Injured in an accident? Find a car accident lawyer in San Bernardino to help.
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.
