Car Accidents

A careless driver can change the course of your life in a matter of moments. People who are distracted, drunk, or otherwise acting carelessly behind the wheel put everyone around them at risk of serious harm. At the Law Offices of Smith & Jones, our car accident lawyers have more than 25 years of experience representing injured drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. We understand the challenges that you are facing, and we have a strong track record of securing compensation for accident victims.

Assert Your Legal Rights After a Car Accident

People who have been involved in a serious crash often find themselves dealing with physical, emotional, and financial burdens. They may need to take time off from work to recover, they may suffer significant pain and trauma from their injuries, and they may be buried in an avalanche of medical bills for costly procedures. While a personal injury lawsuit cannot undo the experience, it can help a victim get their life back on track and move forward toward a brighter future.

The main legal concept in these claims is known as negligence, which means that a driver (or another defendant) failed to act as safely as a reasonable person would act in the same circumstances. Drivers often engage in negligent conduct behind the wheel. They might tailgate during rush hour, run a red light, or look down to read or send a text when they should be paying attention to their surroundings. When any of these things happens, a serious or even fatal crash can result. A car accident attorney would need to show not only that the defendant acted carelessly but also that the crash would not have happened if they had used the proper care.

Sometimes a defendant will try to shift the blame to the victim, arguing that they failed to act carefully as well. For example, the defendant might have run a red light, but perhaps the victim was speeding and was injured more severely than if they had been traveling within the speed limit. However, California uses a pure comparative negligence standard. This allows a victim who was partly at fault for a crash to recover compensation that is proportionate to the defendant’s degree of fault.

Our car accident attorneys are skilled at proving the full extent of damages to which a victim may be entitled. These typically include compensation for all of the bills associated with their medical treatment and future care, as well as income that they lost because of missing time from work. Moreover, victims may be able to recover compensation for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. Families who bring wrongful death claims after the loss of a loved one can receive other types of damages that are specific to their relationship to the victim.

Anyone bringing a personal injury claim after a car or truck accident should make sure to take action within the statute of limitations. This is the time period that defines when a victim may bring a lawsuit. Generally, you have two years from the date of an accident to bring a personal injury or wrongful death claim. More specific types of deadlines may apply in some cases, however, so you should promptly seek legal counsel if you are considering bringing a claim.

Discuss Your Case with a Car Accident Lawyer

When you are facing the consequences of a life-changing accident, you cannot afford to take chances. You need to find a legal advocate who will keep your best interests at heart and offer you the personal attention that you deserve. At Smith & Jones, we provide a free initial consultation to discuss your situation and what we can do for you. Someone is always here to answer your call, even if you contact us late in the evening or on the weekend. To get started on discussing your legal rights and options, call us at (212) 555-5555 or contact us online.