San Diego Car Accident Lawyer

Representing Auto Accident Victims Across San Diego, CA

After a serious auto accident in San Diego, you will need all the help you can get so you focus on your recovery. Through this page, you can learn how to strengthen your California personal injury claim and understand why you will only want a team of experienced San Diego car accident lawyers at your side to fight the insurance company.

Regardless of whether you were injured in a car accident, slip and fall, or dog bite attack, The Law Offices of Mark C. Blane, APC can help you fight for the compensation and justice you deserve. Browse this section to learn more about the practice and the types of cases Attorney Mark Blane accepts.

Unfortunately, car accidents in San Diego are a common occurrence, as are motorcycle accidents and truck crashes. When you find yourself facing escalating medical bills, missed time from work, and other serious expenses from a careless motorist, it's time to talk to a trusted team of San Diego accident lawyers about your legal options.

San Diego Car Accident Lawyer Law Offices of Mark Blane

How We Are Different from Other San Diego Car Accident Lawyers

Unlike other law firms that treat all of their clients and cases exactly the same, the San Diego auto accident lawyers at Blane Law give a personalized approach to every personal injury claim we take on. That experience starts with educating our potential clients about the California personal injury claims process through our extensive article library, San Diego injury blog, video center, and FREE legal help guides, along with our no-cost consultation for new clients.

Mark Blane meets each client personally; he does not believe in sending an associate member or paralegal to "sign up a client". Mr. Blane believes it is important to get to know you as a person first, and as a client second. This approach allows us to really understand how your injuries affect your daily life and how you will come across as a witness.

Top Causes of Car Crashes at California Intersections

Traffic lights and traffic signs are designed to prevent accidents. When a collision occurs at an intersection, it is often due to a driver’s negligence and violation of basic traffic laws. Here are the most common reasons they happen:

Following too closely. All drivers have a duty to maintain a safe distance from the motor vehicle in front of them. Many rear-end collisions occur at intersections when the driver in the rear is following too closely and cannot stop quickly enough to avoid a collision.

Driving too fast. When a motorist speeds, it will take them longer to slow down and stop their vehicle, which can make it impossible to avoid a crash. In addition, the victim’s injuries are much more likely to be catastrophic or fatal.

Failing to yield. One of the most basic traffic laws is the duty to yield at stop signs, four-way stops, and traffic lights. However, many drivers who are to blame for an intersection accident fail to obey these right-of-way rules.

Trying to beat a light. Reckless motorists can cause a dangerous accident if they speed to try to beat a yellow or red light.

Distracted driving. A driver can fail to see a traffic light turn to red or yellow or not notice another vehicle that has the right-of-way at a stop sign or four-way stop when they are talking on a cellphone, texting, reading a GPS, or eating and drinking.

Intoxication. If a motorist is intoxicated due to drug or alcohol use, they can cause an auto collision by driving recklessly, disobeying traffic signals or stop signs, or engaging in other unsafe driving practices.

Not checking for obstructions. Drivers must carefully look before proceeding at an intersection when there are obstructions blocking their view. If they don’t do this, they may not see another motorist who has the right of way before it is too late to avoid an accident.

Not slowing down for bad weather. When heavy fog, rain, or ice makes driving hazardous, drivers must slow down—even below the posted speed limit—or they may not be able to proceed through an intersection safely.

Common Types of Auto Collisions That Occur

Rear-End Collisions

Head-On Collisions

T-Bone Accidents

Rollover Crashes

Multi-Vehicle Crashes

What Compensation Should You Receive in Your Car Accident Settlement?

In order to know if the insurance company is offering a low settlement, you need to understand what compensation you are entitled to under California law. You should receive both your past and future damages in your settlement. Types of compensation that should be included in your settlement are:

Medical expenses

Lost wages and lost earning capacity

Pain and suffering

Property damages

Out-of-pocket expenses

Wrongful death damages if a loved one was killed in the collision

What You Need to Know About Car Accidents and Insurance

The first thing we tell victims of car accidents in San Diego is that no matter how nice they seem, the insurance adjuster is not on your side. If it's an insurance adjuster's job to keep their employer in the business, what are their actual motives: to help you get a fair settlement or keep their boss in the black?

The best way to ensure that your legal rights are not being taken advantage of during the injury claims process is to work with San Diego car accident lawyers who know what you are entitled to and aren't afraid to stand up to the insurance companies and their ruthless tactics when it comes to denying or reducing the injury claims of San Diego car accident victims.

San Diego Car Accident Statistics

Auto accidents involving cars, trucks, and other motor vehicles are one of the leading causes of preventable death in the United States and a cause for concern for San Diego County residents.

San Diego Car Crash Statistics:

Under-the-Influence Crashes: In 2019, 50% of all drivers killed in motor vehicle crashes who were tested, tested positive for legal and/ or illegal drugs, an increase of 8% from 2018. 1 in 3 car crash deaths in the United States involve drunk driving.
Speeding Accidents: Nearly 1 in 3 auto accident deaths involve speeding.
Fatal Accidents: In addition to fatalities, more than 2 million people per year are injured in auto accidents.

When to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

You suffered serious injuries, or a loved one died. Devastating injuries or fatalities increase the value of your car accident claim—and also make it more complicated. The insurance company may fight harder and longer to get you to accept a lower settlement or take a position that they're not responsible for paying you. In addition, more negligent parties could be responsible for compensating you. In all of these circumstances, you'd have a serious disadvantage in the case without the help of an attorney.
You became disabled. If you can no longer work due to your injuries, you could need ongoing medical care, and your claim might need to include lost earning capacity over your lifetime. An attorney has the expertise to calculate these damages and will fight to ensure you receive the necessary compensation for your future needs.
Multiple parties caused the accident. If more than one party caused your car accident, you'll need to file claims with multiple insurance companies. Settling them can be complicated because negotiations are often done simultaneously, and the parties may place fault on each other.
The driver was underinsured or uninsured. Either of these circumstances requires a skilled attorney to identify other avenues of compensation, such as uninsured or underinsured coverage under your current auto policy. He can also ensure that your carrier treats you fairly.
The deadline to sue expires soon. You must file your lawsuit within California’s statute of limitations, which is usually two years from the realization of your injuries. This is the time you have under California law to file your complaint. If your accident occurred a while ago, you should contact an attorney immediately to be certain that your civil complaint is filed before the statute of limitations expires.

Questions to Ask a Lawyer After a Car Accident

How soon after my car accident should I retain an attorney? If you were recently injured in an auto collision caused by a negligent driver in San Diego or Southern California, you might believe you have plenty of time to hire a lawyer. However, you would make a big mistake that could weaken your claim if you wait to retain an experienced car accident lawyer. You should contact an attorney to represent you immediately after the crash.
Should I give a recorded statement to the insurance company after my car accident? You should politely say no if the insurance company wants you to give them a recorded statement. You are under no obligation to give a recorded statement in order to reach an agreement with the insurance company or to litigate your claim if they refuse to be reasonable.
How much does a car accident attorney cost? Fortunately, you can put aside any worries you have about affording an attorney because most lawyers—including my law firm—charge their fees in these cases on a contingency fee basis. This is an attorney fee arrangement where a client does not pay an attorney for his or her legal services until the time of settlement. It is normally used in a personal injury case.
Do I have to report a car accident? Yes. If you're involved in a car wreck, you have specific duties to report the crash under California law.
What if the other driver doesn't have insurance? By law, California drivers must have liability coverage for their automobiles, but it's estimated that about 1 in every 3 drivers have no car insurance and that many more have inadequate insurance. In most cases in which your injuries are caused by a negligent driver who's not insured, your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage policy should cover your claim.

Contact a San Diego Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you've been hurt in a car accident and have questions about filing a personal injury claim, our law firm can help you obtain the money you need to fully recover from your injuries. You can find out whether you have a valid case at no cost to you. That’s because we offer free consultations.

To request a free consultation with our team, reach out by calling 619-813-7955 or filling out the online contact form below. We have been proudly servicing clients throughout San Diego, California, and the surrounding areas.