Were You Injured In An Auto, Truck Or Motorcycle Collision In California?
In just the blink of an eye, a collision can turn your life upside down. Whether you are a pedestrian, bicyclist or motorist, you’re never immune from the possibility of being injured or killed in a motor vehicle accident. When alcohol or reckless driving is involved, the danger is even greater.
The team at Sumner Law stands up to insurance companies that try to avoid paying out benefits for injuries. We have decades of experience, during which time we’ve refined our strategies for holding fast against big corporations and insurers on our clients’ behalf.
Contact our Walnut Creek law firm for guidance after a serious vehicle accident. We primarily serve Contra Costa County and the Bay Area.
A Proven Trial Lawyer Fighting For You
Upon suffering a life-changing personal injury, it’s essential to retain the services of an experienced injury victim attorney who can give personalized service and one-on-one attention.
Attorney Scott Sumner has recovered multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements for clients injured in car and truck accidents, including pedestrians, bike riders and motorcycle riders. He is an experienced bicyclist and an accident survivor himself, now pursuing justice for others who have been wronged and injured.
Our team is determined to help you get proper medical care and rehabilitation services after an accident and continue providing for your family while you’re unable to work.
What You Can Do To Help Your Case
Here are the steps you should take if you’ve suffered an injury in a traffic accident:
- Preserve any and all evidence that will help prove your case.
- Gather pictures, names and contact information of all involved parties.
- Save physical evidence, including information about where your wrecked vehicle was taken.
- Learn about your legal rights.
- Discuss your situation with a Contra Costa County attorney during a free initial consultation.
- Hire a strong attorney who is ready to take a firm stand against the other side.
Our team can provide assistance and share more details about what to do following a car or truck accident.
What You Need To Know About California Auto Accident Law
Although motor vehicle accidents happen every day, many people are not sure what to do when they happen to them. Experienced legal counsel is crucial in pursuing compensation for your injuries.
Sumner Law in Walnut Creek provides sophisticated advocacy to hold negligent drivers and their insurers accountable. We handle auto accidents in Contra Costa County and the Bay Area. We can answer your specific questions in a free initial consultation.
What types of compensation can I recover if I’m injured in a California auto accident?
Car accident victims can be compensated for tangible financial losses or economic damages. This includes medical bills and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, damage to your vehicle and personal property, and associated expenses, such as renting a car.
You can also recover noneconomic damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment, loss of companionship or consortium (marital relations), and any disfigurement or disability. (California law prohibits uninsured drivers from recovering noneconomic damages, even if the other driver was fully at fault).
Can I still recover compensation if my car accident was partly my fault?
Yes. California is a comparative negligence state. If you were speeding but the other driver ran a red light, their insurance company would likely settle even though you contributed to the accident.
If your case goes to trial, each driver is assigned a percentage of fault. If you were 10% at fault, you could recover 90% of the damages awarded by the judge or jury. At 40% fault, you could still collect 60% of damages. California uses the pure comparative negligence standard; you could recover partial compensation even if you were 80 or 90% to blame. The quality of your legal counsel becomes very important in litigating the degree of fault.
My insurance company offered me a settlement. Should I accept it?
No. Insurance companies commonly “lowball” the first offer. What seems like a lot of money may not cover your losses or reflect what your case is really worth. You should never accept a settlement or sign any waivers before talking to an attorney, especially when there are significant injuries.
My car accident injuries don’t seem that serious. Should I still see a doctor?
Yes, you should see a doctor for two reasons. First, you may be more seriously injured than you realize. Symptoms of fractures, concussions or spinal injuries may not be felt until days or weeks after the crash. Second, a long time lag between the accident and medical treatment can hurt your legal case. The defense will argue that your injuries were exaggerated or not related to your car accident.
Get Sumner Law On Your Side
If you or a loved one suffered harm in a motor vehicle collision, contact our team at Sumner Law for a free initial consultation. Call 925-464-1593 or contact us online to discuss the facts of your case and create an action plan to help you recover the damages you are eligible for.
Scott Sumner is a well-respected personal injury attorney in Walnut Creek serving Contra Costa County, Alameda County and the Bay Area, and he serves clients throughout northern California, central California and statewide.