Sunnyvale Car Accident Lawyer

After a car accident in Sunnyvale, you need the best legal guidance. At Text Kevin Accident Attorneys, led by Kevin Crockett, our focus is solely on car accident cases. Our reputation as a Five-Star Rated Personal Injury Law Firm in Southern California stems from our dedication exclusively to car accidents, ensuring our clients receive the highest caliber of legal support.

Our firm has successfully recovered over $6 million in car accident cases alone, earning more than 30 awards and honors, including Lawyers Of Distinction 2020, The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, and Super Lawyers 2021. Raised in Southern California and a distinguished graduate from the University of California, Irvine, Kevin Crockett has refined his practice to personal injury law, guaranteeing personalized and assertive representation for each client.

Sunnyvale Car Accident Statistics

California’s rate of car accidents surpasses the national average. In 2022, the state reported over 216,366 traffic accidents, leading to 3,854 fatalities and 165,978 injuries. This equates to approximately 520 people affected daily by car accidents within California.

Total Injuries & Fatalities

• 2019: 452
• 2020: 198
• 2021: 245
• 2022: 270
• 2023: 298

Statistics on Fatal and Injury Causing Collisions in Sunnyvale

In Sunnyvale, we delved into the data to gauge the trends in accidents resulting in injuries and fatalities over the past five years. Surprisingly, there’s been a notable 34% decrease in such accidents from 2019 to 2023. This indicates a positive shift in road safety within the region. Despite fluctuations in the intervening years, this downward trend showcases a promising improvement in traffic safety measures.

Primary Collision Factor

• Unsafe Speed: 87
• Right-of-Way: 52
• Improper Turning: 46
• Traffic Signals/Signs: 45
• DUI: 13
• All Other Factors: 55

Statistics on Common Causes of Collisions in Sunnyvale

Further analysis reveals that unsafe speeds emerged as the primary collision factor in Sunnyvale last year. This finding underscores the importance of addressing speeding behaviors to mitigate the risk of accidents resulting in injuries and fatalities. By targeting this specific issue, authorities can work towards fostering a safer and more secure environment for motorists and pedestrians alike.

Which Roads and Intersections in Sunnyvale Are the Most Dangerous?

According to the City of Sunnyvale’s Vision Zero Plan, the following intersections are among the high-risk locations for traffic collisions in Sunnyvale, CA:

• El Camino Real and Mathilda Avenue
• El Camino Real and Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road
• Fair Oaks Avenue and Tasman Drive
• Fremont Avenue and Mary Avenue
• Mathilda Avenue and Maude Avenue
• Mathilda Avenue and Washington Avenue
• Wolfe Road and Arques Avenue

The City has implemented various measures to improve the safety of these intersections, such as adding bike lanes, crosswalks, pedestrian signals, and traffic calming devices.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Sunnyvale?

After an accident in Sunnyvale:

• Remain at the scene and move to safety.
• Call the police and seek medical attention promptly.
• Avoid admitting fault or accepting early settlement offers.
• Direct all communication through your lawyer.

We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Car Accident Injuries

Whiplash and Neck Injuries

Rear-end collisions are a frequent cause of whiplash and related neck injuries in Sunnyvale. The sudden, unexpected force of a crash jolts your head and neck violently, straining delicate tissues. Don’t ignore seemingly minor pain or stiffness – early medical evaluation is crucial. Whiplash can worsen over time, so prompt diagnosis and treatment can prevent long-term issues. Treatment often includes pain management, physical therapy, and potentially a supportive collar.

Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

Even minor-seeming car accidents in Sunnyvale can cause serious brain injuries. The intense force can violently shake your brain inside your skull, damaging delicate tissue. Symptoms vary greatly – from headaches and confusion to severe problems like seizures or lasting changes in thinking and behavior. Never assume you’re “just shaken up” – getting checked by a doctor after any car accident is crucial. Treatment for TBIs is individualized and may involve rest, medication, and various therapies.

Broken Bones and Fractures

The sudden, forceful impact of a car crash can easily overwhelm your bones, leading to painful fractures, especially in your arms, legs, and ribs. Breaks range from simple (where the bone cracks but stays aligned) to dramatic compound fractures where the bone pierces the skin. Expect intense pain, swelling, and likely the inability to use the affected body part. Treatment depends on the severity and location of the break and could include casts, pins to hold the bone in place, or even surgery.

Spinal Cord Injuries

These are among the most devastating consequences of a car accident, potentially leading to lifelong disability. Your spinal cord is the central communication pathway for your body. Damage to its delicate tissues – often caused by the impact of fracturing or shifting vertebrae – can disrupt signals between your brain and the rest of your body. This can cause loss of sensation, weakness, or even paralysis. Care starts with stabilizing the spine to prevent further injury, followed by treatments to reduce inflammation and maximize potential recovery.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

After a Sunnyvale car accident, the question of legal fees can add to your stress. It’s understandable to worry about costs when you’re already facing medical bills, car repairs, and maybe even lost wages due to your injuries. At Text Kevin Accident Attorneys, we understand your situation. That’s why we operate on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t pay any upfront legal fees. Our payment is contingent on winning your case – if we secure a settlement or award for you, our fees come from that. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.

Can I Recover Compensation if I Share Some of the Blame for a Car Accident in Sunnyvale?

Understanding fault in a car accident can be confusing. It’s common to question whether you can still get compensation if you partially contributed to the accident in Sunnyvale. Situations like this are more frequent than you might realize. For instance, imagine getting sideswiped at an intersection after making a turn without fully checking for oncoming traffic. While another driver might bear the primary fault, you might also share some responsibility. California follows a “comparative negligence” system. This means that even if you made a mistake, you may still be eligible to recover compensation. However, the amount you receive will be reduced proportionally to your percentage of fault. For example, if a court determines you were 15% at fault, you could still recover 85% of your total damages.

What Causes Car Accidents in Sunnyvale, CA?

There are many factors that can contribute to car accidents in California, but some of the most common ones are:

• Distracted driving: This includes anything that takes the driver’s attention away from the road, such as using a phone, eating, or talking to passengers.
• Speeding: Driving faster than the posted limit or the road conditions can reduce the driver’s reaction time and increase the severity of the crash.
• Impaired driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medications can impair the driver’s judgment, coordination, and reflexes.
• Reckless driving: Aggressive driving behaviors, such as tailgating, weaving, or running red lights, can endanger the driver and others on the road.

Why Choose Text Kevin Accident Attorneys?

Selecting our firm means you’re backed by a team committed to:

• Conducting thorough investigations to establish fault and liability.
• Negotiating with insurance companies to ensure a fair valuation of your claim.
• Utilizing a network of accident experts to solidify your case.
• Achieving the compensation you rightfully deserve.

Who Is Responsible for My Accident?

Finding out who is at fault for a car accident means looking at who was negligent. This could be other drivers, people walking or on bikes, companies that own cars or trucks, makers of cars or car parts, city or government groups if roads are defective, or even property owners if their land causes problems for drivers.

What Happens if the Other Driver Was Uninsured?

If you get into an accident with an uninsured driver, you may face some challenges in getting compensation for your damages. Here are some possible scenarios and outcomes:

• If you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) or MedPay on your own policy, you can file a claim with your own insurance company to cover your medical expenses and property damage up to your policy limits.
• If you do not have UIM or MedPay, or if your damages exceed your policy limits, you can sue the uninsured driver in court. However, this may not be very effective, as the uninsured driver may not have enough assets or income to pay for your damages.

If you have been involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, you may want to consult a California car accident lawyer for legal advice and assistance.

What Damages Are Available Post-Accident?

If you have been injured in a car accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to claim different types of damages from the at-fault driver or their insurance company. Damages are the legal term for the compensation you receive for your losses. The types of damages you can claim generally they include:

• Economic damages: These are the tangible and measurable losses you suffered, such as medical bills, property damage, lost income, and future expenses related to your injury.
• Non-economic damages: These are the intangible and subjective losses you suffered, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium (the companionship and support of a spouse or partner).
• Punitive damages: These are rare and only awarded in cases where the at-fault driver acted with extreme negligence or malice, such as driving under the influence or fleeing the scene. Punitive damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.

The amount of damages you can recover depends on the severity of your injuries, the impact of the accident on your life, and the strength of your evidence. To maximize your compensation, you may want to consult a car accident lawyer who can help you negotiate with the insurance company or file a lawsuit if necessary.

What Is My Case’s Value?

The value of your car accident case depends on many factors, such as the severity of your injuries, the extent of your damages, the liability of the other driver, and the availability of insurance coverage. There is no simple formula or calculator that can give you an exact number, but there are some methods and tools that can help you estimate a reasonable range of settlement value for your case.

One method is to use a multiplier, which is a number between 1.5 and 5 that reflects the seriousness of your injuries and the impact of the accident on your life. You multiply your economic damages, such as medical bills and lost wages, by the multiplier to get an estimate of your non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. Then, you add your economic and non-economic damages together to get your total estimated settlement value. For example, if your economic damages are $10,000 and you use a multiplier of 3, your non-economic damages would be $30,000, and your total settlement value would be $40,000.

Another method is to use a per diem or daily rate, which is a fixed amount of money that you assign to each day that you suffer from your injuries. You multiply this amount by the number of days that you have been injured and then add it to your economic damages to get your total estimated settlement value. For example, if your economic damages are $10,000 and you use a per diem of $100 for 100 days, your non-economic damages would be $10,000 and your total settlement value would be $20,000.

A third method is to use a BASE formula, which stands for Bills, Amount, Severity, and Expectations. This method involves adding up your medical bills, multiplying them by a number between 1 and 5 based on the severity of your injuries, adding an amount for your future medical expenses, and adjusting the result based on your expectations of recovery and the strength of your case. For example, if your medical bills are $10,000 and you use a severity factor of 3, your base value would be $30,000. If you expect to incur another $10,000 in future medical expenses, your adjusted value would be $40,000. If you have a strong case with clear liability and evidence, you may increase your value by 10% to 20%. If you have a weak case with disputed liability or contributory negligence, you may decrease your value by 10% to 20%.

These methods are not exact and may not reflect the actual value of your case. They are only meant to give you a general idea of what your case may be worth. The actual value of your case will depend on the specific facts and circumstances of your case, the negotiation skills of your lawyer, and the willingness of the insurance company or the jury to pay you fair compensation.

To get a more accurate estimate of your case value, you may want to consult a car accident lawyer who can review your case and advise you on the best course of action.

Further Reading

• What Is the Average Payout for a Rear-End Collision?
• Soft Tissue Damage Car Accident Settlement

We Handle All Types of Car Accident Cases

At Text Kevin Accident Attorneys, we are equipped to take on all types of car accident cases in Sunnyvale, from frontal collisions and rear-end incidents to rollovers and rideshare vehicle accidents. We’re committed to advocating for your rights and recovery, regardless of the accident type.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in CA?

The answer to this question depends on who you want to sue and for what reason. In general, there are two types of deadlines that apply to car accident lawsuits in California:

• The statute of limitations is the time limit for filing a lawsuit in court. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to sue and recover compensation.
• The claim-filing deadline is the time limit for notifying a government entity of your intention to sue. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to sue a government agency or employee.

The statute of limitations for most car accident lawsuits is two years from the date of the accident. This means that you have two years to file a lawsuit against a private party, such as another driver, a car manufacturer, or a mechanic, for causing your injuries or damages.

However, if you want to sue a government entity, such as a city, county, or state agency, for causing or contributing to your accident, the statute of limitations is reduced to six months from the date of the accident. This means that you have six months to file a claim with the government entity and notify them of your intention to sue. If the government entity denies your claim or does not respond within 45 days, you have another six months to file a lawsuit in court.

There are some exceptions and extensions to these deadlines, depending on the circumstances of your case. For example, if you were a minor at the time of the accident, the statute of limitations does not start to run until you turn 18. Or, if you did not discover your injury or damage until later, the statute of limitations may be tolled (paused) until you discover or should have discovered it.

Because these deadlines are strict, it is important to consult a car accident lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. A lawyer can help you determine the applicable deadlines for your case, gather evidence, negotiate with the insurance company, and file a lawsuit if necessary. A lawyer can also help you estimate the value of your case and maximize your compensation.

Sunnyvale Car Accident FAQs

Here’s a quick guide to some frequently asked questions in Sunnyvale, California.

Contact Our Sunnyvale Car Accident Attorneys Today for Legal Help

If you’ve been in a car accident in Sunnyvale, reach out to the Text Kevin Accident Attorneys for comprehensive legal support. Our free consultation aims to demonstrate how we can assist you through this challenging time. Contact us today at (888) 965-3827 for legal help.

Sunnyvale FAQs

Sunnyvale Points of Interest