The Importance of Properly Investigating California Car Accidents
The first important factor in bringing a successful personal injury claim after a car accident is proving who, or what, was at fault in causing the accident. There can be many possible causes:
- Driver factors: Inattention or distraction on the part of the other driver (with cell phone use while driving becoming a significant problem), fatigue (especially with truck drivers who may be working long hours), drug use or drunk driving
- Car design or auto part defects: Poorly designed SUVs that roll over under certain driving conditions, or defective brakes, steering systems, or fuel injectors, or misplaced gas tanks causing unnecessary car fires after a collision
- Vehicle factors caused by negligence: Failing to properly secure a load in the back of a truck, overloading a truck causing brake failure
- Roadway conditions: Improper signage, construction equipment that obstructs a driver's view, overgrown vegetation obscuring a rail crossing
The Sacramento car accident attorneys at the Dolan Law Firm work with skilled and experienced investigators to get to the bottom of your car accident. We have helped thousands of people get financial results with personal injury claims after an accident. Let us help you.
Contact one of our three convenient offices in Oakland, San Francisco and Sacramento or call 415-421-2800 to schedule a free consultation.
What if the Injured Person was Partly at Fault?
California is a "pure comparative fault" state. What this means is that if an injured person is partially at fault for causing his own injuries, his damages are reduced by the percentage of his fault. For example, if you were speeding through an intersection and another car failed to stop and you hit that car and suffered injuries, you may be held partially responsible for the accident because of your excessive speed. Your financial recovery would be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you.
Who determines who was at fault and how much? Often an initial determination is made by police who arrive at the scene of the accident. But your attorney may dispute the percentage of fault. This can be a point of negotiation with the insurance company.
Contact Chris Dolan and the Sacramento car accident attorneys of the Dolan Law Firm. We have the experience and the resources needed to fully investigate your case. Evening and weekend appointments are available. Our Sacramento car accident attorneys will come to your home or the hospital if you are unable to come to one of our three offices in San Francisco, Oakland or Sacramento. Our work is contingency-based, and we collect no fees unless we recover damages for you.
Se Habla Español
