Motor Vehicle Accidents
A serious accident on the road can turn your life upside down in an instant. In the days after an accident, you’re stuck dealing with medical appointments, missing work and income, and dealing with insurance adjusters who want to close your case fast and cheap rather than giving you fair compensation.
No two accidents are the same, and the legal issues involved vary just as much. If you’ve been hurt in a crash with an 18-wheeler, you’re facing a different set of complications than if you were hit by someone driving drunk or a rideshare driver. That’s why it’s important to work
For over 50 years, the Law Office of Reuben J. Donig has fought on behalf of car accident victims in San Mateo and the entire Bay Area. Whether you’re trying to recover from a simple fender-bender or a catastrophic crash, our experienced attorneys are ready to assist you.
Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents We Handle
- §Car Accidents: Fender-benders, rear-end collisions, intersection crashes, and more.
- §Motorcycle, E-Bike, and Bicycle Accidents: Two-wheel vehicles face some of the worst injuries on the road, plus bias from insurers.
- §Pedestrian Accidents: When a driver hits someone on foot, the pedestrian can face life-changing harm.
- §Truck, Bus, Train, and Common Carrier Accidents: Commercial vehicle crashes involve federal regulations and corporate defendants.
- §Rideshare, Uber, and Lyft Accidents: Rideshare insurance is unique and coverage depends on what the app was doing during the accident.
- §Hit-and-Run, Distracted Driver, and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Claims: What to do when the driver that hit you can’t be found or doesn’t have enough coverage.
Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Collisions
Most accidents we see at the Law Offices of Reuben J. Donig trace back to the same handful of causes:
- §Distracted drivers texting or using their phones behind the wheel
- §Speeding
- §Driving drunk or under the influence
- §Failure to follow traffic laws
- §Poorly maintained and designed roads
- §Lack of visibility due to weather
We can help you determine the actual cause of your accident and use that information to fight for a fair settlement offer by identifying who and what was at fault.
Common Vehicle Accident Injuries
Motor vehicle collisions can cause anything from whiplash and muscle strain to traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, and complex fractures. If you or a loved one has suffered a severe or permanent injury, we also represent victims of catastrophic injuries.
California Fault & Comparative Negligence
California follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule, which means you can still recover compensation even if you were partly at fault for the accident. The amount you can recover is just reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you.
For that reason, insurance companies often try to blame accident victims for their own injuries to reduce what they have to pay. An experienced attorney can push back on unfair fault allocations with evidence: police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and accident reconstruction where necessary.
Damages Available
Depending on the facts of your case, compensation may include medical expenses (past and future), lost wages and diminished earning capacity, property damage, and pain and suffering. In the most severe cases, damages can also account for long-term care needs and permanent loss of function.
Founding attorney Reuben J. Donig earned his J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, and has represented injury victims throughout the Bay Area for 50 years. He is rated Superb on Avvo and Superior by Martindale-Hubbell, and has been invited to speak on motor vehicle insurance issues before other attorneys, including Consumer Attorneys of California.
At our firm, we take a personal approach with every client. You’ll work directly with our skilled attorneys as we work to understand your case and build the strongest possible claim. We handle every motor vehicle accident case on a contingency fee basis: you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Schedule your consultation to learn more about how we can assist you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our experienced San Mateo personal injury attorneys answer common concerns to help you understand your rights and options.
Q: What should I do immediately after a car accident in San Mateo, CA?
Seek medical attention for any injuries, document the scene with photos and notes, and contact a San Mateo personal injury attorney before speaking with insurance representatives. We break down what to do after a car accident in more detail here.
Q: How can a personal injury attorney help me after an accident?
A personal injury attorney evaluates your case, identifies all potential sources of compensation, and handles negotiations with insurance companies to protect your rights.
Q: Can I get compensation if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured?
Yes, your attorney can help you access your personal injury protection and any uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage that applies.
