Car Accident Lawyer San Diego
We will fight for you
There are thousands of people hurt each and every day in auto accidents in California. Most if not all of those people injured in car crashes, would really benefit from the help of a top rated car accident lawyer in San Diego. All car accident lawyers give free consultations. If they don’t, consider contacting a different lawyer who does.
Have you been injured in an auto accident? If so, there are million questions potentially going through your mind. At Ray Padilla Law, APC, we know how difficult circumstances can be immediately after a car crash and how hard it is to get compensation that you deserve. That is why we always recommend teaming up with a car accident lawyer in San Diego, whether its us or someone else.
The questions our car accident attorneys most often hear from people following an auto accident are: Am I going to be alright? Will I be able to go back to work? How will I take care of my family? Who will pay for my medical bills from a car crash? All of these are very important questions which, unfortunately, don’t always have simple answers. The following will help answer the typical question of why you need a car accident lawyer? More frequently asked questions and answers regarding what to do after a car accident can be found at the bottom of the page.
People injured in car crashes may be entitled to monetary compensation for their lost wages, medical expenses, as well as for their pain and suffering. Attaining fair compensation more often than not, requires the help of an experienced car accident attorney to help you take on the insurance companies whose sole job will be to keep you from getting the compensation that you deserve.
Insurance companies exist to make money, not to pay money as compensation for injuries resulting from auto accidents. The following is an example of why having honest legal representation after a car crash is so important.
There was a nationwide class-action case were former Allstate employees testified that they were “trained to build rapport with customers and discourage them from hiring lawyers.” (Bartelme, Tony. STORM OF MONEY: Insider tells how some insurance companies rig the system.) Why would insurance companies try so hard to keep you from hiring a car accident lawyer after being injured in a car crash?
In an article written by Patrick Gunning titled if you love them, let them go, he explains that “insurance whistle blower Robert Dietz, adjusters at Farmers Insurance were ‘taught how to dissuade people from hiring a lawyer in the first place,’ ‘were evaluated annually for this talent,’ and ‘whenever adjusters allowed claimants to retain an attorney, they had to fill out a form to explain to supervisors how they let it happen.’” (Heckman, Candace; Low-ball offers nothing new in insurance industry.Seattle Post-Intelligencer. May 14, 2003.) The reality is that insurance companies are not there to help.
People can injure any and all parts of the body during car accidents – even those car accidents that may seem minor or that occur at low speeds (which insurance companies are notorious for denying coverage for or making low-ball offers for.) Injuries can include:
Soft tissue injuries are generally those injuries that occur to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. One example of a soft tissue injury is whiplash. Whiplash occurs when muscles and ligaments in the neck are stretched too far due to the sudden impact of a car accident. People can suffer from pain to their neck, head, and upper back for years following the accident.
Head injuries all too often result in some form of a concussion, traumatic brain injury, as well as skull fractures. Such injuries can often lead to serious life altering conditions for life. These tend to occur when people hit their heads on the steering wheel, window or dash boards.
Back Injuries come in all different types and severity. They can range from soft tissue injuries to severe spinal chord damage which can result in non-stop excruciating pain or even paralysis.
If you have suffered injuries as a result of a car accident caused by another driver, contact Ray Padilla Law, APC today to discuss your case with attorney Ray Padilla. Our office will work and fight to ensure that you receive compensation for your losses.
I was hit on the freeway by an uninsured motorist and decided to hire a lawyer to help navigate the complex maze of dealing with my own insurance company. Hiring Ray Padilla as my attorney was the best choice possible. He offered excellent education and guidance and his extensive legal expertise with his calm and supportive manner. Having a lawyer such as Ray Padilla represent my interests was my only avenue to receive a fair settlement. I was awarded the settlement I deserved only because I was represented by such an excellent attorney.
I had no idea where to begin after being rear ended. Ray was extremely helpful and full of knowledge. Ray always answered my phone calls or emails no matter the day or time. He helped and explained every step of the process. Even if he doesn’t handle certain cases, he gets your information and will assist in finding an attorney that will take your case. A wonderful, kindhearted, helpful man. Thank you for helping us!
Ray is an excellent lawyer with great attention to detail! His dedication to my case was evident in both the extent of work he performed and the end result he helped me achieve. He is clearly knowledgeable about the law but is also down to earth and easy to communicate with. I would absolutely recommend him to anyone with an injury case!
I was 5 minutes from my fire station when I got rear ended and was out of work for 5 months. Ray was such a big help in recovering my lost wages during that time period. He guided me through how to handle the case as well as give the best options for the best outcome. Great working with him.
Safety is most important
The most important consideration in any car accident should always be your safety and that of the other people involved. If it is safe to do so, make sure that everyone in your car and the other cars involved are safe. Be mindful of where your car ended up to make sure it is safe to get out of the car. Look around to see if there is any fuel or combustible fluids coming out of the car – if there is, get away from the vehicle to a safe distance. If emergency assistance is necessary, be sure to call 911 right away.
Call the Police
Assuming that emergency services haven’t already been called because of injuries, call the police. You would be surprised how often the person who was clearly at fault either denies being at fault or agrees to being at fault and later changes his or her story. Police reports will go along way to helping determine who was at fault. It has been our experience that lately, police officers are refusing to write police reports if there are no injuries. Politely request that they still do so even if the injuries sustained aren’t too severe.
Seek medical attention right away
Being involved in a car accident is a traumatic experience. People are scared, happy to be alive, wired with adrenaline and a hundred other emotions shortly after. Because of this, sometimes injuries go ignored or unnoticed. Furthermore, some injuries and symptoms don’t begin to develop until hours, days and sometimes weeks later. Insurance companies love learning that treatment wasn’t sought right away or that it was delayed days or weeks. They’ll use that to argue that no injuries occurred as a result of the car accident. Having the proper treatment and documentation of such treatment is extremely helpful in the fight for just compensation for your injuries.
Gather information
Get as much information as you can including names, addresses, contact information, plate number and insurance information of the other driver(s). As long as it is safe to do so, take photos of the damage to the vehicles, skid marks on the road (or lack thereof), and anything else that may look suspicious or related to the crash. Look for witnesses who may have seen the car accident and get their contact information and a short version of what they saw.
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not to be considered a substitute for advice from a qualified attorney. If you require legal assistance, we highly recommend you speak to a qualified attorney. By reading this post, you agree this information is for informational use only and agree to hold Ray Padilla Law, APC harmless for any losses or damages as a result of this information.