San Diego Car Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, contact Mission Personal Injury Lawyers at (619) 777-5555. You may be entitled to compensation, and our experienced San Diego car accident lawyers can help you maximize your financial recovery.

Money won’t guarantee that life gets back to normal, but it can make a world of difference while you try to get back on your feet.

Contact our law office to discuss your legal options. Your consultation with our team is free. We’re always available to take your call – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

How a San Diego Car Accident Lawyer at Mission Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Car Accident

If you want to recover compensation – and maximize your settlement or award – it’s smart to have an experienced San Diego personal injury lawyer fighting for you. Getting the money you deserve after an accident isn’t as easy as it should be. Other parties will try to blame you for the crash. Insurance companies will be diligent in searching for a reason to deny or devalue your claim.

Our law firm has a 99% success rate for the cases we handle. Since 2010, we’ve recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for accident victims just like you. We’re a family-run law firm with 43 years of combined experience.

We know how much is at stake, and we’re ready to fight for you by:

• Carefully investigate the circumstances that led to and surrounded your traffic accident
• Consulting with leading specialists in Southern California as we strategize, build, and value your case
• Step in to protect you if insurance companies try to pressure you into accepting a lowball settlement offer
• Limiting the effectiveness of any arguments that you share responsibility for the accident
• Negotiating with adjusters so that you receive offers that reflect the full value of your injuries, and
• Having our accomplished trial attorneys represent you in court if settlement negotiations don’t pan out.

If you were injured or a family member was killed in an accident, give our law office a call to learn more. Our car accident attorneys are ready to help you get the best possible outcome after your unexpected incident.

How Common Are Car Accidents in San Diego?

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, San Diego has more reported motor vehicle accidents than most other cities in the Golden State. The City of San Diego typically accounts for more than a quarter of all crashes in San Diego County.

Last year, more than 35 people died in DUI accidents, making 2021 the year with the most deaths for driving under the influence in San Diego County.

And according to data published by the San Diego Police Department, there were 8,055 traffic accidents in the city of San Diego in 2020. That’s 22 car accidents a day during the height of the Coronavirus pandemic.

As a result of those wrecks, at least 4,288 people were injured and another 59 lost their lives.

Have car accidents increased in 2021? Totally. Between January 2021 and early October 2021, there have been more than 6,700 automobile wrecks in San Diego. You can read more about the motor vehicle accident statistics here.

Fatal Car Accidents in San Diego, CA

From 2016 to 2019 people in San Diego witnessed over 340 fatal car accidents.

What Are the Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections in San Diego County?

Based on data from the state, these are the intersections that are considered the most dangerous roads and intersections because of their high number of collisions:

• Clairemont Mesa Blvd & Convoy St (6)
• Convoy St & Engineer Rd (5)
• 10th Ave & E St (4)
• 11th St & A St (3)
• 15th St & F St (3)
• 15 St & Market St (3)
• 16th St & Commercial St (3)
• 16th St & Logan Ave (3)
• 30th St & University Ave (3)
• 36th St & El Cajon Blvd (3)

Other notoriously high-risk stretches of road in San Diego include University Ave and 1st Ave, Market St and 6th Ave, Interstate 5, and Interstate 8.

What’s My San Diego Car Accident Case Worth?

It really depends on how serious your injuries are. According to the National Safety Council, the average comprehensive cost of a car accident in 2019 ranged anywhere from $155,000 (possible injury) to $11,148,000 (fatal injury).

The more serious your injuries, the higher the value a related injury case will probably be.

Of course, there are a lot of aspects that can influence what your case is worth, including:

• Whether your injury interferes with your ability to work – temporarily or permanently
• How the accident and resulting injury affect you emotionally, and
• The extent to which your property is damaged in the wreck.

You can increase the odds that you get a full financial recovery by having an experienced attorney to represent you.

What Compensation Is Available If I’m Hurt in a Car Accident in San Diego, CA?

In California, motor-vehicle accident victims are typically entitled to seek compensatory damages.

Compensatory damages fall into one of two categories: economic and non-economic.

In limited instances, punitive damages might be available, too.

Economic Damages:

Economic damages are paid to make you financially whole again after an unexpected accident. In other words, the money you’re awarded is intended to compensate for the verifiable financial costs, losses, and expenses that result from a crash.

Examples include:

• Present and future medical bills
• Rehabilitation and therapy
• Lost wages and income
• Disability
• Funeral, burial, and/or cremation expenses if an accident is fatal

This type is objective – meaning that there’s a way to establish what they’re worth and the amount you will receive. However, since damages can account for future losses, it is still important to have an attorney help you navigate the valuation process.

Non-Economic Damages:

Not every consequence of an accident will have a set financial value. Non-economic damages are intended to compensate for these hard-to-value injuries.

Examples include:

• Emotional distress
• Mental anguish
• PTSD
• Depression
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Chronic pain
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium

This type is almost always subject to disagreement. Insurance companies will try to play down the pain and suffering you’ve experienced. You should have a group of experts in your corner including medical professionals, vocational specialists, and other experts supporting your claims that you’ve suffered. Taking the time to really document and verify your injuries will help you maximize your recovery.

Punitive Damages:

Punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant – the person responsible for your injuries – for what they’ve done.

However, these awards are limited for situations where punishment is really warranted. California requires clear and convincing evidence of malice. In the context of car accident cases, punitive damages most often apply when a driver was drunk or knowingly left the scene of an accident after causing serious injuries or death.

What Causes Most Car Accidents in San Diego?

Negligence is the leading cause of accidents. Negligence means that someone had a responsibility to act in a particular way, but failed to do so. And, in consequence, someone else got harmed. Some examples are:

Head-On Crashes

Head-on crashes are some of the most jarring and can also be some of the most damaging. Holding those responsible is important, as is receiving the compensation you deserve after an accident. Contact a San Diego car accident lawyer at Mission Personal Injury Lawyers to assist with your case.

Hit-and-Run Collisions

Hit-and-run collisions are scary. You might be wondering if it is even possible to hold the responsible party accountable. Fortunately, our attorneys know what to do. Give our lawyers a call; we’ll fill you in on how we can help.

Rear-End Accidents

Rear-end accidents in San Diego can vary widely, from a minor fender-bender to a full-on collision. If you or a loved one were recently involved in a rear-end accident and are looking to hold the at-fault party responsible, look no further than Mission Personal Injury Lawyers. We offer a free consultation and are ready to get to work for you.

Road Rage

If you were involved in a car accident caused by someone else’s road rage, you need an experienced attorney in your corner. Don’t let the at-fault party get away with road rage; instead, make sure you are fairly compensated for your injuries.

Rideshare Accident

Whether it’s Uber, Lyft, or another service, you might have a case for compensation after an accident involving a rideshare automobile. These cases can be complicated, but our car accident lawyers know how to handle them.

Speeding

Speeding is one of the most common causes of car accidents. If you or someone close to you was injured in a speeding accident, you might have a case to hold the other driver responsible. Contact our San Diego speeding accidents lawyers today, and we can go over your options.

Distracted driving

It’s too easy to become distracted while driving nowadays, which leads to many unnecessary accidents. These accidents can have serious consequences, and it’s crucial to hold those responsible for them accountable. Our lawyers have decades of experience handling complicated cases. We’re ready to get started on your case today.

Drunk driving

Drunk driving accidents should not be tolerated. If you’ve been injured in an accident involving a drunk driver, contact Mission Personal Injury Lawyers. We know how to pursue these cases for maximum compensation, and we want to do everything we can to protect your rights after an accident.

Fatigued driving

Getting behind the wheel while fatigued is never a good idea and leads to devastating consequences far more often than it should. If you’ve recently experienced an accident due to fatigued driving, hold the other driver responsible and contact our lawyers. We’re ready to fight for your interests.

Failure to yield the right-of-way

Failing to yield the right-of-way is a common cause of car accidents, but these accidents can still seriously impact those involved. Contact our car accident lawyer if you were recently involved in an accident. Our lawyers know what to do and will do our best to maximize your compensation.

In order to prove negligence, you must show that another person owed you a duty of care, breached it, and caused you to suffer damages.

Who’s Liable in an Auto Accident in San Diego?

Potentially liable parties could include:

• Drivers of other passenger vehicles
• Pedestrians or bicyclists
• Motorcyclists
• Electric scooter operators
• Truck drivers
• Trucking companies
• Bus drivers
• Government agencies
• Manufacturers of defective products

When you hire an accident attorney, they will carefully investigate your accident to determine why it happened and, in turn, who’s to blame. You can trust that we will be on your side during these difficult times and will work to secure maximum compensation from all responsible parties.

Is California a No-Fault Insurance State?

No, California is not a “no-fault” state when it comes to car insurance. Instead, California has fault-based rules. This indicates that the insurance company that covers the party at-fault is on the hook for resulting damages.

After a car accident that’s not your fault, you’ll be filing an insurance claim with another driver’s provider.

Uninsured Motorists in California

While California has strict requirements about what minimum car insurance coverage must be purchased to drive a vehicle in the state, not everyone follows the rules. In fact, it’s estimated that one out of every five drivers in California is uninsured or underinsured.

If you get into an accident with an uninsured driver, it doesn’t mean you can’t recover compensation. It just means that things get a bit more complicated.

In these situations you might be able to:

• File a claim with your own insurance provider, especially if you opted to buy uninsured motorist coverage (UMC/UIM)
• File a lawsuit directly against the at-fault driver
• File a lawsuit against other negligent parties, such as a government agency, property owner, or vehicle manufacturer.

If you were injured in an accident on the job, you may even qualify to receive workers’ compensation benefits through your employer.

What Happens If I’m Blamed For The Accident in San Diego?

California has pure comparative fault rules, which indicates that liability is shared by everyone who plays a role in an accident. If you’re assigned some of the blame, it will not prevent you from recovering compensation. However, it will mean that your financial award will be reduced.

Damages are decreased to reflect your proportionate responsibility for an auto accident.

Let’s say you’re involved in a rear-end wreck at a San Diego intersection. You were struck from behind, but partly because you were texting and didn’t notice that the light had turned green. You’re assigned 15% of the blame for the accident. In turn, your damages will be reduced by 15%.

The insurance company and those actually responsible for causing your accident will probably try to point fingers and blame you. If these tactics are successful, it means they’ll pay out less money than you really deserve. Our accident attorneys know how to counter these strategies and defend you – as well as your ability to get the money you need.

Common Injuries Suffered in San Diego Car Accidents

If you have suffered severe and catastrophic injuries after a car accident caused by a careless driver, you can seek compensation for:

• Broken bones and fractures
• Eye injuries
• Burns
• Head injuries and concussions
• Neck and back injuries, including whiplash
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Chest injuries
• Crushing injuries
• Knee injuries
• Amputation

When a pedestrian or a bicyclist is involved, the injuries are often catastrophic. When an accident is fatal, our wrongful death lawyers are here to help grieving family members, too.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Crash in San Diego?

California has a strict two-year statute of limitations that applies to most car accident lawsuits. So, there’s a good chance that you’ll have two years from the date of your crash to file a civil lawsuit against those responsible.

You may have more time to act if your injuries aren’t evident right away. You’ll have less time to act if you suspect a government agency is to blame.

One thing is certain: you will forfeit the opportunity to recover compensation if you miss the deadline that applies to your particular case.

That’s a great reason to get in touch with our team as soon as you can after you get hurt.

How Long Will it Take to Resolve My Case?

The length of time it will take to settle your case is highly fact-specific. However, a few factors worth mentioning could influence your case’s timeline.

Is the other side willing to negotiate a fair settlement agreement? Most cases settle before trial, but sometimes a trial is the best course of action for maximizing your compensation. Cases that reach trial will take much longer to resolve than cases that do not.

How much evidence is readily available? If there is sufficient, clear-cut evidence to prove your case, your case could resolve more quickly. This is because your bargaining power will be stronger with the other side, and we might not have to go through the discovery process. Keep in mind that some cases go to court but do not fully progress to the trial stage. For instance, the discovery could unearth sufficient evidence such that the other side decides to agree on a fair settlement.

Other factors worth mentioning include how many parties are involved in the case and whether an insurance company is involved. If you’re unsure about how long your case might take to settle, contact us so we can discuss it during your free consultation.

What Should I Do After a Car Crash in San Diego?

Protect yourself and preserve your ability to recover compensation by taking these steps:

• Stay at the scene – it can be considered a hit and run if you leave the street
• Exchange information about your insurance company, but don’t apologize – don’t admit fault on record, either
• Call the police immediately – you’ll want an officer to conduct a preliminary investigation and fill out an accident report
• Get medical attention – seek medical care as soon as you can to ensure that your physical injuries are treated and documented
• Don’t provide a recorded statement – insurance adjusters frequently try to get you to say something to weaken your case
• Direct all conversations to your lawyer – the best thing would be to hire a car accident lawyer to represent you and take care of every part of the claim on your behalf

If you have suffered car accident injuries due to someone else’s negligence, contact our law firm as you have the chance after your accident.

How Much Will it Cost to Hire a San Diego Car Accident Lawyer After My Accident?

Most car accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis.

This means:

• There are no upfront costs associated with our legal representation.
• We assume all financial risks associated with litigating your claim or lawsuit.
• You only pay us if we win your case – meaning we negotiate a settlement or win a verdict at trial.

When your accident attorney wins your case, they will get a percentage of your net award. It’s that simple.

How Can I Obtain a Copy of My Car Accident Report in San Diego County?

There are a few different ways you can obtain your San Diego car accident report. You can click here to view the relevant webpage on the City’s website. From there, you’ll click on the “Traffic Collision or Accident Reports” heading.

Clicking this heading will expand the menu, which describes the four ways to retrieve your report. The first is an online method through LexisNexis eCrash. The second is to call the City at the appropriate phone number. You can also obtain your report via a mail-in request or in-person.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our San Diego Car Accident Attorneys

Have you been injured in an auto crash? Call Mission Personal Injury Lawyers for immediate legal assistance. Our San Diego car accident attorneys are ready to help you fight for damages to cover the costs of your medical bills, make up for lost wages, and compensate for your pain and suffering.

Our law firm has proven results with settlements for our clients and litigation cases. We have experience with all practice areas, so contact us today to discuss your legal rights. We are happy to answer your legal questions.

San Diego Car Accident Resources

• California Child Car Seat Laws
• Can I Be Compensated For Pre-Existing Conditions After a Car Accident in San Diego?
• Can You Sue in California For A Car Accident if You Are Not Hurt?
• Car Inspection Laws in San Diego, CA
• What Are My Rights When I’m Pulled Over in California?
• What to Know About Car Accident Reports in San Diego, CA
• What You Should and Should Not Do After a Car Accident in California

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• What Yielding the Right of Way Means

Highly Rated San Diego, CA Auto Repair Shops

• Convoy Auto Repair – 3909 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111
• San Diego Auto Repair & Collision – 3877 42nd St, San Diego, CA 92105
• Aiwa Auto Repair Inc – 3150 Fairmount Ave, San Diego, CA 92105
• Griffin’s Auto Repair – 1542 State St, San Diego, CA 92101

*Disclaimer – we do not endorse these companies or profit from having them listed on our website. These were some of the highest-rated auto repair shops on Yelp.

San Diego Accident Client Review

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Car Accident Infographic