San Rafael Car Accident Lawyer
Traffic is a huge issue in the Bay Area. In San Rafael, San Francisco, Oakland and surrounding areas, it’s not uncommon to experience heavy traffic at virtually any hour of the day. With many sporting events, concerts and other events in the area, there may be hundreds of thousands of cars on the roads late into the evenings and weekends.
Sadly, with so many cars on the roadway at any given time, accidents are bound to occur. Some may be minor, while others are much more serious and can result in traumatic injuries and fatalities.
These accidents even minor ones can result in serious injuries. Whiplash and other neck injuries are common, as are broken bones and lacerations. Back injuries and soft tissue injuries may also occur. Some victims suffer head trauma and gruesome injuries such as amputations.
An injury from a car crash can take months or even years to heal. During this time, you may not be able to work. As a result, you’ll lose out on much-needed income. A personal injury lawsuit will help you recover compensation for your damages.
After a serious car accident, you’ll want to start working on your physical and financial recovery right away. While hiring a lawyer may not be the first thing on your mind after such a devastating accident, you need to act quickly. Under California’s statutes of limitations for personal injury, you have two years from the date of the car accident or injury to file a civil lawsuit. Please be advised that your potential case is governed by a statute of limitations (a limited time period in which you must begin a lawsuit). Statutes of limitations differ depending on the type of case involved. Some of these time periods may be as short as six months, while others can be as long as two years. We do not have enough information to identify which statute of limitations applies in your case. You should consult with a lawyer, the California Code of Civil Procedure, internet resources, and/or visit your law library to identify the applicable statute of limitations for your matter.
In addition, personal injury cases take time to settle. You won’t receive money for quite some time. Depending on the complexity of your case, it could take a year or longer for you to receive financial recovery. Therefore, the sooner you file your case, the sooner you can expect to receive compensation to help you move on with your life.
San Rafael Car Accident Statistics
In 2015, there were 412 people injured or killed in motor vehicle accidents in San Rafael, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety. Some of the common factors are as follows:
30 Accidents were Alcohol Related
Driving under the influence of alcohol is an unfortunately common cause of accidents. While motorists know they should not drink and drive, many do it anyway. They think they are sober enough to make it home, but they end up causing serious accidents instead. Many innocent lives have been lost due to drunk driving. With the availability of ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft, there’s no reason to drink and drive.
20 Accidents Involved Motorcyclists
Motorcycles are often difficult for other motorists to see because they are smaller moving objects. As a result, cars and other vehicles change lanes without properly checking their blind spots. There are a number of factors that play into motorcycle accidents including weather conditions, issues with the road maintenance and even rider error as well.
45 Involved Pedestrians
Many pedestrians are struck every year by vehicles. Pedestrians have the right of way and motorists needs to be more cautious and watchful as they travel. These accidents are often very serious and can lead to severe injuries.
Bicyclists were Involved in 33 Accidents
Like motorcycles, bicycles are often difficult to see and many accidents happen because drivers are unaware.
Speeding Caused 108 Injuries and Fatalities
Driving fast may be fun, but speed is known to kill. When you drive 10, 20 or 30 miles above the speed limit, you endanger others. Plus, if you need to brake suddenly, you have little room to do so and your reaction time is limited.
33 Collisions Occurred at Night
These are accident that happened between the hours of 9 p.m. and 2:59 a.m. The darkness of night time often makes other vehicles less visible. There may be other contributing factors to consider like driver fatigue.
Hit and run accidents led to 19 injuries and fatalities.
Hit and run accidents are unfortunately common. Not every collision leads to injuries but when they do they can be very serious. These cases are difficult and unfortunate because the responsible party is avoiding their responsibility after the accident.
Other Common Car Accident Causes
Distracted Driving
One of the most common causes is distracted driving. Distracted driving has become a huge problem in recent years with cell phone use growing. Texting is the most dangerous activity associated with distracted driving. In 2015, 3,477 people were killed by distracted driving.
Poor Weather Conditions
Weather conditions can also cause accidents. Fog and rain can reduce visibility, making it harder for motorists to see in front of them. Rain, snow and ice can cause also cause roads to become slippery. It’s a good idea to reduce your speed in such conditions.
Reckless Driving
Disobeying traffic signs and signals can also lead to accidents. Stop lights and stop signs are used as traffic controls when cars are moving in various directions. If you don’t stop, you run the risk of a side-impact collision. When you are at a stop light, do not proceed until the light turns green. At a stop sign, look in all directions before proceeding.
After a Car Accident
A car accident can be scary, but it’s best to stay calm. Your first step should be to move your car to a safe area, preferably off the road. If it’s safe to do so, get out of your car. Look for traffic before exiting your vehicle. Next, check on the others involved. If anyone is injured, call 911.
Even if there are no injuries, you should call the police to the scene. A police report is invaluable to an accident claim and can be used to prove fault.
You’ll need information from the other parties involved. Be sure to get their names, license plate numbers and insurance information. If there were any witnesses, get their information as well.
You’ll also want to document the scene. Take photos of damage and surrounding areas of the accident scene. Take notes on the location and weather conditions.
The final step is to file your claim. Contact your insurance agent for the next steps.
If you have been injured in a car accident, no matter how it was caused, seek legal help right away. Contact the San Rafael car accident lawyers at Dolan Law Firm to see if you have a valid case. We will help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Contact a San Rafael Car Accident Lawyer Today
Cars are dangerous machines, and they can cause significant damage to people and other property. If you are a victim of a car accident—either as another motorist, pedestrian, bicyclist, motorcyclist or public transportation user—be sure to seek legal help right away to protect your rights.
If you have suffered injuries from a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, contact the reputable San Rafael car accident lawyers at Dolan Law Firm. Our award-winning lawyers are not afraid to fight for your legal rights. We have a successful track record when it comes to car accident cases. We have offices in San Francisco and Oakland to serve you. Schedule a free case review today by giving us a call at (415) 421-2800 or filling out our online form.
