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When looking for a leading San Diego car accident lawyer, you’ll want to prioritize looking for a lawyer who can give you advice from the minute you collide. Ours is simple: Do not talk to anyone.
The aftermath of an accident can be confusing and stressful, but staying silent can protect your rights and future case.
Talking to the other driver after an accident can impact the validity of your claim. Even casual conversations can lead to misunderstandings or misinterpretations that may be used against you later.
For instance, admitting fault, even if you believe you were partly to blame, can be twisted and used by insurance companies to reduce your compensation. Sharing details about your injuries might be downplayed or disputed. Every word you say will be put under a magnifying glass and potentially weaken your case.
And that’s without talking to insurance adjusters. They might seem friendly and helpful, but their main goal is to minimize the payout. They can use your statements to argue that your injuries aren’t as severe as you claim, or that the accident was partially your fault.
So remember to keep calm, keep quiet, and reach out to a qualified law professional.
Let Us Be Your Qualified Legal Team
At Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire, we take pride in being top San Diego car accident attorneys. If you’re looking for a reliable car accident lawyer in San Diego, you've found the right team.
With our extensive experience, we’re committed to fighting for your rights and getting the compensation you deserve. We understand the complexities of accident cases and provide personalized support every step of the way. Hire us if you want more compassion in your legal representation.
"They didn’t need to take on our case but did and fought as hard for us “little guys” as they would a bigger client. It was incredible to watch true professionals fight for our family and what was right. They brought us in, treated us like family, and stood by us the entire way." — Greg Curry
Checklist: Dos and Don’ts After a Car Accident
What Not to Do at a Car Accident Scene
- Don't Leave the Scene: Never leave the scene of the accident until it’s appropriate to do so. Leaving can result in legal consequences.
- Don't Admit Fault: Avoid admitting fault or apologizing, as this can be used against you later.
- Don't Engage in Arguments: Stay calm and avoid getting into arguments with other drivers or passengers.
- Don't Forget to Call the Police: Failing to report the accident to the police can complicate your insurance claim.
- Don't Neglect Documentation: Don’t forget to document the scene. Failing to take photos or gather witness information can hurt your case.
- Throw out any Car Seats: After a car accident, a car seat needs replacement because they’re easily weakened and damaged after a severe impact.
What to Do at a Car Accident Scene
- Check for Injuries: Assess yourself and others for injuries. Provide first aid if you are able and it is necessary.
- Secure the Scene: Move vehicles out of traffic if possible, turn on hazard lights, and use cones or flares if available to alert other drivers.
- Gather Information: Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s), take photos of the scene and damages, and collect witness statements and contact information.
What Are the Risks on San Diego Roads?
How many hundreds of times have you driven past a car accident? Cringing at the mangled vehicles and hoping no one was badly hurt?
Studies show even with a decline in California’s population, fatal car crashes have risen by 17% since the pandemic. The biggest culprit? Interstate 5 in San Diego.
Interstate 5 in San Diego County is one of California's most dangerous roads, ranking No. 3 on ConsumerAffairs' list of the ten deadliest roads in the state. In 2022, there were 21 fatalities on I-5 in San Diego County, an increase from 19 deaths in 2018.
Speeding & drinking played a considerable role in these deaths. But other factors make San Diego roads dangerous for the average driver.
The aftermath of any crash isn’t pretty. The emergency surgery. The painful recovery. The upheaval in their life. The astronomical medical bills. The insurance company hinting that the victim was at fault. The scars and other permanent reminders of a horrific day.
It’s devastating and stressful. But luckily, you can turn to the proven personal injury lawyers at Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire. We have gone to bat hundreds of times for those other accident victims, with notable results. And our legal team will fight just as hard to get justice for you too.
Reach out for a consultation at 619-236-9363
Truck Accidents
Colliding with a semi-truck can have devastating, if not fatal, consequences. Semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and other big trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, more than 10 times the weight of the largest pickup trucks and SUVs.
The destructive force of 30 to 40 tons, even at low speeds, usually leads to severe injuries such as spinal cord, neck, and back injuries, as well as traumatic brain injuries. Brain injuries can lead to severe complications. It’s important to report any type of head pain before it becomes more fatal.
The Complex Nature of Big Truck Accident Claims
Injury claims involving big trucks are vastly different from those involving only passenger vehicles. There are federal regulations concerning truckers' work hours, licenses, and record-keeping. Several parties beyond just the truck driver can be held liable, including:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company that owns the truck
- The company responsible for the maintenance of the truck
- The company that loaded the truck
- The truck manufacturer
Trucking companies often carry large insurance policies on their fleets and employ teams that respond to accidents within hours. Hiring Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire, a team with experience in handling these complex personal injury claims, will level the playing field.
Bike and Pedestrian Accidents
Walking to class, biking to work, or jogging to keep in shape should be safe activities. Unfortunately, accidents can happen, leaving you with painful injuries and numerous questions. Will my broken body heal? Can I return to work? How will I handle these medical bills?
San Diego has miles of designated bike lanes, but safety measures only work if drivers are attentive and law-abiding. Common causes of accidents include:
- Left turns without yielding
- Right turns without looking
- Running stoplights and stop signs
- Drifting into bike lanes
- Speeding and aggressive driving
- “Dooring” cyclists when exiting parked cars
- Dangerous distractions (cellphones, passengers, pets, eating)
Pedestrians and cyclists, with little to no protection, are vulnerable to major injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and severe road rash. Recovery involves extensive medical treatment, physical therapy, and sometimes lifelong care.
If you’ve been severely affected by another person’s negligence, our attorneys are here to help.
Our firm has the experience and resources to conduct thorough investigations. We will work to maximize your compensation and improve your quality of life after a life-changing accident. For a free consultation, call our San Diego office at 619-236-9363.
Read our motor vehicle accident FAQ page for answers to commonly asked questions about car accidents, or our motorcycle accidents page for other driving circumstances.
Types of Damages and Compensation You’re Entitled To
If you’ve been injured in an accident, you may be entitled to various types of damages and compensation. These include:
Understanding Non-economic Compensation
Non-economic compensation refers to damages awarded for the consequences of injuries that are not necessarily physical. These damages define the extent to which the law can act in favor of a victim seeking justice for the trauma they may have experienced.
Pain and Suffering is a common form of non-economic compensation, covering the physical pain and emotional distress experienced due to the injury. This includes chronic pain, mental anguish, and an overall reduction in quality of life.
Loss of Consortium compensates for the negative impact on the victim’s relationship with their spouse or family. This can involve loss of companionship, affection, and support.
Emotional Distress includes anxiety, depression, and other psychological impacts resulting from the accident.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life accounts for the inability to participate in hobbies and activities that the victim once enjoyed.
These damages are subjective and can vary widely from case to case. It might not be sufficient, but any good lawyer will try to win non-economic damages for their client as a way to address the profound, life-altering effects of injuries.
This ensures that victims receive fair and just compensation beyond mere financial losses. But it’s best to consult a car accident injury attorney in San Diego to understand all your options.
Understanding Economic Compensation
Economic compensation refers to tangible, measurable financial losses resulting from an injury. These damages cover the direct costs incurred by the victim due to the accident. Key types of economic compensation include:
Medical Expenses cover all healthcare-related costs, including hospital bills, surgery, medication, rehabilitation, and any necessary ongoing medical treatment. It ensures that victims are not burdened by the high costs of their medical care.
Lost Wages if an injury prevents the victim from working, economic compensation can cover the income lost during the recovery period. This includes both past and future earnings if the injury leads to long-term or permanent disability.
Property Damage to cover the cost of repairing or replacing any personal property damaged in the accident, such as a vehicle or bicycle.
Rehabilitation Costs: This includes expenses for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and any other forms of rehabilitation necessary to restore the victim’s health and ability to function.
Economic compensation aims to make the victim financially whole, covering all out-of-pocket expenses and losses directly attributable to the accident, thus providing a foundation for their recovery and financial stability.
Additional Punishments Awarded
Punitive damages, also known as punishment damages, are a type of compensation awarded in cases where the person at fault acted in a particularly harmful or reckless way. These damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer and discourage similar behavior in the future.
Punishment damages are awarded in addition to regular compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other direct costs. They are used when the actions of the person who caused the accident were especially careless or intentional.
For example, if someone was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and caused a serious accident, they might have to pay these extra damages.
The goal of punishment damages is to send a strong message that such behavior is unacceptable, promote safer behavior, and prevent future accidents by making an example out of particularly bad conduct.
Put Your Trust in Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire
Our law firm has recovered more than $2 billion for clients in the San Diego area and beyond, including many personal injury victims. The attorneys of Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire have experience with every type of motor vehicle accident:
- Intersection crashes and rear-end collisions
- Freeway pile-ups
- Passenger cars struck by trucks and commercial vehicles
- Pedestrians and bicyclists hit by cars
- Motorcycle riders and passengers
- Rollovers and single-car crashes
- Accidents caused by distracted drivers and drunk drivers
- Bus and public transit accidents
- Accidents caused or worsened by automobile defects
We promptly investigate to preserve evidence and talk to witnesses. We deal with the insurance companies for you. We make sure you are getting the medical care you need. We take care of everything.
So, Why Choose Us?
We fight equally for all our clients. Whether you drive a Cadillac or a Honda Civic, the San Diego car accident attorneys at Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire ensure experienced and aggressive representation for every accident victim.
We give every client the same level of service, effort, and respect. Whatever your lot in life, our duty is to make sure your compensation fully covers the medical bills and future care needs, lost wages and projected earnings, disability, disfigurement, and pain and suffering. We love what we do, and we take our job seriously.
Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire has a solid record of results, including multimillion-dollar recoveries. Sometimes, we convince the defense to settle, and other times, it’s a dogfight. Insurance companies would rather not pay the real value of your case, and the bigger the damages the harder they resist.
But we will put our experienced litigators up against any insurer, any big corporate defendant. In cases of catastrophic injuries or fatal car accidents, we invest in accident reconstructionists, life care planners, economists, and other experts to prove liability and calculate the damages.
Our firm fronts these costs, and we do not recover those litigation expenses unless we win your case.
Get Fair Compensation with Our San Diego Car Accident Attorney
Car accidents happen every day – and they change lives every day. You can go at it alone, or you can win a higher compensation with a team behind you. Our firm is committed to holding the negligent parties accountable for the compensation you need to rebuild your life.
For experienced and aggressive representation, call our San Diego law office today at 619-236-9363 to arrange a free consultation, or use our online form to tell us a few details.