San Bernardino Car Accident Lawyer

Trusted San Bernardino Car Accident Attorney

No one starts their day expecting to be injured in a car collision. Whether the crash happens in Perris Hills, East Valley, or another neighborhood in San Bernardino, you can face immediate and ongoing hardships. When you work with a trusted San Bernardino car accident lawyer, you gain support from an advocate who can guide you through the injury claims process so you are fully and fairly compensated for the harm you endured.

Trusted and Compassionate Personal Injury Lawyers Serving San Bernardino

When injured drivers and passengers need reliable legal support after a car collision, they know to trust Corrales Law Group. Our dedicated team of advocates has represented underserved and underrepresented members of our community since 2012. Our clients receive returned calls within 24 business hours because we understand the importance of clear and open communication with the people we represent.

Every member of our office is fluent in both English and Spanish and can translate documents related to your case. As your San Bernardino Personal Injury Lawyer, we are committed to providing informed legal representation. To stay current on the latest developments in personal injury law, our lead attorneys continually attend conferences and seminars.

To date, we have secured more than $70 million for our clients through focused negotiations and strategic litigation. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.* Trust our team to provide you with the focused support your case deserves.

Understanding Car Collisions in San Bernardino

The city of San Bernardino sees heavy traffic on any given day. Busy highways like Interstate 10, Interstate 15, and State Route 210 provide routes for commuters and commercial trucking. Tragically, the city saw 1,475 people injured or killed in 2023, and 167 of those cases involved alcohol. San Bernardino sees the same causes of car collisions as other cities. In 2024, 315,167 people were injured due to distracted driving.

Speeding is another potential cause of vehicle collisions. In 2023, 32% of fatal collisions involved at least one driver speeding, and high velocities can also contribute to the severity of a crash. Other common causes of vehicle crashes include driver fatigue, tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and drunk driving.

A collision can lead to urgent transportation to Dignity Health – St Bernardine Medical Center, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, or elsewhere in the area. Common injuries from a car collision include cuts, head trauma, neck or spine injuries, broken bones, and whiplash. Recovering from a car crash can lead to unexpected financial hardships and other serious challenges.

Establishing Fault After a Crash

Before an injured driver or passenger can pursue compensation, they will need to establish fault. Multiple parties may have an interest in finding out who caused the collision. The insurance companies tied to the parties in a collision may look into the cause of a crash, and law enforcement may also release their own report that could include details about what led to the collision.

Common forms of evidence that can support an injury claim include photos of the scene of the collision, dashcam footage, video from a nearby surveillance camera, witness testimony, and your own account of events. California law allows multiple parties to share liability. Anyone who contributes to a collision would have their compensation reduced by their percentage of fault.

How Can I Be Compensated for a Car Crash Injury?

You can be compensated for a car crash injury when you work with an attorney who understands the injury claims process and how to hold negligent drivers accountable for the harm they cause. A fair settlement can reflect the tangible and intangible harm you endured. An injury claim typically divides compensation into two categories: economic and non-economic.

Economic damages reflect losses from reduced earning capacity, out-of-pocket expenses, and other financial setbacks. Intangible losses from pain and suffering are reflected through non-economic damages that are calculated using special formulas.

A straightforward claim could be resolved through negotiations with an insurance carrier. Complex claims could involve a court filing. Either process can lead to a settlement that resolves the case, and some cases may ultimately go to trial where a judge or jury decides which party is liable and what compensation is appropriate.

Challenges You Could Face Without Legal Representation

Pursuing compensation without strong legal support can lead to unfavorable outcomes. The at-fault party could falsely blame you for causing or contributing to the collision. Their insurance carrier could say that your injury is related to an old injury.

If you are offered a settlement, it could fail to reflect the harm you endured. Claimants often face challenges gathering the right evidence and documentation to build a strong claim. Damages can cover tangible and intangible harm, and failing to document those losses could lead to a settlement that doesn’t reflect the harm you endured.

Insurance companies are in the business of making profits, and any steps they take to diminish your claim can help their bottom line. When someone is dealing with serious bodily harm, pursuing compensation can become a burdensome or even overwhelming ordeal.

Why You Should Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in San Bernardino, CA

If you were injured in a car collision, your top priority should be to hire a car accident lawyer who understands the state’s car accident laws and how to properly manage your car accident case. An experienced San Bernardino car accident attorney can explain California’s car accident laws and your options for pursuing compensation.

An experienced injury lawyer can:

• Assess the harm you suffered, both physically and emotionally
• Gather evidence to support your claim
• Initiate talks with the at-fault party’s insurance carrier
• Negotiate a fair settlement
• Address challenges as they arise
• Take a claim to court when necessary

Injury lawyers bring years of experience managing complex claims, and their support can streamline the claims process and greatly improve the chances that you receive the full financial recovery that you are owed. Lawyers are adept negotiators and skilled litigators focused on your rights and interests.

FAQs About San Bernardino, CA Car Accident Laws

How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost in California?

The cost of a car accident lawyer depends on the time and resources they put into your case. Most injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. Under that approach, clients do not pay until a settlement or favorable court verdict is reached. Then, the attorney receives a percentage of that compensation. Since lawyers share your interests in securing a high settlement, their support can increase the amount of compensation that you receive.

Is It Worth Hiring a Lawyer After a Car Accident?

It is worth hiring a car accident lawyer after a personal injury lawyer. Without legal representation, you could fail to secure the compensation that you are owed. Lawyers play an active role in guiding injury claims. They can gather evidence, initiate negotiations, and pursue full and fair compensation while you focus on recovering and resting. Legal support can make a difficult ordeal much more manageable.

Should I File an Insurance Claim or Contact a Lawyer First?

It is generally advisable to contact an attorney first. If you try to file an insurance claim, you may find that your claim could lead to unfavorable outcomes. The insurance adjuster could deny your claim, downplay your injury, or offer a lowball settlement. When you contact an attorney, you protect your eligibility to pursue damages for the tangible and intangible losses you incurred.

What Should I Avoid Saying to an Insurance Adjuster?

If you are involved in a collision, you should avoid speculating about fault. Anything you say could potentially be misinterpreted or used against you to diminish the value of your claim. After a collision, you should notify your insurance carrier about the collision while avoiding saying anything about fault. Without all of the facts, you may not fully understand the cause of the crash. Working with an attorney allows you to have an informed spokesperson.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in California?

The statute of limitations in California is generally two years from the date of the collision. Missing this deadline could mean that you are no longer able to use the court system to pursue compensation. To avoid missing this deadline, you can work with a lawyer to pursue compensation soon after the collision. Early action can help you gather the evidence you need to build a claim that leads to fair compensation.

Contact Corrales Law Group Today for Trusted Legal Support

If you were injured in a car collision, you may be eligible to pursue compensation with the help of Corrales Law Group. Our dedicated injury lawyers can represent you throughout your claim so you stand the strongest chance of securing the compensation you are owed. Our firm has broadly served injured victims for more than two decades.

When you are represented by our law firm, we connect you directly with one of our lead attorneys. By taking the time to learn about your injury and setbacks, we can calculate the full value of the settlement you are owed. We manage complex liability claims and are willing to take cases to court when necessary. Take the first step by contacting our office today to schedule your initial consultation.