Hayward Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyer

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Hayward is the sixth city with the highest population in the San Francisco Bay Area, with over 158,000 residents. From the hills to the coastline, the city of Hayward provides residents a scenic view, entertainment, and endless community events. Getting in and out of Hayward may involve taking State Route 92 and Interstate 880. Traffic collisions are common on these roadways and may cause traumatic injuries requiring extensive medical care and time away from work for recovery.

At AutoAccident.com, our Hayward personal injury attorneys are dedicated to seeking full compensation for our clients to help cover medical needs, wage loss, and other damages. Call today to receive free, friendly case advice from one of our car accident lawyers at (510) 631-0200 or (800) 404-5400.

A motor vehicle collision or another type of accident caused by a negligent party or entity should not leave you and your family with financial hardship. At our personal injury law firm, our attorneys can help you seek maximum compensation for your injuries and damages. Our legal team can manage all aspects of your accident case from start to finish so you can focus on recovering. Contact one of our personal injury attorneys serving Hayward, California, today for a free case evaluation.

What Types of Losses are Recoverable in Personal Injury Cases?

An individual injured in an accident caused by negligence may be entitled to financial recovery for the resulting injuries and losses. Injured parties may be eligible to seek two types of compensation in California, economic and non-economic damages. These may include but are not limited to:

  • Medical Treatment: Costs of medical care for injuries from a crash are recoverable. When serious injuries are involved, the injured individual may never fully recover and require ongoing medical treatment. Cases involving major injuries often require expert witness testimony from a medical professional to provide insight into the need for future medical care.
  • Lost Wages: The wages that could have been earned if not for missing work from accident-related injuries and medical appointments may be recoverable. Evidence such as medical records, doctor’s notes for missing work, pay stubs, and wage verification forms from employers may all be useful in proving wage loss.
  • Loss of Future Earning Potential: Some crashes may leave a person with permanent injury or disability. This may make an injured party unable to work. When this occurs, an injured person may seek compensation for the diminished earning capacity. Expert witnesses such as economists and medical professionals may need to provide insight into any possible amounts and severity of accident-related injuries.
  • Pain and Suffering: Damages for pain and suffering are intended to compensate an injured party for the emotional, mental, and physical distress they have experienced because of the incident.
What if the Other Party Does Not Have Insurance?

All drivers must carry liability coverage per California Insurance Code 11580.1b. Minimum liability insurance requirements include $5,000 in property damage coverage, $30,000 for bodily injury or death to more than one party, and $15,000 for bodily injury or death to one party. However, not all motorists in California carry liability insurance.

In motor vehicle crash cases involving an at-fault driver without liability coverage, an experienced Hayward car accident lawyer will look into whether their client’s auto insurance policy has uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. This type of protection may pay for economic and non-economic damages up to the policy's limits. Conversely, underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage may supplement any losses not fully covered by the other side.

Why is it Important to Work with a Car Accident Lawyer?

Insurance companies will often contact parties injured in accidents to offer quick settlements. Unfortunately, such offers may not be even close to what a personal injury case is truly worth. In other situations, the insurer may dispute liability for the incident, claim that reported injuries are unrelated to the collision, or the injuries are not as severe because of gaps in medical treatment.

Many people are unsure where to turn for assistance when they have sustained traumatic injuries in a motor vehicle crash or another type of accident. It is a good idea to hire a top-rated personal injury lawyer immediately following a collision in the City of Hayward. Unlike the other side, an attorney will work to protect your rights and best interests as a claimant.

Is it Expensive to Hire a Lawyer for a Personal Injury Claim?

At AutoAccident.com, we operate on a contingent fee basis meaning our clients do not owe us attorneys’ fees unless we obtain a successful outcome in their personal injury case. We will take a percentage of the settlement or verdict at the conclusion of the case. This amount will be agreed upon together at our initial intake appointment.

It is helpful to know that you do not have to worry about high hourly rates or retainers to afford a skilled Hayward personal injury lawyer from our law firm. All you have to focus on is recovering from accident-related injuries and being with your family. Learn more about how our multilingual legal team can help by watching this video.

How Long Do You Have to Bring a Personal Injury Lawsuit in California?

An individual injured in an accident may file a bodily injury claim against the at-fault party and their insurance company. However, California law limits the time claimants have to file a lawsuit in civil court. Per CCP 335.1, injured parties have up to two years to file suit. This deadline must be followed if settlement negotiations are unsuccessful and to proceed with litigation.

In some rare circumstances, the deadline may be shortened to 180 days or six months. This may occur if the case names a public agency a defendant, per California Government Code Section 911.2. In any case, it is essential to act quickly and file immediately to protect the statute. For more information, contact an experienced accident attorney in your area.

How Our Law Firm Assists Clients with Personal Injury Cases

At AutoAccident.com, we strive to help clients by obtaining successful case resolutions. Our legal team will do everything in our power to simplify the claims process to allow clients the time to recover and be with their loved ones. Our experienced Hayward personal injury attorneys can help you and your family by managing communication with the other side, gathering evidence in support of your case, and advocating for you inside and outside of the courtroom.

Insurance companies and defense counsel are not always easy to work with. In cases where a mutual settlement agreement cannot be reached, our injury lawyers may take the case to trial, where a judge or jury will determine an appropriate award. When you and your family turn to our law office for assistance, you all can rest assured that your accident case will be in good hands.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney in Hayward, California

Seeking maximum compensation for accident-related injuries and losses starts with a phone call to an experienced attorney. Contact one of our Hayward auto accident lawyers today for free, friendly case advice at (510) 631-0200 or (800) 404-5400. Since 1982, we have obtained many successful settlements and verdicts for our clients. Our legal team represents clients in Alameda County and throughout California.

Editor's Note: Updated for accuracy and relevancy [cha 3.2.23]

Picture Source: Pexels User “Mikhail Nilov

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Client Reviews
★★★★★
"Me and my wife; had a car accident. We were amazed how easy, professional, friendly attorney Ed Smith is along with his staff. Everybody is amazing. Thank you so much, we are very impressed!" Alex & Dinah M.
★★★★★
"Ed Smith and his office team took on a difficult personal injury case on my behalf and for the passenger in my car. Ed is a top- notch attorney. His staff couldn't have been more helpful and kind. No need to look elsewhere. I give Ed Smith my highest recommendation." Beverly
★★★★★
"Ed and Robert have been taking great care of my husband and I for the past 5+ years. They are always there when you have a problem and a quick resolution! Even when the issues have nothing to do with them. They are willing to help ease the pain off your shoulders. They are as good as it gets! Thank you again for everything." Annie T.
★★★★★
"Very professional. Great team, staff and service all around. Mr Smith was very honest, straight forward with his advice. He gives the word "attorney" an honest reputation. I will seek his council anytime, and would recommend him at the drop of a dime." Jeremy M.
★★★★★
"I would highly recommend Ed Smith to any friends or family in need of a personal injury attorney. Ed, and his staff, are very caring on top of being very experienced in this field. The staff always keeps you informed of the status of your case and they are always easy to reach by phone." Shannon D.
★★★★★
"Edward Smith law offices provide competent, thorough, and personable help for victims of personal injury. When you first meet the staff you know you contacted the right office. This law office treats clients like people. I recommend this office to anyone seeking representation regarding personal injury." David M.