The Oildale car accident lawyers at Maison Law offer individuals in the area support and resources that can help them navigate the complex California car accident claims process. From the moment we receive your call, our goal is to help victims become compensated for their losses caused by a car accident. There are no upfront costs for our clients. You don’t pay us unless we win your case for you. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.
Dangers Leading to Car Accidents in Oildale
Due to periods of high traffic throughout the day in Oildale, car accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. Though individuals are likely to make mistakes on our roads every hour of the day, many drivers can stay protected when they are cautious about the actions of others. Fast-paced Highway 99 can be dangerous when drivers are changing lanes quickly or driving while distracted. On top of this, nearby Meadows Field Airport is a destination that adds to increased traffic when individuals are planning on traveling.
California roads, including those in Oildale, are a hotspot for passenger vehicles and large trucks making deliveries and headed to work. Recent city data shows that Oildale has a population density of 5,078 people per square mile on average, showing that some roads can be quite congested at any given time. Any given obstacle can pop up when you are traveling to and from your destination, despite the fact that Oildale is a small city compared to larger nearby cities like Bakersfield and Tulare.
Types of Car Accidents on Oildale Roads
Some types of car accidents happen more frequently in Oildale than others. Every year, these accidents are seen more commonly than others throughout California:
- Accidents caused by drunk drivers or drivers using drugs
- Head-on collisions
- Hit-and-run collisions
- Left-turn accidents at intersections
- Chain-reaction collisions
- Rear-end collisions
- Rollovers
Even though some of these accidents are seen as minor fender-benders by others, any accident has the capacity to cause serious harm. The injuries and damages that stem from these accidents can affect your everyday life in many ways that a victim is not prepared to face on their own.
Steps to Take After an Oildale Car Accident
The most important step to take after an Oildale car accident is to ensure that you seek immediate medical attention and ensure that emergency services are on their way to assist the other involved drivers and passengers.
Once all parties are safe, collection of vital evidence at the accident scene is crucial. Far too often, a future personal injury claim can be offset from the start due to the fact that evidence disappears quickly after the accident. Whether you gather evidence yourself or enlist in the assistance of a witness to do so, there are some pieces of evidence that are most important. Here is some of the most vital information to collect:
- Speaking with police after a car accident with injuries is one of the best pieces of evidence to use in a personal injury claim. A police report will become available for you soon after your collision, which you can collect in person.
- Maintaining photographic and video evidence can show damage to the vehicles involved, as well as the conditions of the road at the time of the accident and any injuries that you have sustained due to the collision.
- You also want to collect contact information from drivers, passengers, and any witnesses at the scene.
- Always make sure to go to the hospital or call your doctor immediately following a car accident so that you can protect your health and also gain evidence of the extent of your injuries.
Keeping these pieces of evidence in mind can help you with the future of your claim. Always remember to never talk about your injuries with those involved in your accident, as you do not want to ruin any chances of financial recovery in the future if you claim that your injuries are not severe. There is always a chance that, in the future, you could find out that your injuries are more catastrophic than you initially suspected.
The Investigation into Your Oildale Car Accident
After you have sought medical treatment and gathered necessary evidence from the accident scene, speaking with a Maison Law car accident attorney can help you build a case from the ground up. Your lawyer will enlist the help of experts, use legal resources to investigate your claim and collect any medical evidence that can be used as a tool to show the extent of your injuries.
It is crucial to keep in mind that the insurance company is not on your side after an accident. The other driver’s company could start making calls hours or days after your collision so that they can catch you off guard. They may sound friendly as a tool to get information out of you that they can use against you. In the end, they might try to shift any blame onto you so that they can reduce the amount of compensation that they owe you. An insurance adjuster might also offer you the lowest settlement number possible in the hopes that you will grab it immediately. Your lawyer is well-versed in these tactics and will ensure that you are protected and fairly compensated for all of your losses.
With the help of accident scene experts, an attorney will be able to determine liability in a car accident if it is unclear. This is especially helpful in cases that involve more than one party or when the other drivers claim that they were not acting negligently at the time of the accident.
What Your Claim is Worth and Damages You Can Receive
Because every car accident is different, it is impossible to give an exact number on what you will receive in compensation as you bring your claim. However, the attorneys at Maison Law will work diligently to maximize your economic and non-economic damages so that you receive the results you deserve. Various formulas are used to come up with a number that accurately covers all of your damages and negotiation can help you ultimately increase these numbers.
There are several factors that are considered when coming up with an accurate amount for your damages. These include some of the following aspects:
- Your combined medical bills, including those that could be expected in the future
- Property damages to your vehicle and any other items you have lost
- Costs associated with traveling to appointments
- Lost income and future loss of wages
- Pain and suffering, such as emotional distress
- Lowered quality of life due to the extent of your injuries
- Wrongful death benefits for families who have suffered the loss of a loved one
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the statute of limitations on an Oildale car accident claim?
In all of California, there is a statute of limitations of two years from the time of your accident or when you first discover your injuries. If you delay bringing a claim, there is a chance that you could miss out on financial opportunities and be barred from recovering entirely.
What happens if I am involved in a collision with an uninsured driver?
If you discover that a driver was uninsured at the time of your accident, you could be protected under your own insurance policy by uninsured motorist coverage. Most insurers carry this type of coverage as a way for you to receive compensation even if the other driver was breaking the law and driving without insurance. The other driver could also receive penalties for these acts.
Is it necessary to hire an Oildale car accident lawyer following an accident?
Yes, as the expertise of a car accident lawyer can help you increase your chances of receiving the best results in your car accident claim. You may be concerned about being able to afford an attorney. Our attorneys at Maison Law do not get paid unless you do.
Contact an Oildale Car Accident Lawyer
After a car accident in Oildale, speaking with an attorney is incredibly vital and beneficial. Contact Maison Law to schedule a free consultation with a lawyer who has handled various car accident claims in the past. We will listen to you and advise you of your legal options by providing you with the best resources possible. You may find answers to all of the questions that you have, as well as become informed about common insurance company tactics.
At Maison Law, we will compassionately focus on your specific claim and unique circumstances. He will use his knowledge to make sure that you are treated fairly from start to finish in regard to your claim.
