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San Mateo Car Accident Lawyer

Life after a car accident can be highly stressful. As medical bills, unexpected expenses, and letters from stingy insurance companies pile up, many victims don’t know where to turn. Fortunately, help is right around the corner if you know where to look. If you hire an experienced San Mateo car accident lawyer from Danko Meredith, you’ll rest easy knowing that a knowledgeable professional is handling your case while you focus on your recovery. After all, car accidents can disrupt your life in many ways, not only by causing potentially life-changing injuries, but also by triggering expensive medical bills and significant damage to your vehicle.

If you or a family member suffered an injury after a car accident in the San Mateo area, contact Danko Meredith to discuss your possible claim. A San Mateo car accident attorney at our law firm may be able to help you collect the full and fair compensation you deserve to help you move forward with your life. Contact us online or call us at (650) 453-3600 to schedule a free initial consultation.

Why Contact a San Mateo Car Accident Lawyer?

If you’ve suffered an injury in a car accident, you may be unsure whether or not you should hire a personal injury attorney. The fact of the matter is that if you’ve suffered any losses at all, you’ll do better with an attorney by your side. Our experienced San Mateo personal injury attorneys can advise on what to expect, and they have the resources needed to investigate the case and gather evidence proving liability. A personal injury lawyer can take care of filing all required documentation pertaining to your case so you can focus on improving your health.

  • We succeed on behalf of clients because we work hard to uncover the truth behind what happened. We never give up in our pursuit of justice for our clients and will always keep your best interests in mind.
  • We have a long history of winning settlements and verdicts for those injured in Northern California. Our proven track record can give you peace of mind.
  • We charge attorney’s fees only if we secure for the client a financial award. If we don’t win, you don’t pay.

It’s also important to note that, while going to court is a possibility, not all personal injury cases go to trial. In fact, most injury claims settle during pretrial negotiations. Still, if the insurance company or other party denies the claim or refuses to agree to a fair settlement, the case may need to proceed to trial if you wish to obtain the compensation to which you’re entitled. For this reason, it’s crucial to secure the help of an attorney with trial experience. At Danko Meredith, we’ll be prepared to take your case to court if necessary.

What To Do After a Car Accident in San Mateo, California?

The first thing to do after you’ve been in a car accident is to stay calm. The post-accident process is relatively straightforward, but it’s not always easy. Keeping a cool head will help you document the wreck more thoroughly and accurately. Although crashes are so common in California, many drivers have no sense of what to do—and more significantly, what not to do—just after a car accident. Here are a few tips and tricks that will help you get the full and just compensation you deserve:

  1. Stay on the scene and seek medical help: If you feel hurt, call 911 to get medical attention immediately. Receiving treatment as early as possible will prevent the injuries from getting worse. Furthermore, professional documentation of your injuries will help build your personal injury case.
  2. File a police report: Even if you or the other driver have no injuries, call 911 for a police unit. Law enforcement will come to the scene, gather their own evidence, and create an investigative report. This will be the first piece of evidence collected in your personal injury case.
  3. Gather evidence and exchange information: Take pictures of your car and any other vehicles involved in the collision. Likewise, be sure to take pictures from all angles, even parts of the car that appear undamaged. After snapping pictures, exchange information with the other driver. Insurance and driver’s license information are typically all you need. If there are witnesses, try to get their names and record any statements they make.
  4. File a claim with your insurance company: After calling 911, gathering evidence, and exchanging information, it’s crucial that you contact your auto insurance company. They will give you directions on which documentation you need to provide and how to move your claim forward. However, don’t sign anything or give a recorded statement to the insurance company before speaking to a lawyer. Simply report the accident and let them know you can contact them later for further discussion. 

Perhaps most importantly, you should consider getting in contact with an experienced San Mateo car accident lawyer. An attorney will investigate your accident, help you determine what your case is worth, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. Without an attorney, you may receive only a fraction of what you deserve if you accept a settlement from the insurance company.

Common Types of Car Accident Injuries

Our car accident lawyers have represented victims in the San Mateo area who’ve suffered a wide range of personal injuries. Regardless of your injury type, reach out to schedule an initial consultation. You may have grounds to pursue a lawsuit against those at fault for your injuries. Some common types of auto accident injuries are:

If you suffered severe injuries or lost a loved one in a San Mateo car accident, you’re not alone. Our attorneys have handled car accident cases involving commercial trucks, bicycles, motorcycles, passenger vehicles, delivery trucks, and more. We’re dedicated to helping you fight for just compensation.

Common Causes of Auto Accidents in San Mateo, CA

Most motor vehicle accidents are entirely preventable, and they can typically be attributed to driver negligence, reckless driver behavior, or manufacturer negligence. Common driver-related causes of car crashes are:

  • Distracted driving: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 1,000 people are injured each day due to auto accidents caused by distracted driving. This can include talking on the phone, eating, manipulating the radio, applying makeup, and more.
  • Speeding: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that speeding accounted for more than 12,330 traffic fatalities in 2021.
  • Drunk driving: Data from the CDC reports that around 11,654 people died in alcohol-impaired auto accidents in 2020
  • Tailgating: Driving while rushed or angry can easily result in devastating injuries. In the event that traffic stops suddenly, following another driver too closely makes it hard to avoid an accident. Rear-end accidents frequently occur due to tailgating.
  • Dangerous road conditions: Unkempt roads can create hazardous situations for drivers. This includes potholes, unmarked construction zones, or missing guard rails. Hazardous road conditions can also include dangerous curves in a road layout, poorly placed highway traffic signals, or improper drainage that results in hydroplaning.
  • Auto defects: Accidents can be caused by malfunctioning equipment of the vehicle itself. This can include tires that aren’t correctly measured and filled, defective breaks, faulty steering components, and more. If a poorly designed or inadequately manufactured auto part led to your motor vehicle accident, you might be eligible to file a product liability claim.

Careless actions behind the wheel can cause devastating crashes that could have been prevented with proper care. These selfish behaviors carry an enormous impact on victims and their families. At Danko Meredith, our car accident attorneys in San Mateo believe in holding parties who act recklessly accountable for their actions. This may be accomplished through a car accident insurance claim or lawsuit.

Do You Need to File a Police Report After an Accident in California?

Determining how, if, and when to report a car accident in California can be challenging to establish, especially if you’re dealing with the stress of living through a crash. Whether it’s a minor fender bender or a significant accident, knowing in advance what to do can help you avoid costly mistakes.

After any traffic accident in California—even if you only suffered minor scratches and bumps—you have an obligation to report the crash. The California Vehicle Code states that the driver of any vehicle involved in an accident that resulted in injuries is required to make a written report of the crash to the California Highway Patrol or the city’s police department within 24 hours. Alternatively, the police can prepare a written report on behalf of the agency. In this case, you don’t need to make your own separate report.

Damages You Could Obtain Following a Car Accident

Our car accident attorneys may be able to help you secure fair compensation for your damages, including:

  • Medical expenses
  • Pain and suffering
  • Lost income/wages
  • Property damages
  • Mental anguish
  • Punitive damages

We’ll fight for maximum compensation while you or a loved one recover from injuries. In the event of wrongful death, we’re committed to working hard to ensure your family is financially and emotionally secure.

The Deadline for Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit in San Mateo

Each state has its own statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit. In California, you have two years after the date of your injury or the death of a family member to file a claim. An accident attorney at our San Mateo law firm may be able to help you take immediate action to ensure you don’t miss out on filing your claim.

Victim of a car accident in San Mateo? Don’t navigate the legal process alone. Our experienced San Mateo car accident lawyers are here to fight for your rights and get you the compensation you deserve. Schedule your free consultation now.

Can You Afford a Car Accident Attorney in San Mateo?

At Danko Meredith, our firm works on a contingency fee basis. This means that you or your family will pay no up-front fees to pursue a lawsuit, and we’ll only collect fees if the case is a success. Some law firms will charge you a retainer for their services, which means you must pay an up-front fee for their representation. In addition to a retainer, they may also charge you an hourly rate for their services. Whether or not you win the case, these fees must be paid. However, our San Mateo personal injury lawyers want you to feel confident in our services, and we therefore only work on a contingency basis.

Contact Danko Meredith’s San Mateo Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Case Review

Seeking justice after a car accident in San Mateo? Contact our experienced car accident lawyers today for expert legal guidance and relentless advocacy to secure the compensation you deserve. Your rights matter – let us fight for you. In addition, it’s crucial that you secure the help of a seasoned car accident attorney who may be able to help you receive the compensation you need to pay off any medical bills, emotional trauma, and lost wages associated with the crash. For help sidestepping some of the common pitfalls that plague injured victims in your shoes, consider the trusted and compassionate San Mateo car accident attorneys at Danko Meredith. We’re dedicated to investigating your case in detail and helping you gather the evidence you need to find success. 

At Danko Meredith, we’ve been named one of the Best Law Firms in America by US News & World Report, and our top lawyers are consistently listed among California’s elite. We care about you and will be with you throughout the entirety of the legal process. No matter the complexity or size of the case, we’ll commit our full attention to all of our clients who deserve justice. For a free consultation, give us a call at (650) 453-3600 or complete our contact form today.