Speeding is one of the leading causes of major traffic accidents. It's important to hire an experienced car accident lawyer in Burbank to protect your rights.
What are the Speeding Laws in California?
This vehicle code section governs speed limits.
The Basic Speed law says that a driver of a vehicle must not driver faster than is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances. The law takes into consideration the road conditions, traffic conditions, weather conditions, and visibility. Therefore, a driver can violate the Basic Speed Law even when they are driving very slowly, if, for example, visibility is poor.
The Prima Facie Limits refers to other speed limits that are considered safe under typical conditions.
- 65 mph: This is the maximum speed limit on most California freeways
- 55 mph: This is the max speed limit on two-lane undivided highways and for vehicles towing trailers
- 25 mph: The speed limit in business and residential areas, school zones when children are present, and at senior citizen facilities
- 15 mph: The speed limit in alleys, at intersections and railroad crossings where visibility is limited and there is no railroad crossing signal device
What Happens When Someone Speeds?
- Legal Consequences: Speeding can lead to fines and points on a driving record, which might increase insurance rates.
- Higher Crash Risk: Driving too fast reduces reaction times. It makes it harder to suddenly stop or avoid hazards, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Serious Injuries: The faster a car is going when it crashes, the more severe injuries can be. This is true for everyone involved. Speeding is a major cause of serious injury accidents.
- Reckless Driving Charges: If someone is speeding and doing other risky behaviors, they could face more serious charges.
- Insurance Problems: Speeding can lead to higher insurance rates and make it harder to get coverage.
If you or someone you know has been in an accident where speeding was a factor, an experienced personal injury attorneys in Burbank can help you with the legal process and to seek fair compensation for your injuries.
What are Common Defenses Against Speeding Charges?
There are several ways negligent drivers try to avoid responsibility for speeding.
- Unsafe Road Conditions: One way is to argue that the road conditions made the posted speed limit impractical, like a sudden change in the weather.
- Lack of Clear Signage: The liable party might say they the speed limit sign was not clearly posted.
- Non-Contributing Factor in Multi-Violation Scenarios: A driver may argue that it was another traffic violation that caused the accident, not speeding.
- Use of Electronic and Video Evidence: A driver may rely on traffic footage or cell phone records to show they weren't speeding.
A skilled lawyer can help you overcome these defenses.
What Potential Damages Can You Get In A Burbank Speeding Accident Case?
1. Medical Expenses: This includes all costs related to the accident, like emergency medical care, surgeries, and rehabilitation.
2. Lost Wages: This covers the money you lose while recovering from the accident and any future pay loss.
3. Pain and Suffering: Also known as non-economic damages, this refers to the physical and emotional distress and mental anguish you feel, which can affect how much you get in your settlement. This includes anxiety, inconvenience, and the loss of quality of life/enjoyment of life.
4. Punitive damages: Although this is less typical, in extreme situations when someone was driving so fast that it is considered reckless, you may be able to get punitive damages. This type of damage is designed to punish the liable party.
Keeping good records is very important. Make sure to track all your medical treatments, write down how you feel in a pain journal, and keep any work documents. This helps show how the accident affected you and strengthens your case for getting compensation for injuries. To get the best compensation and reduce your financial stress after a speeding accident, it's important to know about the different types of damages you could claim.
What is the Accident Claims Process?
If you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident, you may be wondering how to start a personal injury claim for your injuries and damages. The accident claims process can seem overwhelming, but it's important to know the steps to take.
Here’s a simple breakdown of the claims process:
- Medical Treatment: First and foremost, make sure you get the medical help you need from qualified medical professionals. This is important for your health but also provides important evidence for your case. A lawyer can help you get the medical care you need, like physical therapy and other doctor's visits.
- Gather Critical Evidence: If you are able to, collect evidence from the scene of the accident. This includes, photos of the accident scene, witness statements, police reports or other official reports.
- Determine Liability: It’s important to figure out who is at fault for the accident. This can involve proving that the at-fault driver was negligent, such as running a red light or driving too fast.
- Consult a Lawyer: It’s a good idea to speak with a car accident lawyer and get the legal advice you deserve. Personal injury lawyers can help you understand your rights and guide you through the claims process.
- Insurance claim: You auto accident lawyer will file a claim with the insurance carrier. Your lawyer will investigate the insurance policies. And then your lawyer will gather all of the evidence, including the medical records and financial losses you have sustained, and send a settlement demand. At the right time, a skilled negotiator from our law firm will talk to the insurance adjuster and get you fair financial compensation.
- Lawsuit: If the insurance plays around with your claim, your auto accident lawyer will start legal proceedings by filing a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf.
By following these steps, you can the claims process and increase your chances of receiving fair compensation for your injuries and losses. Remember, you don’t have to go through this alone; our personal injury law firm is available to support you.
How to Pick the Right Attorney For You
An experienced lawyer will play a vital role in your legal case. Here are some things to think about when you pick a lawyer.
- You need an seasoned car accident lawyer to go after the negligent party. You cannot hire a lawyer with just 5 years under their belt. Find out how long your lawyer has been handling accident lawsuits. The Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti has decades of experience. We have a clear track record of success and know how to get maximum compensation.
- You need a lawyer with a good reputation in the community. Lawyers know who the good lawyers are. But how do you find this out? First, make sure you don't have a terrible lawyer. Go to the California State Bar website to make sure your lawyer hasn't been suspended or punished by the Bar. Then, ask other lawyers and check Google reviews to see what other clients say about them.
- Last thing, talk to you your lawyer and check your gut. Do they seem like they care? If not, find someone else.
Our Clients Love Us
We understand how overwhelming it can feel after an accident. That’s why we focus on taking the weight off your shoulders and fighting for the best outcome possible. But don’t just take our word for it—here’s what some of our clients have shared about their experience with the Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti:
"Adrianos made me feel safe and cared for during the worst time of my life."
“After being in one accident and then getting hit again while being rushed to the hospital, I was completely traumatized. Adrianos and his team took care of everything—from dealing with the insurance companies to getting my motorcycle out of the lot. I didn’t have to lift a finger. They got me the maximum settlement possible, and I could tell they genuinely cared about my case. This firm is different—they actually put their clients first.”
"I had no idea what I was doing, but Adrianos and his team guided me every step of the way."
“This was my first time needing a lawyer, and I had no clue what to expect. Adrianos and his team were so calm and patient, taking the time to explain every detail of my case. They always got back to me quickly and made sure I understood my options. I’m so grateful for their help during such a difficult time in my life. I can’t recommend them enough.”
"If I could give 100 stars, I would."
“I was in a really bad car accident and didn’t know where to turn. Adrianos and his team went above and beyond to make sure my medical bills and car damage were taken care of. They made the process easy and stress-free, and now I know exactly who to call if I ever need a lawyer again. Choosing this firm was the best decision I’ve ever made.”
Don't Miss the Deadline for Compensation
In California, you only have two years to file an accident injury claim. This is called the statute of limitations. This means you need to get a lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you get a fair settlement for your injuries and any damage you've suffered. Don’t wait too long to reach out for help!
What if I Have Partial Fault For the Accident?
In California, if you're in a car accident and are found to be partially at fault, you can still recover damages thanks to a rule called comparative negligence. This means that both drivers can share the blame, and your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. For example, if you are found to be 25% at fault for the accident, you would lose 25% of the total damages awarded to you. This system allows people to get some compensation even if they were partly responsible.
Our Law Firm Provides You With A Free Case Evaluation
The Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti offers free, no-obligation case consultations. It is a confidential consultation, and it is free of charge. We will give you an instant case evaluation. You will know whether you have a case or not.
We also work on a contingency fee basis, which means that we don't get paid until you get paid.
An experienced car accident attorney can greatly improve your chances of receiving a fair settlement for your injuries and damages by acting quickly.
Get Help From a Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you were injured in an crash caused by a speeding driver, the Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti is here to help you.
To get started with your free consultation, call 626-793-8697 or contact us online.
