As a peacemaker, the lawyer has a superior opportunity of being a good man. There will still be enough business.
- Abraham Lincoln
Turlock CA Car Accident Injury Lawyers
If you have sustained injuries in a car accident, you are not alone.
In fact, in 2017, 3,904 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents in California. Additionally, another 277,160 people were injured in motor vehicle accidents in California.
Car accidents are traumatic experiences. Medical bills, vehicle repair costs, and other expenses put significant financial stress on car accident victims.
If the car accident was not your fault, you should not have to bear the burden of those costs. Contact Silva Injury Law today for a free consultation.
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Don`t settle for less than you deserve.
Steps to Take After A Car Accident
The moments following a car accident are crucial. However, these moments are often traumatic as well.
The most helpful evidence for your case exists immediately after the collision. After the accident, take the following steps.
Seek Medical Attention
Your well-being is the most important thing after an accident. If you suffered potentially critical injuries in the crash, get to the nearest emergency room. If you do not need urgent medical care, you can stay on the scene to collect information.
Call The Police
The police are required to create an official report detailing motor vehicle accidents. The police are responsible for investigating the car accident and retrieving contact information from the involved parties. This accident report is important for proving your case. Thus, calling the police is a vital step.
Document The Scene
Next, take photographs of the accident scene.
It is critical to make a record of the scene of the accident as accurately as possible. Police will often take photographs of the vehicles for their report as well.
Take photographs of anything that sheds light on your case. You should record things like skid marks on the roadway, road conditions, and traffic conditions.
Gather Witness Information
This is another step that police will often perform. However, it is still helpful to get the contact information of anyone who was present at the scene. Without contacting these witnesses at the scene, there is a possibility that you would never be able to do so. Therefore, getting contact information from witnesses is a top priority.
Remember That Insurance Companies Are Not Your Friend
Do not talk to the other driver’s insurance company.
Insurance companies are out to settle car accident claims for the least amount of money possible. You may be approached very quickly after your car accident occurred, before you have had time to recover from the accident.
Nevertheless, do not make any statements to the insurance company. The statements can be used against you later if you do.
Get a Medical Evaluation
Even if your injuries are minor, seek medical treatment for any possible internal injuries. Car accidents often cause internal injuries that, when left untreated, can be fatal. A follow-up medical evaluation ensures you do not have any hidden injuries that will affect you in the future.
Contact a Turlock Car Accident Lawyer
An attorney can defend your rights and help you secure the compensation you deserve. Contact the Turlock car accident attorneys at Silva Injury Law as soon as possible to evaluate your case.
Our experienced legal team also handles other types of cases, including:
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Drivers in California have a duty to exercise reasonable care when operating a motor vehicle to avoid hurting others. Exercising reasonable care includes obeying posted traffic signs, being aware of surroundings, and driving in a safe manner. However, thousands of accidents are caused every year by drivers who fail to exercise reasonable care. Some of the most common examples include: Speeding, Texting while driving, Driving under the influence, Driving while tired, Failure to obey traffic signals, Failure to signal a lane change, Road rage, Failure to yield, and Failure to properly maintain a vehicle. All these actions are known to be contributing factors in car accidents. If you suffered injuries in a car accident caused by a driver who failed to exercise reasonable care, you may be entitled to damages.
Types of Car Accidents
Any kind of car accident may result in an injury, even if it seems minor. At Silva Injury Law, our Turlock car accident lawyers have experience representing victims involved in a variety of crashes, including:
- Rear-end Accidents: even if you stop at a red light or intersection, there is always a possibility of being hit from behind by a distracted driver.
- Head-on Collisions: among all types of car accidents, head-on collisions result in some of the worst injuries.
- Rollovers: while rollover accidents can be caused by collisions, they sometimes happen when a driver tries to avoid a crash.
- T-Bones: whether someone runs a red light or a stop sign, it always has a chance of causing a serious t-bone accident.
- Sideswipes: drivers who are intoxicated or distracted often drift into other lanes or forget to check their blindspots, leading to side impacts.
- Hit-and-runs: unfortunately, some drivers choose to flee the scene of an accident that they caused. Our Turlock car accident attorneys do everything they can to find those responsible.
In any type of accident, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the claims process, especially while you’re recovering from injury. That’s why our lawyers manage every aspect of your claim and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
Injuries Frequently Seen in Car Accidents
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 2.74 million people were injured on United States roadways in 2019. Clearly, more injuries are sustained in car accidents than fatalities. The most common injuries include: Whiplash, Lacerations, Puncture wounds, Road rash, Traumatic brain injuries, Broken bones, Spinal cord injuries, and Post-traumatic stress disorder. Recovery time differs depending on the injury itself and the victim. Severe injuries can result in the loss of a limb or significant scarring. Whatever your circumstances are, Silva Injury Law will fight for you to recover the full extent of damages that you deserve.
What Do I Have to Prove?
To prove a car accident claim, you must demonstrate that the driver who caused the accident was negligent. This requires proof of three elements: The other driver had a duty to operate his or her vehicle in a safe manner; The other driver breached this duty; and You suffered harm in an accident that was caused by the other driver’s failure to operate his or her vehicle in a safe manner. Proving a driver was negligent is complicated. Our Turlock car accident lawyers can help establish your negligence claim and ensure that you receive compensation for any harm you suffered.
Car Accident Statute of Limitations
Under California CCP 335.1, personal injury victims involved in car accidents have two years from the date of the injury to file an action. However, there are a few exceptions to the standard statute of limitations that may extend the filing period.
The first exception is if the injured person did not discover the injury until a later date. In this case, the two-year limit doesn’t start until the day you become aware of the injury. The second exception is if the person who negligently caused your injury is under 18 years of age or lacks the capacity to make legal decisions. Finally, the third exception applies when the person who caused the injury leaves the state before you are able to file the lawsuit.
Since the statute of limitations depends on the circumstances of your accident, it’s important to have one of our Turlock car accident lawyers review your claim. Failing to file a lawsuit within the given time limit may lead to the dismissal of your claim.
Damages You Can Recover After a Car Accident
Hospital visits are expensive. Vehicle repairs are costly. Sometimes injuries and lack of transportation prevent you from earning your regular wages. You may be wondering how you are supposed to pay for all these new expenses. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, your damages may include: Medical bills, Rehabilitation costs, Lost income, Loss of future earning capacity, Physical distress, Emotional distress, Loss of consortium, and Costs of repairing your vehicle. No matter how large or small, Silva Injury Law is ready to advocate for your car accident claim. We will not stop until you receive the compensation you deserve.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Car Accident Claim?
Settling a car accident claim may take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of years, depending on the situation. Oftentimes, insurance companies try to hold out as long as they can before giving in to a proposed settlement. They might even try to take the case to trial. At Silva Injury Law, our Turlock car accident attorneys prepare for this possibility when putting together your claim.
Contact Our Turlock Car Accident Attorneys Today
We are eager to assist you with your Turlock car accident. Michael Joe Silva has experience as a prosecutor and is comfortable taking your case to court if necessary. We offer free consultations over the phone or in person. If you wait too long, the statute of limitations could prevent you from bringing a claim. Contact Silva Injury Law, the law practice that treats you like family.
Promoting Healing Through Compassionate Advocacy
We believe that our duty goes beyond achieving large monetary awards for our clients. We strive first to be decent human beings who seek not to stir up fights, but to solve problems.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Drivers in California have a duty to exercise reasonable care when operating a motor vehicle to avoid hurting others. Exercising reasonable care includes obeying posted traffic signs, being aware of surroundings, and driving in a safe manner. However, thousands of accidents are caused every year by drivers who fail to exercise reasonable care. Some of the most common examples include: Speeding, Texting while driving, Driving under the influence, Driving while tired, Failure to obey traffic signals, Failure to signal a lane change, Road rage, Failure to yield, and Failure to properly maintain a vehicle. All these actions are known to be contributing factors in car accidents. If you suffered injuries in a car accident caused by a driver who failed to exercise reasonable care, you may be entitled to damages.
Injuries Frequently Seen in Car Accidents
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 2.74 million people were injured on United States roadways in 2019. Clearly, more injuries are sustained in car accidents than fatalities. The most common injuries include: Whiplash, Lacerations, Puncture wounds, Road rash, Traumatic brain injuries, Broken bones, Spinal cord injuries, and Post-traumatic stress disorder. Recovery time differs depending on the injury itself and the victim. Severe injuries can result in the loss of a limb or significant scarring. Whatever your circumstances are, Silva Injury Law will fight for you to recover the full extent of damages that you deserve.
At Silva Injury Law we strive to promote healing through compassionate advocacy.
What Do I Have to Prove?
To prove a car accident claim, you must demonstrate that the driver who caused the accident was negligent. This requires proof of three elements: The other driver had a duty to operate his or her vehicle in a safe manner; The other driver breached this duty; and You suffered harm in an accident that was caused by the other driver’s failure to operate his or her vehicle in a safe manner. Proving a driver was negligent is complicated. Our Turlock car accident lawyers can help establish your negligence claim and ensure that you receive compensation for any harm you suffered.
Damages You Can Recover After a Car Accident
Hospital visits are expensive. Vehicle repairs are costly. Sometimes injuries and lack of transportation prevent you from earning your regular wages. You may be wondering how you are supposed to pay for all these new expenses. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, your damages may include: Medical bills, Rehabilitation costs, Lost income, Loss of future earning capacity, Physical distress, Emotional distress, Loss of consortium, and Costs of repairing your vehicle. No matter how large or small, Silva Injury Law is ready to advocate for your car accident claim. We will not stop until you receive the compensation you deserve.
Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers in Turlock Today
We are eager to assist you with your Turlock car accident. Michael Joe Silva has experience as a prosecutor and is comfortable taking your case to court if necessary. We offer free consultations over the phone or in person. If you wait too long, the statute of limitations could prevent you from bringing a claim. Contact Silva Injury Law, the law practice that treats you like family.