San Diego Auto Accident Attorneys

Auto accidents are among the most common cases that our San Diego accident attorneys handle. Given the likelihood of injury resulting from an auto accident, it should be no surprise that auto accidents compromise the largest percentage of personal injury lawsuits in the country. The United States Department of Transportation has estimated that there have been almost 6 million automobile accidents each year in the last five years on U.S. roads, with approximately half of these accidents resulting in personal injuries. The unfortunate truth is that most Americans will be involved in a car accident at some point in their lifetime, and with our reliance on automobiles in San Diego and around Southern California this fact is made all the more significant. Before hiring an experienced San Diego auto accidents lawyer, it is important to know what to do immediately after an accident occurs.

What to do in the event of an auto accident

1.) Stop your vehicle and if possible move it safely away from traffic. If your hazard lights work, turn them on. Place any traffic cones, flares or other items that will increase your visibility around your car or truck to prevent additional collisions. It is important not to leave the scene of an accident. Leaving the scene of an accident can make you criminally liable for hit-and-run charges and can further complicate the stressful ordeal of being in an automobile accident.

2.) Check to see if you or anyone else has been injured in the accident. If you discover someone has been injured, call an ambulance right away. Unless you are trained in emergency medical response, DO NOT attempt to move anyone who has been injured. Attempting to do so without proper training could make injuries worse..

3.) Phone the police only after you have checked for injuries from the accident. The law requires that individuals involved in an automobile accident call the police. If the police cannot come to the scene of the accident, go to the local police department as soon as possible after the accident and file a written report. Be sure to state the facts simply, but do not confess that you are at fault or blame others for causing the accident. You should only admit guilt after discussing the situation with a San Diego accidents attorney, such as a team member at Berman & Riedel, LLP.

Do not worry if you are given a citation. This has nothing to do with your guilt or innocence. When you sign it, you are only promising to attend court for a hearing on the violation, or pay it later if you wish. If you choose not sign the citation, the officer may arrest you. While it is okay to sign the ticket, you may want to talk with a San Diego car accidents attorney before you pay a fine or plead guilty to the charges or see if you can go to a traffic school instead. If you plead guilty, you may not be eligible to collect compensation from the other party involved in the accident. In fact, doing so may help the other driver to collect damages from you.

4.) Write down and keep a copy of your own detailed notes regarding the auto accident. Do not rely on the police report alone. If you must go to court for your case, these details will prove invaluable to both you and your lawyer, as most cases take 1-2 years before reaching a courtroom. Having a San Diego car accidents attorney you can trust during this time can prove to be an important resource both for your personal recovery and your sanity.

Include the following in your notes:

The date and time of the accident
Reason why you were driving
The weather conditions at the time of the accident
Name or badge number of the police officer
Important factual information about the accident
Name and contact information of witnesses (if any)
Name and contact information of passengers (if any)
Exact location of the accident
Photos of the scene of the accident (if possible)

5.) After an auto accident, all drivers must exchange driver's license and vehicle registration information. You should write down the following:

Name, phone number, address, birth date, driver's license number and expiration date, and insurance provider of all other drivers involved in the accident..
The make, model, year, license plate number and expiration date, and vehicle identification number of all other cars involved in the accident.
The names, addresses, phone number and insurance provider of the other cars' legal and registered owners - if the driver does not own the car.

6.) Some insurance companies may try to deny you of your coverage if you do not promptly report the accident, so contact your insurance company and file a claim with them as soon as possible. Employing an experienced auto accident attorney is often helpful when fighting for your justly deserved compensation.

How a San Diego accidents attorney at our firm can help you with your auto accident claim

Auto accidents have a way of becoming more complicated than they initially appear, which is why it's important to find an attorney who understands all of the details that go into an automobile accident case. Our San Diego car accident attorneys have the experience, skill and dedication it takes to obtain the maximum possible compensation for the injury and suffering caused by an auto accident or any other type of motor vehicle collision. We will fight to make sure that you receive compensation for past, present and future medical bills, lost wages, future loss of income, and of course the damages awarded for pain and suffering which you are rightly entitled to.

If you or someone close to you has been hurt or injured in a car accident, our lawyers can advise you on how to best protect your legal rights. Contact a San Diego auto accidents lawyer at Berman & Riedel, LLP, in San Diego to discuss your options for receiving compensation under the law.

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