Mountain View Car Accident Lawyer

A car slammed into you at a busy intersection in Mountain View, and you’re hurt. You need a proven auto accident attorney at Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos to assist.

Our experienced car accident attorney can help if you suffered a car accident injury from another person or entity. You can contact one of our car accident attorneys in Mountain View at (650) 345-8484.

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Why Choose Our Mountain View Car Accident Lawyers?

Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos, LLP, is an experienced car accident lawsuit law firm that accepts cases in the San Mateo region and around California.

Our Mountain View car accident attorneys have dedicated years to fighting for our clients’ rights. We have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and jury awards for car accident victims.

Recent case successes include:

• $1.2 million motorcycle accident settlement with $20,000 original offer
• $3.6 million pedestrian accident settlement
• $1.5 million car accident settlement
• $1 million car accident settlement for pregnancy injury

Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos, LLP, has offices conveniently located in San Mateo, San Jose, and Santa Barbara. Our San Mateo office is off Highway 92 and Alameda de las Pulgas near Fusion Academy San Mateo. You can contact our office for a free consultation.

Car Accident Compensation 

Anyone seriously injured in a Mountain View auto accident by another person wants the most compensation for their injuries. The value of your case will vary widely based on the case details:

Severity of Injuries

Injury severity is one of the most significant drivers of your car accident settlement value. You will have a larger settlement for a serious injury claim because the injury will have a bigger life impact. For example, a brain injury claim is worth more than a soft tissue injury claim.

Medical Expenses

Your medical expenses will play a significant role in the claim value. A severe injury requiring a month of hospital care and surgeries has a much higher value than a broken arm. You need only a few follow-up appointments to treat it.

Lost Earnings

Your lost income from a car accident is also a significant factor. If you cannot work for six months, your claim will be worth more than if you return to work after two weeks.

You also may receive payment for lost earning capacity if the accident entirely disabled you. A younger person with 30 work years ahead may receive more for most income than a retired person.

Property Damage 

Did the accident total your car? You should receive compensation to replace it. This would increase the settlement value compared to having your current vehicle fixed.

Pain And Suffering

A severe injury will lead to more significant pain, suffering, and compensation. Severe burns from a truck accident will cause considerable pain and suffering, which increases the settlement value.

The degree of pain and suffering affects a car accident settlement, too. A serious injury with great pain will have a higher settlement value.

A car accident attorney at Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos in Mountain View can review the value of your claim today. They will carefully add up your economic and non-economic damages and demand as much as possible from the insurance company.

Where Car Accidents Happen In Mountain View

The Mountain View area is a bustling, growing community with heavy traffic. Some common trouble spots for car accidents are on northbound U.S. Highway 101 in Mountain View and Highway 85 at the Evelyn Avenue off-ramp.

Another common car accident spot is at various intersections of Shoreline Boulevard in Mountain View. An intersection with many recent accidents is 3500 South and Mountain View Corridor.

Types Of Car Accidents

There are thousands of auto accidents in California annually, and far too many in the Mountain View area.

Common types of car accidents that Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos auto accident attorneys help with are:

• Rear-end crashes: These collisions happen when one vehicle crashes into the back of another. They’re often caused by distracted driving (like texting or using a phone), following too closely, or sudden stops in traffic. Speeding or drowsy driving can also play a role. Due to congestion, these are especially common in heavy-traffic areas like San Mateo and Mountain View. The rear driver is typically at fault, though exceptions exist, such as if the front driver stops abruptly without reason.
• Side-impact crashes: These accidents occur when the front of one car hits the side of another, often forming a “T” shape. They frequently happen at intersections when a driver runs a red light, fails to yield, or misjudges a turn. In California, with its busy urban intersections and high-speed roads like I-5 or U.S. 101, these crashes can be severe, as the side of a car offers less protection. The fault usually depends on who had the right of way.
• Head-on crashes: Though less frequent than rear-end or side-impact crashes, head-on collisions are among the most dangerous. They occur when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide front-to-front. Common causes include distracted driving, drunk driving, or veering into oncoming traffic on highways or rural roads.
• Sideswipe crashes: These involve two cars traveling in the same or opposite directions, making contact along their sides. They often stem from improper lane changes, merging errors, or drifting due to distraction or fatigue. Mountain View’s multi-lane freeways see a lot of sideswip accidents, especially during rush hour. Fault typically lies with the driver who failed to check their blind spots or signal properly.
• Multi-vehicle crashes: These crashes involve three or more cars and are common on California’s high-traffic highways, especially in bad weather or heavy fog in the Mountain View region. They often start with one collision, such as a rear-end crash, then snowball as other drivers can’t stop in time. Speeding, tailgating, and poor visibility are significant factors. 

Types Of Car Accident Injuries

Many Mountain View drivers speed and drive recklessly so that car accident injuries can be severe.

Always call one of our Mountain View auto accident attorneys if another driver hits and causes one of these injuries:

• Whiplash: This is one of the most frequent injuries in car-on-car collisions, especially in rear-end accidents, which are common in San Francisco’s stop-and-go traffic. Whiplash happens when the head and neck are suddenly jerked forward and backward, straining muscles, ligaments, and soft tissues.
• Head injuries: Collisions can cause drivers or passengers to hit their heads on steering wheels, dashboards, windows, or other hard surfaces inside the vehicle. This can result in concussions—mild traumatic brain injuries—or more severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) if the impact is significant.
• Back and spine injuries: The force of a car-on-car crash can strain or damage the back and spine. Common injuries include herniated discs, spinal fractures, or sprains. In severe cases, spinal cord damage can occur.
• Broken bones: The impact of two vehicles colliding can crush or twist limbs, often resulting in fractures. Arms, legs, ribs, and collarbones are frequently affected, especially if someone braces themselves against the dashboard or steering wheel.
• Soft tissue injuries: Beyond whiplash, other soft tissue damage like bruises, sprains, or torn ligaments can occur when the body is thrown against seat belts, doors, or other interior parts.
• Chest and abdominal injuries: Seat belts, while lifesaving, can sometimes cause bruising or even fractures to the ribs or sternum during a crash. Higher-impact collisions can injure internal organs like the liver, spleen, or lungs.

Mountain View’s unique environment with steep hills, dense traffic, and frequent interactions with pedestrians and cyclists can amplify the risk of these injuries. Speak to a car accident attorney at our law firm if another driver has injured you.

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Fighting The Insurance Company 

A car accident attorney can make a huge difference when dealing with an insurance company after a serious accident. Your attorney knows the ins and outs of the legal system and can help navigate the often tricky process of negotiating with insurance companies.

Insurance companies aren’t your friends and will try to pay as little as possible - if you let them!

First, your attorney will evaluate your case to determine what you’re entitled to, including medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, or property damage. Insurance companies might try to lowball you with an offer before you contact an attorney.

Don’t fall for it! Your car accident attorney will prevent you from accepting a minimal offer and will build a strong case with evidence like police reports, witness statements, or medical records.

They’re also professionals at dealing with the fine print. Insurance policies are loaded with jargon and loopholes, and a lawyer can cut through that to ensure the insurer doesn’t duck their responsibilities. If the other driver’s at fault, your lawyer can push their insurance for a fair payout or, if needed, take it to court.

Also, suppose your own insurance is giving you difficulty, such as rejecting your claim or dragging out a settlement. Your Mountain View auto accident attorney can push them for a fair resolution in that case.

Your Car Accident Attorney Will Handle The Insurance Adjusters 

Your Mountain View auto accident attorney will also handle the back-and-forth with insurance adjusters, so you won’t need to deal with it. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize what you are paid, but a lawyer levels the playing field by negotiating on your behalf.

If it comes to it, they’ll file a lawsuit and represent you, which can pressure the insurer to settle rather than risk a more considerable loss in court.

In short, your personal injury attorney is your dedicated legal advocate. They maximize your compensation, protect your rights, and take the stress off your shoulders so you can focus on recovering.

What To Do After A Mountain View Car Accident

What you do in the hours and days after a Mountain View car accident can affect your health and legal options:

• Document the scene: Take photos of the crash—damage to both cars, the road, skid marks, traffic signs, and anything relevant. Ask witnesses for their contact info in case you need their statements later.
• Notify your insurance: Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible, even if you think it’s minor. California’s a “fault” state, so determining who’s responsible affects who pays. Be honest, but again, don’t admit blame; let the investigation sort it out.
• Seek medical attention: Even if you feel fine, see a doctor. Some injuries, like whiplash, don’t show up right away. This also creates a record if you need to file a claim later. You need this to obtain compensation in a lawsuit. 
• File a DMV report: In California, you must file an SR-1 form with the DMV within 10 days if the crash caused injury, death, or over $1,000 in damage and the police didn’t file a report for you. You can do this online or by mail.
• Talk to a car accident attorney: If the other driver disputes fault, significantly damages your property, or injures you, talk to a lawyer. California has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, so you’ve got some time, but act sooner.

A Mountain View auto accident attorney can handle the other driver’s insurance company. This is smart if another party caused your injuries. The at-fault driver’s insurance company will try to minimize your payout and can even deny the claim. It isn’t unheard of for the liable insurer to attempt to blame the injury victim for the accident!

Your car accident lawyer won’t allow you to be wrongfully blamed. They will investigate the accident, determine your full damages, and demand the most compensation for your losses.

The insurance company will probably settle, but if not, your Mountain View auto accident attorney is a skilled litigator who will sue and present your case to a jury.

Speak To Our Mountain View Car Accident Attorneys Today 

A Mountain View auto accident is scary and stressful. Contact our car accident lawyers at Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos today for a free consultation at (650) 345-8484.

Our attorneys do not charge upfront legal fees and take no payment unless we obtain compensation for you. You have only a limited time to file a lawsuit in California, so act now.

Schedule A Free Consultation