Attorneys for Car Accidents Resulting From Poor Road Maintenance in Northern California
Were you injured in a car accident because of a poorly maintained road? Are you forced to seek medical treatment and worry about the financial impact of the expenses you’ve incurred? If so, contact the Northern California car accident lawyers of Tiemann Law Firm, and we might be able to help you recover compensation from the at-fault party.
Well-maintained roadways are critical to keep motorists safe as they drive to and from work, school, and other establishments. A large pothole or cracked pavement could cause a driver to lose control of their car and crash into another vehicle, telephone pole, or ditch. The injuries people suffer in these types of collisions can be catastrophic and could lead to permanent medical issues. You weren’t at fault for the road’s poor condition; you shouldn’t be responsible for the cost of treatment for injuries you got in a crash caused by improper road maintenance.
If you want to meet with Tiemann Law Firm for a free consultation and learn about the legal options available for securing compensation, call us at (916) 999-9000 right now.
Holding the Government Liable for a Car Accident
Various parties could be held liable if you suffered injuries in a car accident caused by a poorly maintained road. Governmental entities are typically responsible for maintaining public streets and highways throughout states and cities. They should ensure every street is in good condition so drivers can travel on them safely. Unfortunately, lack of maintenance can lead to dangerous conditions, which can, in turn, result in car accidents.
Determining which parties can be held accountable for your injuries is essential in this type of situation. Additionally, filing a claim with a government agency’s insurance carrier can be complicated. There are strict laws you must follow and deadlines to meet during the process. If you don’t adhere to the correct procedure, you could end up losing your case. That’s why it’s vital to hire an experienced attorney to help you with the investigation, collection of evidence, and other steps involved in an insurance claim.
Sovereign immunity usually protects the government from liability in an accident. However, the Tort Claims Act allows a claim against a government entity if a negligent employee caused injury to another person while they were performing their job duties. If the employee was responsible for repairing a damaged road but failed to do so promptly or correctly, they might be liable for the injuries you suffered in a car crash.
You must file your claim within six months from the date of the accident. If you miss this strict deadline, you could lose your right to seek compensation from the entity. If the government denies your claim, you might have an opportunity to move forward with a lawsuit and take them to court. That all depends on the circumstances of your case. A qualified, knowledgeable lawyer can determine your available options.
Filing a Claim with an Auto Insurance Carrier
You might also have the option to file a claim with someone else’s auto insurance company. Let’s say poor road maintenance led to the crash, but another driver’s failure to safely proceed around the hazard was also a contributing factor. You could file a claim with their insurance company.
Liability coverage with minimum limits of $15,000 for bodily injury and $5,000 for property damage are a legal requirement for all motorists in California. Filing a liability claim could result in money to cover the losses you suffered in the accident, such as:
- Property damage
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Medical expenses
- Disfigurement or physical impairment
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Pain and suffering
Unfortunately, you could find yourself in a situation where the at-fault driver doesn’t have liability coverage. If that happens, you could file a claim with your auto insurance company. However, you must check your policy to see whether you chose to purchase UM insurance.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) is an optional coverage you can include in your plan when you purchase liability insurance. It covers accident victims if the at-fault driver doesn’t have liability coverage or high enough limits on their policy to cover all the damages owed to the injured person.
When you file a UM claim, you can only recover some of the available losses, such as:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
It’s critical that you let an experienced lawyer from Tiemann Law Firm assist you with filing an insurance claim. We know how to review insurance policies and maximize the value of a client’s case. We can determine how much coverage there is and what we need to do to ensure you receive the full amount of compensation you deserve.
Common Injuries Resulting from Poor Road Maintenance
Car accidents can lead to devastating consequences for everyone involved. If a large pothole, missing street sign, or another hazard causes one or more people to crash, injuries and fatalities can occur. The injuries commonly sustained in these types of accidents are:
- Disability or disfigurement
- Lacerations
- Broken or fractured bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Concussion
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injury
- Head and neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Psychological or emotional trauma
- Death
Unfortunately, severe injuries could become fatal without immediate and adequate treatment. Others can lead to permanent physical or mental disabilities. If you require future medical care or household assistance, that can place a significant economic strain on you and your family. You could end up in debt and might struggle to afford your expenses. Tiemann Law Firm will work tirelessly to get you the compensation you need to afford the cost of treatment and other losses, so you don’t have to pay for anything out-of-pocket.
Steps to Take Following a Car Accident
If you were injured in a car crash due to an improperly maintained roadway, there are steps you need to take immediately. You want to ensure that you protect your legal rights to pursue compensation and hold the at-fault party liable. Without reporting the accident or collecting evidence, you might end up with nothing. Hire an experienced attorney from Tiemann Law Firm to assist you with the legal aspects of your case while you seek treatment for your injuries.
From the accident scene, be sure someone reports the crash to law enforcement and requests an ambulance. Allow them to transport you to the hospital for an evaluation of your injuries. The doctor should determine what your diagnosis is and the necessary treatment plan for your recovery. Follow up with any doctors they refer you to and continue with your treatment until you heal or until the medical providers release you from their care.
Evidence is essential in cases like this. Maintain all records of your treatment, expenses, and other documents related to the accident. We can review all the evidence we find and submit it to the insurance company. It’s vital that we’re able to prove that the road’s hazards led to the crash instead of your own actions. If another driver is to blame, we must find proof that they drove carelessly in dangerous conditions.
How Tiemann Law Firm Will Handle the Accident Investigation
Most accident victims face challenges while pursuing compensation from the at-fault party. You probably don’t have the resources necessary to collect evidence and perform your own investigation into the crash and who’s responsible for it. At Tiemann Law Firm, we have an experienced legal team that can take on this part of the case and handle each step of the process. You won’t have to worry about confusing paperwork, strict deadlines, or state laws. Let us bear the burden for you.
When you hire Tiemann Law Firm, we will begin the investigation by reviewing the crash report if an officer submitted one after the accident. A crash report can provide crucial details about the events leading up to the collision, who was at fault, and what contributing factors were at play. We’ll also locate and obtain evidence that shows you sustained injuries.
Some of the evidence we might need includes:
- Copies of your medical bills and medical records
- Maintenance and repair records regarding the road
- Accident scene photos
- Eyewitness statements
- The estimated cost of damage to your vehicle and personal property
- Video surveillance of the crash
We will take all the evidence we find and provide it to the insurance company during a claim or to the defense attorneys during a lawsuit. Our goal is to negotiate for the highest possible compensation you need to compensate for your total losses. You shouldn’t have to pay for any costs associated with the accident when it wasn’t your fault.
Contact Us
Tiemann Law Firm is ready to take your call and get you on the road to recovery. Our legal team is available 24/7 to discuss your case and provide the support and guidance you need during this traumatic time in your life. We will fight hard for your rights and seek justice against the negligent party responsible for your injuries.
Don’t leave the fate of your future in the hands of an inexperienced attorney. We’ve been handling cases just like yours for over 20 years and are prepared to go to battle for you. Tiemann Law Firm doesn’t back down from a complicated case or a challenge. We will work hard to reach a favorable outcome and meet your legal goals.
If you were involved in a car accident due to poor road maintenance in Northern California, call us at (916) 999-9000 right now. You can meet with us for a free case evaluation and learn about your legal options.
