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CAR &AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS

Stockton Auto Accident Lawyer

Car & Automobile Accident Injury Claims

Automobile accidents have staggering death tolls – in 2013, there were 3,000 deaths in the state of California due to motor vehicle accidents. And even if death doesn’t occur, there could be extremely severe injuries such as bone injury, soft tissue injury, spinal cord injury, brain injury and bruises. All of which, weigh on the victim and their family emotionally, physically and financially.

Automobile accidents, depending on the severity of the circumstance, can require months to even years in the hospital. Often, the victim would lose the ability to work and support their families. Worse, when a family member dies in a car crash, the financial loss is not the only thing the families experience. The deep and painful wound of losing a loved one is something most people never truly heal from.

Car Accident Fatalities

Unfortunately, one of the leading causes of car accident fatalities are drunk driving, which is completely avoidable. Accounting for nearly 40% of fatal crashes, drunk driving is negligent and reckless. Furthermore, some drivers don’t pay attention to speed and don’t keep their eyes on the road because they are busy talking on their cell phone. This type of negligence is awful and has severe repercussions.

Get Compensation for Automobile Accident Injuries

In order to receive compensation after an accident, the victim needs to prove the driver was negligent, meaning the driver was reckless and failed to use reasonable care while driving. Once negligence has been proven, the victim or the family, with the help of an attorney, can receive proper compensation for property damage, medical costs, disabilities, emotional distress and future suffering. Contacting an experienced auto accident attorney immediately after receiving proper medical care is the best form of action.

The attorney will make sure to gather statements from witnesses and preserve evidence that will prove negligence. Getting proper medical attention right after the accident is the most important thing, but also keep in mind that if you wait long to seek out a Stockton auto accident lawyer, physical evidence may be repaired and witnesses may not remember all the details. So contact an attorney who can convey the legal interpretation to you and help you or your family get compensated the way you deserve.

Have you been injured in an auto accident?

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(209) 943-0000

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What To Do After A Car Accident

Stockton Auto Accident LawyerNo one gets up in the morning planning to get into a automobile accident. Auto accidents are always unexpected. Being prepared and knowing what to do after a car collision happens is very important, as well as what not to do.

Here are some things that you should do if you are involved in car accident:

  • Car accidents can are can be scary. And because they can be terrifying the first important thing to do – stay calm. Do no get out of the car into the middle of the road to scream at the other driver, even if that other driver is the one that caused the car crash.
  • Second, if you have passengers in your car, make sure that they are ok and not in the need for immediate medical attention. After you do that, make sure it is safe to get out of your car and you can approach the other vehicle to make sure that no one in that car need an ambulance. Be polite and courteous to the other driver and his or her passengers. This accident is just as unexpected and just as upsetting for them as it is for you.
  • Third, if your vehicle is safe to drive and it is safe to do so, pull the car to the side of the road. That way the vehicles behind you can proceed forward without the accident blocking their path and creating traffic. Make sure you tell the other driver what you are doing and he or she does not thing you trying to flee the scene of the accident. Also, a lot of people believe that you must wait until the police arrive, but most of the time the first thing the officer will tell you when he arrives to the scene of the collision is to move your vehicles to the shoulder. If you have flares in the trunk of your car or a warning sign (usually a yellow or an orange triangle), use it.

After the vehicles are safely moved to the side of the road, call the 911 and report the accident to the police and wait for them to arrive. Often the 911 dispatcher will ask if there are any major injuries or if ambulance is needed. If there are no major injuries, and the ambulance is not needed the dispatcher will tell you to just exchange insurance information and be on your way.

If that happens, make sure you take all the necessary information from the other driver that is required to make an insurance claim. You will need the following:

  1. Vehicle Information – Year, make and model of the vehicle involved, and owner information, if the owner of the car is not the driver
  2. Individual Information – California driver’s license number, name, address, and phone number of the driver
  3. Insurance information – Insurance Company name, policy number.

However, if the accident is a major one or there is serious damage to the vehicles, the police officer will come out to expect the scene and to take statements of the individuals involved in the car crash, their passengers (if any), and witnesses.

Contact Stockton Auto Accident Lawyer at Sadiq Law Firm, P.C. today.

Make sure you know which government agency is taking the police report. It can be California Highway Patrol (CHP), local police, or local sheriff. Police reports are usually completed and ready to be picked up within 10 days. Some entities, like CHP, will have the first page of the police report ready the following day. The first page will include the names and contact information of parties and vehicles involved as well as the insurance information required to make an insurance claim. If you are wondering if there is a fee, the answer is Yes. A copy of the police reports will cost you $10.00, though if you are picking up a first page of the traffic collision report, it is free.

Next, document the damage to your vehicle. Take pictures of all the damage to your car. Take more picture than you need. The idea is, you would rather have those picture and not need them, then need them and not have them.

Also, if you are injured or have pain, get treated. This is one of the most important things you can do. The best thing is to go to the emergency room (ER) of the local hospital. ER doctors and medical staff will take xrays and examine you to make sure you do not have any life threatening injuries. This completes two objectives:

  • First, it gets you treated.
  • Second, it documents the fact that you are injured.

Insurance companies are not in the business of paying out money. Your friends and relatives that see you every day in pain will believe you when you tell them that you are injured and cannot work. The insurance companies will say that you did not see a doctor, and because you did not do that you are not injured.

After you are release from the ER, make an appointment with your primary care physician or a family doctor to follow up and continue with your treatment. ER rooms only treat serious injuries like fractures and internal bleeding. Family doctors or primary care physician are the ones that will do all the follow up and get you better. They will order physical therapy or occupational therapy if you need it. They will prescribe pain medications. They will refer you to specialists if you need it.

Finally, after you are home from the emergency room, contact auto accident attorney in Stockton at the Sadiq Law Firm for free consultation. Having an attorney represent you in a case eliminates the headache of dealing with insurance companies and increases your value in monetary recovery. Lawyers know what they are doing, they’ve done it before. As mentioned above, insurance companies are not in the business of paying out money. They will try to take advantage of you, and pay out as little as possible. Your auto accident attorney in Stockton at the Sadiq Law Firm will obtain everything you need to secure a settlement for your. Having a lawyer on your side guarantees the recovery that you deserve.

To summarize, let us review the things that you need to do after a car accident:

  1. Stay Calm
  2. Make sure everyone in your car is ok and not in need of emergency medical treatment
  3. Pull the car to the side of the road away from traffic
  4. Call 911 to report the car accident
  5. Get information from the other driver about their vehicle and insurance information and their contact information
  6. Document damage to the car
  7. Get medical treatment, and finally
  8. Call a personal injury lawyer.

These steps will make the experience of going through this part in your life a lot easier. You will be prepared for what you need to do next.

Speak With Auto Accident Attorney in Stockton at the Sadiq Law Firm

If you were injured in an accident due to the negligence of another, regardless of the nature of the underlying accident, it is important to contact an experienced auto accident attorney in Stockton to discuss your legal options. Sadiq Law Firm, P.C. has the resources and expertise to aggressively litigate your case in court, fighting to get you just compensation for your injury. Call (209) 943-0000 today for a free consultation regarding your personal injury case.

Stockton Car Accident Attorney

Most Common Types of Car Accidents in California

California, with its vast network of freeways and busy city streets, experiences a diverse range of car accidents. One of the most common types is rear-end collisions, often resulting from distracted driving or following too closely. T-bone accidents, occurring predominantly at intersections, are another frequent occurrence, usually due to drivers running red lights or failing to yield the right of way. Additionally, California sees a significant number of hit-and-run accidents, where a driver involved in a collision leaves the scene without providing assistance or identifying themselves. Single-vehicle accidents, involving collisions with road obstacles or rollovers, are also notable, often linked to high speeds or driver impairment. Lastly, multi-vehicle pile-ups, particularly on freeways, can result from a combination of factors like poor visibility, tailgating, and sudden braking, leading to chain-reaction crashes. These accident types reflect the complex challenges of driving in a densely populated and diverse state like California.

Rear-end Collisions

These are among the most common types of car accidents. They occur when a vehicle crashes into the one in front of it. Common causes include driver distraction (like texting), tailgating, panic stops, and reduced traction due to weather conditions. The impact can cause whiplash, airbag deployment, and significant vehicle damage, especially to the rear of the struck car. Injuries typically include whiplash (neck and back strain), head injuries, spinal injuries, and airbag-related injuries. Passengers might suffer from face and head injuries due to striking the dashboard or seat in front.

Side-impact Collisions (T-bone Accidents)

These accidents happen when the side of a vehicle is hit by the front or rear of another vehicle, forming a “T” shape. They often occur at intersections, parking lot exits, and when drivers fail to yield the right of way or run a red light. Side-impact collisions can be particularly dangerous due to the lesser amount of protection on the sides of vehicles compared to the front and rear. Injuries can be severe due to less structural protection. Common injuries include head trauma, neck and spine injuries, chest and abdominal injuries, and pelvic fractures. Passengers on the side of impact are particularly at risk.

Head-on Collisions

This type of accident is often severe and occurs when the front ends of two vehicles hit each other. Common causes include distracted driving, driving under the influence, fatigue, and swerving to avoid something on the road. The combined speed of both vehicles increases the force of impact, often resulting in significant injuries or fatalities. Injuries are often severe or fatal. Include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal injuries, broken bones, and severe lacerations. The risk of injuries is high due to the combined velocity of the two vehicles.

Single-car Accidents

These involve only one vehicle and can include a range of scenarios like hitting a tree, a pole, veering off the road, or colliding with debris. Causes can be varied, including driver distraction, poor weather conditions, animal crossings, or mechanical failures. These accidents can be particularly dangerous if the vehicle rolls over or if the driver is ejected from the vehicle. Depending on the nature of the accident, injuries can include head and brain injuries, neck injuries, broken bones, internal injuries, and lacerations. If the car rolls over, the risk of ejection and severe trauma increases.

Multi-vehicle Pile-ups

These are large-scale accidents involving multiple vehicles, often occurring on freeways or highways. Causes include poor visibility, slippery roads, and the domino effect of collisions in dense traffic. Pile-ups are chaotic and dangerous due to the number of vehicles and people involved and the potential for secondary collisions. Injuries can vary widely due to the complexity of these accidents. Common injuries include whiplash, broken bones, head injuries, internal injuries, and psychological trauma due to the chaotic nature of these accidents.

Sideswipe Collisions

These occur when the sides of two parallel vehicles touch and scrape. They commonly happen when drivers change lanes without checking blind spots or drift out of their lane. Sideswipe accidents can cause a driver to lose control, leading to more severe accidents, especially at high speeds. Injuries are often less severe, but can include soft tissue injuries, whiplash, and minor bruising. If the collision causes a car to lose control, more serious injuries can occur as a result of subsequent impacts.

Vehicle Rollovers

These types of accidents are particularly violent in nature. They can be caused by sharp turns at high speeds, collisions, or tripping over an object or curb. Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and taller cars are more susceptible to rollovers due to their higher center of gravity. Rollovers can lead to serious injuries due to the multiple impacts and potential for ejection from the vehicle. Injuries are among the most serious, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal injuries, and ejection from the vehicle leading to death or severe trauma.

Hit and Run Accidents

These occur when a driver hits another car, a pedestrian, or a stationary object and then leaves the scene without identifying themselves or assisting the injured. These accidents complicate legal and insurance processes and can leave victims feeling particularly vulnerable and frustrated. Injuries are similar to other accidents, but can be compounded by a delay in medical assistance due to the fleeing driver. Emotional and psychological trauma is also common.

Parking Lot Accidents

Typically occurring at low speeds, these accidents involve vehicles in parking lots and might include backing into another car, hitting a parked car, or colliding with pedestrians. While they often result in minor vehicle damage, they can still cause injuries, especially if a pedestrian is involved. Injuries are typically minor due to low speeds. May include soft tissue injuries, minor cuts, and bruises. Pedestrians involved in these accidents may suffer more severe injuries.

Accidents Involving Pedestrians or Cyclists

These accidents are especially dangerous for the pedestrians or cyclists involved due to their lack of protection compared to a vehicle. Causes include drivers not yielding the right of way, distracted driving, or pedestrians or cyclists entering the road unexpectedly. The injuries in such accidents can be severe or fatal due to the vulnerability of pedestrians and cyclists. Injuries are often serious or fatal for pedestrians/cyclists. Common injuries include head trauma, spinal injuries, broken bones, internal injuries, and severe lacerations.

Contact Stockton Car Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a car accident in Stockton, it’s crucial to understand that you have rights and options. Navigating the aftermath of an accident can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. An experienced Stockton car accident attorney can provide the support and guidance you need during this challenging time.We will help you understand your legal rights, deal with insurance companies, and fight for the compensation you deserve for your injuries, damages, and losses. Remember, time is of the essence in these cases, so don’t delay. Contact a Stockton caraAccident attorney today to ensure that your rights are protected and you receive the justice and compensation you rightfully deserve.

CALL OUR FIRM

(209) 943-0000