Car Accident Lawyer in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
When a serious car accident happens, your first concern is your own safety and recovery. But who can you turn to for help with your medical bills and vehicle repairs? You need an attorney you can trust.
At the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas, your first consultation is free of charge. If we work on your case, you don’t pay us anything until we negotiate a settlement or win damages in a civil trial. If we don’t win, you don’t pay.
If you were in a crash in Rancho Cucamonga and need an experienced car accident lawyer near you, contact our San Bernardino County law office. You can also reach our law firm by phone at (909) 982-0707.
How Common Are Car Accidents in the Rancho Cucamonga Area?
According to data from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), there were 539 Rancho Cucamonga auto accidents in 2022 that resulted in injury or death. When expanding our scope and looking at OTS data for San Bernardino County, there were 15,381 vehicle accidents in 2022 that resulted in injury or death.
These numbers remind us that it’s important to be careful on the road while commuting into the LA area or driving further into the Inland Empire.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit?
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the collision to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Once the two-year statute of limitations has passed, you will not be able to file a legal action.
Keep in mind that some crashes could have shorter and stricter deadlines to file a legal claim. It’s in your best interests to speak with a car accident lawyer in Rancho Cucamonga as soon as possible after your collision.
Can I File a Car Accident Claim If I Was Partly at Fault?
Yes, which is why it’s always a good idea to speak with a car accident lawyer after a serious crash.
California is a pure comparative negligence state. That means that a person can seek damages after a car accident even if they were 99% at fault in a crash. Their percentage of fault in the accident is deducted from the total damages awarded from the jury.
Why Choose the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas
Founded in 1995, the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas provide a wealth of experience to every case. In addition to high Avvo ratings and numerous other honors from legal organizations, there are other reasons people in San Bernardino County come to us when they need an accident attorney.
Experience Working for Insurance Companies on Accident Cases
Attorney Fernando D. Vargas started his legal career in 1987 working for insurance companies as a defense attorney. He knows how insurance companies operate, and the ways they try to lowball settlement payouts and argue cases in court. He uses that firsthand knowledge to negotiate better settlement counteroffers and build tighter legal cases for clients.
Personal Attention on the Needs of the Client
You and your family matter to us, which is why Fernando D. Vargas will personally work on each case. He will always be accessible to clients when questions or concerns arise. We encourage you to read our past client testimonials to get a sense of what our law firm can offer those in need of legal assistance.
Se Habla Español: Legal Services in Spanish
To best serve the Hispanic community in San Bernardino County and the Inland Empire, it’s important to have fluent Spanish speakers. Fernando D. Vargas is fluent in Spanish, and many of his staff members are fully bilingual as well.
Free Legal Consultations
After a serious auto accident, your first concern is paying medical bills and healing from your injuries. At our Rancho Cucamonga law office, your first consultation is free of charge. This allows you to get honest advice from a qualified legal professional without any additional financial burdens.
Representation on a Contingency Fee Basis
Our team works on a contingency fee basis. That means if we work on your case, we only get paid if we can secure a settlement or win damages from a jury in court. If we can’t win, you owe us nothing. Clients have nothing to lose when they come to our law office.
Contact Our Attorney in Rancho Cucamonga About Your Collision
You have local legal professionals who care and who are on your side. To discuss what happened to you or your family with a skilled Rancho Cucamonga car accident attorney near you, contact the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas.
Car Accidents Caused by Speeding
Exceeding the speed limit endangers drivers, passengers, and everyone else on the road. 2022 California OTS data revealed that there were 82 speed-related crashes in Rancho Cucamonga that resulted in injuries or death. Our accident attorney will make sure speeders are held accountable for causing crashes.
Car Accidents Caused by Reckless Driving
There are many reckless behaviors people could engage in while driving in the Inland Empire. In addition to speeding, reckless drivers may frequently change lanes, race on the street, fail to yield, run red lights, tailgate, and do donuts. Our accident lawyer can hold reckless drivers accountable when their actions lead to serious collisions.
Car Accidents Caused by Drunk or Intoxicated Driving
Drinking and driving is never a good idea, and yet people continue to drink and drive. 2022 California OTS numbers found that alcohol played a role in 89 crashes in Rancho Cucamonga that caused injuries or fatalities. Our accident attorney can help you hold drunk drivers accountable when they cause DUI accidents.
Car Accidents Caused by Distracted Driving
Distracted driving covers a wide range of actions that divert a driver’s attention from the road or takes their hands off the wheel. We most commonly hear about texting while driving, making calls without a hands-free kit, looking up directions on the phone, eating while driving, and rubbernecking. Our accident lawyer can hold distracted drivers liable for a crash if their inattention led to serious or fatal injuries.
Car Accidents Caused by Vehicle or Part Defects
Sometimes driver error is not what caused an accident. There may have been a flaw in the design or manufacturing of the vehicle itself that made it unsafe to drive. Similarly, vehicle parts like tires, brake pads, or safety systems might fail, causing a serious crash. When our lawyer examines your case, we will be sure to consult police reports and other evidence to determine if the automaker or a vehicle parts company needs to be held liable.
Collisions with Other Kinds of Vehicles
Accidents don’t just occur between commuters in cars, pickups, vans, and SUVs. There are many other drivers who share the road who could hit your car and cause major injuries.
Tractor-Trailer and Semi-Truck Collisions
Big rigs are essential to transport goods and building materials all over Southern California. Yet we need to exercise caution when driving near 18-wheelers. Semi-trucks have massive blindspots, and the truckers are often dealing with driver fatigue given long hours on the road. When tractor-trailer and large commercial truck accidents happen, the injuries can be catastrophic.
We should also note that other kinds of trucks pose serious hazards to drivers. Delivery vehicles from Amazon, UPS, or FedEx could cause serious crashes, as can dump trucks, heavy equipment, and garbage trucks.
Uber, Lyft, and Food Delivery Vehicle Collisions
Rideshare vehicles and gig-work drivers have changed the way people get around and order food. Many of these drivers are responsible when they have a fare and when they’re between orders. However, even attentive Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash drivers can make serious misjudgments that lead to catastrophic collisions.
Motorcycle Collisions
Motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable to serious injuries. Even if they are wearing a helmet and good riding gear, the risk of a serious head, neck, or spine injury is high. Despite this, some motorcyclists take unnecessary risks that could lead to a serious motorcycle collision with a car, pickup, or SUV. Our law office can help if negligent motorcyclists struck your vehicle.
Amtrak, Metrolink Train, and Omnitrans Bus Collisions
A fair number of people get around Southern California using Amtrak and Metrolink trains. For local mass transit in the area, people also rely on Omnitrans to navigate San Bernardino County by bus. Generally, train operators and bus drivers are safe, but miscalculations and inattention can cause serious crashes with other vehicles. Our law office can help if your car is involved in Amtrak and Metrolink train accidents or collisions with Omnitrans or coach buses in the area.
Collisions with Pedestrians and Bicyclists
We’ve noted other kinds of vehicles hitting cars, pickups, and SUVs, but it’s also important to consider accidents involving pedestrians as well as serious bicycle accidents. Motorists have a duty to share the road and to observe the right of way and state traffic laws. If you were hit by a reckless driver while crossing the street or riding your bike in Rancho Cucamonga, our accident lawyer can help.
We can examine evidence and witness accounts to determine who was at fault in your pedestrian or bike accident case. Even if you were partly at fault, you can still seek damages for your injuries and other losses.
Speak with Our Rancho Cucamonga Accident Lawyer About Your Injuries
No matter the nature of your accident, you can count on the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas for good legal counsel. Your first consultation is free. If you were in a serious auto collision in San Bernardino County and need to consult an experienced car accident lawyer near you, contact our Rancho Cucamonga law office.
Potential Injuries in a Serious Car Accident
All kinds of catastrophic injuries can occur in a serious collision, causing lingering health problems or even permanent disability.
- Neck and Spinal Cord Injuries – Whiplash and major spinal cord injuries in a collision could lead to partial or total paralysis.
- Second-Degree and Third-Degree Burns – Fires from regular gas vehicles, hybrids, and electric vehicles (EVs) can cause nerve damage and disfigurement.
- Electrical Burns and Electrocution – Issues with vehicle wiring or EV components could lead to serious electrical burns or electrocution.
- Broken Bones and Joint Dislocation – The force of impact in a car crash can lead to compound fractures and severe joint dislocations.
- Loss of Limbs – Sometimes the injuries sustained in a crash are so bad that they cause the loss of a limb or necessitate an emergency amputation.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) – Concussions, brain contusions, and other forms of brain damage can have long-lasting effects on quality of life.
Compensation After a Serious Car Accident
When seeking compensation after a car accident, the team at the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas will be sure to address these financial losses related to the collision.
Medical Bills and Health Future Expenses
Our team will tabulate the cost of your medical bills, which includes hospitalization, surgery, and specialist visits. We will also estimate the cost of future physical rehabilitation, occupational therapy, and other medical needs.
Medical Leave and Lost Wages at Work
If you took time off from work to heal from injuries or lost hourly wages because of a car accident, our attorney will make sure these are considered while seeking compensation.
Lost Future Earnings/Diminished Earning Potential
If the car accident led to a permanent disability or change in mobility, we can estimate the amount of future earnings you lost as well as the cost of job retraining and seeking a new career path after the crash.
Damage to Property and Belongings
This covers repairs to and replacement of your vehicle, as well as rideshares or car rentals while your vehicle was in the shop. Any personal items damaged during the crash such as phones, tablets, laptops, and any valuables will be considered as well.
Pain, Suffering, and Mental Anguish
Pain and suffering will address the physical pain you experienced as a result of the crash and your recovery. Mental anguish may be related to therapy bills and ongoing struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety after the crash.
Remember: Pure Comparative Negligence Can Affect the Value of Your Claim
Since California is a pure comparative negligence state, your portion of fault in a crash could drastically reduce the final amount you’d receive in damages. Our attorney will keep this in mind and let you know if it’s better for you to accept a settlement rather than go to trial.
Legal Options After a Fatal Auto Collision
If you lose a loved one in a fatal car accident, the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas can help you file a wrongful death lawsuit. These kinds of legal actions will seek compensation for the surviving family members of the person who was killed in the crash.
Compensation in a Fatal Car Crash Claim
Compensation in a wrongful death claim covers funeral expenses, grief counseling, loss of the loved one’s income to the household, as well as the long-term change to your household due to your loved one’s passing.
Request a Free Case Evaluation at Our Rancho Cucamonga Law Firm
People all over the Inland Empire can trust the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas for sound legal counsel and strong representation. To discuss a serious car accident with a lawyer near you, contact our Rancho Cucamonga attorney. You can also reach our law office by phone at (909) 982-0707.