Merced Car Accident Lawyers

Being in a car accident can be a scary experience. The days and weeks following an auto accident can also be extremely stressful. Not only are you in pain from your injuries, but you may be out of work and worrying about how you’re going to pay your bills.

You may not know what to do or where to turn for help. The Merced car accident lawyers from Silva Injury Law are ready to help you solve your problems caused by another person’s careless driving.

We are not just any law firm. Our philosophy is different. We believe in using our skills and knowledge as experienced Merced auto accident attorneys to win your case, but not to fight for every last penny. Instead, we maximize your chances of receiving a full and fair settlement through compassionate advocacy. Our firm’s founder, attorney Michael Silva, spent his entire career fighting passionately for his clients, starting when he worked as a Merced County district attorney. From there, Michael put his vast courtroom experience to work for injury victims when he opened Silva Injury Law.

Just One Of Our Successful Auto Accident Claims

Vigorously preparing each case for trial means that we hold a stronger bargaining position right from the start, leading to settlements that fully compensate our clients.

Here is just one example of how our unique perspective led to our client almost doubling his settlement.

Our client, like so many other people, was stuck in stop-and-go traffic on Highway 99. He said he might speed up to 5 mph, then slow to a stop. Suddenly, as if out of nowhere, a pickup truck slammed into the rear of our client’s pickup. The collision violently threw our client around the passenger compartment. Still, he went to check on the other driver before worrying about his injuries. The reporting police officer concluded the other driver reached speeds of 40 to 60 mph before the crash.

It turns out that he had a torn rotator cuff that required surgery to repair. The other driver’s insurance company was less than helpful, and he knew he needed an attorney.

A friend recommended our firm to him. Shortly after he became our client, we referred him to a doctor we trust who repaired our client’s torn rotator cuff. We took care of all the details, as we do with all our clients, while he underwent surgery and physical therapy.

We filed an insurance claim and demanded a fair settlement. The insurance company offered only $69,878. The offer was far from fair. We filed a lawsuit as a result.

Our Merced Car Accident Lawyers Get Results

We went to mediation within four months of filing our client’s lawsuit and won a settlement 45% greater than the insurance company’s “final offer.” Our client was extremely happy with his settlement of $110,000. He told us that he didn’t want a million-dollar settlement. Rather, he wanted a fair settlement so that he could move on with his life. Our auto accident lawyers fought hard for him, and they will fight hard for you too.

We believe the Merced car accident attorneys at Silva Injury Law, Inc. can help you get the compensation you deserve with minimal stress. Contact us today.

Types Of Auto Accidents

Unfortunately, auto accidents occur daily in California. Although some may be minor, many results in serious injuries that require the representation of attorneys. Merced car accident lawyers understand the complexity of auto accidents. It’s crucial to establish fault in order to recover compensation for your losses. Common types of auto accidents include the following.

Rear-End Collisions

These crashes occur when one car collides with the car in front of it. Those in the impacted car typically suffer the most injuries and damage to their vehicle. In most situations, the driver rear-ending the vehicle in front of them is commonly deemed to be at fault. However, there are situations where the rear driver may not be at fault. For instance, if the driver in the first car puts their car in reverse and collides with the car behind it, the fault for that accident would lie with the driver of the first car.

T-bone Collisions

When a vehicle strikes the side of another vehicle, a side-impact or “t-bone” collision occurs. Determining fault in these types of auto accidents depends on the specific circumstances surrounding the cause of the accident.

Sideswipe Collisions

When two cars running parallel to each other on a road or freeway collide with each other, a sideswipe collision occurs. These can happen because of an improper lane change or distracted driving.

Vehicle Rollover

When a vehicle flips over onto its side or roof, a vehicle rollover occurs. Vehicle rollovers may be caused by excessive speed, inattention, or other factors. The determination of fault demands a careful review of the circumstances surrounding the cause of the rollover.

Head-On Collision

A head-on collision occurs when two vehicles collide nose to nose. The intense impact of these crashes often results in severe injuries. The circumstances surrounding the head-on collision must be carefully analyzed to determine who was at fault, because fault is not always obvious.

Hit-and-Run Accident

A hit-and-run accident happens when someone hits your vehicle but fails to stop. A hit-and-run may occur with you in the vehicle or when your vehicle is stationary. For example, suppose you are parked on a street and someone sideswipes your vehicle causing damage. If that person fails to stop and leave a note with their contact information, a hit-and-run accident has occurred. Additionally, if someone causes a rear-end collision and leaves the scene of the accident, this is also a hit-and-run accident.

Wrong-Way Accidents

Wrong-way accidents occur when someone drives their vehicle on a roadway in the wrong direction. When a driver is traveling in the wrong direction, it can take other motorists by surprise. This surprise can result in other motorists reacting improperly when confronted with a wrong-way driver, and result in serious injuries.

All types of accidents can cause injury and require the assistance of police officers. Therefore, it’s vital to request the assistance of police officers after a car accident.

Common Injuries Caused By Auto Accidents

Various types of injuries may result from auto accidents. Ranging from mild to severe, injuries resulting from auto accidents require the observation and advice of medical professionals. Therefore, after an auto accident, even if you believe you suffered minimal to no injuries, schedule an appointment for an evaluation by a doctor. In some situations, severe injuries may not be felt for hours or days after a car accident.

Common injuries caused by auto accidents include the following:

  • Spinal cord injuries including paralysis;
  • Head injuries;
  • Broken bones and severe fractures;
  • Brain damage including traumatic brain injuries (TBI);
  • Hematoma or massive bruising;
  • Emotional and psychological effects including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety;
  • Amputation;
  • Internal organ damage; and
  • Burn injuries.

The type of injury suffered and the medical treatment received comprise a vital element of your personal injury claim. For example, if your injuries require ongoing medical care and cause you to miss work or lose your job, this increases your compensation award.

Tragically, many car accidents result in the death of someone involved. In the event of a fatality resulting from a car accident, reach out to Merced auto accident lawyers to discuss your claim for recovery based on the death of your loved one. These cases can be complex. That is why it is always best to obtain the assistance of Merced car accident lawyers to ensure the recovery of just compensation for your unimaginable loss.

Why Hire Us?

You have a lot of options to choose from when hiring a Merced car accident attorney. At Silva Injury Law, Inc. we make sure we treat each individual client as a top priority. We will provide responsive and respectful representation from day one through the close of your case.

You can contact a large law firm to talk to a car accident attorney in Merced, but they are not going to devote the same personalized attention to your case as the lawyers at Silva Injury Law, Inc.

We believe that being a good person should never take a backseat to being a good lawyer. We strive to treat not only our clients but also our adversaries with respect. Often, a civil working relationship achieves better results than aggression and hostility.

Our experienced legal team also handles other types of injury cases, including:

  • Truck Accident
  • Motorcycle Accident
  • Sexual Harassment
  • Slip and Fall
  • Wrongful Death Claim
  • Dog Attack
  • Pedestrian Accident
  • Drunk Driving Accident
  • Distracted Driving Accident
  • Bicycle Accident
  • Nursing Home Abuse

How Long Do I Have To File A Claim?

The statute of limitations for California personal injury claims is two years. The two-year statute of limitations means you have two years from the date of your accident to file a claim. If you wait too long and miss the deadline, it is very unlikely that a court will allow you to pursue your claim.

While two years may seem like a long time, it is better to file a claim sooner rather than later. Rushing to file in the days before your time limit expires can result in costly errors.

In addition, there is more likely to be evidence available soon after your car accident. Witnesses’ memories of the accident will fade over time.

If you hire a lawyer right away, the lawyer can take witness statements while the details are still fresh and accurate.

Do I Need To Hire A Merced Car Accident Lawyer?

If you are like many accident victims, you may be unsure whether you should hire an attorney. Merced car accident lawyers can be expensive, and you may already be facing daunting medical bills for the treatment of your injuries. There are a number of reasons why hiring an attorney can benefit you.

Comparative Fault in California

California uses a pure comparative fault method when apportioning liability for accidents. This means that an accident victim can recover the percentage of damages that is attributable to the other party. In other words, if you were partially at fault for your car accident, you may still be able to recover.

It can be tricky to prove that another driver is at fault. This task gets even more difficult when it comes to proving fault where more than one driver was responsible.

A Merced accident lawyer will know which evidence is useful in establishing the other driver’s responsibility. In addition, a good legal practitioner will know how to negotiate the optimal settlement amount considering all the facts of your case.

A lawyer will know about how much, if any, of your actions contributed to the accident and will not be pressured into accepting a lower settlement simply because the other party is using a comparative fault argument.

Negotiating with Insurance Companies

Often, filing an insurance claim seems like the simplest way to recover after a car accident. It is tempting to believe that your car insurance adjuster wants to get you the maximum possible settlement. This is, unfortunately, not the case.

Adjusters work for the insurance company, and the company has an interest in paying out as little as possible for each claim. To reduce your settlement, adjusters use tactics such as taking a statement from you soon after the accident.

At this point, you may not be fully aware of your injuries or of the cost of care that your injuries require. The insurance company will use this incomplete information to offer you a reduced settlement amount.

A Merced car accident attorney will be well-versed in the tactics of car insurance companies. Hiring an attorney to handle your insurance claim may result in a larger settlement.

No Upfront Cost

While legal fees are notoriously expensive, most injury lawyers will not require you to pay upfront. Merced auto accident attorneys often work on a contingency fee basis.

This means that your attorney gets paid at the end of your case from a percentage of any settlement amount that you receive.

While paying an attorney reduces the amount of the settlement award that is left for you, your settlement is likely to be larger if you hire a Merced auto accident attorney than if you represent yourself. Hiring a Merced personal injury lawyer can result in a larger settlement overall.