak bones, then you may have sustained severe fractures in the car accident. This could lead to a substantial damages claim. If you had strong bones, then you may not have sustained severe injury, and your damages claim would be smaller.

Given the dynamic nature of damages, it’s important to work with an experienced car accident lawyer in San Antonio who can persuasively argue for the maximum possible damages to compensate you.

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a Free Legal Consultation

If you’ve been injured in a Texas car accident, then you might be entitled to damages as compensation for your losses. That being said, a car accident lawsuit isn’t always straightforward, and unexpected challenges can arise throughout the dispute process. That’s why it’s critical that you work with an experienced car accident lawyer in San Antonio who can help you navigate litigation as effectively and efficiently as possible.

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 to get connected to a local attorney in our network who can provide a free initial consultation. During this initial legal consultation, you’ll have an opportunity to discuss your case in more detail and get guidance on your strategic options. There’s no obligation to continue if you decide against it, so there’s really no downside to calling in to get started with a consultation.

We look forward to assisting you.

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Las Vegas, then it’s important that you actually consult an experienced car accident attorney in Las Vegas to help you navigate the upcoming dispute. Under the law, if you’ve been injured due to the fault of another person (or entity), then you may be entitled to sue and recover damages as compensation for your losses.


Let’s take a closer look at some basics.

What will an attorney actually do on your behalf?

Many would-be plaintiffs don’t fully understand the value of an attorney. Attorneys bring a lot to the table — in fact, they are comprehensive advocates who handle a diverse range of duties and responsibilities over the course of litigation. These include the following:

• Identifying, gathering, and preserving key evidence
• Developing an effective overall case strategy
• Developing a persuasive legal argument to support your claims
• Working with experts who can provide supportive testimony
• Handling communications with the defendants (and third-parties)
• Navigating court hearings
• Negotiating a potential settlement
• Pursuing trial litigation if settlement is not reached
• Securing compensation
• And more

Attorneys don’t just have hyper-specific roles. For example, your attorney can just as quickly go from working with an accident reconstruction expert (who will provide supportive testimony on your behalf) to negotiating a settlement with the defendant’s attorney. These responsibilities are quite varied, and can be difficult — and practically impossible — for a non-lawyer to handle on their own.

What happens if you don’t have car insurance in Nevada?

If you were injured in an accident in Nevada that was not your fault, and you don’t have car insurance, then don’t worry — that shouldn’t be an issue under most circumstances. When you’ve been injured due to another person’s fault, then you are generally entitled to sue them for compensation. Their insurer (not yours) will therefore cover your losses.

That being said, in situations where the defendant doesn’t have insurance (i.e., an uninsured driver), that’s where your own insurance coverage would have been useful to cover the losses. If you do not have your own car insurance, however, then you won’t necessarily have access to that self-funded resource.

Damages in a Nevada car accident dispute

In a car accident injury case, you may be able to claim the following losses as recoverable damages:

• Wage loss
• Loss of earning capacity
• Medical expenses
• Property loss
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of companionship
• And more

It’s worth noting that damages may vary based on a number of different case factors. At their core, however, damages are a reflection of the losses sustained by the victim — that means that the exact same accident can lead to very different damages claims (due to the different circumstances of each victim).

For example, suppose that you are unemployed when you get injured in a car accident. You would not have any wage loss damages to claim. On the other hand, imagine that you are employed (at a salary of $70,000 per year), and that the injuries force you to take a year off of work to recover. You would have $70,000 in claimable wage loss damages alone.

Deadlines apply to your car accident dispute

Statute of limitations deadlines apply to car accident claims. In Nevada, the statute of limitations deadline for a “standard” accident claim is two years from the date of injury. This deadline is critically important. Simply put, if you do not file your claims before the deadline passes, then the court will find that you have relinquished your right to compensation under the law — you won’t be entitled to sue and recover.

Given the high stakes consequences of missing the deadline, it’s very important to consult an experienced car accident attorney in Las Vegas who can effectuate your rights in a timely manner. Attorneys have a duty under the law to ensure that your claims are managed in a timely manner — so when you work with an attorney, you can rest easy knowing that they will manage the procedural aspects of your case and help you avoid a deadline-related issue.

Do bear in mind: if you have waited too long to file your claims, you may still have some options. Specifically, the law does allow for some exceptions to the statute of limitations deadline. For example, if you didn’t “discover” the injury until a later date, then the deadline period will not begin to count down until that “discovery date.” This can potentially extend your deadline enough for you to still have an actionable claim.

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a Free Legal Consultation

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, then you could be entitled to substantial damages as compensation for your losses. That being said, car accident disputes aren’t always straightforward, and they can be confusing and intimidating for the first-time plaintiff. As such, it’s important to work with an experienced car accident attorney in Las Vegas who can help you litigate your Nevada dispute more effectively.

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 to get connected to a local attorney in our network. They’ll be able to provide you a free consultation, during which you’ll have an opportunity to discuss your case in more detail — they’ll also provide you some initial guidance on your strategic options. You don’t have to move forward if you decide against it. There’s no obligation to continue. So there’s really no downside to picking up the phone and calling our network to get started with a free initial consultation.

We look forward to assisting you.

If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, chances are that you’re considering a lawsuit to secure compensation for your losses. But accident disputes can be confusing, overwhelming, and frustrating — especially for the first-time plaintiffs. That’s why it’s important to speak to an experienced auto accident lawyer in Los Angeles.

Like much of the general public, however, you may have questions about cost and other issues. So let’s take a look at some of the basics.

How much do car accident lawyers charge in California?

A plaintiffs’ auto accident lawyer in Los Angeles — and in California and the United States, more broadly — typically works on a contingency basis. In other words, they don’t cost anything upfront or out-of-pocket. Instead, they agree to legally represent you at no initial charge, with the caveat that they will get paid a percentage of the total compensation they secure on your behalf. This percentage often ranges from 25 to 40 percent.

In the event that you “lose” and don’t secure any compensation, you don’t have to pay the attorney. Essentially, you only pay if (and when) you win.

This dynamic is excellent for injury representation, as it incentivizes your attorney to work efficiently and effectively to maximize your total compensation. After all, the more money they secure for you, the more money they get paid, too.

Who pays for a car accident in California?

In most cases, the defendant’s insurer pays out the damages when you successfully settle (or win a case at trial). These insurers step in on behalf of their policyholders to defend them in the lawsuit. Any damages are paid out via the policy coverage amount.

Importantly, defendants without insurance are often not worth suing. As such, when you consult an auto accident lawyer in Los Angeles, they will generally look to identify defendants who have “deep pockets” (i.e., adequate insurance coverage) to sue and recover damages from.

How do car accident settlements work in California?

Most accident disputes end in a settlement compromise — in fact, industry experts estimate that as many as 95 percent of accident disputes end in settlement.

Why?

Well, accident disputes are complicated, costly, exhausting, public, and uncertain. Even if one is confident about their case, there’s always the chance that they could lose their case — or that the court may undervalue the claim and they’ll get a lower payout than they expected.

Settlements avoid the uncertainty and hassle of trial litigation, by giving the parties an opportunity to agree on a reasonable compensation amount that represents the likelihood of a claim succeeding (if it were to go to trial). It’s not the best possible compensation the plaintiff could secure, but it’s reliable, certain, quicker, and less-demanding.

Does it matter whose fault it is in an accident?

Yes, absolutely. Fault is part of how courts determine “whether” you are entitled to sue for compensation, and also “how much” you should get paid. California implements a system known as pure comparative fault. Under this system, courts evaluate the percentage of fault attributable to each party (defendants and the plaintiff). So long as you — the injured plaintiff — are not 100% at-fault, you are entitled to sue the defendants for the damages owed due to the fault they contributed.

Confused? Let’s clarify.

Suppose that you are injured in an auto accident, and you suffer $100,000 in total damages. As you weren’t wearing a seatbelt, the court finds that you were 50 percent at-fault for your own injuries. However, the defendant-driver is still 50 percent at-fault. Under California law, you would be entitled to sue and recover 50 percent of your damages from the defendant, or $50,000.

How much can I be compensated?

The compensation you can claim will depend on the damages that you sustained as a consequence of the defendant’s negligent, reckless, or intentional actions. Your damages may account for the following losses:

• Wage loss
• Loss of earning capacity
• Medical expenses
• Property loss
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of companionship
• And more

Every case is different. What you can claim as damages may differ from someone else in the exact same accident and with the exact same injuries — and that’s because the way in which those injuries impact their life is likely to be different.

For example, suppose that you suffer a leg injury. The injury eventually heals, and even though you don’t gain optimal athletic function in that leg, you were never particularly athletic to begin with (nor did you engage in many athletic activities prior to the accident). Compare that to the same accident, but instead, you’re a world-class athlete who does it as a career. Your athletic career could be derailed by the injury — it could cost you hundreds of thousands, or even millions in lost potential income.

That would be claimable as compensation in your lawsuit.

How much time do I have left to sue the defendant?

In California, the statute of limitations deadline for a standard personal injury claim (such as an auto accident) is two years from the date of injury. If you do not file your legal claims before the deadline passes, then the court will deem you to have relinquished your right to sue for compensation under the law. Given how high-stakes the deadline can be for your case, it’s absolutely critical that you consult an experienced auto accident lawyer in Los Angeles (in a timely manner) so that the dispute can move forward.

Do bear in mind: if the deadline has passed, you’re not necessarily without options. There are a number of exceptions that could allow your deadline to be extended. For example, if you were not aware of your injury, and it was only “discovered” by doctors a few years down the line, then your claim deadline could be extended. An attorney can help you evaluate your options in this regard.

Auto Accident Risks in Los Angeles, CA

If you’re driving, walking, or biking around Los Angeles, then you are exposed to relatively high risks of injury. The data supports this. Los Angeles reports the highest countywide accident rate in California every year. In 2021 alone, there were more than 40,000 crashes in Los Angeles. In 2022, there were 320 fatal accidents, and in 2023, there were 82 hit-and-run fatalities. These stats reveal just how dangerous Los Angeles roadways can be.

These risks are not coincidental. Los Angeles crash data is a manifestation of poor driving habits, poorly designed roadways, and a thoroughly lackluster public transport policy. As such, it’s important that you work with an experienced auto accident lawyer in Los Angeles who understands the issues and can advocate relentlessly on your behalf.

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a Free Legal Consultation

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Los Angeles, then you could be entitled to bring a lawsuit against the defendant to secure compensation. That being said, these sorts of lawsuits aren’t always straightforward — depending on various factors, you could find yourself navigating a complex web of legal strategy. That’s why it’s so important to work with an experienced attorney who understands how to maximize your claims and advance your legal interests.

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 to connect to a qualified auto accident lawyer in Los Angeles. We’ll ask a few questions to clarify your case, then — in less than 10 minutes — we’ll put you through to an attorney in our network who can provide a free initial consultation. During this initial consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your case in detail, and will receive professional legal guidance on your potential options and next steps.

There’s no obligation for you to continue if you decide against it, so there’s really no downside in picking up the phone and calling in for a consultation. We look forward to assisting you!

Have you suffered an injury in an auto accident? While you may be feeling overwhelmed and confused as to what to do after the accident, just know that getting a police accident report is important — the report is a valuable tool that can be used to support your legal claims and help you recover compensation.

Let’s take a closer look at some basics.

Why is it important to have an accident report?

Having a police accident report can make it more likely that you succeed in your lawsuit. In fact, there are a number of good reasons for why it’s important to have an official police accident report — and how it can help you win.

Consider the following:

• The police accident report serves as an “objective” documentary record of the accident. This is the neutral account of the accident that can be used as a reference point when comparing and contrasting the factual narratives of each party.
• The police accident report can be useful for the court to determine the fault of each party involved in the accident — this has an impact on liability and damages.
• It provides documentation that insurers typically require when you submit your claim. Without the police accident report, the insurer may reject or undervalue your claim.
• And more

Are police reports admissible as evidence?

Yes, police reports are admissible as evidence in your lawsuit. That’s why they’re so important. The information in the police report can be used to affirm your factual narrative (or counter the defendant’s inaccurate narrative).

What information should you give if you are involved in a collision?

If you’re involved in a collision, then this is the following information that will likely be requested for a submission to the DMV (and what law enforcement officers may ask at the scene of the accident):

• Name and address
• Vehicle information (i.e., make, model, year, license number, etc.)
• Insurance policy details
• Broad overview of damage caused (i.e., injuries, property damage, etc.)

What is the most common cause of a collision?

The most common cause of a collision in the United States is distracted driving. On a daily basis, 1,000 people are injured as a result of distracted driving. Distracted drivers pose a serious threat to others on the road: pedestrians, bikers, passengers, and other drivers. And in today’s world, there are more and more ways for drivers to distract themselves — texting and calling and browsing their phones, for example.

Interestingly, a phone distraction can make it easier to sue and recover damages from the defendant-driver, as you may be able to secure evidence (from their phone records) of calls and texts that were coming through at the time of the accident. If the records show that they were on a call at the time of the accident, for example, then you’d have proof that they were engaged in distracted driving — and were therefore negligent.

What are the 3 follow up steps you should take after a collision?

There are a number of steps you should take after a collision — but let’s focus on three important ones:

1. Seek immediate medical assistance if necessary
2. Call law enforcement to ensure that a proper police accident report is made
3. Contact an attorney before speaking to third-parties (i.e., insurers)

Each of these steps is critical, as failure to take the step can lead to your entire legal claim being undermined. For example, if you delay too much in seeking medical assistance (an emergency), then the defendant can argue that your injuries got worse due to your delay. This lets them argue your damages claim downward.

So don’t avoid them!

Do all accidents show up on your driving record in California?

Yes, ALL accidents show up on your driving record, in California and in other states. If the accident is reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles, then it will be applied to your driving record. From a practical standpoint, however, only accidents that are associated with a police accident report will lead to it being added to your driving record.

How long the accident appears on your driving record varies from state-to-state. In California, an accident will appear for up to three years, after which it will be removed.

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a Free Legal Consultation

If you’ve been injured in an accident, then — besides obtaining a police accident report — you should consider the possibility of a lawsuit. Damages could lead to substantial compensation if the defendant caused your injuries due to their negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. That being said, lawsuits aren’t always straightforward. You’ll want to work with an experienced attorney who can help guide you through the process.

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 to connect to an experienced local attorney in just 10 minutes or less. Our agents will have you answer a few brief questions about your case, and will then put you in touch with a qualified attorney who can provide you a free initial consultation. During this consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your case in more detail and get some guidance on how best to proceed. There’s no obligation to continue if you decide against it, so there’s really no downside — call in today to get started.

We look forward to assisting you.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Rancho Cucamonga, then — chances are — you’re considering a lawsuit to secure the damages that you feel you’re owed. But, like most plaintiffs, you’re probably also wondering what sort of compensation a car accident lawyer in Rancho Cucamonga can get for you. That’s a complex question that depends on a lot of factors — so let’s dip our toes into some important information that you should know as you explore your options.

How much do car accident lawyers charge in Rancho Cucamonga California?

If you work with a plaintiffs’-side car accident lawyer in Rancho Cucamonga, or anywhere else in California, then chances are that you’ll be offered a contingency fee arrangement. This means that you don’t have to pay anything up-front or out-of-pocket. Yes — it will cost you a grand total of “nothing” to litigate your case. You only pay if and when your attorney secures compensation on your behalf.

In the event that your attorney wins your case (or secures a settlement, or otherwise obtains compensation for you), then they will take a percentage cut of the compensation amount. This often ranges from 25 to 40 percent, but it can be more or less depending on the particularities of the case and the arrangement.

If you “lose” your case, then you don’t have to pay. It’s a great dynamic for injured plaintiffs, as it empowers you to sue even when you don’t have any money to get started — further, it incentivizes the attorney to work efficiently and to maximize your compensation (since they’ll get paid more).

Who pays for a car accident in California?

There’s two aspects to this question: 1) liability, and 2) who “actually” pays. Let’s address these in turn.

In California, the parties responsible for paying compensation are the ones who are at fault for your injuries. In other words, the parties that are “liable” for the injuries.

California imposes a form of pure comparative negligence, which means that you can sue for damages even if you’re partially at-fault. You can also sue multiple parties who are partially at-fault. Together, these would accumulate into your total recoverable compensation.

But who actually pays? Usually, it’s not the defendant themselves. Instead, their insurer steps in to defend them in the case. If they lose, the insurer will pay out the damages from the policy itself. That’s why it’s so crucial (strategically) to sue defendants who are likely to have substantial insurance coverage — a business defendant is a better lawsuit target than an unemployed individual, for example.

How do you get money from a car accident?

To secure compensation, you’ll want to hire a car accident lawyer in Rancho Cucamonga and then work with them to develop your legal arguments. From there, they’ll submit a demand to the relevant parties. This could lead to an early settlement if all parties are willing. If there is further disagreement on the specifics of the dispute (liability, damages), then there may be more back-and-forth in negotiations. While this is happening, your attorney will likely file the claims in court, thus precipitating the beginnings of the formal legal dispute process — this may include various hearings.

If the settlement negotiation process breaks down, then trial litigation may commence. This can be quite demanding as far as resources and attention (and itself has inherent risk), so it’s best to avoid trial if possible. That being said, a trial can lead to a substantial damages award if you win.

How much can someone sue for a car accident in California?

In a car accident dispute, you can sue for the damages you sustained as a result of the defendant’s behavior (whether negligent, reckless, or intentional misconduct). These damages are a reflection of the losses suffered. As such, they can be quite diverse, and cover many different aspects of life that are impacted by the accident.

Claimed damages may include the following:

• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Medical expenses
• Property loss
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of companionship
• And more

Given the same exact accident scenario, damages can differ based on the injured plaintiff’s life circumstances. So, for example, if you’re unemployed, then your injury would not result in any wage loss since you aren’t currently earning. However, if you’re a high-earning professional who can’t work for a year as a result of the accident, then your wage loss damages are likely to be quite substantial.

Maximizing the damages claim is a part of any experienced attorney’s strategic toolkit — so talk to your attorney for a deeper understanding of what sort of compensation you might be able to secure, and how you’ll be attacking the case to do so.

How an attorney can help

Though television and movies and novels often portray attorneys as hyper-focused litigators whose only task is to argue in the courtroom, the truth is that plaintiffs’-side attorneys have a wide variety of duties and responsibilities. From start-to-finish, they provide comprehensive advocacy for their clients.

An experienced car accident lawyer in Rancho Cucamonga can handle the following aspects of the case on your behalf:

• Investigate the scene of the accident
• Gather and preserve evidence
• Establish contact with witnesses
• Communicate with insurers, defendants, and others on your behalf
• Develop and execute a set of persuasive legal arguments
• Engage settlement discussions with the defendant
• Navigate through the hearings process
• Push ahead to trial litigation if settlement negotiations fall through
• Secure funds after the damages award is finalized
• And more

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a Free Legal Consultation

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Rancho Cucamonga, or anywhere else, then you could be entitled to significant damages as compensation for your losses. That being said, it isn’t always easy to know what to do after the accident. First-time plaintiffs are often confused and overwhelmed by the legal process. That’s where we come in.

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 to connect to our network. In just 10 minutes or less, we’ll match you with an experienced car accident lawyer in Rancho Cucamonga who can provide a free legal consultation. During this consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to talk about your case in detail, and to get critical advice about how best to proceed with your claims. As there’s no obligation to continue if you decide against it, there’s no downside to getting started — call in today.

We look forward to assisting you.

Have you been Injured in a serious car accident? A car accident lawyer in San Bernardino may be able to help you navigate the legal dispute and secure compensation — but it isn’t always a straightforward process. Let’s take a closer look at how a car accident in San Bernardino, CA would work, and what sort of concerns you may want to keep in mind as you explore your options.

How much do car accident lawyers charge in San Bernardino?

Most plaintiffs’-side car accident lawyers in San Bernardino — and in other places — work on a contingency fee basis. This means that they don’t get paid until and unless you win. In other words: they win if you win.

Contingency fee attorneys take a percentage cut of your final compensation amount. If you don’t get paid, they don’t get paid either — simply put, you don’t have to pay them anything if you lose. In essence, you’ll have no upfront or out-of-pocket costs.

Instead, you only have to pay them their “percentage cut” of the compensation they secure on your behalf. This also incentivizes your attorney to work effectively and efficiently to maximize your compensation amount — after all, the more they can get you paid, the higher their own cut will be.

Can you sue for a car accident in San Bernardino?

You can sue for a car accident in California, but you’ll have to be able to establish the following legal elements:

• The defendant owed you a duty of care
• The defendant engaged in negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct
• This behavior resulted in your injuries

For example, there would be no legal liability if the defendant did not actually cause your car accident injury. Causation is a critical element.

How long can someone sue you after a car accident?

In California, the deadline for a lawsuit is known as the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations for a “standard” car accident lawsuit is two years from the date of injury. This is a critically-important deadline to keep in mind, as — if you do not file your lawsuit before the statute of limitations period ends — your claim could be considered “abandoned” or relinquished under the law. In other words, you would have no legal recourse to secure compensation.

That being said, if you have waited too long, don’t assume that it’s “all over.” You could potentially still sue if your delay falls within certain legal exceptions. These exceptions can be difficult to understand, however, so you’ll want to work with an experienced car accident lawyer in San Bernardino who can help you navigate them.

What are the damages available in a car accident in California?

Damages in a car accident may vary substantially depending on the losses that you sustain as a result. These losses can be quite diverse, from lost wages to lifestyle deficiencies that flow from your injuries.

Claimable damages include:

• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Medical expenses
• Property loss
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• And more

To understand how damages can vary from case-to-case, consider two similar car accident scenarios. In scenario A, the injury victim is unemployed at the time of the accident.

In scenario B, the injury victim is employed in a job that pays them $50,000 per year. The accident causes injuries that prevent the victim from working for a year. In scenario A, the wage loss damages would be $0, since the victim is unemployed (and therefore has no actual losses stemming from being unable to go into work). In scenario B, on the other hand, the wage loss damages would be $50,000, since that is a year’s worth of income that they would have earned had they not been injured.

San Bernardino Accident Risks

San Bernardino is the hub of the San Bernardino Valley and the Inland Empire region of California, and ranks as the third-largest metropolitan area in the state. Diverse, vibrant, and buzzing with energy, the city is a hotspot for both busy locals and visitors alike. Given the high level of activity, it should come as no surprise that the roadways can be dangerous.

In fact, the 100+ mile stretch of highway that runs through San Bernardino County (otherwise known as Needles Freeway), is considered one of the most dangerous roadways in the entire country, and the most dangerous road in California by far. Specifically, the stretch of I-15 (between exits 138 and 129) ranks as California’s deadliest road.

Poor maintenance, sharp turns, questionable visibility — the dangers of this roadway are numerous and varied. Sustained an injury on this stretch of the I-15 (or any other roadway in San Bernardino county)? You could benefit from speaking to a car accident lawyer in San Bernardino about the possibility of a lawsuit.

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a Free Legal Consultation

If you’ve been injured in an accident, then it’s important that you get in touch with a car accident lawyer in San Bernardino who can help you navigate the legal process from start to finish. Litigating a case isn’t always straightforward — there are twists and turns that you can’t necessarily predict. That’s why it’s worth consulting a qualified attorney. They’ll know how to strategically manage your dispute in order to secure the maximum possible compensation on your behalf.

Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 to schedule a free legal consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer in San Bernardino. During this consultation, you’ll have an opportunity to discuss your case with the attorney and obtain guidance on how best to proceed. There’s no obligation to continue if you decide not to move forward, so there’s really no downside in calling in and getting started.

We look forward to assisting you.