Oakland, California is a major city in the San Francisco Bay Area and the largest city in Alameda County. While it might not garner as much attention as San Francisco, more than 420,000 people call Oakland home and millions of individuals visit each year. With a sizeable residential and tourist population, the city deals with a great deal of traffic. In recent years, Oakland has been known to have some of the worst bottlenecks in the country. The Bay Area in general has become known for some of the worst traffic congestion in the U.S. and the world. With so many drivers crammed into a small space, car accidents are common as well. If you have been injured in a crash in Oakland or the Bar Area, contact an Oakland car accident attorney from the Brod Law Firm as soon as possible to discuss the possibility of pursuing compensation for your injuries.
Oakland Crash StatisticsIn 2014, Oakland had a population of approximately 408,000. During that year, there were 3,016 collisions that resulted in injuries or fatalities. Of these crashes, 232 individuals were injured or killed in alcohol-related crashes, 15 of which were under 21 years old and had been drinking and driving. 76 of the individuals injured or killed had been drunk drivers between the ages of 21 and 34 years. Speed was a common issue, as well. There were 557 speed-related crashes that led to injuries or deaths.
Common Causes of Car AccidentsWhile auto accidents can occur for any number of reasons, there are certain factors that routinely lead to crashes that cause drivers, passengers, and other individuals injuries, or worse yet, cause fatalities. Most of these factors are human error, including:
If you were in a car accident and you believe the other driver was at fault for one of these or made another error, contact a car accident attorney in Oakland as soon as possible. You need to determine the cause of the accident and who is liable for your injuries quickly so that you may fight for the compensation you deserve under the law.
Pursuing Damages Through a Car Accident Insurance ClaimAfter being injured in a crash in or near Oakland, you typically have two options for seeking compensation for your physical, psychological, and financial injuries. The most common way to gain compensation is through an insurance claim against the at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy. You will need to make a formal claim to the insurer. You will be assigned an adjuster who will investigate your claim and determine whether to approve or deny it. You need to cooperate during this investigation, including handing over documentation, providing copies of your medical records regarding your accident-related injuries, and providing a statement about what happened leading up to and during the accident.
An Oakland car accident lawyer from the Brod Law Firm can help you through the claims process and help you obtain compensation for your:
If the other driver is uninsured or underinsured, or if the insurer denies your claim, then you should speak with an attorney about filing a personal injury lawsuit. During a lawsuit, you must prove that the other driver was careless or reckless thereby breaching their duty to use ordinary care while driving. If this breach of their duty as a driver led to an accident, which resulted in your injuries, then that driver is legally liable for compensating you.
Personal injury lawsuits can be difficult and take more time to resolve than an insurance claim. However, few car accident cases go to trial. Almost all of them are resolved through a settlement before trial. If you have thoughts or concerns about filing a personal injury lawsuit after a crash, contact a car accident lawyer representing Oakland clients right away. An attorney from the Brod Law Firm can explain the legal process and help you decide if this is the right choice for you.
Let Brod Law Firm Help YouFighting for your right to compensation after a car accident can be challenging. However, you should not walk away or give up on collecting damages until you have spoken with an attorney. A lawyer can represent you through a tough insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit, protecting your rights and negotiating a settlement to get you the maximum compensation for your injuries.