Car accidents are fairly common in Mountain View, California. While some motor vehicle accidents result in minor annoyances and minimal property damage, others can be devastating and cause debilitating injuries and fatalities. People who are seriously injured in car accidents that were the fault of someone else may have legal rights to recover compensation to pay for their losses. Working with a car accident lawyer Mountain View at the San Jose Personal Injury Attorneys might increase your chances of prevailing on your claim. We have helped people to recover hundreds of thousands of dollars when they have suffered car accident injuries because of the actions of others.
Have you been injured in a car accident in Mountain View? Our experienced car accident lawyers are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. We have won millions for car accident victims. Call us 24/7 for a free consultation: (408) 217-1778
Causes Of Car Accidents
Car accidents can be caused by many different types of driver errors. All motorists have a duty of care to drive their vehicles with the same degree of caution and care that reasonable drivers would exercise under similar circumstances. When people fail to exercise proper care while they are driving, they can cause injury or fatality accidents. Some of the most common types of negligence that can cause car accidents include the following:
- Speeding
- Driving too fast for the conditions
- Reckless driving
- Changing lanes without signaling
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy or fatigued driving
- Following too closely
- Failing to notice that traffic has slowed ahead
- Running traffic control devices
- Aggressive driving or road rage
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Other negligent actions
Other factors may also cause accidents besides driver negligence. For example, a defective part can lead to accidents and injuries. Poorly maintained roads and road defects can also cause car accidents. An experienced car accident lawyer Mountain View can review the accident and police reports and the evidence to determine all of the causes that led to your accident.
Negligence In A Car Accident Claim
To recover damages in a car accident claim, a plaintiff will need to prove that the defendant or defendants were negligent and that their negligence directly or proximately caused the accident and resulting injuries. Proving negligence requires plaintiffs to prove each of the elements by a preponderance of the evidence. The elements of negligence include the following:
- The defendant owed a duty of reasonable care to the plaintiff.
- The defendant’s actions were a breach of the duty of reasonable care.
- The breach of the defendant’s duty of care was the direct or proximate cause of the car accident.
- The plaintiff was injured and suffered compensable harm because of the defendant’s conduct.
Each of these elements must be proven by a preponderance of the evidence, meaning that they were more likely than not happened in the way that the plaintiff claims. If a plaintiff proves only some of the elements by a preponderance of the evidence but fails to meet the burden of proof for the remaining elements, he or she will not be able to recover damages. An attorney can help to gather evidence to prove each of the elements of negligence to make it likelier that his or her client will recover damages.
Insurance And Liability Issues In A Car Accident Claim
In California, some drivers fail to carry insurance despite the mandatory insurance requirements. Others carry the minimum required liability insurance. People who are injured in accidents with uninsured or underinsured drivers may have trouble recovering adequate compensation for their losses. Carrying UM/UIM coverage can offer protection to people who are injured in car accidents with uninsured or underinsured drivers. In these types of cases, the victims can file claims with their insurance companies to recover compensation for their losses up to the policy limits of their UM/UIM policies.
Car accident lawyers might also identify other sources of recovery. For example, if an incompetent driver was driving a vehicle that was loaned to him or her by someone else, the person who negligently entrusted the vehicle to the incompetent driver may be liable. A lawyer might also investigate to identify other potential defendants, including the manufacturers of defective parts or entities that failed to repair the roads.
Insurance companies may try to dispute the liability of their insureds. A company might try to argue that you caused your accident and injuries. Some insurance companies might also try to talk people into agreeing to lowball offers or ask them to give recorded statements. As a general rule, it is never a good idea to accept an offer from an insurance company following an injury accident or to give a recorded statement without consulting with an experienced car accident lawyer.
Get Help From An Experienced Car Accident Lawyer In Mountain View
Suffering injuries in a car accident can leave you with substantial losses and devastating injuries. If your accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, you should contact the San Jose Personal Injury Attorneys to schedule a free consultation by calling us at (408) 217-1778