Car Accident Lawyer in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
When a serious car accident happens on Interstate 15 or Day Creek Boulevard, your first concern is your recovery. But who can you turn to for help with your medical bills and vehicle repairs? You need an attorney you can trust.
At the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas, your first consultation is free. If we work on your case, you don’t pay legal fees unless and until we secure a settlement or win damages in court. If we don’t win, you don’t pay. We also provide legal services in Spanish.
To speak with our car accident lawyers in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, contact our law firm today. You can also reach our San Bernardino County attorneys by phone.
Where Car Accidents Happen In Rancho Cucamonga
Here are some of the most dangerous roads and highways in and around Rancho Cucamonga.
- Interstate 15: There is plenty of commuter and large commercial vehicle traffic on I-15 every day. High speeds and congestion can lead to major collisions.
- Foothill Freeway/Route 210: Many local motorists commute on Route 210, as do large truck drivers.
- Foothill Boulevard/Route 66: The steady flow of traffic on Foothill Boulevard and multiple lanes means numerous accident risks for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
- Haven Avenue: Plenty of people drive on Haven Avenue toward the Foothill Freeway or I-10. In addition to the highway ramps, crashes could happen at intersections with 19th Street, Baseline Road, or Foothill Boulevard.
How Common Are Car Accidents in the Rancho Cucamonga?
According to data from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), there were 506 auto accidents in Rancho Cucamonga in 2023 that resulted in injury or death.
When expanding our scope to San Bernardino County, OTS recorded 15,118 vehicle accidents in 2023 that resulted in injury or death.
Why You Need a Local Rancho Cucamonga Lawyer After a Car Crash
Hiring a local law firm after a collision has many advantages. Here’s why you need to work with Rancho Cucamonga car accident lawyers near you:
- We Know Local Laws on Vehicle Accidents: Local attorneys like those at our firm know where collisions happen around Rancho Cucamonga and the factors that may have contributed to the crash. We also know local laws and ordinances that may be pertinent to your claim.
- Access to Resources for Local Accident Victims: After a car accident, you may not know what to do or what help is available. By working with a local law firm, you can learn about resources here in Rancho Cucamonga to help with repairs, medical care, and much more.
- Personal Attention That National Firms Cannot Provide: Large national firms have big marketing budgets, but they often treat car accident survivors like case numbers. A local Rancho Cucamonga firm like the Law Office of Fernando D. Vargas will give you close, personal attention throughout your case.
Common Causes of Auto Accidents in the Inland Empire
Below are some of the most common causes of car accidents in this part of Southern California.
Exceeding the speed limit endangers drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians. The same can be said of reckless driving, which includes refusing to yield the right of way, frequent or aggressive lane changes, failing to use blinkers, and tailgating.
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol affects reaction times and decision-making skills. In addition to facing criminal charges, impaired drivers can be sued for damages by victims and families affected by a DUI accident.
Distracted driving covers a wide range of actions that divert a driver’s attention from the road and/or take their hands off the wheel. This includes texting while driving, making calls without a hands-free kit, looking up directions on the phone, eating while driving, and rubbernecking.
Driver error is not always the cause of an accident. There may have been a flaw in the design or manufacturing of the vehicle itself that made it unsafe to drive. Similarly, vehicle parts like tires, brake pads, or safety systems might fail, causing a serious crash.
Potholes, broken traffic signals, missing signage, and poor road design can all contribute to serious accidents. When poor road conditions or failure to fix known road hazards lead to an accident, local municipalities and the state of California could be held liable for a crash.
Common Injuries in Rancho Cucamonga Car Crashes
Car wrecks can cause severe and catastrophic injuries that have a lasting impact on your life.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Concussions and other severe head trauma can cause brain damage that affects memory, cognition, concentration, and motor skills.
- Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI): Injuries to the spine can result in partial paralysis, paraplegia, or quadriplegia.
- Partial and Full-Thickness Burn Injuries: Severe burns can cause permanent disfigurement and loss of the use of limbs.
- Broken Bones and Joint Fractures: Major fractures or dislocations can affect your strength and range of motion even after surgery.
- Loss of Limbs: Some crashes may require amputation during emergency treatment or cause dismemberment at the accident site.
If you lose a loved one in a fatal collision, the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas can help you file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for funeral costs, grief counseling, and the impact on your family.
Types of Compensation Available for Car Accident Victims
Accident survivors and their families can seek compensation to cover economic and non-economic losses. The Rancho Cucamonga car accident attorneys at our firm will help you seek maximum compensation.
- Medical Expenses: Past medical bills and surgical procedures, current healthcare needs, and future estimated costs for physical rehabilitation and specialist visits.
- Property Damage: Repairs to your vehicle, replacement of a totaled vehicle, and damage to any other belongings during the collision.
- Lost Wages: Lost income due to time off from work or extended leave as you recover.
- Reduced Earning Potential: Loss of future earnings if your injuries affect your career path or cause a permanent disability.
- Pain and Suffering: Chronic pain, mental anguish, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Diminished Quality of Life: Loss of interest in hobbies and reduced sense of joy, contentment, or general well-being.
How California’s Pure Comparative Negligence Laws Affect Your Settlement
California is a pure comparative negligence state, which means you can seek compensation if you were partly or mostly at fault for a collision. Your compensation is reduced by your share of liability.
For example, say that you were in a crash on Milliken Avenue and received $100,000 in compensation, but you are found to be 10% at fault. Because of pure comparative negligence, you would still receive $90,000.
How to Maximize Compensation After a Car Wreck in Rancho Cucamonga
There are several steps you can take to help maximize compensation after a car crash. The Law Office of Fernando D. Vargas has highlighted some important do’s and don’ts after a car accident.
What to Do After a Car Wreck in Rancho Cucamonga
Taking these steps can build official documentation of the accident that can help build a strong case.
- Call 911: Call local law enforcement for emergency response and to ensure there’s a police report about the crash.
- Exchange Information: Exchange contact info and insurance information with other drivers. Get information from witnesses as well.
- Document the Accident Site: Take photos and videos of the crash site, the scene of the accident, and your injuries.
- Seek Medical Attention: Get checked out by a doctor as soon as you can. This will ensure there’s medical documentation of your injuries.
What You Should Not Do After a Car Wreck
These actions can undermine the value of your claim.
- Admit Fault or Say You’re Sorry: Apologizing for what happened suggests you were partially to blame for the accident.
- Post About the Crash on Social Media: Sharing information about the crash could lead to contradictory statements about your injuries and their severity.
- Accept an Initial Settlement Offer: The initial offer is often much lower than the true value of your claim. Speak with a car accident lawyer before accepting a settlement.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents in Rancho Cucamonga
Below are some of the most common questions we’ve received about car wrecks in San Bernardino County.
How long do I have to sue someone for a car accident in Rancho Cucamonga?
In California, you typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim. You won’t be able to take legal action once the two-year statute of limitations has passed.
While there are exceptions to this two-year time limit, it’s best to contact a Rancho Cucamonga car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
What if the other driver in the accident was uninsured or underinsured?
If the other driver lacks sufficient insurance coverage, our team will consider all potential options to maximize your compensation. In addition to legal action, we can help review your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage as well as other insurance coverage that may apply to the crash.
Who can be held liable in a multi-vehicle crash in Rancho Cucamonga?
Liable parties in a multi-vehicle crash can vary. Possible liable parties include other negligent drivers, the employers of commercial drivers, local road authorities, and automakers.
By carefully investigating the cause(s) of an accident, our lawyers can hold all negligent parties accountable for their role in the multi-vehicle crash.
Why Locals Choose Our Law Firm After a Car Accident
If you’ve been badly injured in a car crash, you need strong legal representation. Here’s why the local community in Rancho Cucamonga chooses the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas when they need legal help.
- We Know How Insurance Companies Work: Attorney Fernando D. Vargas started his legal career in 1987 as a defense counsel for insurance companies. He can use that knowledge of how insurers think to negotiate better settlements and build better cases for clients.
- Hablamos Español (Legal Services in Spanish): Members of our law firm are fluent in Spanish. This allows us to best serve the Spanish-speaking community here in Rancho Cucamonga and throughout San Bernardino County.
- Free Case Reviews: After a car accident, the last thing you need is another bill. We offer free case evaluations so you can learn about your options from qualified legal professionals.
- You Don’t Pay Unless We Win: We work on a contingency fee basis. That means we only get paid if we can secure a settlement or win damages in court. If we don’t win, you owe us no legal fees.
Contact Our Rancho Cucamonga Car Accident Attorneys Near You
If you were hurt in a car crash in San Bernardino County, the Law Office of Fernando D. Vargas is on your side. Don’t go it alone. For a free case evaluation with our skilled team of Rancho Cucamonga car accident lawyers, contact our law firm today. You can also reach our team by calling (909) 982-0707.