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San Rafael Car Accident Attorneys

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No Fees Unless You Win!
With Over 30 years of Personal Injury Experience
Exceptional Legal Representation For San Rafael Car Accident Victims

Every day, thousands of Californians are involved in motor vehicle accidents. These individuals have their lives disrupted—sometimes permanently—due to the negligence of another individual.

As an accident victim, you could be entitled to compensation under California’s personal injury laws. However, you must act quickly to ensure your legal rights are protected.

Schedule your free consultation with our California personal injury lawyer today!  Contact Us Online or call 1-8000-4-injury!

What do you have to prove in a car accident claim?

In California, motor vehicle accident claims proceed as negligence claims. In a negligence claim, the injured victim must show:

  • The at-fault party owed the accident victim a duty;
  • The duty was breached because the at-fault party was negligent; and
  • Due to the at-fault party’s negligence, the accident victim suffered damages.

Each of these elements must be proven for a motor vehicle accident victim to prevail in a claim. With the assistance of an experienced California car accident attorney, the odds of success increase exponentially.

All California drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles safely and reasonably on public roadways. Following traffic laws and adjusting one’s speed for bad weather are examples of reasonable driving.

Many breaches of the duty to drive reasonably and safely are also violations of traffic laws. For example, texting while driving, drinking and driving, and running red lights would all be types of negligence.

more than just medical bills: damages and the value of a car accident case

After a car accident in Marin County, one of the biggest issues for victims is medical bills. These expenses pile up fast and often reach tens of thousands of dollars or more. However, medical bills are not the only type of loss that accident victims have after a crash.

In general, damages—which impact how much a case is worth—include:

  • Medical expenses
  • The estimated cost of future medical care
  • The cost of remodeling a home to accommodate an injury (for example, building wheelchair ramps or installing handrails)
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of companionship
  • Property damage

Did you have emergency surgery after an accident? Did you miss out on a big bonus at work because you were recovering? Was your car towed after an accident? Is it sitting in a storage yard collecting fees?

Do you need to get repairs, a replacement, or a rental car reimbursement? Car accident claims can be a challenging maze to navigate, but California personal injury attorneys are here to make sure you are going in the right direction to maximize your recovery.

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How long do i have to file a car accident claim?

Time is of the essence after a car accident—California limits how long accident victims have to file a lawsuit, no matter how seriously injured they may be. This deadline is called the statute of limitations.

In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in a motor vehicle accident is two years from the date of the accident. If an accident victim does not file a claim by this deadline, the case will be dismissed and the victim will be entirely responsible for the financial losses he or she has incurred—even if the victim was not at fault for the accident.

Therefore, if you have been involved in a car accident in Marin County you should speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible so that work on your case may begin.

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the most frequent causes of car accidents

Car accidents happen every day throughout the United States. No matter what has caused your accident, an experienced Marin County accident attorney is able to help you recover damages for your losses.

DISTRACTED DRIVING

Texting while driving, talking on a cell phone, eating, and other such activities are dangerous for drivers. Distracted driving is defined as actions that take ones hands off of the wheel, one’s eyes off of the road, or one’s mind off of driving. Nearly half a million drivers use their cell phones while driving during daylight hours.

DRUNK DRIVING

Every driver in America knows that you should not get behind the wheel if you are intoxicated—and yet, thousands of individuals are injured or killed every year because of drunk drivers. Those injured by drunk drivers may be able to seek compensation.

SPEEDING

Speeding remains one of the top causes of crashes throughout the country. The odds of a fatality increase significantly with speed.

Where do accidents occur in california?

Accidents happen in California every day. However, they are more likely to occur in some locations.

For example, in San Francisco, accidents are most often reported at the intersection of Mission Street and 16th Street. The second-most common accident location is at Market Street and 5th Street, and third is 9th Street and Mission Street.

In San Rafael, the most dangerous intersection is 2nd Street and Irwin Street, followed by Manuel T. Freitas Parkway and Del Presidio Boulevard and Hetherton Street and 3rd Street.

Why should you call a personal injury lawyer before you call the at-fault driver’s insurance company?

Insurance agents, on behalf of the insurance company of the at-fault driver, will try to position themselves in a way that maximizes profitability. These agents will usually call you in the early days after an accident and usher you down a road that will settle your claim for the least amount of money possible.

The insurance companies know that you have expenses piling up and are under an enormous amount of stress. They will make you an offer that is likely far too low to fairly compensate you for your losses in hopes that you will settle your claim and take the money.

However, if you settle your claim, you inevitably sign your rights away and eliminate your ability to hire an attorney and pursue a personal injury claim.

Dos and don’ts after a car accident
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After a car accident, the advice you receive is often conflicting. There are certainly steps you should take after your accident, as well as actions you should avoid.

DO speak with an experienced California car accident attorney as soon as possible. These attorneys may speak with insurance companies on your behalf, shielding you from pressure to settle your claim. These attorneys ensure that your legal rights are protected throughout the case.

DO seek medical attention immediately—even if you do not think you are seriously injured. Some injuries have a delayed onset of symptoms and may not exhibit any symptoms at the time of the accident. Insurance companies love to argue that an accident victim is not seriously injured if medical attention was not sought quickly after the accident.

DO keep detailed records of your accident. Take photos of the crime scene, write down your recollection of the events as soon as possible, and keep copies of all of your medical records. This information will help your attorney pursue damages on your behalf.

DON’T have lengthy conversations with the at-fault party’s insurance company about the accident. Simply tell the adjuster or agent that you are hiring an attorney and that any questions may be directed to the law firm. You do not want to risk making a statement that could be used against you later.

DON’T discuss the case on social media. Even seemingly innocent posts that state something like, “We were in an accident today, but we are okay!” may be used against you by the insurance company.

DON’T keep anything from your attorney. Even if you think some of the facts of your case will hurt your claim, you need to disclose these to your attorney. Chances are, they will not seriously damage your claim! Your attorney needs the full picture of your case to thoroughly protect your rights.

What kind of evidence should be collected at the scene of a car accident?

The more evidence you have, the better. Evidence can go a long way in helping your car accident attorney build a successful claim on your behalf. There are a number of pieces of evidence that can be collected at the scene of an accident to help your attorney:

  1. Information on any drivers involved: The most important thing you need to collect at the scene of the accident is the information on any drivers involved in the accident. You’ll want to gather license plate numbers, driver’s license numbers, insurance policy numbers, and contact information.
  2. Witness information: After collecting information from any drivers involved in the accident, you’ll want to obtain the names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident. Witness statements can help piece together the events of the accident and can also be used as evidence in a lawsuit.
  3. Documentation of vehicle/property damages: The cost of damages to your vehicle and/or other property items can be claimed in your case. You’ll want to take photos of any damage sustained after the accident. You may also take photos of your injuries.
  4. Documentation of road signs: In certain cases, it can be helpful to take photos of nearby road signs, such as reduced speed zone signs and stop signs. This evidence is especially helpful if the driver that caused the accident negligently ignored or disobeyed the signs.
  5. Documentation of road conditions: Negligent drivers are not the only cause for road accidents. In certain cases, dangerous road conditions can contribute to the accident. Hazardous road conditions include uneven surfaces, large potholes, broken concrete, road debris, and similar conditions. If any of these conditions existed, they should be documented with photos.
  6. Location of security cameras: Look around and take note of any red light cameras or security cameras in the vicinity of the accident. The footage captured by the cameras can often be acquired and used in your case.
The biggest mistake people make after being in an car accident
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The time that follows your car accident can be an extremely stressful and uncertain period. In the immediate aftermath of an accident, there are so many overwhelming questions and decisions. When and how will I be able to get back to work? How will I pay my medical bills? How will I meet my living expenses, and how will I get back to living a normal life?

What often makes matters worse is the fact that most accident victims do not consult with an attorney as quickly as possible after an event occurs. This can not only delay their ability to receive compensation for their losses but lose time that can affect any efforts made to present the strongest case possible should a recovery action be initiated.

If you wait too long to consult with a car accident attorney, you will lose the ability to assert your legal rights. The insurance companies will be closing in on you, trying to pressure you into accepting their undervalued offer before you’ve assessed or completed your necessary medical treatment. A full evaluation of your losses and injuries is needed to completely assess the value of your case.

All of this is why Kuvara Law Firm in San Rafael is in business. We strive to represent accident victims in the most effective, efficient and caring manner possible, which will result in much better compensation and care for you and your loved ones.

If you have been involved in an accident you might be incurring any number of costs. These could be taking the form of medical costs, temporary transportation, and unforeseen out-of-pocket expenses. Without consulting with a qualified and experienced accident attorney, these bills will add up and take the focus away from getting well and getting your life back to normal.

With more than 40 years of combined experience, we can help you with your accident

At Kuvara Law Firm, our car accident attorneys represent clients throughout California. We gladly offer a free consultation so that you may learn about your legal options, as well as the services we offer. 

To schedule your free consultation with our firm: Contact Us Online or call 1-8000-4-injury!

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Dramatization, not an actual client

Client’s Testimonial

Neal Kuvara was very helpful in helping me with a personal injury auto accident. He is very knowledgeable with dealing with insurance companies, chiropractors, lawyers, etc. His wealth of knowledge and integrity helped me win my personal injury lawsuit …

– Peter of Petaluma, California

FAQs About Accident And Injury Cases

In Kuvara Law Firm’s over 40 year history as a premier law firm in California, we have handled over 20,000 personal injury cases, resulting in awards over millions of dollars in awards for our clients.
If the other party’s insurance company is willing to try and settle with you, it is advantageous to at least try to negotiate with them. In many cases you can get just as much money settling a case as you can when actually going to court, the difference is that when you go to court, there is a chance that you can lose. The other party is usually willing to pay up to a certain point to try to avoid going to court, and we try to take advantage of this whenever we can. When we have to take a case to court, it can take a lot longer for the process to complete and get you your money. If we can settle your case, you get compensation quite quickly.
Kuvara Law Firm was established in 1971. We benefit from an outstanding reputation not only with our valued clients but also our industry peers.
There are two types of damages that you might be awarded for in a personal injury case. The first is compensatory damages, which are damages meant to help you reach the state you were in before you were injured, such as compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, vehicle repair, and so on.

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