Proficient Car Accident Lawyers in Marin County, CA
Car accidents can leave those involved feeling panicked and overwhelmed. You may be in pain, left without a vehicle, facing unexpected medical bills, and unsure what to do next. Contact Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger if you or a loved one you have been seriously injured in a car crash in the Bay Area. An experienced Marin County car accident attorney at our law firm will evaluate your case for free and advise you of your legal options.
Why Choose Our Law Firm
- Our car accident lawyers in Marin County have been helping injured victims in the Bay Area since 1959.
- We have secured over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts on behalf of clients.
- Our injury lawyers will represent you without any money out-of-pocket. We will only get paid when you get paid.
- Our decades of experience successfully dealing with car insurance companies can lend you peace of mind in knowing your case is being handled by a highly knowledgeable lawyer, so your sole focus can remain on recovering.
Significant Case Results
Listed below are a sample of noteworthy settlements we have obtained on behalf of our clients:
- $8.8M Jury Verdict: Auto Accident Causing Brain Injury
- $7.36M Jury Verdict: Car Accident Causing Wrongful Death
- $3M Settlement: Vehicle Collision Caused by Highway Defects
- $2.9M Settlement: SUV Rollover Caused by Defective Design
- $2.75M Settlement: Car Accident Caused by Defective Highway Design
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Marin County
The most frequent causes of car crashes in Marin County involve driver error. Those include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving (e.g., cellphone use, eating, use of navigation system)
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Dangerous weather conditions
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Driver fatigue
What are Common Injuries in a Car Crash?
Car accidents can cause serious injuries to the victims involved. The most common types of injuries reported consist of:
- Head and Brain Injuries: Concussions or other traumatic brain injuries, skull fractures, brain hemorrhage (bleeding), skull fractures, or lacerations requiring plastic surgery.
- Neck and Back Injuries: Whiplash, herniated discs, spinal cord damage, paralysis.
- Burn Injuries: Ranging from minor to fatal. Serious burns can result in scarring or disfigurement and require multiple surgeries and skin grafts.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Muscles, tendons, or ligaments can be stretched or torn.
- Fractures or Broken Bones: Fractures often occur in the arms, legs, hands, and feet in auto accidents.
What You Should Do Following an Auto Accident
It can be easy to forget what to do following a car crash. Being aware of the steps to take can help you better prepare for the stressful situation:
- Call 911 if you or anyone involved is hurt.
- Stay on scene, even if you are not injured.
- If no one involved is injured, the police should still be notified so that a report may be filed (a police report can help in validating your accident claim).
- Unless there are safety concerns, don’t move injured persons or vehicles.
- Take photos & videos of the damage and the scene for evidence.
- Collect contact information from all drivers involved and witnesses.
- Seek medical care for your injuries and be sure to complete ongoing treatment that is recommended by your doctor
- Contact your insurance company to report the accident.
- Speak to a Marin County car accident lawyer to discuss your rights to compensation.
California Car Accident Laws
California operates under a “comparative negligence” system when it comes to insurance claims. Calif. Civil Code (CIV) §1714 states that, “Everyone is responsible, not only for the result of his or her willful acts, but also for an injury occasioned to another by his or her want of ordinary care or skill in the management of his or her property or person, except so far as the latter has, willfully or by want of ordinary care, brought the injury upon himself or herself.”
Under this law, if a car accident claim is taken to trial, the percentage of fault will be calculated for all drivers involved. If the plaintiff, or victim, is found to be partially at fault, the amount of damages awarded to them will be reduced by the percentage of fault.
Deadline for Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
Laws are also in place limiting the amount of time victims have to pursue legal action, known as the Statue of Limitations. In relation to car accident claims, they are as follows:
- 2 years for personal injury lawsuits (CIV § 335.1)
- 3 years for property damage lawsuits (CIV § 338)
- 6 months for claims involving a government agency (Cal. Gov’t Code § 911.2)
Do You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Even if your car crash seems like an open-and-shut case, if the accident caused serious injuries and property damage, speaking with a knowledgeable Marin County car accident attorney will be in your best interest. Insurance companies want to payout the minimum amount possible and they have a legal team working to protect them.
An accident lawyer will have had experience dealing with insurance companies and an understanding of exactly what is needed to obtain fair compensation. They will also immediately begin investigating your accident and gathering evidence, typically without any legal fees upfront. Many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that only when your case succeeds in securing compensation, will they get paid. By hiring a lawyer, you will have an experienced advocate who has the resources to validate your claim and is motivated to see you succeed.
A Marin County Car Accident Attorney Can Help
If you or someone you love has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, contact the legal representation of Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger. We understand how important a financial award can be to you and your family and we will fight to make sure that you are fairly compensated for your injuries. We serve car accident victims in Marin County, San Rafael, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Call (415) 981-7210 today or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a San Marin car accident lawyer.
