Personal Injury
According to the California Highway Patrol, there were a total of 184,994 injury collisions in California in 2007, resulting in 3,557 fatalities. In Fresno County alone there were 159 traffic fatalities in 2007, an increase from 2006's figure of 155 fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration. Combined, Madera and Tulare counties had a total of 144 traffic accident fatalities in 2007.
Automobile accidents are the result of a variety of causes including:
- Drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
- Inattentive drivers
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Automobile component defects
Types of Recovery
Most accidents involving automobiles, trucks, buses, and motorcycles are caused by negligence, a legal theory of liability where the defendant is alleged to have failed to use reasonable care to avoid foreseeable risks of harm. If the other driver's carelessness or negligence caused the accident, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim against the other driver or his insurance company to recover for the following expenses:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages from missing work
- Changes in one's earning capacity
- Property damages
- Pain and suffering
- Other costs resulting from the injury
Automobile Accident Insurance Information
California requires that all registered motor vehicles have minimum amounts of liability insurance coverage in the following amounts pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 16056:
- $15,000 for bodily injury or death of one person per accident
- $30,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more persons per accident
- $5,000 for damage to property per accident
California has a fault-based or tort liability system, which means that the party who is at-fault is responsible for paying for the expenses incurred from the auto accident, including medical expenses and property damage. This means that if the other party was responsible for causing the accident you may be able to recover for costs relating to the accident from the other driver or his insurance company. An experienced lawyer who handles personal injury cases, including wrongful death claims, can assist you in maximizing your recovery.
Other Accidents and Injuries
Although automobile accidents are the most common, there are other types of accidents that can cause serious injuries as well. Accidents involving bicycles, dog bites, product defects, slip and fall injuries, or pedestrian accidents can cause serious injuries, including fractures, traumatic brain injuries, burn injuries, and spinal cord injuries. Injuries may also be caused by an intentional act by another person - for more information, please see our premises liability page.
If you or someone you care about was injured in a serious accident or you lost a loved one in an accident due to the fault of another person, contact an experienced personal injury attorney at the Law Offices of Gerald Schwab, Jr. today for a free initial consultation.
