San Diego Car Accident Lawyers

Holding Negligent Motorists Accountable for Your Injuries

Most people don’t expect to suffer serious injuries when they start their days. Unfortunately, tens of thousands of individuals experience motor vehicle accidents daily in America. If you or a loved one find yourself in this situation, you may end up dealing with an unhelpful insurance company, negligent parties who refuse to accept responsibility, and a legal system that’s complicated and sometimes doesn’t work in the way one might expect. Fortunately, you don’t have to go through these difficulties alone. A San Diego car accident lawyer may be able to help.

At Finn Trial Attorneys, APC, our dedicated team of California personal injury attorneys is here to help. We know the tricks that insurers use, and we understand that every car accident case is different. That’s why we fully commit ourselves to investigating your claim and seeking maximum compensation for the injuries you or a loved one have suffered. If you’re currently going through this reality, you’re likely dealing with mounting medical bills at a time when you’re no longer able to work — and no one should have to shoulder this burden alone.

Speak with an experienced car accident attorney in San Diego today. Contact our law firm for a free consultation.

Are You Entitled to Compensation for a Car Accident?

If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident, you may be wondering whether you’re entitled to financial compensation. This question can be complicated. In some cases, an auto accident involving one vehicle may seem to have no one else to blame. However, this belief could be inaccurate. Even a single-vehicle collision could have third-party liability if negligence exists (e.g., failure to fix road hazards, faulty mechanical systems). No matter your situation, any car accident lawsuit will require certain elements to be proven before compensation is granted:

Duty of care: It’s necessary to show that the liable party had a responsibility to avoid actions that could harm others. Everyone who operates motor vehicles is expected to drive safely to reduce the risk of car accidents.
Violation of duty: A personal injury lawsuit must also establish that the liable party violated their duty of care. For instance, perhaps the responsible person was speeding or running red lights — both of which increase the risk of motor vehicle collisions.
Damages or harm: It’s also necessary to show that damages were suffered by the injured party. When negligent acts lead to a car crash, compensation can be granted for monetary (e.g., medical expenses, lost income) and non-monetary (e.g., emotional distress) losses.
Causation: Once damages are proven, the next step is proving that those damages were a direct result of the liable party violating a duty of care. For instance, one might show that the injuries sustained in an automobile accident stemmed directly from a motorist speeding.

Keep in mind that there are nuances to personal injury law. That’s why you should speak with a San Diego car accident lawyer before doing anything. Even if all these elements seem to exist, you may find that the insurance company you’re dealing with knows how to reduce potential liability. It’s also important to note that these elements of liability only need to be established if litigation is required — but if proving them is unlikely, you’ll probably find that the insurance company refuses to play fair.

Fortunately, you can have an experienced legal advocate handle these issues on your behalf. Contact a California car accident lawyer today at Finn Trial Attorneys.

Why You Should Hire a Personal Injury Attorney After a Vehicle Accident in San Diego

After a vehicular accident, you deserve to focus on your recovery, not on battling insurance companies or deciphering complex legal terms. Hiring a personal injury attorney in San Diego ensures that your rights are protected, your claim is properly valued, and you have the best chance of receiving the compensation you deserve. You don’t have to navigate this challenging time alone, so let a professional advocate for you and guide you to the justice you’re entitled to.

If you still need more convincing that working with San Diego car accident lawyers is in your best interest, just consider the many benefits our clients receive:

1. Protecting Your Rights

After a motor vehicle accident, you may be dealing with injuries, vehicle damage, and emotional distress. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially when insurance companies and other parties are involved. A personal injury attorney specializes in protecting your rights, ensuring that you aren’t taken advantage of during this vulnerable time. They’ll advocate on your behalf, handling all communications with insurance companies and opposing attorneys.

2. Expertise in Vehicle Accident Cases

Vehicle accidents involve specific laws and regulations that can be complex and difficult to navigate without professional help. A personal injury attorney with experience in car accident cases will have a deep understanding of these laws and how they apply to your situation. Whether your case involves car, truck, motorcycle, or rideshare accidents, an experienced attorney will know the best strategies to pursue maximum compensation.

3. Accurate Valuation of Your Claim

Determining the true value of your claim after a vehicle accident can be challenging. Medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future medical needs all need to be considered. Insurance companies often try to settle for the lowest amount possible, but a skilled personal injury attorney will accurately assess your claim’s value. They’ll ensure that all aspects of your injury and damages are factored into your compensation, so you don’t end up with less than you deserve.

4. Effective Negotiation with Insurance Companies

Insurance companies are focused on protecting their bottom line, not on giving you a fair settlement. They employ adjusters and attorneys who are skilled at minimizing payouts. When you hire a personal injury attorney, you level the playing field. Your attorney will negotiate aggressively on your behalf, leveraging their knowledge of the law and experience with similar cases to push for the best possible outcome.

5. Gathering and Preserving Evidence

To build a strong case, it’s crucial to gather and preserve evidence as soon as possible after the accident. A personal injury attorney will work quickly to collect accident reports, medical records, witness statements, and any other evidence that supports your case. They’ll also work with accident reconstruction experts if needed, ensuring that all the facts are presented accurately and persuasively.

6. Reducing Stress and Focusing on Recovery

Dealing with the aftermath of a vehicle accident is stressful enough without having to worry about legal matters. By hiring a personal injury attorney, you can focus on what’s most important—your recovery. Your attorney will handle all the legal aspects of your case, keeping you informed and involved but allowing you to concentrate on healing.

7. Contingency Fee Arrangement

Worried about the cost of hiring an attorney? Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. Your attorney only gets paid if they win your case, so you can pursue justice without financial stress. This arrangement also motivates your attorney to work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome for you.

8. Local Knowledge and Experience

San Diego has its own unique legal environment, and having an attorney with local experience can be a significant advantage. A San Diego-based personal injury attorney will be familiar with local courts, judges, and the nuances of California vehicle accident laws. This local knowledge can make a big difference in how your case is handled and ultimately resolved.

What Compensation Are You Entitled To?

In most personal injury cases, a resolution is reached via settlement negotiations. Unfortunately, an insurance company won’t always offer a fair settlement for injured parties. Your attorney can deal with your insurer during the car accident claim, but if your legal team feels the insurance company is trying to cheat you, they can file litigation on your behalf. Once your case makes it into court, you may be entitled to several forms of compensation:

Economic damages: When injury victims seek compensation, this is the most common financial recovery they receive. These damages cover monetary losses such as medical treatment costs, lost wages, property damage, future medical expenses, and other economic losses.
Non-economic damages: San Diego car accident victims lose more than just money. Non-economic damages can reimburse them for non-monetary losses such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment in life, and more.
Punitive damages: In rare instances, wrongful acts will be so egregious that courts will award additional damages to injury victims in order to punish liable parties. You should seek experienced legal representation to see if you might qualify.

Whether you’re dealing with your own or another driver’s insurance company, you can fully expect them to focus more on profits than helping injury victims. The simple fact is that these are businesses, and the primary goal of a business is to make money. Fortunately, the primary goal of every San Diego car accident lawyer at Finn Trial Attorneys is to secure the best possible outcome for our clients. We’ll work hard to hold the at-fault driver and other liable parties responsible for their wrongful acts.

Contact us today for more information. We proudly serve San Diego County and the surrounding areas, and we’re ready to take on the fight.

What Legal Problems Can Arise During Personal Injury Claims?

Even the most experienced attorneys can tell you that car accident claims are rarely straightforward. There’s always the chance that a problem could occur. Fortunately, this doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t be able to recover compensation. An experienced car accident attorney in San Diego will understand the potential hurdles that exist, and they’ll be prepared for them. At Finn Trial Attorneys, we are frequently able to help our clients avoid such difficulties:

Statute of limitations: Most people have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit following a car accident. However, this deadline can vary based on situational factors — even being as little as six months if government agencies are involved.
Shared liability: If multiple parties are involved, it will be necessary to hold them all accountable. Pinpointing who is responsible for your injuries — and to what level — is something that an experienced attorney can assist with.
Comparative negligence: In many instances, injury victims share some level of liability with the other driver. Since California is a comparative negligence state, victims can still seek compensation. However, financial compensation may be reduced.
Uninsured or underinsured drivers: If a negligent motorist doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your damages, uninsured motorist coverage may come into play. Even if you don’t have this coverage, experienced auto accident attorneys may still be able to help.

Tens of millions of individuals visit emergency rooms every year. Clearly, unexpected events can occur. If you or a loved one becomes one of the many victims of motor vehicle accidents, you must act quickly to avoid issues that could affect your ability to recover compensation. This typically means visiting a medical professional as soon as you leave the accident scene, and it’s an absolute necessity that you follow your doctor’s orders afterward. However, after your doctor’s visit, your next call should be to a car accident lawyer in San Diego.

At Finn Trial Attorneys, we’ll review your case and help you better understand your options.

Should You Talk to the Insurance Company on Your Own?

Following car accidents that result in serious injuries, many people question whether they need a San Diego auto accident attorney. This question is relatively common when injured victims believe that liability is straightforward in their case. In some instances, the other driver’s auto insurance company may even reach out and agree that their policyholder was at fault. They might tell you that their client’s comprehensive coverage will cover your losses — so there’s no need to get lawyers involved.

They may even offer what seems like a fair settlement for your injuries, and if this is the case, why would you need a car accident lawyer? Put simply, it’s because insurance companies are not going to initially offer what you deserve. If you’ve been the victim of a serious auto accident, you may be entitled to much more than just money for medical bills and car repairs. This possibility is where a San Diego auto accident lawyer can prove invaluable.

The legal team you choose to represent you can investigate your case and get a better idea of what your car accident claim is truly worth. At Finn Trial Attorneys, we frequently handle cases like this — so we have a good idea of the elements that can lead to increased compensation. When dealing with insurance companies, we can make sure they understand that you won’t settle for less. Our law firm represents clients in San Diego car accidents every day. Let us help you as well.

Contact a Car Accident Attorney in San Diego Today

If another party’s negligence or wrongful acts caused you injuries or loss, you deserve fair compensation. Unfortunately, this isn’t always a simple task. The insurance claims process can be extremely complicated, and when significant losses have occurred, you can fully expect insurance adjusters to work hard to avoid paying a fair settlement. Unfortunately, things can get even more challenging if you have to face liable parties or the other driver’s insurance company in court.

At Finn Trial Attorneys, we’re here to make sure you don’t have to face these difficulties alone. Every personal injury lawyer at our law firm is experienced and ready to fight for your best interests. We handle car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and commercial vehicle collisions. We can also assist if you were harmed as a pedestrian or while riding a bicycle due to a motorist’s reckless and dangerous behavior. Whatever situation you find yourself in, we’re here to assist.

Contact us at 1-800-400-FINN to schedule a free consultation. Our experienced car accident lawyers in San Diego can help you move forward.