Orinda Car Accident Attorneys
Car Accidents
Serious car accidents require the guidance of an experienced Northern California auto accident attorney. Auto accident injuries may occur on freeways, streets, and even in parking lots to people in cars, bikes, motorcycles, and on foot. Sometimes the person who causes the injury does not have enough insurance. In such cases, you may be able to make a claim against your own uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist insurance coverage.
At the Law Office of Balamuth Harrington, LLP, our lengthy experience with California’s automobile, insurance and liability laws means we understand how to prove the full extent of your injuries and find all possible sources of recovery available to compensate you for your losses and suffering caused by the motor vehicle accident.
In the United States, someone is involved in a car accident every ten seconds, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These cases are typically governed by the law of negligence. The law requires people who operate automobiles to exercise "reasonable care under the circumstances." A failure to use reasonable care is considered negligence. A person who negligently operates a vehicle may be required to pay for any damages caused by his or her negligence. The injured party, known as the plaintiff, is required to prove that the defendant was negligent, that the negligence caused the accident, and that the accident caused the plaintiff's injuries.
As in other types of accident cases, figuring out who is at fault in a traffic accident is a matter of deciding who was negligent. In many cases, your instincts will tell you that a driver, cyclist or pedestrian acted carelessly, but not what rule or rules that person violated. A Northern California auto accident attorney will look to a number of sources to help you determine who was at fault for your accident, such as police reports, state traffic laws, and witnesses. Courts look to a number of factors in determining whether a driver was negligent. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
Disobeying traffic signs or signals- Failing to signal while turning
- Disregarding weather or traffic conditions
- Failing to drive on the right side of the road
- Driving above or below the posted speed limit
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
In certain cases, motor vehicle accidents are caused by factors which are unrelated to the conduct of any particular driver. For example, an automobile accident may be the result of a defect in someone's automobile. In such a case, an automobile manufacturer or supplier may be responsible for injuries caused by a defect in the automobile under the law of product liability. See our Dangerous Products page for information on product liability.
Another example of a situation where a driver may not be at fault for an auto accident, is when a mechanic fails to properly repair a vehicle, and that failure causes an auto accident. In such a case, the person who improperly repaired the automobile, as well as his employer, may be liable for the injuries sustained under the theory of negligence.
Other factors, such as poorly maintained roads and malfunctioning traffic control signals, can contribute to cause an accident as well. Improper design, maintenance, construction, signage, lighting or other highway defects, including poorly placed trees and utility poles, can also cause serious accidents. In cases such as these, government entities may be potential defendants. Special rules apply to claims and lawsuits brought against governmental bodies, however, and good legal advice is critical to preserving and winning such claims.
In all Bay Area auto cases, it is essential that measures be taken promptly to preserve evidence, investigate the accident in question, and have physicians or other expert witnesses thoroughly evaluate any injuries. Because a San Francisco car accident attorney can best help you accomplish all of these things, if you have been involved in an automobile accident, it is strongly recommended that you contact an auto accident attorney to evaluate your case as soon as possible.
Car Accident Verdicts & Settlements:
Listed below are verdicts and settlements obtained by the Law Office of Balamuth Harrington, LLP on behalf of victims of car accident injuries:
Case Name: Starlett Doe v. Driver; Plumbing Company; Floor Company
Recovery Range: $1,000,000 - $2,000,000
Case Name: Johnnie Doe v. Driver
Recovery Range: $650,000 - $1,000,000
Case Name: Doe Family v. Driver
Recovery Range: $400,000 - $650,000
Case Name: Sara Doe v. Driver
Recovery Range: $250,000 - $400,000
Case Name: Alvin Doe v. Truck Rental Company and Moving Company
Recovery Range: $100,000 - $250,000
Case Name: Blanca Doe v. Two Insurance Companies
Recovery Range: $100,000 - $250,000
Case Name: Eileen Doe v. Bus Company
Recovery Range: $100,000 - $250,000
Case Name: Laura Doe v. Doe Defendant
Recovery Range: $100,000 - $250,000
Click here for more information about these car accident verdicts and settlements.