Car Accident Attorneys with 10+ Years of Experience
Legal Services – For Car Wreck Victims in the San Francisco Bay Area and Santa Barbara Coun
- Russell Goodrow is a member of the American Bar Association, American Association for Justice, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, California Supreme Court Historical Society, Consumer Attorneys of California, The Jury Room, San Francisco Trial Lawyers, Aids Legal Referral Panel, California Attorneys for Criminal Justice, California Lawyers Association, San Francisco Bar Association, and Santa Barbara Bar Association.
- Russell Goodrow, who is the founding member of our winning law firm, is a diligent and hard-working professional.
- Our clients frequently write positive reviews about their experiences working with our team.
- If you have been injured in a car wreck, you will need Russell Goodrow, an honest and aggressive lawyer from one of the best law firms in the San Francisco Bay Area and Santa Barbara County—Goodrow Law Office.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that there are car wrecks happening every minute of everyday. Unfortunately, many of these crashes result in serious injuries, including brain injuries, back pain, whiplash, and spinal cord damage.
If you have been injured by a negligent driver, you may be able to recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, and more if you choose to file a personal injury claim. Contact us today to discuss the details of your case and go over your legal options. You can schedule a free case evaluation with an auto wreck attorney by contacting us by phone at 415-655-9478 today.
There are a number of factors that can lead to a car wreck. Some of the most common causes of car wrecks include distracted driving, speeding, drunk driving, reckless driving, inexperience, and dangerous weather conditions.
As a driver, you are required to have auto insurance, however that does not mean that you are required to use it in the event of a car crash. The at-fault party may not want to notify their insurance company of the wreck because doing so could result in a huge spike in their insurance rates. To avoid this, the at-fault driver may ask that you settle with him without getting the insurance company involved.
This is completely legal, but it’s not ideal. If you do choose to settle with no insurance company involved, it’s important to work with a lawyer so you can protect yourself. For example, an attorney can document all of the evidence of the crash and create a legally binding agreement between you and the other driver to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. An attorney can also make sure that you are receiving enough compensation to cover the expenses you have incurred as a result of the injuries.
After a claim has been filed, the company will assign an insurance adjuster to your case. The adjuster is responsible for investigating the crash by contacting the drivers, witnesses, and any healthcare providers that have cared for someone involved in the crash. You will be asked to provide evidence to the adjuster that supports your claim. For example, if you have been injured and are seeking compensation for your medical expenses, you will need to provide documentation shows the expenses you have incurred. You will also need to show medical records so the adjuster cannot claim that no injury exists. If your car was damaged in the wreck, you should show pictures or a quote from an auto repair shop.
In some cases, the adjuster may decide that you are partially or completely at fault for the crash, even if the police report says different. Don’t panic—an attorney can step in and help you prove that the other driver was liable.
Once you have successfully proven the other party was at fault, the adjuster will most likely make an initial offer to you. But, this offer will probably not be enough. You should never accept an insurance company’s offer until you have spoken with an attorney about your case. An attorney can handle the negotiations, and once the insurance company makes a fair offer, you can accept it and sign an official release that will close the claim.
It’s best that you hire a car crash attorney immediately following the collision. Why? The at-fault driver’s insurance company may try to make contact with you in the hours after the wreck. You should never make a statement to an insurance company or discuss a settlement without speaking to a lawyer first. The earlier you get in touch with an attorney, the sooner he can begin gathering evidence, investigating the cause of the crash, and protecting your rights. You should never attempt to recover compensation after a car crash without a lawyer.
If you have been injured in a car crash, the last thing you should have to worry about is the cost of a lawyer. But, you don’t have to worry about astronomical quotes for our legal services. At Goodrow Law Office, our team works on a contingency fee basis. What does this mean? You will not be required to pay any attorney fees upfront. In fact, you won’t have to pay any attorney fees at all unless we are able to recover compensation for you through a pre-trial settlement or trial verdict. Lawyers choose to work on a contingency fee basis to ensure that every injured victim does not have to decide whether or not it is worth it to hire a car wreck lawyer.
Attorneys can assist you in a number of ways after the wreck. First, an attorney can investigate the details of the crash and gather evidence that proves the other driver was at fault. This is important in cases where liability is being questioned. He will then work with your team of healthcare providers to understand your injuries so he can place a value on your claim. Without an attorney’s help, you may not realize that you were entitled to much more than the insurance company offered you, so you may end up accepting a low settlement.
An experienced car crash attorney can also handle the negotiations with the insurance company so you don’t make the mistake of accepting a low settlement or incriminating yourself with a statement about the crash. Car crash attorneys can also organize the evidence and present it in court if the insurance company fails to settle with you before the trial.
If you have suffered injuries that were caused by another driver’s negligence, it’s imperative that you contact a San Francisco Bay Area or Santa Barbara County car wreck lawyer as soon as possible. Our team has experience representing people in a number of practice areas, including vehicle wrecks, truck crashes, motorcycle wrecks, slip and fall disasters, medical malpractice, and wrongful death.
To schedule a free consultation, call 415-655-9478 or send an email to russ@goodrowlaw.com. During the consultation, our team reviews your case and informs you of your legal options. We offer flexible hours to fit your busy schedule. Russell Goodrow will even make home or hospital visits if you are in a zip code in the greater San Francisco Bay Area or Santa Barbara County.