San Bernardino Car Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, the odds are high that someone else caused or contributed to it. If another person’s negligence or recklessness led to your injuries, you could be eligible for compensation.
Bentley & More LLP has years of experience handling car accident claims throughout California. And even though San Bernardino County has reported an uptick in accidents, we can help secure compensation from the at-fault party after a collision on a state highway, freeway, neighborhood road, or privately owned parking lot.
Contact our San Bernardino car accident lawyer if you or a loved one sustained injuries in a car accident in San Bernardino or elsewhere in the Inland Empire. Our personal injury law firm has the experience and resources to help you win your case.
To get the advice and representation you need to be successful in your car accident claim, call (949) 870-8300. You may be entitled to compensation for your accident damages and injuries.
Key Takeaways About San Bernardino Car Accident Claims
- Individuals injured in a car crash in San Bernardino may be able to seek compensation from the at-fault party.
- California operates under a fault insurance system, and the state’s comparative negligence rule can affect the amount of damages recovered.
- There are specific deadlines, known as the statute of limitations, for filing a car accident lawsuit in California.
- Damages that may be recovered can include medical costs, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering.
- Determining liability involves examining evidence like police reports, witness statements, and any violations of the California Vehicle Code.
Why Choose Bentley & More LLC for Your San Bernardino Car Accident Case
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in San Bernardino and need help getting the compensation you deserve, you can rely on our team of experienced personal injury attorneys. We understand how overwhelming it can be to deal with the aftermath of an accident, especially when you’re facing medical bills and lost income.
- At our law firm, we have a dedicated team of lawyers who are ready to fight for your rights. We have access to a wide range of resources, including expert witnesses and medical professionals, we use to evaluate your injuries and losses. Our attorneys have decades of experience representing personal injury clients in San Bernardino and throughout Southern California.
- We’re committed to helping you get the best possible outcome for your case. While we always strive to resolve conflicts out of court, we’re not afraid to take your case to trial if necessary.
- Our lawyers handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis; you won’t have to worry about paying any upfront or out-of-pocket costs. We only collect legal fees after we secure the compensation you deserve.
If you need a trusted and experienced car accident lawyer in San Bernardino, don’t hesitate to contact us today. We’re here to help you get the justice you deserve.
Damages You Can Recover in a San Bernardino Car Accident
If you’ve suffered serious losses after a car accident, don’t despair; you may be eligible to seek compensation for your losses through a personal injury lawsuit. An experienced car accident attorney can help you fight to recover:
- Hospital bills
- Lost income
- Property damage related to the collision
- Pain and suffering damages
- Emotional trauma
- Rehabilitation/therapy expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Any other expenses allowed by the State of California
If you’ve been injured in a car crash, let our experienced team handle your accident claim and fight for full and fair compensation.
Laws that Impact Car Accident Claims in California
Understanding the laws that govern car accident claims is a key step in protecting your rights. California has specific rules that determine who pays for damages and how long you have to file a claim.
California’s At-Fault Insurance System
California is an at-fault state for auto insurance purposes. This means that the person or party who is legally responsible for causing the collision is also responsible for paying for the resulting damages.
- Injured parties typically file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
- The insurance company investigates the crash to determine who was at fault.
- Compensation is then paid out by the responsible party’s policy.
This system differs from no-fault states, where you would first turn to your own insurance policy for coverage, regardless of who caused the accident.
California’s Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Lawsuits
A statute of limitations is a legal term for the deadline to file a lawsuit. In California, if you are injured in a car accident, you have a limited window of time to take legal action. According to the California Code, you generally have:
- Two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit.
- Three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for property damage only.
Missing this critical deadline usually means you lose your right to seek compensation through the court system, making it vital to act promptly.
California’s Comparative Negligence Rule
Sometimes, more than one person shares responsibility for an accident. California addresses this with a pure comparative negligence rule. This principle means that you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the crash. However, the amount of compensation you can receive will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if a court determines you were 20% responsible for the collision and your total damages are $100,000, your final award would be reduced by 20%, leaving you with $80,000.
This rule ensures that financial responsibility is assigned in proportion to each party’s level of fault in causing the incident.
Understanding Liability in San Bernardino Car Accidents
Under California’s tort liability system, victims of car crashes may file claims against at-fault drivers and collect compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses associated with the crash. Determining liability in a car accident requires an investigation and examination of the circumstances surrounding the accident. A police officer or insurance company may determine fault in a car accident based on several factors, including:
- Violation of California law. The California Vehicle Code outlines several rules that all motorists must follow to ensure the safety of others. Examples of these rules include speed limits, yielding to the right of way, distracted driving, and driving under the influence. If another driver violates any of the statutes listed in the California Vehicle Code, he or she may be civilly or criminally liable for any damages that result, depending on the severity of the offense.
- Forensic evidence. Your insurance company or a police officer may look at several pieces of evidence, including skid marks, to determine what happened in a car accident. Using this information, an insurance company may assign fault and determine liability in a crash.
- Eyewitness accounts. Additionally, police officers will speak to the eyewitnesses of a crash and determine who was responsible for the damage.
In some serious injury cases, one or several motorists may share fault for an accident. For example, a driver may get into an accident with a texting driver, but he or she may have neglected to yield. In this case, both drivers will likely share liability for the damage, though one might bear more fault than the other.
Types of Injuries in Motor Vehicle Accidents
Bentley & More LLP has handled a wide spectrum of personal injury claims in our years of service. Auto accidents are especially dangerous, causing serious injuries that range from cuts and scrapes to brain and spinal cord injuries and brain injuries. Common car accident injuries our clients come to us with include:
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Burns
- Internal injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Road rash
- Emotional losses
Each of these injuries can result in significant medical expenses and long-term challenges. A successful legal claim helps ensure you have the financial support necessary for your complete recovery.
Wrongful Death in San Bernardino Car Accident Cases
When a car accident victim sustains fatal injuries, grieving families are often left wondering how to pick up the pieces and manage the expenses and legal burdens associated with the loss. Surviving family members and spouses may be able to file a wrongful death claim for compensation that can help them through this difficult time.
Our lawyers are competent at handling wrongful death lawsuits in San Bernardino and will compassionately help you and your loved ones navigate this process to achieve the best positive outcome.
Why Do You Need a Lawyer for Your San Bernardino Car Accident Lawsuit?
A San Bernardino car accident lawyer can remove the enormous burden of legal matters from your shoulders after a harmful car accident. Your attorney can help you navigate your car accident claim while ensuring that you are empowered and aware of your rights and responsibilities.
He or she can also make sure you bring your accident injury claim to the right courts against the right party. Most importantly, a lawyer can protect your family’s future by fighting for the compensation you deserve.
Help For Car Accident Victims Without Any Up-Front Costs
There is no doubt that legal battles, including personal injury lawsuits, can become expensive. At Bentley & More LLP, we understand this and work our hardest to keep your out-of-pocket expenses to a minimum.
- To see this mission through, we offer clients a free initial consultation with one of our award-winning lawyers. During your consultation, a member of our team will sit down with you and discuss the details of your auto accident and determine whether or not you have a case. We will also answer any questions you may have about the laws in your case or the legal process.
- In addition to a free consultation, our firm operates on a contingency fee basis—we don’t charge attorney’s fees unless we win your case. Our lawyers will not be paid until you do, and we are committed to our team’s ability to secure full and fair compensation.
- Finally, we employ our entire staff to work on your car accident injury case—this allows us to work more efficiently.
This financial structure is designed to remove monetary concerns from the legal process. We are committed to making dedicated legal advocacy accessible, allowing you to focus completely on your health and recovery.
Client Testimonial
With full confidence I can say that Bentley & More is a great firm with amazing lawyers. In my own experience with them, they truly care about clients and work very hard to obtain a favorable result for each client! Great lawyers with great results, highly recommended! – Paymon Khatibi ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Read more of our Google reviews.
San Bernardino, CA Car Accident FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions we receive about car accident claims in San Bernardino.
What if the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough insurance?
If the driver who caused the accident is uninsured or does not have enough insurance to cover your losses, you may still have options. Your own auto insurance policy might include Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This part of your policy is designed to cover your medical bills and other damages in this exact situation.
Reviewing your policy is the first step, as this coverage is optional in California but highly recommended by the California Department of Insurance.
What kind of evidence is most important for my car accident claim?
While your attorney will lead a thorough investigation, certain pieces of information you gather can be very helpful for your case. The strength of a claim often depends on the quality of the evidence presented.
- The official police or traffic collision report
- Photographs and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and your injuries
- Contact information for any witnesses
- All medical records, bills, and documentation related to your injuries
- Proof of lost wages from your employer
Keeping these documents organized can provide crucial support for your claim.
Will I have to go to court for my car accident case?
Many personal injury claims are resolved through negotiations with the insurance company, resulting in a settlement without ever going to court. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement that covers the full extent of your damages, a lawsuit may be necessary.
Work with a law firm that has a strong record of success in the courtroom and is prepared to take your case to trial if that is the best path to achieving justice.
How are non-economic damages like pain and suffering determined?
Unlike economic damages such as medical bills, which have a clear dollar amount, non-economic damages like pain and suffering are more subjective. There is no simple calculator.
Instead, several factors will determine a fair amount, including the severity of your injuries, the long-term impact on your daily life, the length of your recovery period, and the emotional distress the incident caused.
An experienced attorney can help demonstrate the full impact the accident has had on your quality of life.
What is the time limit for filing a car accident lawsuit in California?
You must file a personal injury lawsuit within two years from the date of the injury in most cases, and you must file a property damage lawsuit within three years from the date of the accident. This legal deadline is the statute of limitations. You must act promptly because missing this deadline prevents you from seeking compensation in court.
Contact Our San Bernardino Car Accident Lawyers Today
Greg Bentley, San Bernardino Car Accident Lawyer
After a serious car crash near the I-10 corridor or anywhere in the Inland Empire, your focus should be on your physical and emotional recovery. Allowing a dedicated legal team to handle the complexities of your claim can provide you with the peace of mind to heal. The attorneys at Bentley & More LLP are ready to advocate for you.
We are proud to serve our community by:
- Applying decades of trial experience to cases involving catastrophic and life-altering injuries.
- Committing to telling your unique story to pursue a result that makes a real difference.
- Handling complex, difficult, or expensive cases, which is why we are a trusted referral partner for other attorneys across California.
Our client-focused approach is designed to secure the resources you need to move forward.
The first step is a simple conversation about what happened. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and explain your legal options. Because we work on a contingency fee basis, you pay no fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you. Contact a San Bernardino personal injury lawyer at Bentley & More LLP today at (949) 870-3800 or through our online form to let us help tell your story.
Bentley & More, LLP – Office Location
4931 Birch Street
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Ph: (949) 870-3800