Fresno Car Accident Lawyer

If you or your loved one has been involved in a car accident, you require an experienced Fresno car accident lawyer to protect your rights and see that you are adequately compensated for your injuries. SSD Law Firm PC – Star Accident Injury and Immigration Law Firm attorneys realize that a car accident can actually cripple a person on so many levels, physically, emotionally, and economically. We will fight with our team against complex insurance claims, fighting negligent parties, and recovering damages against accident victims legally entitled to them under California law.

With decades of experience handling personal injury cases in Fresno, our lawyers offer aggressive representation that is individually tailored to each client’s specific circumstances. Whether you were injured in a rear-end collision, a high-speed collision, or even a hit-and-run case, we will professionally guide you through the claim for compensation process.

Why Choose SSD Law Firm PC for Your Car Accident Case?

Your case can be very different depending on the experience and dedication of your attorney. The SSD Law Firm PC – Star Accident Injury and Immigration Law Firm aggressively represents individuals so our clients receive the most vigorous possible advocacy.

Our law firm is familiar with the legal landscape in Fresno, from on-road traffic laws to specifics in personal injury law. The local knowledge within reach in this city can help us devise strategies that suit the case specifics. Major settlements and verdicts in these cases are some of the outcomes we have earned for victims of car accidents, proving that even the most complex claims can be handled.

With SSD Law Firm PC – Star Accident Injury and Immigration Law Firm, you will get personalized service. We take the time to learn the details of your situation and build a case that reflects your unique circumstances. Those firms that treat clients like they are just a number are not us; we believe in direct communication to always keep our clients informed and involved.

Because we operate on a contingency fee structure, you literally pay nothing out of pocket. We collect fees only when we recover compensation on your behalf. Not only does this assure you that we’re confident in our ability to deliver results, but it also affords you a degree of financial peace of mind during such a difficult time. We will aggressively negotiate with the insurance companies and, when necessary, take your case to trial.

The outcome of your case will be entirely different depending on the choice of attorney.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Fresno

Car accidents in Fresno happen for various reasons, but many share a common thread—negligence. The most common causes include distractions from the driver, primarily due to texting, adjusting the in-car control, or chit-chatting, which steals the needed attention from the road. Any momentary break in concentration will lead to dreadful results. Some other common contributors include excessive speeds, which can reduce a driver’s reaction time and increase their chances of fatal crashes.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs increases the risk because it affects judgment, coordination, and response time, placing in jeopardy not only the impaired driver but also others using the road.

Other leading causes include running red lights and stop signs. The inability to abide by traffic lights, especially in busy intersections, leads to many high-impact collisions that have taken the lives of many individuals and caused grievous injuries. Too many drivers either misjudge a light change or deliberately try to cross before the signal turns red, placing themselves and others in grave danger.

Other types of reckless driving contributing to Fresno’s high accident rate include aggressive lane changes, tailgating, and failure to observe right-of-way rules. In addition, severe weather conditions such as heavy rain, thick fog, or strong wind render the road hazardous because visibility and traction are reduced, making a vehicle lose control. This would require drivers to be aware of everything happening and constantly change their driving to match the current environment.

Frequent Types of Car Accidents

Car accidents in Fresno can vary in severity and circumstances. Some of the most common types include:

Rear-End Collisions

These usually happen when a driver fails to notice braking or stops traffic ahead because of distractions such as operating a phone or adjusting controls. Other causes of this type of collision include sudden braking, weather conditions restricting visibility, and vehicle failure related to worn brakes or faulty brake lights. While most collisions result in minor damage, high-speed collisions can produce significant injury to the occupants, including whiplash, spinal cord trauma, or brain injury. In this case, the liability would normally fall on the one in the back, who is supposed to maintain a safe distance and keep aware.

T-Bone Accidents

The main cause of these types of accidents is when the drivers run a red light or fail to yield at an intersection and collide with another vehicle perpendicularly. Running a red light, distracted driving, or misjudgment of oncoming traffic are the usual causes. Side collisions are particularly dangerous due to limited protection, which often results in severe injuries such as fractures, spinal damage, or head trauma. In some instances, faulty traffic lights or intersection design may be contributing factors. Determining fault may require expert testimony as well as eyewitness testimony. Legal representation becomes an urgent priority because the possibility of critical injury and very high medical bills often come with such injuries in seeking fair compensation.

Head-On Collisions

Of the most dangerous and serious types of collisions, a head-on usually involves catastrophic or fatal injuries because of its extreme force of impact. They mostly happen when one of the vehicles moves into oncoming traffic due to distraction, intoxication, or even poor visibility. The injuries they cause are severe, like brain trauma, failing of some organs, fractured bones, and the spinal cord. At medium velocities, the combined velocity increases the rate of destruction. The risk was further heightened due to poor road conditions and a lack of clear marking of the lanes and proper signage. The victims subsequently had to undergo many months of medical care and rehabilitation; hence, full compensation is required to take care of their recovery and long-term needs.

Hit-and-Run Collisions

In such accidents, the hit-and-run driver flees away without caring about the victims or even providing the necessary information needed for the insurance claim. Tracking offenders is difficult, and it takes some time to process compensation. The police trace them through surveillance, eye-witness accounts, or car debris. Without immediate medical care, injuries like brain trauma or internal bleeding may worsen. While California enforces strict penalties, victims often struggle to recover damages. Uninsured motorist coverage may help; legal support will improve the likelihood of fair compensation.

Multi-Vehicle Pileups

These big traffic collisions mostly occur on highways, where high volume and high-speed traffic accelerates the chances of chain collisions. A single mistake-sudden stopping, distraction, or unsafe lane shifting-can catalyze a chain reaction of quick impacts. Poor weather and hazardous roads make it very unsafe. Drivers caught in the middle have little time to react, resulting in severe injuries and major vehicle damage. The rescue teams may have difficulty accessing the victims. The blame assessment gets complex as several drivers, trucking companies, and local agencies are usually involved. For fair compensation, detailed investigations by skilled legal representatives are paramount.

Common Car Accident Injuries

The injuries sustained in a car accident can range from mild to catastrophic, depending on the force of impact and the circumstances of the crash.

Whiplash is among the most common injuries, often occurring in rear-end collisions when the neck is suddenly jerked forward and back, causing pain and stiffness. More serious accidents can result in traumatic brain injuries, which may lead to long-term cognitive issues, headaches, and even permanent disability.

Damage to the spinal cord is another severe consequence, sometimes resulting in partial or full paralysis, dramatically altering a victim’s life.

Broken bones, particularly in the arms, legs, and ribs, are frequently reported, often requiring surgery and extensive rehabilitation.

Internal injuries, such as organ damage or internal bleeding, may not be immediately noticeable but can be life-threatening if not diagnosed in time.

Emotional trauma is also prevalent, as many accident victims develop anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), making it difficult to drive again without fear.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Fresno

Taking the proper steps right after a car accident can greatly affect your ability to recover compensation. First, check yourself and any passengers for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call emergency services immediately. Injuries that seem minor at the time can become much worse as time goes on, so immediate medical attention is important. After making sure everyone is safe, call law enforcement to ensure that an official accident report is filed. This will then be the key document on which an insurance claim or other litigation may be based.

After contacting the authorities, gather as much information as possible. Document the scene by taking clear photographs of vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Exchange contact and insurance details with all involved drivers, but avoid discussing fault, as statements made at the scene could later be used against you. If there are witnesses, obtain their names and phone numbers, as their testimony may be valuable in supporting your case.

Even if you feel fine, seeking medical evaluation soon after the accident is essential. Some injuries, such as whiplash or internal trauma, may not exhibit symptoms immediately but could have long-term consequences. A prompt medical assessment not only protects your health but also creates a documented link between the accident and your injuries, strengthening your claim.

Once medical needs are addressed, consult with a skilled Fresno car accident lawyer before speaking with insurance companies. Insurers often attempt to minimize payouts, and without legal guidance, you may accept a settlement far lower than what you deserve. An experienced attorney will handle negotiations, protect your rights, and work to maximize the compensation you receive for medical bills, lost income, and other damages.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Car Accident in Fresno?

Determining liability in a car accident involves several factors, as liability may be placed on one or multiple parties. In most accidents, liability rests on the negligent driver, who causes the accident through reckless driving, excessive speed, or intoxication. Other parties may also be partially liable. The vehicle manufacturers would be liable if, due to defective components such as poor braking or malfunctioning airbags, there was an accident on the road. Government agencies charged with ensuring the roads are safe could be liable if bad road conditions, lack of signs, or broken traffic lights contributed. In commercial vehicle accidents, it may be a trucking company or a ride-sharing service that fails to put in place strict safety measures and training for its drivers.

The Fresno County Regional Safety Plan and the Local Road Safety Plan are designed to help reduce traffic injuries and fatalities by analyzing crash data, identifying safety countermeasures that work, and creating transportation safety education programs. Public input provided throughout the process indicated unsafe intersections, missing sidewalks and bike lanes, poor lighting, and hazardous driving practices. Plans that were developed in concert with local agencies focus on prioritizing those locations with the highest risk for improvements and preparing jurisdictions for applications for safety grant funding.

Determining liability often involves an in-depth investigation that includes accident reports, witness accounts, and professional analysis; hence, experienced legal representation is highly necessary for claiming rightful compensation.

Compensation You Can Claim After a Fresno Car Accident

Victims of car accidents may have to struggle with serious financial troubles, physical pain, and emotional agony. In connection with specific circumstances of the crash, some are entitled to different kinds of compensation to help them recover and get their lives back on track. Some of the common types of compensation include:

• Medical Expenses: It provides financial assistance for emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, medicines, and any long-term medical treatment.
• Lost Wages: Financial support for income lost due to recovery, including missed paychecks, reduced earning capacity, and future wage losses due to long-term employment affected by the injury.
• Property Damage: Reimbursement for expenses related to the repair or replacement of a damaged vehicle, towing fees, rental car expenses, and diminished vehicle value.
• Pain and Suffering: Damages for emotional distress, physical discomfort, and long-term emotional trauma due to the effect of the accident on daily life and well-being.
• Punitive Damages: In those cases where the conduct of a defendant was especially reckless or intentional, the court may award additional amounts as punishment and to deter similar conduct in the future. Damages awarded above and beyond compensatory amounts awarded to hold negligent parties fully accountable for their actions.

How Our Fresno Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You

At SSD Law Firm PC – Star Accident Injury and Immigration Law Firm, we handle every aspect of your case to ensure the best possible outcome:

Investigating Your Accident

An adequate investigation is actually the backbone of any case. We amass all available proof and evidence consisting of police reports, surveillance camera footage, photographs taken at the scene of an accident, and testimony of witnesses corroborating your description of events. Expert analysis that can reconstruct what happened to demonstrate fault may also be utilized. Medical records establishing the full extent of your injury are obtained so as not to leave any stone unturned in fighting your claim for rightful compensation.

Negotiating with Insurance Companies

Insurers try to minimize payouts by delaying responses, disputing fault, or offering low settlements. Our attorneys counter these tactics with comprehensive damage evaluations, future medical costs, and lost income. We compile solid evidence, including medical records, expert testimony, and accident reconstructions, to build a strong case. If negotiations fail, we’re ready to take legal action to secure fair compensation. We handle all communication, preventing adjusters from twisting your words. We use strategic, aggressive methodology in an effort to maximize settlements and insulate clients from the pressure of inadequate offers that will not meet their losses.

Filing a Lawsuit if Necessary

If negotiations fail, then litigating may be the only avenue to adequately compensate you for your injuries. We prepare each case as if it will go to trial by collecting solid evidence, retaining experts, and constructing a persuasive theory of the case. Litigation involves depositions, discovery, and pre-trial motions. We will fight for your rights and make the negligent party accountable. We confidently take the case to trial if there is no settlement through mediation or arbitration. We seek to maximize the recovery of medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term damages due to the accident.

Providing Ongoing Legal Support

Car accident claims can be overwhelming, but we make sure you are always informed throughout the process. Since day one, we have always believed in clear communication about your rights, legal options, and case progress. Our team is always available to answer questions, provide updates, and address concerns. Whether negotiating with insurers, preparing documents, or representing you in court, we keep you involved while managing the legal complexities. With our guidance through everything at each stage, we enable you to make an informed decision and take all your time to recover while we fight for the compensation you deserve.

Contact a Fresno Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car accident, don’t wait to seek legal assistance. The sooner you take action, the stronger your case will be. Contact SSD Law Firm PC – Star Accident Injury and Immigration Law Firm today for a free consultation. Our experienced car accident lawyers in Fresno, led by Attorney Sarwinder Dhanjan, are ready to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Visit us at 2170 N Winery Ave, Fresno, CA 93703, United States, or call (559) 342-2000 to get started.

Client Reviews

What Our Clients Are Saying About Us

Jamie N.

January 2025

In December 2023 a woman completely blew a stop sign and nailed me on my bicycle in Old Fig Garden (Fresno, Ca.). This was my first experience dealing with this type of incident, and due to my injuries it was advised I seek legal representation. Mr. Sarwinder Dhanjan agreed to take my case. He clearly explained my case in a way that easy to understand and assured me that he would fight for a fair conclusion. His team stayed in contact with me throughout the process until its conclusion in October 2024. I was very happy with how his team handled my case and would recommend his team to anyone who is going through a similar situation.

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