San Diego Car Accident Attorney
Car Accident Attorney in San Diego, California
Car accidents can transform your life in an instant, leaving you with injuries, mounting medical bills, and uncertainty about your future. When another driver’s negligence causes a collision in San Diego, you deserve compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial toll the crash has taken on your life.
Setareh Law represents car accident victims throughout San Diego and helps them pursue the maximum compensation available under California law. Our San Diego personal injury attorneys have recovered over $250 million for injured clients and bring 60 years of combined experience to every case we handle.
What Should You Do After a Car Accident in San Diego?
The actions you take immediately after a crash can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation. When possible, be sure to:
- Call 911 to report the accident and request medical attention
- Exchange information with all drivers involved, including names, contact details, insurance information, and vehicle details
- Document the accident scene by photographing vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, and any visible injuries
- Collect contact information from witnesses who saw the collision occur
- Seek medical treatment within 24 hours to establish a clear link between the accident and your injuries
No matter the situation, avoid discussing fault or apologizing at the scene. These statements can be used against you later, which can harm your claim.
How Do California Car Accident Claims Work?
California operates under an at-fault insurance system, meaning the driver responsible for causing the accident must pay for the resulting damages through their insurance policy. You can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to seek compensation for your losses. However, insurance companies often dispute liability.
When you partner with a car accident lawyer from Setareh Law, we handle all communications with insurance adjusters and build a compelling case proving the other driver’s negligence caused your accident. Our investigation includes gathering police reports, obtaining surveillance footage, and collecting medical records documenting your injuries.
Determining Liability in San Diego Car Accidents
Establishing fault requires proving the other driver breached their duty of care and directly caused your injuries. Common negligent behaviors that lead to car accidents include:
- Speeding or aggressive driving that prevents safe vehicle control
- Distracted driving involving phones, food, or other activities
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Failing to yield the right of way at intersections
Research shows that human error causes 94 percent of serious crashes. California law allows injured parties to recover compensation even if they share partial fault for an accident, though your recovery decreases by your percentage of responsibility.
What Damages Can You Recover After a San Diego Car Accident?
California law allows car accident victims to pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages include measurable financial losses like medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage.
Non-economic damages compensate for:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
Our San Diego car accident attorneys calculate your full damages by consulting with medical experts about future treatment needs, analyzing lost income, and documenting how your injuries affect your daily activities and relationships. In cases involving drunk driving or intentional misconduct, you may also recover punitive damages designed to punish egregious behavior.
Understanding California’s Statute of Limitations
You have two years from the accident date to file a car accident lawsuit in California. Missing this deadline typically bars you from recovering any compensation San Diego car accident lawyer sation, regardless of how strong your case may be. However, we recommend contacting a professional immediately after your accident rather than waiting.
Starting your case early allows us to preserve crucial evidence, interview witnesses while details remain fresh, and begin building your case before the insurance company establishes its narrative. We handle cases throughout San Diego, including Beverly Hills, and the surrounding areas.
Why Do Insurance Companies Deny Car Accident Claims?
Insurance adjusters work to minimize their company’s financial liability, not to ensure you receive fair compensation. They employ various tactics to reduce or deny your claim, including:
- Disputing fault by claiming you contributed to the accident
- Questioning injury severity by suggesting your injuries resulted from a pre-existing condition
- Offering quick settlements that fall far short of your actual damages
We protect you from these tactics by handling all communications with insurance companies. Our team reviews every settlement proposal against the full value of your damages and advises you on whether accepting or continuing negotiations better serves your interests.
When Should You Consider Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in San Diego?
Most car accident claims settle without going to court, but some cases require filing a lawsuit to secure fair compensation. We file lawsuits when insurance companies refuse reasonable settlement offers, dispute clear liability despite strong evidence, or fail to acknowledge the full extent of your injuries. Having a San Diego car accident attorney willing to take your case to trial often motivates insurance companies to offer fair settlements.
Contact Setareh Law for Your San Diego Car Accident Case
Car accidents cause devastating injuries that affect every aspect of your life, from your ability to work to your relationships with family and friends. You need an experienced car accident lawyer to manage California’s personal injury laws and hold negligent drivers accountable for their actions. We fight tirelessly to secure maximum compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and all other losses you have endured.
Our team serves clients throughout San Diego with dedicated advocacy backed by over 400 five-star Google reviews and a proven track record of results. We offer free consultations and provide Spanish-speaking services to our diverse community. Call us today at (213) 444-5572 or complete a contact form to schedule your free case evaluation.
