At Arias Sanguinetti, we understand that a car accident in Santa Clara can change your life in an instant. Serious crashes can result in significant injuries or death, ongoing physical or emotional pain, and financial strain. As your trusted Santa Clara car accident lawyer, we’re here to help you through these challenges and rebuild your lives.
Whether you were hit by a truck, motorcycle, car, or other motor vehicle, the experience can leave you with overwhelming injuries or financial hardship. With over $1.5 billion recovered for our clients, we are committed to helping you rebuild and move forward.
If you or your loved ones are facing the aftermath of an accident, connect with a Santa Clara personal injury lawyer at Arias Sanguinetti. We’re here to stand by your side, offering the support and guidance you need while obtaining the compensation that you deserve.
Understanding California Car Insurance Requirements
It’s mandatory to have car insurance in California to protect yourself and others on the road. The state operates under a fault-based system, meaning the driver responsible for an accident is liable for the resulting damages.
If you’re injured due to someone else’s negligence, you have the right to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and more. It’s essential to understand the insurance requirements in California. (Please note that these requirements will soon be increasing in 2025):
- $15,000 for injury or death to one person per accident.
- $30,000 for injury or death to more than one person per accident.
- $5,000 for property damage per accident.
These are the minimum coverage amounts, but you can choose higher limits for added protection. However, you can only recover up to the at-fault driver’s policy limits. In some cases, filing a lawsuit might be a better option if damages exceed the coverage.
Optional policies like uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage offer extra protection if the other driver lacks insurance. Our lawyers will evaluate your case and help you choose the best path forward after an accident.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Santa Clara
Car accidents in Santa Clara often result from driver mistakes. As Santa Clara car accident attorneys, we’ve seen many cases caused by:
- Distracted driving: Whether it’s texting, eating, or managing kids in the backseat, distractions can lead to serious accidents, even in a split second.
- Impaired driving: Alcohol, drugs, or even certain medications can severely impair your ability to drive safely.
- Drowsy driving: Fatigue significantly increases the risk of collisions, with tired drivers being three times more likely to crash.
- Speeding: High speeds reduce reaction time, making it harder to stop and avoid accidents.
- Aggressive driving: Actions like abrupt lane changes, ignoring traffic signals, and failing to yield contribute to many collisions.
- Road conditions: Poor road conditions, such as potholes or bad weather, can make driving dangerous and lead to accidents.
If you’re in an accident, our Santa Clara personal injury attorneys are here to support you.
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Common Types of Car Accidents
Understanding the most frequent types of car accidents can help you stay prepared on the road:
- Rear-end collisions: Often caused by sudden stops or distracted driving, these are among the most common accidents.
- Intersection accidents: Busy intersections can be hazardous, especially when drivers fail to yield or run red lights.
- Left-turn accidents: Misjudging the speed of oncoming traffic can lead to serious collisions during left turns.
- Head-on collisions: These occur when vehicles travel in opposite directions and collide, often resulting in severe injuries.
- T-bone collisions: Common at intersections, these happen when one vehicle crashes into the side of another.
- Sideswipe collisions: These accidents occur when two vehicles traveling side by side make contact, often due to lane changes.
- Rollover accidents: Vehicles with a higher center of gravity are more prone to rolling over, especially during sharp turns or collisions.
- Hit and run: These accidents involve a driver leaving the scene without exchanging information or checking on the other party.
- Multi-vehicle accidents: These often happen in heavy traffic, which involves several vehicles and can be particularly chaotic.
- Uber accidents and Lyft accidents: Accidents involving rideshare services like Uber or Lyft can raise unique legal and insurance issues.
- Uninsured or underinsured accidents: These occur when a driver without sufficient insurance causes an accident, leaving the other party to seek compensation through their own policy.
Knowing these common accident types can help you stay alert and safe while driving.
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Common Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can have lasting effects on your health and well-being. Sometimes, you may walk away without a scratch, but other times, even minor injuries can lead to serious complications. It’s important to understand the common injuries that can result from a car crash:
- Whiplash: This neck injury is caused by the sudden jerking motion during an accident.
- Broken bones: Fractures are common and can range from simple breaks to more severe, long-lasting injuries.
- Knee damage: Impact from a collision can cause significant damage to your knees, affecting mobility.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI): Head injuries can be severe and may lead to long-term cognitive issues.
- Herniated discs or spinal cord injury: These injuries can cause chronic pain and may lead to paralysis.
- Burns: Accidents involving fire or hot surfaces can result in serious burns.
- Cuts and abrasions: Flying debris or broken glass often causes these painful injuries.
- Loss of limbs and quadriplegia: In severe cases, accidents can result in the loss of limbs or permanent paralysis.
- CRPS (Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome): This condition may develop after an injury and is characterized by severe, persistent pain.
- Wrongful death: Tragically, some accidents result in fatalities, leaving families to cope with the loss of a loved one.
Understanding these potential injuries can help you take steps to protect your health after an accident. Working with a lawyer from our team will make sure that you’ll receive compensation for all injuries and trauma.
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Types of Damages You Can Claim After a Car Accident
A serious car accident can lead to significant financial strain, but you have the right to seek compensation for your losses. Here are some of the damages you may be able to claim:
- Medical expenses: This includes all related costs, such as emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, doctor visits, physical therapy, and any future treatments you might need. Common injuries from accidents include broken bones, brain injuries, and spinal injuries.
- Lost wages: If you’re unable to work due to your injuries, you can seek compensation for the income you’ve lost. If your ability to earn has been permanently reduced, you may also be entitled to recover the difference.
- Property damage: You can claim the costs to repair or replace your vehicle and any other damaged property, such as electronics or personal belongings.
- Pain and suffering: This covers the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident.
- Punitive damages: In cases involving reckless or intentional misconduct, courts may award punitive damages as a form of punishment to the at-fault party.
Keep in mind that if the at-fault party’s insurance doesn’t fully cover your damages, you may need to pursue additional claims or consider legal action against the responsible driver to recover the remaining losses.
Arias Sanguinetti: Your Trusted Santa Clara Car Accident Lawyer
If you’re dealing with injuries, lost wages, or other challenges after a car accident, having the right support is essential. A Santa Clara car accident lawyer from our firm will help you understand your options and fight for what you’re entitled to.
At Arias Sanguinetti, we’ve obtained well over $1.5 billion for our clients, helping them recover from the financial and personal impact of accidents. Our team is here to guide you through this process with care and professionalism.
Reach out to Arias Sanguinetti today to discuss your case with our Santa Clara car accident lawyers, who are committed to helping you move forward.
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