Types of Car Accidents

Motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of serious injury and wrongful death throughout the United States, and California is no exception. Each day on San Mateo and Bay Area roadways, drivers face countless hazards that can lead to devastating collisions, from distracted motorists checking their phones to aggressive drivers weaving through traffic.

At Carcione, Henderson & Markowitz, LLP, we have spent over four decades fighting for the rights of accident victims who suddenly find their lives upended by another driver’s negligence. Our knowledgeable and dedicated attorneys have the experience and resources necessary to handle the most complex injury claims — and we have the results to prove it.

If you’ve suffered injuries in a car accident in San Mateo, contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a California car accident attorney.

Benefits of Hiring an Attorney for Your Car Accident Claim

Working with an experienced car accident attorney offers numerous advantages when pursuing compensation for your injuries. Insurance companies employ teams of adjusters and lawyers whose primary goal is minimizing the amount paid to accident victims. Without skilled legal representation, you risk accepting a settlement far below what your case is worth.

The attorneys at CHM Law Firm have a thorough knowledge of insurance company tactics and how to counter them effectively. We understand the complex medical issues that can stem from serious injury cases and know how to translate these into persuasive legal arguments. By entrusting your case to our team, you gain peace of mind knowing experienced advocates are protecting your interests while you focus on your recovery.

What Compensation Could I Be Entitled to in an Auto Accident?

California law entitles accident victims to seek comprehensive compensation for losses resulting from another party’s negligence. With our help, you may be able to recover the following:

• Medical expenses, including emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgeries, medication, rehabilitation, and future medical needs
• Lost income for missed work, diminished earning capacity, and career limitations resulting from your injuries
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium (for damage to family relationships and companionship)
• Property damage, such as vehicle repair/replacement

In cases involving particularly egregious conduct, such as drunk driving, courts may award punitive damages (also known as “exemplary damages”) to punish wrongdoers and deter similar behavior.

Whom Can I Hold Responsible for My Car Accident?

Determining liability in car accidents requires thorough investigation and legal analysis. Depending on the circumstances, multiple parties may bear responsibility for your injuries. These may include the following:

• Negligent drivers, when other motorists violate traffic laws, drive distracted, or operate vehicles under the influence
• Vehicle owners, who may be liable when permitting others to drive their vehicles
• Employers, when accidents involve employees driving for work purposes
• Government entities, for accidents caused by poorly designed, constructed, or maintained roadways
• Vehicle manufacturers, when defective auto parts contribute to crashes or worsen injuries
• Rideshare companies, in accidents involving Uber, Lyft, or other services

CHM Law Firm conducts exhaustive investigations to identify all potentially liable parties and their insurance coverage. By casting a wide net, we maximize the sources of compensation available for your injuries and fight aggressively to hold all responsible parties accountable.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Injury Lawsuit in California?

California’s statute of limitations imposes strict deadlines for filing personal injury lawsuits. For most car accident claims, victims have two years from the crash date to initiate legal action. Missing this deadline will likely result in permanently losing your right to seek compensation through the courts.

Several factors can alter this standard timeline, such as the following:

• Claims Against Government Entities – If your accident involved a government vehicle or resulted from dangerous road conditions, you must file an administrative claim within six months.
• Minor Victims – If the injured person is under 18, the limitations period may be extended until they reach adulthood.
• Discovery Rule – In limited cases where injuries weren’t immediately apparent, the clock may start when the injury was or reasonably should have been discovered.

These deadlines underscore the importance of consulting with an attorney promptly after an accident.

What Are the Most Common Types of Car Accidents in California?

Understanding the following common types of car accidents in California can help illustrate how negligence manifests on our roadways.

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end accidents occur when one vehicle strikes another from behind. These crashes often result from following too closely, distracted driving, or sudden stops. While the common assumption is that the trailing driver bears full responsibility, complications arise when multiple vehicles are involved or when the lead driver contributes through improper lane changes or brake-checking.

Side-Impact (T-Bone) Collisions

Side-impact crashes occur when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another, forming a “T” shape. These accidents frequently happen at intersections when drivers run red lights or fail to yield the right of way. T-bone collisions can be particularly devastating because vehicle sides offer less structural protection than front and rear areas. Occupants on the struck side often sustain the most severe injuries.

Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions are among the most dangerous and deadly crashes. These accidents involve the front ends of two vehicles striking each other while traveling in opposite directions, often resulting from wrong-way driving, crossing center lines while distracted, or impaired driving. The combined force of two vehicles traveling toward each other creates catastrophic impact, frequently causing fatal injuries or permanent disabilities.

Intersection Accidents

Intersections are collision hotspots where traffic flows converge from multiple directions. Typical scenarios include running red lights, improper turns, failure to yield, and misjudging crossing opportunities. The complexity of these crashes often involves multiple vehicles and disputed liability claims, requiring thorough investigation and witness testimony to establish fault.

Sideswipe Accidents

Sideswipe collisions occur when the sides of two vehicles traveling in the same or opposite directions make contact. These frequently result from improper lane changes, blind spot errors, or distracted driving. While sometimes dismissed as minor, sideswipes can cause serious accidents when vehicles are forced into other lanes, obstacles, or oncoming traffic.

Multi-Vehicle Pileups

Chain-reaction crashes involving numerous vehicles create particularly complex liability scenarios. These often occur on highways during adverse weather conditions or when an initial collision creates a hazard for approaching traffic. Determining which drivers bear responsibility requires extensive investigation, including accident reconstruction and a careful analysis of each driver’s actions and reactions.

Hit-and-Run Accidents

When drivers flee accident scenes without providing information or rendering aid, victims face additional challenges in recovering compensation. These cases require prompt investigation to identify the responsible party through surveillance footage, witness accounts, vehicle debris, and sometimes public assistance in locating the fleeing driver. When perpetrators cannot be identified, victims may need to rely on their own uninsured motorist coverage.

Rideshare Accidents

Collisions involving Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare services present differing insurance scenarios depending on the driver’s status at the time of the crash. When drivers are actively transporting passengers, company policies typically provide substantial coverage, while “app-on” waiting periods involve different coverage levels. Our attorneys understand these complex coverage arrangements and know how to manage the various insurance policies involved.

Highway Accidents

High-speed crashes on freeways and highways typically result in more severe injuries due to the velocities involved. Common scenarios include improper merging, sudden lane changes, speeding, and distracted driving. The limited escape options and proximity of vehicles traveling at high speeds magnify the danger when something goes wrong.

What Are Common Injuries Caused in Car Accidents?

Car crashes frequently result in a wide range of injuries, including the following:

The severity of these injuries often correlates with factors such as impact force, vehicle safety features, seat belt use, and the victim’s physical condition. CHM Law Firm works closely with medical specialists to understand the full extent of our clients’ injuries and their long-term implications.

What Should I Do If I Am Involved in an Accident?

Following a collision, you should take essential steps to protect your health and legal rights.

Seek immediate medical evaluation as a matter of priority, even if you feel “fine.” Many serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and internal bleeding, may not show immediate symptoms. Follow all treatment recommendations and keep detailed records of medical care and how your injuries affect daily life.

You should also report the accident to your insurance company promptly, but avoid giving recorded statements or accepting settlement offers before consulting an attorney. Insurance adjusters work to minimize payouts, and early statements may be used against you later.

Finally, contact CHM Law Firm as soon as possible. Our experienced attorneys will guide you through the claims process, protect your rights, and handle communications with insurers while you focus on recovery.

Contact an Experienced San Mateo Car Accident Attorney Today

If you or someone you love has been injured in any type of motor vehicle collision, the attorneys at CHM Law Firm stand ready to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. For over four decades, our dedicated legal team has championed the rights of accident victims throughout San Mateo County and the surrounding areas, securing hundreds of millions in recoveries for our deserving clients.

CHM Law Firm accepts only a select number of cases, allowing us to devote substantial resources and attention to your claim. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case and explore your legal options.