Struggling with all the difficulties that come from the aftermath of a car accident can be considerably overwhelming. Increasing medical bills, recovering from physical injuries, and the mental toll can all add significant hardship to your life that you did not have before your collision. When someone else is responsible for these difficulties, you have the right to demand total compensation.
Connecting with an experienced and strategically aggressive Santa Barbara car accident attorney from Text Kevin Accident Attorneys can relieve some of the stress caused by this incident. We prioritize our clients’ needs and have secured millions in financial compensation for their suffering. Contact our offices today to schedule your 100% free consultation to learn more about how you can maximize your payout.
Table of Contents
Santa Barbara Car Accident Statistics
Santa Barbara’s status as a popular tourist destination, it also has thriving business, technology, and educational sectors. Observing data obtained from the California Office of Traffic Safety’s OTS Crash Ranking Results for 2021, Santa Barbara saw a total of 472 motor vehicle crashes that resulted in fatalities and injuries. Among these accidents, 95 involved alcohol as a factor, 47 related to speeding, 32 involving motorcycles, 39 with pedestrians, 83 with bicycles, and there were 235 arrests for DUI.
Which Roads and Intersections in Santa Barbara Are the Most Dangerous?
Considering Santa Barbara’s popularity with students, tourists, and professionals of all types, drivers should take extra care when navigating these roads and intersections including:
- Chapala Street and West Carrillo Street
- Figueroa Street and De La Vina Street
- North Milpas Street at US 101
- Carrillo Street and Anacapa Street
- Santa Barbara Street and De La Guerra
- Las Positas Road and Calle Road
- Highway 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway
Any car accident that results in injuries of any type or degree, or that results in property damage of $1,000 or more, must be reported to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Santa Barbara Police Department or California Highway Patrol (CHP) via the SR-1 report form. This reporting must be completed within 10 days. Making sure you follow California’s reporting process will help in building the strongest possible case.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Car Accident Injuries
Regardless of the severity, the injuries you suffer in a car accident may require you to file an insurance claim or initiate a personal injury lawsuit. Ranging from minor to catastrophic injuries, the damages you sustain as the result of another driver hitting you will likely compel you to pursue the liable party for financial compensation. Over the years we have been representing victims of car accidents, our clients have reported nearly all types of injuries including:
- Lacerations and abrasions
- Bruising and contusions
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and brain injuries
- Full thickness burns
- Puncture wounds
- Broken and fractured bones
- Facial damage and dental injuries
- Loss of limbs
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Organ damage and internal bleeding
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
Pro Tip
Even if you feel relatively fine, be sure to get a complete medical assessment by qualified medical professionals. You could have internal injuries that do not present symptoms right away. Ensuring you are evaluated by medical personnel will establish a paper trail showing you are taking your physical health seriously.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
While you are recovering from the injuries you sustained in a car accident, you are likely feeling the strain of medical bills, loss of the ability to earn money, and how you will be able to pay for your monthly expenses. You might think you cannot afford to hire a lawyer to pursue the compensation you deserve from the liable party. However, the truth is that legal assistance is more accessible than you might think.
Text Kevin Accident Attorneys is pleased to represent our personal injury clients on a contingency basis. What this means for you is that we will cover the costs to investigate your case, negotiate with insurance companies, and file a lawsuit if necessary. Our contingency agreements also mean that we only get paid when we win, and then our attorney’s fees will be paid from a portion of the compensation we recover for you.
Can I Recover Compensation if I Share Some of the Blame for a Car Accident in Santa Barbara?
One of the most common tactics that defendants and their legal representatives use to avoid their financial responsibility is to blame the car accident victim for causing the collision. If the party that caused the accident accuses you of being even partially responsible for the crash, do not be concerned that you will not be able to pursue compensation. Even if you are partially responsible for causing the accident, this does not prevent you from seeking the justice you deserve.
California follows a policy of pure comparative negligence under California Civil Code 1714. This means that if you carry some of the blame for the motor vehicle accident that you were injured in, you can still pursue compensation, but it will be reduced in relation to your portion of fault. For example, if the judge finds you 20% at fault because you were looking at your phone while the driver who struck you ran a red light, you would only be entitled to 80% of the total compensation you could receive.
When you choose Text Kevin Accident Attorneys to represent you, your highly experienced car accident attorney in Santa Barbara will work tirelessly to prove that the liable party is responsible for causing the wreck. Our top-rated law firm has extensive knowledge of the California legal system and how to navigate any potential concerns like the defense blaming you for the collision. We will do everything in our power to prove the driver who hit you is more than likely at fault for your injuries.
What Causes Car Accidents in Santa Barbara, CA?
Various factors contribute to every car accident which makes each motor vehicle crash a unique situation. The reasons for an accident occurring are almost impossible to count. The clients we have represented at Text Kevin Accident Attorneys have reported being involved in accidents resulting from:
- Speeding under California Vehicle Code 22350 VC
- Road rage
- Aggressive driving under California Vehicle Code §23103(a)
- Failure to stop under California Vehicle Code § 22450 CVC
- Failure to yield under California Vehicle Code Section 21801(a)
- Distracted driving under California Vehicle Code 23123
- Driving under the influence (DUI) under California Vehicle Code 23152
- Driving while fatigued under California Office of Traffic Safety California Tort Claims Act
While this list only covers a few of the reasons for car accidents, several other factors may have resulted in your collision. Inclement weather conditions, poorly maintained roadways, and defective or malfunctioning vehicle parts could also have contributed to the accident that resulted in your injuries. Analyzing the evidence, conducting an extensive investigation into the cause of your collision, and hiring expert witnesses and accident reconstructionists demonstrate the importance of retaining a knowledgeable and experienced car accident attorney in Santa Barbara.
Note
While the statute of limitations for personal injury cases in California is only two years, if a government agency is determined to share fault, you may only have six months to file suit against them according to California Government Code Section 911.2.
Santa Barbara Car Accident FAQs
You are not legally obligated to hire an attorney for your car accident lawsuit. However, retaining dedicated legal counsel can help you accurately estimate the value of your case, make sure any deadlines are met, and properly assign blame appropriately. Personal injury and wrongful death claims can be exceedingly complicated and your car accident attorney in Santa Barbara can focus on the legalities of your case while you devote your attention to healing from your wounds and rebuilding your life.
As with the unique circ*mstances of each car accident, every contingency agreement rate will vary based on the details of the case. At Text Kevin Accident Attorneys, our contingency fees can generally range between 20% and 40% of the total compensation that we are able to recover for you. Remember though, because our attorney’s fees are drawn from the money we recover for you, this means you will not have to pay anything upfront or out of your pocket.
There is no average settlement amount due to the specific details of a particular car accident. When calculating the value of your car accident claim, we will need to analyze all of the costs associated with your recovery, including both economic and non-economic damages including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and potential vocational rehabilitation if you can no longer return to your previous career. We will look at every way your life has been negatively impacted due to the accident to maximize the potential value of your case.
When pursuing compensation for the damages you have suffered in your car accident, you have just two years to file a lawsuit in Santa Barbara according to California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. This may seem like plenty of time to seek justice for your injuries, but when you are focused on recovering from your physical and mental injuries, time can pass very quickly. While there are specific instances where this time limit can pause, such as if your injuries were not diagnosed right away, you should not wait to exercise your right to fair and just compensation.
There is not a specific amount of money that you can demand in your personal injury case, but your Santa Barbara car accident lawyer can help you calculate the total value of your damages. These damages will be determined by every way your life has been affected by the accident resulting from another party’s negligence. Although rare, if the liable party’s actions were intentional, grossly negligent, or malicious in nature, you may be entitled to punitive or exemplary damages under California Civil Code Section 3294.
While driving your car after a car crash is not advisable, you are not legally barred from driving your vehicle provided you can do so safely. Even if you can drive your car safely after a collision, you should only drive it directly to your chosen repair facility or your home. The defense could argue that your damages are not as significant as you claim if you were able to drive the vehicle after the accident.
Contact Our Santa Barbara Car Accident Attorneys Today for Legal Help
Enduring the difficulty associated with suffering through a car accident is not something anyone should have to go through alone. You should have the assistance you need so you can focus on your recovery. Our award-winning law firm aggressively pursues the justice our clients deserve.
When you are ready to fight for your rights, connect with your dedicated Santa Barbara car accident attorney with Text Kevin Accident Attorneys. We will help you work through your hardships to seek the financial compensation you need to rebuild your life. Find the help you are looking for by calling our offices today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation, or fill out our secure contact form now.
Santa Barbara FAQs
Santa Barbara is located along the central coast of California and is the county seat of Santa Barbara County.
Home to several colleges including the University of California, Santa Barbara, you can find many enjoyable activities. Visit the Santa Ynez Mountains where you can find the Los Padres National Forest or head to the coast for Channel Islands National Park.
Long Beach is approximately 115 miles to the southeast of Santa Barbara and will take about three hours by car via US-101 S and I-405 S.
Visit www.countyofsb.org to request a copy of your birth certificate online or in person at the Clerk-Recorders Office of Santa Barbara at 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Santa Barbara is located approximately 95 miles northwest of Los Angeles.
Truck drivers can park in any designated truck parking zone. Truckers may be able to pay overnight, daily, weekly, and sometimes even monthly rates.
