San Mateo Car Accidents
San Mateo, located halfway between the bustling cities of San Jose and San Francisco, is a busy town filled with commuters and people on their way to the South Bay, East Bay, San Francisco for work and for recreation. With a population of 104,748, the city is also home to several large companies in the investment, medical, and technology industries. Given its proximity to several large cities and three major airports, a dense population, its location between busy roadways like 101, 280, and the 92, it is no surprise car accidents and, consequently, car accident injuries are common in and around San Mateo.
The latest statistics from California’s Office of Traffic Safety reflect that 221 people were injured or killed in traffic accidents in San Mateo during 2016, a sizeable amount of the 3,654 people hurt or killed in traffic accidents in all of San Mateo County during that same year. If you find yourself injured or a loved one is killed in a San Mateo car accident, contact a knowledgeable car accident attorney today to learn if you may be entitled to compensation.
Causes of San Mateo Car Accidents
Though some car accidents truly are caused by unavoidable situations, many more are completely avoidable because they are caused by a driver’s negligence or other improper actions behind the wheel. These actions can result in dire, life-changing, or even life-ending injuries for those involved in a resulting car accident – head, neck, brain, and spinal cord trauma, fractures, and whiplash are all common consequences. The rise of cell phones and interactive screens in vehicles have caused distracted driving to skyrocket and are a contributing factor in many crashes, but they are not the only problem. In San Mateo, car accidents are also brought on by:
- Speeding;
- Tailgating;
- Improper turns;
- Unsafe lane changes;
- Illegally merging into the carpool lane; and
- Intoxicated driving.
If you are injured in a car accident as a result of these behaviors, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries from the person at fault for the accident.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident in San Mateo
Though it may sound impossible and like the last thing you want to do after a car accident, it is important to be proactive in looking after your health and protecting your legal rights by following a few simple steps.
- Seek medical care even if you don’t believe you were injured. It’s important to be evaluated as soon as possible after a car accident. Some serious injuries may not be obvious immediately afterwards, so a thorough examination will prevent you from worsening any hidden injuries.
- Notify the police and give them as much information as possible to complete an accident report.
- If possible, photograph the accident scene.
- Get contact information from any witnesses to the accident.
- Keep records documenting your injuries, the accident, insurance correspondence, and any expenses you incurred due to the injury-causing accident. Receipts, records, photographs, bills, and paystubs may all be helpful in establishing fault and substantiating your damages.
- Speak to a San Mateo car accident attorney to find out if you may be able to recover damages for your injuries.
- Do not delay – California has a 2-year statute of limitations for you to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim, after which you’ll be forever barred from seeking compensation in court.
Recovering Damages for Your Car Accident Injuries
San Mateo car accident victims often pursue personal injury claims to recover for their injuries under a theory of negligence by another party. If you satisfy the elements of negligence in court, the negligent party becomes liable for your harms. Some damages are meant to compensate victims for concrete harms including:
- Medical expenses,
- Lost wages and lost future earning capacity, and
- Property damage.
Judges and juries may also award damage to make victims whole for injuries that do not have a an easily determined price tag. These damages acknowledge a victim’s emotional and psychological trauma and can be awarded for:
- Pain and suffering,
- Loss of consortium, and
- Disfigurement and scarring.
Survivors who lost a loved one in a car accident can file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for unexpected financial hardships and expenses resulting from their loved one’s death. Burial expenses, medical expenses, and lost earnings they expected from the decedent may all be recovered if the survivors are successful in their claim.
It can be tricky to establish negligence and defeat valid legal defenses the defendant may try to raise, let alone substantiate some of the abstract injuries that victims may suffer. Relying on an experienced San Mateo car accident attorney to navigate these complicated matters is advisable to ensure you present the strongest case possible.
Contact a San Mateo Car Accident Attorney
If you were hurt or lost a loved one in a San Mateo car accident, speak with the knowledgeable personal injury attorneys at Daneshrad Law today. San Mateo car accident attorney Alan Daneshrad has spent years providing thoughtful, vigorous representation for car accident victims and has recovered millions of dollars on their behalf. You should focus on getting well while our professional, dedicated attorneys focus on winning your case and delivering the best possible outcome. The Daneshrad Law attorneys possess the experience, knowledge, and commitment to personal service you want when deciding who you want in your corner. Call us at (888) 881-3529 or fill out our online case evaluation form today to set up a risk-free, no obligation initial evaluation. The consultation is free, and you don’t pay until we win your case. Let our attorneys review your unique situation, advise you on your options, and help you get the compensation you deserve.
