Maison Law can help you if you’ve been injured in a car accident in Livermore. Whether you’ve been in a car accident before or it’s your first one, it’s never easy to deal with. There’s injuries, car repairs, and a lot of stress and anxiety. Our team will be there to help you through the aftermath. Set up a free consultation today.
Why It Makes Sense to Talk to a Lawyer After a Car Accident
Car accidents happen every day here in Livermore. Maybe you’re heading to work on I-580, driving down First Street, taking Vasco Road home, or just running errands around town. Then, out of nowhere, someone hits you, and your day takes a completely different turn. Now you’re dealing with injuries, damage to your car, time off work, and an insurance company that wants answers before you’ve even had a chance to catch your breath.
That’s why it makes sense to get legal help. Our team can step in to help you:
- Understand your rights under California law
- Figure out how the accident happened and who was responsible
- Gather medical records, police reports, witness statements, and other evidence
- Get a better idea of what your claim may be worth
- Account for future medical bills and other expenses you may not have yet
- Deal with the insurance company on your behalf
- File a lawsuit if the insurance company won’t offer a fair settlement
You’ve already got enough to worry about after a serious accident. You shouldn’t have to spend your time chasing down paperwork, arguing with adjusters, and trying to figure out what your claim is worth, too.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Livermore?
It’s hard to think clearly right after an accident. You’re probably shaken up, worried about your passengers, or trying to figure out whether anyone’s hurt. You don’t need to have everything figured out right away.
Instead, focus on you and your passengers first. Your first priority is calling 911 so police and an ambulance can respond to the scene. Everything else really flows from that. While you wait (and only if it’s safe), you can try to get a few basic pieces of information:
- Pictures/videos of the vehicles, damage, road conditions, traffic signs, skid marks, and any visible injuries
- Names and contact information of any bystanders or other witnesses
- The other driver’s insurance information, license plate number, and contact information
Again, don’t put yourself in danger trying to get these things. If you’re hurt or need medical attention, that’s what matters most. Once that’s taken care of, though, you can start looking forward. Over the next few days and weeks, try to keep track of what’s happening and how the accident is impacting you. That means holding on to things like:
- Medical records from doctors’ visits, emergency room treatment, and physical therapy
- The police accident report from Livermore PD, sheriff’s office, or California Highway Patrol
- Medical bills, prescription costs, towing bills, and repair estimates
- Pay stubs or other records showing time you’ve missed from work
- Video footage from traffic cameras, dashcams, or nearby security cams
- Progress pictures of your injuries as they heal or get worse
- Notes about your pain, sleep, mobility, doctor’s appointments, and things you’re having trouble with
If getting all of these things together sounds overwhelming or impossible, don’t panic. Our team can step in and fill in any gaps. As long as you have a few pictures and basic medical records to start out with, it’s enough to get the ball rolling. However, the claims process isn’t just about information. It has a lot to do with the specific details of your accident.
Looking Closer at Car Accidents in Livermore
Driving around Livermore means dealing with a little bit of everything. You’ve got freeway traffic on I-580, busy intersections along First Street and East Avenue, and plenty of shopping areas where drivers are pulling in and out of parking lots. Different roads bring different challenges, and a split-second mistake can leave you dealing with a serious accident.
But a closer look at car accidents in Livermore shows that there are certain patterns that come up again and again. That means dealing with things like:
- Rear-end collisions along I-580, and in stop-and-go traffic around town. They’re especially common near the First Street, Livermore Avenue, and Vasco Road interchanges.
- Head-on collisions where drivers can cross the center line or lose control on stretches outside the busier parts of town. These are also common accidents caused by drivers who are under the influence.
- Sideswipes on First Street and East Avenue, where lane drifting, turning traffic, and drivers merging can lead to collisions.
- Collisions in parking lots at the San Francisco Premium Outlets and other Livermore shopping centers, where drivers backing out of spaces or trying to get through crowded areas.
- T-bone collisions at intersections along First Street, East Avenue, and Livermore Avenue, where drivers try to run red lights, fail to yield, or turn across oncoming traffic.
These are just a few of the kinds of situations you could be dealing with, and remember, a car accident can happen anywhere, at pretty much any time. Plus, there’s all sorts of different vehicles and people driving them here, from farm trucks to Uber/Lyft drivers. But for you, the main takeaway is what you’re left facing and how you can move forward.
Who’s Responsible For My Losses in a Car Accident?
Part of the reason it’s so important to get information and look at the details of your car accident is that it can help answer one big question: who’s responsible for my losses?
In legal terms, this is called liability. And the way it’s figured out is by showing negligence. That means that:
- Somebody did something—or didn’t do something—that led to the accident and your injuries.
Sometimes, that’s easy to figure out, like if a driver:
- Was distracted by their phone on I-580 or First Street.
- Failed to yield at an intersection along East Avenue or Livermore Avenue.
- Was speeding or driving too fast for traffic, road, or weather conditions
- Made an unsafe turn or lane change on Vasco Road or near the I-580 interchanges.
- Didn’t adjust their driving for rain, slick roads, or other changing conditions.
Other times, it’s not just the driver. Others can share some of the responsibility if their action or inaction also led to the accident. Usually, that brings in:
- The person that wasn’t driving but owns the vehicle
- A trucking or delivery company
- A company that made the car or its parts
- The city, state or county government
Sometimes it’s clear who caused the accident. But even then, the claims process isn’t always straightforward. And once an insurance company gets involved and starts asking questions, it can make things more complicated. However, that doesn’t change your options.
How to File a Claim and Get Damages After a Car Accident
No matter what kind of car accident you’re in, there’s going to be some type of damage you have to deal with. There’s your day-to-day struggles with your injuries and missed work, but there’s other things like stress and anxiety that can last well after the initial collision.
Thankfully, you have options for getting financial help related to these “damages”. Normally, that gets done by:
- Filing an insurance claim
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit
A lot of car accident claims start with insurance. It’s usually the first step, and sometimes things can get worked out pretty quickly. The problem is, the insurance company gets to decide what it’s willing to pay, and that doesn’t always line up with what you’ve actually been through. An adjuster might see your medical bills and car repairs, but that doesn’t necessarily show how your injuries have affected your work, your family, or just getting through the day.
That’s also why settling too soon can come back to bite you. You may not know how serious your injuries are or how long it’ll take to recover. And once you accept a settlement, you generally can’t go back and ask for more if things get worse.
If the insurance company won’t offer a fair amount, filing a personal injury lawsuit may be the next step. It takes more time and work, but it can give you a shot at “damages” for things like:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Current and future lost income
- Car repair or replacement costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Wrongful death expenses in fatal accidents
California generally gives you two years to file a claim. Even if you’re still recovering or aren’t sure what you want to do, it’s worth understanding your options sooner rather than later. That’s why you should reach out to our team as soon as you can. We’ll make sure nothing gets missed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know what my car accident case is worth?
There’s no set number or formula. It comes down to your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, future treatment, and how all of this has affected your life. The goal is to account for what you’ve actually lost, not just what shows up on a bill.
Will I have to go to court?
Probably not. A lot of car accident claims settle without ever going to trial. But if the insurance company won’t offer a fair settlement, filing a lawsuit may be the next step. You don’t necessarily have to go to court, but it’s good to know that’s an option.
How long will my Livermore car accident claim take?
That depends on your situation. Some claims settle in a few months, while others take longer, especially if you’re still getting treatment or there’s a disagreement over who caused the accident in the first place.
Reach Out to Maison Law After a Car Accident in Livermore
Being in a car accident in Livermore can leave you facing painful injuries, medical bills, and a lot of uncertainty about what comes next. But you don’t have to face all that alone with our car accident lawyers at Maison Law.
We focus on protecting your rights and making sure you have the strongest claim you possibly can. And we’ll be there with you throughout the process. Reach out today for a free consultation to get started.
