Oakland Car Accident Lawyer

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Motor vehicle collisions in and around the San Francisco Bay Area are a severe issue, and the City of Oakland is no exception. These roadway crashes may potentially cause traumatic injuries and significant losses. If the incident resulted from someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries and damages. Finding the right attorney to handle your case may seem daunting. However, it is essential to consider when dealing with mounting medical bills, vehicle repair costs, wage loss, and other damages. You owe it to yourself and your family to retain legal counsel to protect your rights and best interests every step of the way in the recovery process.

When you need the best car accident lawyer to handle your case in Oakland, California, look no further. Our legal team from AutoAccident.com has decades of combined experience handling personal injury cases like yours. Call (510) 631-0200 or (800) 404-5400 to receive free, friendly advice from our auto accident attorneys.

Since 1982, our California personal injury lawyers from AutoAccident.com have helped many Oaklanders and residents across Alameda County obtain maximum financial compensation in their cases, and we can do the same for you. Our skilled and compassionate legal team may negotiate an insurance settlement on your behalf or litigate your injury case through the California court system to reach a favorable resolution. Schedule a free consultation today to learn more about the services our law office provides and how we can help you seek the recovery you deserve from your Oakland car accident case. We operate on contingency which means you owe us nothing unless we successfully resolve your case.

How Many Car Crashes Occur Each Year in Oakland, California?

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, 2,289 injury and fatal crashes occurred in Oakland, CA, in 2020. Of these collisions:

  • Around 496 auto crashes involved hit-and-run drivers
  • Speeding was involved in 251 of the reported car wrecks
  • Alcohol impairment was involved in 131 traffic collisions
  • Approximately 287 occurred during nighttime hours between 9:00 p.m. to 2:59 a.m.
What are the Most Common Causes of Traffic Collisions in Oakland, CA?

Accident prevention starts with understanding the common reasons for roadway crashes. According to data compiled by the City of Oakland, 75 percent of serious injuries or fatalities from traffic collisions occurred at intersections. Oakland residents were seriously hurt or killed by vehicles making left-hand turns at approximately 4 times the rate of those that were making right-hand turns. Approximately 25 percent of fatal collisions in Oakland city limits involved speeding vehicles.

Can You File a Personal Injury Claim for an Auto Accident?

When an individual gets hurt in a motor vehicle collision or another type of roadway crash because of another party or entity’s negligence or recklessness, the injured person may seek financial compensation by filing a bodily injury claim. This may allow a claimant to seek reimbursement for intangible and financial losses they incurred because of the incident and accident-related injuries. A lawsuit is filed in civil court if a mutual settlement agreement is not reached with the insurer and to protect the applicable statute of limitations. For more details, contact a skilled injury attorney.

What Types of Losses are Recoverable in Injury Cases for Car Crashes?

While no amount of money may undo the pain and devastation that often accompanies traumatic injuries from a car wreck, it may help provide compensation for financial and intangible losses an injured party has endured. California’s personal injury laws allow claimants to seek reimbursement for economic and non-economic damages associated with an auto accident stemming from:

  • Reasonable and necessary costs of past and future medical treatment for accident-related injuries
  • Lost earnings for the wages that were lost to recover from traumatic injuries and to attend medical appointments for reasonable and necessary treatment
  • Loss of future earning capacity based on what the injured party would have expectedly earned over the course of their life if not for the auto accident
  • Pain and suffering for the mental suffering and physical pain an individual has experienced because of injuries suffered in a motor vehicle collision

If you were injured in a recent auto accident in the City of Oakland, you may be entitled to compensation by filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. However, that may be challenging without an experienced car crash attorney on your side. Learn how our legal team can help you with your case by watching the video below that details our services.

Are Punitive Damages Recoverable in Car Accident Cases in California?

In cases where the circumstances of a motor vehicle collision were particularly egregious or severe, the injured party may seek punitive damages from the at-fault party with the assistance of an Oakland car accident lawyer. The purpose of punitive damages is to punish the other side and discourage them from engaging in similar conduct in the future. In the context of a roadway crash, punitive damages may be sought from a motorist who was driving under the influence or excessively speeding.

What Evidence is Needed to Prove an Injury Case for a Traffic Collision?

Building the strongest personal injury case possible for a motor vehicle crash requires clear and compelling evidence demonstrating the other side’s negligence, the severity of accident-related injuries, and the extent of damages incurred. Evidence such as photos of visible injuries, pictures of the crash scene, traffic incident reports by the CHP or Oakland PD, eyewitness statements, and medical records are useful for proving a bodily injury claim. Remember that evidence may be lost or destroyed over time, so it is best to work with an accident lawyer who can gather and preserve it on your behalf.

Oakland Car Accident FAQ

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle collision in Oakland, California, you may have a lot on your mind. Retaining legal counsel may be the last of your concerns during this difficult time. To make it easier for you, our legal team has compiled answers to frequently asked questions to help you understand the car accident claims process and what to expect from it moving forward.

What if the at-fault driver does not have liability coverage?

In California, you should carry uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. UM and UIM will protect you in case you are injured in a roadway crash caused by a driver with little to no liability insurance. Our legal team from AutoAccident.com recommends carrying a minimum of $100,000/$300,000 in uninsured/underinsured motorist protection. That way, if the other party does not have insurance or has state minimum limits, your UM/UIM protection will fully cover damages or the remainder of losses. 

What is useful about UM coverage is that it may compensate the insured if they were injured in a hit-and-run collision, even if the suspect party is not located. It may also extend protection to other members of a household. This is possible only if the policyholder does not list them as excluded members. For more information on UM and UIM coverage and how it may come into play in your case, contact an experienced car accident lawyer serving Oakland, CA.


How long do you have to file an injury claim for a car wreck in California?

In California, a deadline is set for filing a case for personal injury in civil court. This time limit is also known as the statute of limitations. According to the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, a lawsuit must be filed within two years of the date of the traffic collision, with few exceptions. For instance, a deadline of 180 days applies in cases where public entities are named defendants, as outlined in the California Government Code Section 911.2

If a personal injury lawsuit for a car accident is filed after the statute of limitations has passed, it will most likely be dismissed by the court. After that, injured parties cannot seek reimbursement of compensatory damages in civil court. To protect the statute that applies in your case, retain legal counsel immediately. An experienced Oakland auto accident attorney can review the facts of your personal injury case to determine the appropriate statute of limitations and file accordingly.

Is it expensive to hire a personal injury lawyer for an Oakland car accident case?

After getting injured in a recent motor vehicle collision, you will want to work with a California personal injury attorney that handles cases on contingency. This means payment will only be due if your Oakland car accident case is successfully resolved. This allows injured parties to retain legal counsel without having to worry about any out-of-pocket expenses for representation. At AutoAccident.com, we are proud to operate on contingency for our clients.

Contact an Auto Accident Attorney Serving Oakland, California

You can depend on our legal team from AutoAccident.com to use our experience, knowledge, and resources to leave no stone unturned when it comes to seeking the justice and maximum compensation you deserve. We stand by our proven track record of successful verdicts and settlements we have secured on behalf of our clients. Learn how our compassionate and skilled Oakland car accident lawyers can help and receive free, friendly case advice at (510) 631-0200 or (800) 404-5400.

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