Santa Barbara Car Accident Attorneys

Santa Barbara is the county seat of Santa Barbara County. According to the 2010 Census, there were more than 88,000 people that called the beautiful city of Santa Barbara home. Nestled between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Santa Barbara is a major tourist location that struggles with congestion issues from time to time. In fact, all major Santa Barbara neighborhoods, such as the Mesa, the Rivera, Mission Canyon, the waterfront or the Eastside have all had issues with injury accidents.

Dangerous Roadways and Intersections

There are a number of roadways and intersections in Santa Barbara that have proven dangerous over the years. Perhaps the most dangerous intersection in the city is where Anacapa and Carrillo streets meet. According to a news report in KEYT, that location was dangerous because of speeding vehicles, the high volume of traffic and because of the many driveways and local businesses there. So many accidents occurred there that in October of 2011, the city created a $447,000 plan to make it safer. The plan included new streetlights, pedestrian signs, new curbs, improved drainage and a countdown clock for pedestrians.

Residents often complain about the dangers of certain streets in their neighborhood. In February 2009, one resident said that the corner of DeLaVina and Figueroa is very dangerous, and that on a weekly basis, this intersection is the site of numerous Santa Barbara car crashes. Recently, one elderly man was hit by a bus at the intersection. Making matters worse are the cars parked on DeLaVina, which block the view for turning drivers. In addition, speeding motorists and those jockeying to make the left turn, prevent kids and seniors from being able to cross safely. Dangerous intersections pose a real problem for many cities. Efforts should be focused on improving their safety through redesign and/or increased traffic enforcement.

Car Accidents in Santa Barbara County

According to California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) four fatalities and 553 injuries were reported as a result of Santa Barbara car accidents in the year 2010. During that same year, 29 people were killed and 1,815 were injured in car crashes countywide. Alcohol-related crashes resulted in three fatalities and 76 injuries; pedestrian accidents resulted in three fatalities and 63 injuries; and 92 bicyclists were injured.

Negligent Drivers

There are many forms of negligent driving that can lead to Santa Barbara car accidents. For example, two people were seriously injured in a Santa Barbara crash involving a head-on collision. According to a KSBY news report, the wrong-way crash occurred on the northbound lanes of Highway 101 near Turnpike Road during the early morning hours of July 29, 2012. Officials say two people suffered major injuries in the crash. A follow-up on this accident in The Independent reported that both drivers involved were under the influence of alcohol.

Many Santa Barbara car accidents occur as a result of speeding motorists and distracted drivers. Others result from a failure to yield the right of way or a failure to obey a traffic light. All of these types of accidents are entirely preventable by driving safely and responsibly.

What to Do after a Car Accident

The actions you take after a car accident can make or break your personal injury case. First and foremost, it is important that you call the police. A police report will create a record of your accident and the results of the police investigation can be very valuable to your case. For example, if a police officer determines that the driver who hit you was drunk or violated the rules of the road, that could really help your case. Take pictures of the scene if you have a camera.

Remember, complete and accurate records help you resolve your car accident claim quickly and easily. Information you gather or preserve at the scene may help settle any legal issues that come up. Be sure to exchange names, addresses, telephone numbers and insurance information with other drivers. Also, get the names and contact information for any eyewitnesses. Do not discuss the case with other drivers or witnesses. Do not admit fault or get argumentative. Call your insurance company and report the incident. Call an experienced Santa Barbara car accident lawyer, if you or someone you love has been injured.

Your Rights

The experienced Santa Barbara car accident lawyers at our law firm can help you protect your legal rights and help you obtain much needed compensation to cover medical expenses, lost earnings, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and pain and suffering. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Santa Barbara car accident, please contact us for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.

Fair Compensation

Loss of income is a primary issue after being injured in a car accident. You'll need to determine the fair market value of your damaged vehicle as well as the costs for medical treatment. A qualified personal injury attorney specializing in plaintiff car accidents will be able to determine what compensation you should receive. This could be the difference between a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Having an attorney represent you is going to give the fair advantage to you - not the insurance company. Since you have a limited time to file a claim you'll need to contact an attorney fairly soon after the accident.

"I knew I made the right choice with Bisnar Chase because they went above and beyond to help. I especially want to thank Colleen and Chris for meeting all my needs and walking me through every piece of information. You have excellent employees in this firm! I was treated like family and the service and professionalism was above and beyond." M. Cheng. See more reviews.

Protecting Yourself After the Car Accident

Immediately get medical help if you are injured. What may feel like a nagging bruise now could develop into something more serious later on. Many car accident victims are so full of adrenalin after the wreck that they don't feel any pain. This will set in later after you have calmed down.

• Be sure to file the police report right away. This will help preserve evidence of the accident way after it has left your memory.
• If there are people present who saw the accident ask for their contact information.
• Take as many pictures as you can of the scene. It's not uncommon for the at-fault driver to come back later and try and blame the accident on you.

If you want to find out more about your rights after a car accident, call our Santa Barbara car accident attorney at 800-561-4887.