At Berg Injury Lawyers, we understand what you’re going through. You have questions about the value of your insurance claim and how long it will take to get a fair settlement, and we have answers.
A car accident lawyer from our firm can give you straight, simple answers about all aspects of your claim, including medical payments coverage, property damage, lost wages, and more. We can also help you find the care you need, so you can get your life back to the way it was before the crash.
Whether you need help getting money for medical bills and car repairs, or you need someone to step in and deal with the insurance company, we’re here to help get you back on your feet. We represent clients in Alameda, San Francisco, Sacramento, Fresno, Modesto, and across all of Northern California.
Get in touch with us by giving us a call or completing an online form today. Our consultations are free and confidential.
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What Are the Common Causes of Car Accidents?
Research suggests that human factors contribute to over 90% of crashes. A few of the most common factors that lead to car collisions include:
- Distracted Driving: This includes visual, manual, and cognitive distractions that take attention away from the road. Texting while driving is one of the most dangerous forms of distraction.
- Tailgating: Following too closely leaves insufficient space to stop safely if traffic slows suddenly.
- Speeding: Driving above the posted speed limit increases the risk of losing control and reduces reaction time.
- Impaired Driving: Alcohol, drugs, and certain medications can affect a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely.
- Aggressive Driving and Road Rage: Behaviors such as weaving between lanes, cutting off other drivers, and refusing to yield can quickly lead to collisions.
- Vehicle Defects: Mechanical failures, including brake issues, tire blowouts, or steering problems, can contribute to accidents.
- Fatigued Driving: Drivers who are tired or sleep-deprived may have slower reaction times and impaired judgment.
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Berg Wins 60x
Insurance Company’s Offer in Auto Accident Case
Berg Injury Lawyers obtained a recovery worth SIXTY TIMES the insurance company’s original settlement offer in an auto accident case.
Our client suffered a significant neck injury in a crash caused by another driver who made an illegal U-turn in front of him. He required two cervical fusions because the hardware used in the first procedure failed. Our client was offered a settlement by the insurance company prior to hiring Berg Injury Lawyers, which he did not accept. The representation by Berg Injury Lawyers helped him settle for 60x what he was offered prior to hiring our law firm.
Insurance companies are in the business of making money, not giving it away—which means they will offer you as little compensation as they think they can get away with, even when you have a rock-solid claim with the other party obviously at fault. When you hire a lawyer, you are protecting your rights and knowing your own value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Have a Claim?
After a car accident, you may be confused about whether you have a claim for compensation if fault is disputed. To be eligible to collect damages, your accident must meet two criteria:
- The accident was at least partially caused by another party’s negligence.
- The accident caused you or a family member to suffer severe physical injuries.
Our California car accident attorneys can answer any questions you have about what constitutes negligence and what it means for an injury to be “severe.” If your attorney determines that your accident meets both of these criteria, we will immediately begin building your claim.
If your claim involves damage to your vehicle in addition to your injuries, we will help you work on resolving your vehicle-related claim AT NO COST.
What Should I Do if I’m Involved in a Car Accident in California?
After a crash, your health and safety come first. Get medical attention immediately, even if you don’t feel seriously hurt, as some injuries take time to appear.
Next, write down what happened while it’s still fresh in your mind and collect contact information from any witnesses. Document the scene with photos or videos, showing vehicle damage, road conditions, and visible injuries.
Finally, contact an attorney as soon as possible. Insurance companies often pressure victims into accepting low settlements, but a lawyer from Berg Injury Lawyers can protect your rights and help you pursue full compensation.
When Should I Call a Car Accident Lawyer?
You should contact an attorney if your injuries cause pain, limit your ability to work, or impact your quality of life. A lawyer can handle communication with the insurance company, gather evidence, and file your claim while you focus on healing.
At Berg Injury Lawyers, our team has represented California accident victims since 1981. If you don’t need an attorney, we’ll tell you honestly. But if we can help, we’ll get started immediately with no upfront costs and no fees unless you get compensation.
What Compensation Can I Receive After a Car Accident?
Car accident victims may be entitled to several forms of compensation, including:
- Medical Expenses: Coverage for hospital bills, surgeries, medication, and long-term rehabilitation.
- Lost Wages: Reimbursement for income missed while recovering.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional trauma caused by your injuries.
Every case is unique, and the amount you can recover depends on the severity of your injuries and their long-term impact on your life.
What Should I Do if the Insurance Company Contacts Me?
Be cautious when speaking with insurance adjusters after an accident. Their goal is to minimize payouts, not to help you recover fairly. Avoid signing any documents or giving recorded statements until you’ve spoken with a lawyer.
A car accident attorney from Berg Injury Lawyers can handle all communication with insurers, ensuring your claim is valued accurately and that your rights are protected from the start.
What Are California’s Car Accident Laws?
California’s laws for handling car accidents and car accident claims include several key principles:
- Remain at the Scene: California law requires drivers to stay at the scene after a crash, especially if the accident involves injury, death, or significant property damage.
- Moving Vehicles After a Crash: California law allows drivers to move their vehicles after crashes, particularly in situations where the vehicles are causing a hazard or obstructing traffic.
- Comparative Negligence: California follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. If an injured party is partly at fault, their compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault. For instance, if you’re 30% at fault for a crash, you can only recover 70% of your damages.
- Minimum Insurance Requirements: California law requires drivers to carry a minimum of $15,000 in liability insurance coverage for injury/death to one person, $30,000 for injury/death to more than one person, and $5,000 for property damage.
- Reporting Requirements: In accidents where there is injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000, drivers must report the accident to the California DMV within 10 days using an SR-1 report.
These laws dictate how car accident claims are processed, the responsibilities of involved parties, and the legal framework for recovering damages in California.
What to Do When the Insurance Company Calls You
Once the insurance companies are notified of your accident, representatives from your insurer and the at-fault party’s insurer may contact you. Though you want to notify your insurance company of the crash as soon as possible, you DO NOT want to speak to a representative of the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
Innocent comments can be manipulated to make it look like the accident was your fault or that your injuries aren’t severe. They may also try to pressure you into quickly signing a settlement worth far less than you actually need.
It’s common for insurance adjusters to mislead victims about the money they may be eligible to receive, and that’s why having a lawyer on your side can help you understand exactly how much your claim is worth.
An experienced California auto accident attorney will take into account your current and future medical bills related to your injury, lost wages resulting from your injury, and other expenses, so you get a clear picture of the compensation you need to cover the true costs of your accident.
We know insurance companies’ tactics, so when they call, hang up and contact us instead. We’ll help you determine whether a settlement offer is fair, and we’ll talk to the insurance company for you.
If you have questions about your car accident, we have answers. Contact us today to get a free initial consultation.
Is It Worth Hiring a Lawyer for a Car Accident?
If you’re debating whether to hire an attorney after a car accident, you should at least speak to one and explore your options. With the right lawyer handling your case, you could get far more compensation than you would by accepting the first offer an insurance company makes.
When Should You Sue After a Car Accident?
You should take legal action after a car accident if an insurance company is denying the compensation you deserve. Remember, you have the right to refuse a settlement offer if it is not enough to cover all your accident-related expenses. Don’t allow the insurance company to mislead you into believing that rejecting an offer means losing all chances of getting compensation.
Filing a lawsuit is often a last resort for an injured person, but it’s a powerful way to demand the payment you need to cover medical bills, lost income, and any other damages you face.
What Is the Average Settlement for A Car Accident in California?
Settlements for car accident injuries can range from thousands to millions of dollars. When we take on a claim, we consider many factors to determine how much our clients should be paid. We not only factor in medical bills, property damage, lost income, and other costs, but we’ll also look at how much these costs may be in the years to come.
We use these numbers to determine a fair amount of compensation, and then demand appropriate payment from the insurance company.
Will You Need to Go to Court for A Car Accident Claim in California?
Most injury claims are settled before reaching the litigation stage, but experienced car accident attorneys know it’s always best to be prepared to go to trial, whether you end up needing to or not.
At Berg Injury Lawyers, we’ve built a reputation as tough negotiators. Insurance companies know that we are prepared to take cases as far as they need to go to get our clients the payment they deserve.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Auto Accidents?
While distracted driving and speeding are among the most common causes of crashes, others include:
- Poor Road Conditions:Potholes, uneven pavement, or missing signage can lead to loss of control and collisions.
- Defective Auto Parts:Faulty brakes, steering systems, or tires can fail suddenly, causing devastating accidents.
- Driving Under the Influence:Alcohol and drugs impair reaction time and judgment, leading to severe crashes.
If your accident was caused by another driver’s negligence or a defective vehicle, you may have a strong case for compensation.
Four Tips for Hiring the Best Car Accident Attorney for Your Case
You’ll find several attorneys in California who are more than happy to take your case, but they won’t all get you the same result. Consider these tips for hiring the best car accident lawyer for your case.
No matter what caused your auto accident, your injuries are your primary concern. As California car accident attorneys, some of the most common injuries our clients experience include:
- Brain Injuries: These can range from traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) to milder concussions, often caused by impact or sudden movement.
- Internal Injuries: Damage to internal organs such as the lungs, liver, spleen, or kidneys can lead to internal bleeding, long-term complications, and even death.
- Whiplash and Neck Injuries: Rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck can lead to long-term pain and mobility issues.
- Broken Bones: The force of a crash can result in fractures that may require surgery or extended recovery.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Injuries to the spine can lead to partial or complete paralysis, depending on severity.
- Back Injuries: Crashes can often result in herniated discs and chronic lower back pain.
- Cuts and Lacerations: These are often caused by broken glass, debris, or airbags.
- Burns: Serious crashes can result in burns from vehicle fires or even explosions when the fuel system is damaged.
- Psychological Trauma: Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common after serious accidents.
- Amputations: Severe physical trauma may require surgical removal of damaged limbs.
The injuries caused by vehicle crashes can be devastating and may result in temporary or permanent disability. Depending on the facts of your case, an attorney may pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Most Dangerous Roads in Northern California
Car accidents remain a serious concern across California. In 2023 alone, there were more than 4,000 traffic fatalities statewide, with impaired driving contributing to a significant portion of those deaths. While collisions can happen anywhere, certain roads in Northern California—especially in and around the San Francisco Bay Area—see higher crash rates due to traffic congestion, roadway design, and driving conditions.
Interstate 80 (I-80)
Interstate 80 is one of the busiest corridors in Northern California, connecting San Francisco to the East Bay and beyond. Heavy commuter traffic, frequent congestion, and sudden slowdowns increase the risk of rear-end and multi-vehicle collisions.
U.S. Highway 101
Highway 101 runs through major population centers, including San Francisco and Silicon Valley. Its mix of high-speed travel, dense traffic, and frequent merging creates conditions where accidents are more likely, especially during peak commute hours.
Interstate 880 (I-880)
Interstate 880 carries a high volume of daily traffic and commercial vehicles. Congestion, frequent lane changes, and the presence of large trucks can increase the likelihood and severity of collisions.
California State Route 1 (Highway 1)
Highway 1 offers scenic coastal views but also presents unique driving hazards. Narrow lanes, sharp curves, steep drop-offs, and frequently changing weather conditions can make this roadway especially dangerous.
Interstate 5 (I-5)
As a major north-south route through California, Interstate 5 sees a significant amount of long-distance and commercial traffic. High speeds, driver fatigue, and extended travel distances can contribute to serious accidents.
Types of Accidents in California
Car accidents can take many forms, and the type of collision often plays a role in determining fault, the severity of injuries, and how a claim is handled. Some of the most common types of accidents in California include:
- Rear-End Collisions: Often caused by tailgating or sudden stops in heavy traffic
- T-Bone Accidents: Common at intersections when a driver fails to yield or obey traffic signals
- Head-On Collisions: Among the most dangerous types of crashes, often resulting in severe or fatal injuries
- Multi-Vehicle Accidents: Frequently occur on highways and may involve chain-reaction pile-ups that complicate liability
- Rollover Accidents: Typically caused by high speeds, sharp turns, or collisions involving larger vehicles
- Sideswipe Accidents: Often happen when drivers fail to check blind spots or improperly change lanes
- Hit-and-Run Accidents: Occur when a driver leaves the scene without providing information or assistance
9 Steps to Take After a Car Accident in California
The steps you take right after a wreck can make a big difference in protecting your health, your safety, and your ability to pursue compensation. Knowing what to do can help you stay focused and avoid common mistakes that could impact your claim.
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if you do not feel injured.
- Call law enforcement to report the accident and request an official police report.
- Move to a safe location if possible and turn on your hazard lights.
- Exchange contact and insurance information with all parties involved.
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries.
- Gather contact information from any witnesses.
- Avoid admitting fault or discussing the details of the accident at the scene.
- Notify your insurance company about the accident.
- Contact an experienced California car accident lawyer to understand your legal options.
Taking these steps can help preserve important evidence and protect your rights as you move forward. Once your immediate safety and medical needs are addressed, speaking with an experienced lawyer can help you better understand your options and next steps.
Contact Us for A Free Initial Consultation
Berg Injury Lawyers has been helping car accident victims throughout Northern California since 1981. And thanks to our No Fee Guarantee®, if you don’t win, you pay nothing.
If you’re the victim of a car accident, don’t try to take on the insurance company alone. You have rights that protect your best interests, and you may be entitled to more money than the insurance company wants to admit. But you may not know unless you contact Berg Injury Lawyers.
Don’t let an insurance company decide what your claim is worth. Get a free initial consultation from Berg Injury Lawyers today.
