A car accident can turn your life upside down in an instant. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a Santa Maria car accident caused by another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your damages.
Unfortunately, insurance companies may use unfair tactics to avoid liability and settle your claim for as little as possible. You need the help of an experienced Santa Maria car accident attorney to protect your rights and help you recover maximum compensation.
At Rodriguez & Associates law firm, our Santa Maria personal injury lawyers have a proven record of helping car accident victims and their families secure the full value of their claims. Let us help you. Call (661) 777-7575 or visit our contact page and schedule a free consultation to discuss your claim.
The Rodriguez & Associates Santa Maria Car Accident Advantage
- Experience. We have more than 100 years of combined experience protecting the rights of injury victims.
- Results. We have helped recover over $1 billion for our clients.
- Integrity. We will not take your case unless we believe it has merit and that we can help you secure maximum compensation.
- Accessibility. We will meet with you at no charge to discuss your claim. We will listen to you, answer your questions, and explain your rights. If we take your case, we will handle it on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing until we recover compensation for you.
Meet Santa Maria Car Accident Attorney Daniel Rodriguez
Daniel Rodriguez, a lawyer with a distinctive upbringing, emerged from a migrant farm-worker family, navigating through various occupations to finance his college and law school education. Diverging from the typical plaintiff’s attorneys, Daniel boasts extensive trial experience, conducting his inaugural jury trial shortly after earning his license. His specialization in personal injury law, fortified by his tenure as an instructor at the prestigious Gerry Spence Method, has earned him acclaim nationwide, notably being the inaugural recipient of the Gerry Spence Trial Warrior of the Year accolade. With a proven track record of securing substantial verdicts, Daniel’s expertise benefits clients seeking optimal settlements, as evidenced by his consistent inclusion in the California Super Lawyers roster and affiliation with The National Trial Lawyers. Whether requiring representation in accidents or workplace injury claims, clients can rely on Daniel Rodriguez to effectively advocate for their cases and achieve the highest possible outcomes.
Notable Case Results:
Rodriguez and Associates have earned recognition for their outstanding history of achieving favorable outcomes in cases, demonstrating their expertise in delivering successful results for clients across a wide spectrum of legal issues.
- $116.4 Million: Largest personal injury settlement in Kern County History
- $73.6 Million: Largest verdict in Kern County History
- $70.5 Million: Second largest verdict in Kern County History
- $31.6 Million: Third largest verdict in Kern County History
- $12.07 Million: Drunk big rig driver kills young girl
- $12 Million: Forklift operator kills truck driver
- $11.5 Million: Teacher aide sexually assaults student
Why Do You Need a Santa Maria Car Accident Injury Lawyer?
Insurance companies are in business to make big profits. Depending on the liability coverage available, they will pay out as little as possible in claims. Insurance adjusters are trained to deny, delay, and devalue your claim. You need the assistance of an experienced Santa Maria car accident attorney to protect your rights and hold the insurance company accountable for paying the full value of your claim.
Your attorney can handle all communications with the insurance companies, ensure you meet all court deadlines, and work to recover the compensation you deserve while you focus on healing from your injuries.
When to Contact a Car Accident Attorney
You should contact a Santa Maria car accident attorney as soon as you’ve recovered enough after your accident. This way, our lawyers can start gathering evidence and working on your case before your memories of the event fade. According to California’s statute of limitations, you generally have two years after an accident to file a lawsuit; however, the longer you wait, the harder it is to gather evidence and witnesses. Plus, this gives insurers more time to lock you into a low settlement before you fully understand the extent of your injuries, the conditions of your case, or your legal rights. At Rodriguez & Associates, we encourage you to reach out as soon as you are able, even if you are unsure whether you have a claim.
Will My Car Accident Case Go To Trial?
The majority of car accident claims in Santa Maria are resolved through settlement negotiations before ever going to trial. Settlements are common in most car accident cases, although they are not always offered at full and fair compensation. In some instances, an insurance company might refuse or delay paying a valid claim; in this situation, your case may be moved to court. Insurance companies are far more likely to offer a fair settlement when they know your attorney is fully prepared. Our team of highly trained professionals is ready to fight for you and your rights. At Rodriguez & Associates, our goal is always to secure the best possible outcome for you, whether that happens in a settlement or before a jury.
Most Common Causes of Santa Maria Car Accidents
Car accidents and Santa Maria truck accidents have various causes. Some of the most common causes of Santa Maria car accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving
- Fatigued driving
- Speeding and aggressive driving
- Dangerous road designs
- Negligently maintained roads
- Vehicle malfunction
Determining the cause of your accident is vital to the success of your claim. At Rodriguez & Associates, we do not take your accident at face value. We carefully investigate to identify all possible causes and potentially liable parties to help you recover maximum compensation for your damages.
Leading Injuries Sustained in Santa Maria Car Accidents
Some Santa Maria car accidents result in minor bumps and bruises on the victim. Others can cause catastrophic injuries. Some of the most common car accident injuries sustained in Santa Maria car accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Back and neck injuries
- Facial and dental injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Loss of limbs
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Broken or crushed bones
- Burns
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Even if you do not believe your injuries are severe, you should have an immediate medical evaluation and seek prompt treatment. Some life-threatening injuries are not immediately apparent. Being checked out by a doctor after a car accident in Santa Maria can help protect your health and your right to recover compensation for your damages.
Liability in Santa Maria Car Accident Claims
Liability depends on the cause of your accident. Some potentially liable parties in a Santa Maria car accident claim include the driver, the driver’s employer (if the driver was on the job at the time of the accident), and the owner of the involved vehicle.
Other potentially liable parties include a vehicle or equipment manufacturer, a negligent repair or maintenance business, and a government entity responsible for designing and maintaining safe roads. Also reviewing all applicable insurance policies to ensure every source of compensation is pursued.
At Rodriguez & Associates, our Santa Maria car accident lawyers will thoroughly investigate the facts of your accident to identify all contributing factors and hold all liable parties accountable for your damages.
Damages Recoverable in Santa Maria Car Accident Claims
In a successful Santa Maria car accident claim, you can recover economic damages such as current and future medical costs, lost wages, property damage, and other financial losses and expenses.
You could also recover non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, mental and emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and other intangible costs.
In rare cases, you could be awarded punitive damages in addition to economic and non-economic damages. However, punitive damages are only available if you can prove by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant is guilty of malice, fraud, or oppression.
Determining Fault in California Car Accidents
Fault is determined by examining the evidence from your collision. Our Santa Maria car accident injury attorneys have the skills and experience to uncover and gather vital evidence to determine and prove fault. Since most car accident claims are based on negligence, we must prove that:
- The defendant owed you a duty. (All drivers owe a duty of care to operate their vehicles safely to avoid harming others.)
- The defendant breached that duty.
- The defendant’s breach of duty was the cause of your injuries.
- You suffered actual damage due to the defendant’s breach of duty.
The evidence used to determine and prove fault depends on the specific facts of your accident. Some types of evidence we may use include:
- The accident report
- Eyewitness accounts
- Photographs and video footage from the accident scene
- Dashcam video
- Surveillance footage from traffic cameras and nearby businesses or homes
- Skid marks and physical evidence from the accident scene
- Event data recorders from the involved vehicles
- Cell phone records
- Expert witness reports and testimony
Contact Our Santa Maria Car Accident Attorneys Today
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a car accident in Santa Maria caused by another party’s negligence or wrongdoing, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your damages. Contact our Santa Maria wrongful death lawyers today if you lost a loved one in a car accident. Insurance companies work hard to shift liability and to settle your claim for as little as possible. You need the help of an experienced Santa Maria car accident attorney with a proven record of success to help you get the compensation you deserve.
At Rodriguez & Associates, our car accident injury attorneys have the experience, skills, and resources to protect your rights and help you secure maximum compensation for your damages. Call us today at (661) 777-7575 or complete the short form on our contact page and schedule a free consultation to discuss your claim.