Madera Car Accident Attorney

Trusted Car Accident Lawyer: Seeking Justice for Victims

A car accident can upend your world in an instant. One minute you are on your way to a destination; the next, you are dealing with injuries, medical bills, missed work, and calls from insurance adjusters. If you were hurt in a traffic crash in Madera, having legal support can smooth the way to reach a fair settlement. Our skilled car accident lawyers can help you pursue the compensation you need to move forward. We provide compassionate, dedicated legal representation and deal with insurance companies so you can focus on healing.

What Are the Common Causes of Car Accidents?

California has one of the highest traffic crash rates in the country. The Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) reports 4,428 traffic fatalities statewide in 2022, of which 1,479 involved alcohol-impaired driving. Car accidents can occur for many reasons, many of which involve human error. The following are among the most common causes:

Distracted driving: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated that driver distraction claimed 3,275 lives in recent years. Texting is particularly alarming, as it involves manual, visual, and cognitive attention.
Speeding: Excessive speed is a major contributing factor in many serious car accidents. Speeding reduces the time a driver has to react, increases the distance needed to stop, and intensifies the impact of a collision.
Failure to obey traffic rules: Running red lights or stop signs, exceeding the speed limit, and failing to yield the right of way put others on the road at risk.
Impaired driving: Alcohol and drugs impair reaction time and judgment. DUI is a criminal offense for a reason.
Driver inexperience: Young or newly licensed drivers can make critical mistakes that lead to serious injuries.
Reckless driving: Aggressive driving is hazardous. Actions such as speeding
Fatigued driving: According to the National Safety Council (NSC), drowsy driving is as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. Fatigue can reduce a driver’s reaction time, awareness of hazards, and ability to pay attention.

Types of Car Accident Cases Our Firm Handles

We provide skilled legal representation in a wide range of automobile accident cases, including the following:

Rear-end collisions: These are among the most common automobile accidents. They often occur when drivers are distracted or following too closely. Even lower-impact rear-end collisions can cause whiplash and other soft tissue injuries.
T-bone accidents: These crashes often happen at intersections when a driver runs a red light or fails to yield. Injuries can be severe in side-impact collisions, particularly for occupants on the side of impact.
Side swipe accidents: Side swipes occur when both vehicles are travelling in the same direction and the right side of one collides with the left side of the other. Negligent lane changes can lead to this type of crash.
Head-on collisions: These accidents occur when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide, often due to impaired or drowsy driving. Head-on collisions are high-impact crashes that can cause catastrophic or fatal injuries.
Multi-vehicle pileups: Determining liability can be complicated when multiple vehicles are involved in a crash. Weather conditions, distracted driving, speeding, and aggressive driving are contributing factors to multi-car collisions.
Hit and run accidents: If the driver who caused your accident fled the scene, you still may be able to recover compensation through your uninsured motorist coverage.
Drunk driving accidents: It is a crime to get behind the wheel of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. If a drunk driver hit you, we may pursue damages above and beyond what is paid in other accident claims. We could seek punitive damages (additional compensation which is intended to punish a negligent driver).
Fatal car accidents: Some motor vehicle crashes are fatal. If you have lost a loved one in a tragic car accident caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness, we can help you seek justice and accountability in a wrongful death claim.

What Types of Injuries Do Car Accidents Cause?

Car accidents can cause a wide variety of injuries, ranging in severity from minor to fatal. While some crash victims may recover quickly, others are left with injuries that require long-term care. If injuries you sustained in a car accident have disrupted your ability to work or enjoy life, you deserve compensation that reflects the full extent of your suffering. The following injuries are common in car accidents:

Whiplash: Caused by a sudden whiplike motion of the neck during a collision, whiplash is an injury to the neck, common in rear-end collisions. In some cases, it can cause long-lasting neck pain and other complications.
Head and brain injuries: Skull fractures, concussion, and traumatic brain injuries are common in car accidents. They can happen when the skull collides with a side window, the steering wheel, or the dashboard, or when the brain moves inside the skull from the impact of a collision.
Bone fractures: Arms, legs, ribs, and collarbones can be broken in a crash, due to the force of the collision or impact with the vehicle’s interior.
Back injuries: Car accidents can cause back injuries ranging in severity from minor strains to severe spinal injuries. These injuries can lead to chronic pain and mobility issues.
Chest injuries: Seatbelt use and impact with the steering wheel are frequent causes of chest injuries in car accidents. They include bruised or cracked ribs and damage to internal organs.
Soft tissue injuries: A traffic crash can damage muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Sprains, strains, and contusions are common car accident injuries.
Emotional and psychological injuries: Car accidents can cause emotional and psychological injuries as well as physical. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common after a collision.

How Does Compensation Work for California Car Accidents?

California is an at-fault state for car accidents. The party that caused the accident is legally responsible for the damages.

Our state follows a pure comparative negligence rule. If you are partially at fault for the accident that caused your injuries, you may still recover compensation, but your recovery will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. For example, if you were awarded $150,000 in damages but assigned 10% of fault for a car accident, your compensation would be reduced by 10% to $135,000.

Car accident victims may seek economic and non-economic damages. The damages you are entitled to claim will depend on the specific circumstances of your case and the nature and severity of your injuries. The following are common damages in car accident cases:

Past and future medical expenses, including ER visits, surgeries, hospital bills, medications, ongoing treatment, rehab, and medical devices
Lost wages if your injuries have kept you from working
Loss of future earning capacity if you are unable to return to your previous job
Property damage to your vehicle or other personal property
Permanent disability of disfigurement
Pain and suffering, for both physical pain and emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life if your injuries limit your activities
Wrongful death damages if a tragic car accident has taken the life of a loved one

How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim?

The statute of limitations (time limit imposed by law) for car accidents in California is two years from the accident date. If you miss that deadline, your claim will be forever barred. If your claim involves a government entity (such as a collision with a city vehicle), different rules and shorter deadlines must be met. Your best action is to speak with an experienced car accident attorney immediately.

What Should You Do After a Car Accident in Madera?

No matter how diligently you drive, it is not always possible to avoid a car accident when other drivers are negligent. If you are involved in a crash, take the right steps to protect your health and strengthen your legal claim:

Call 911: Report the accident to the police and request emergency medical assistance if needed for anyone involved in the crash.
Seek medical attention: See a doctor as soon as possible, even if you do not believe your injuries are serious. Some injuries may not be apparent right away.
Exchange information: Get the name, contact information, and insurance details for the other driver.
Get witness information: If others on the scene witnessed the crash, get their names and contact information.
Document the scene: Take photos of the vehicles, the surrounding area, and any visible injuries you or your passengers sustained.
Do not admit fault: Limit your conversation and do not discuss who caused the crash.
Notify your insurance company of the accident.
Contact an experienced car accident attorney: The sooner you get legal representation, the sooner your attorney can begin preserving evidence, interviewing witnesses, and dealing with insurance companies on your behalf.

Why Do You Need a Car Accident Attorney?

Insurance companies are not on your side after a car crash. Their goal is to settle your claim for as little as possible. Without an experienced attorney, you may settle for a lowball offer that falls far short of covering your long-term expenses. We level the playing field and demand accountability from negligent drivers. Our Madera car accident lawyers are powerful advocates who can do the following for you:

Investigate your accident to determine fault and liability
Collect and preserve crucial evidence, including witness statements, camera footage, police reports, and medical records
Handle all communications with insurance companies
Negotiate skillfully for a fair settlement
Take your case to trial if necessary to recover the compensation you deserve

Why Choose Our Firm?

At Tomassian, Pimentel & Shapazian, we have a successful track record handling all types of car accident claims. Our Madera personal injury attorneys have more than 85 years of combined experience negotiating settlements and fighting for the rights of injury victims in court. We have recovered millions for our clients, and our record speaks for itself. If you have been hurt in a car accident that was someone else’s fault, contact us at (559)-545-0383.