Santa Barbara Car Accident Legal Help

Our car accident attorneys in Santa Barbara understand the common causes of car accidents, what damages you might be able to recover following an injury, and how car accident insurance companies work. Reach out to one of our experienced car accident attorneys from Bamieh and DeSmeth for a free case evaluation today.

Car Accidents in California

The Golden State is known for the entertainment industry, its beaches, and its high level of traffic congestion. Whenever you are in the Santa Barbara or Ventura areas, you are likely to encounter a great deal of traffic. That traffic is filled with recently licensed drivers, college students, tourists, people in a hurry, and individuals leaving the endless bars and establishments in the state.

This combination means that crashes are bound to occur. In a recent year, more than 3,600 lives were lost in vehicle accidents in California, and hundreds of thousands more injuries occurred. Accidents can and do happen, and when they do, you might sustain costly injuries. You also might have important legal rights, and you should let an attorney evaluate your situation.

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Common Crash-Related Injuries

Car accidents can cause a broad range of injuries, from simple scratches that need no medical attention to catastrophic injuries that alter the rest of your life. If an injury needs any type of medical care - even if it seems minor - you have losses and should learn whether you can recover financially from the liable party.

Common injuries from car accidents in Santa Barbara include:

  • Neck and back injury
  • Soft tissue damage
  • Nerve damage
  • Loss of limb or partial paralysis
  • Paralysis
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI) or concussions
  • Internal organ damage and hemorrhaging

All of these injuries need immediate medical attention, and depending on the severity, you might require hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitative therapy, and other follow-up care. Many injuries can prevent you from working, as well, and the lost income only adds to the financial stress in the aftermath of a crash.

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I cannot recommend Ron Bamieh and Anzac Jacobs highly enough.

I was wrongly accused of a misdemeanor charge. From the very beginning, Ron approached my case with incredible patience, empathy, and professionalism. He took the time to listen, understand my concerns, and explain every step of the legal process in a way that was clear and reass...

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Danielle De Smith handled our case against a school district in Ventura County with exceptional skill and professionalism. I initially approached the situation as a fiercely protective mother, ready to fight, but Danielle’s grace, expertise, and strategic approach proved fa...

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We worked with Atty Jacobs to help us with an issue with our loved one and things could have been so much worse if we hadn’t of had his expertise and compassion. When you’re in a situation when you need help with a loved one, not only are you desperate but you’r...

Bamieh & Smith were awesome and would definitely recommend.

Mr. Anzac Jacob's was one of the best Lawyer I could've been blessed with. Top to bottom , Professional, honest, caring, and he has a great heart. He did his best for me. He never made me feel like he did not care about my situation, without Mr. Jacobs and Mr. Bamieh, I think I w...

I would recommend hiring Bamieh & De Smeth.

They are very transparent and up front with you regarding your matter. Never having any experience with the matter I hired them for, they explained everything that was happening, would be happening or could happen. Meghan Sherry took on our matter and made us free welcome and nev...

First time I met Ron he welcomed me with open arms.

His sincerity and willing to help me was shown immediately. Ron stood by my side, showed up for me and checked in on my emotional well being every step of the way. Not only is he a great lawyer but a genuine person who sees good in others and wants to help good people.
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Professional, honest, and confident

From my initial conversation with Ron and his team, I was put at ease by their professionalism, honesty and confidence. He clearly described the process and what I could expect in the following months. He was thorough in his preparation and in court, he was calm and calculat...

Grateful for exceptional legal support with a better-than-expected outcome

I am so grateful to my neighbor who recommended this law firm. After being in a terrible accident where I was hit by a car on my bicycle, I wasn’t sure about contacting a lawyer, but after months and months of pain and frustration I decided to give them a call. I’m so...

I highly recommend this law office.

From the moment I stepped in for my first consultation, I felt welcomed and reassured. The team is professional, compassionate, and truly listens to their clients. I left that first meeting with a sense of relief, knowing I was in capable and trustworthy hands. Thank you for your...

Amazing firm.

Ron is straight to the point and will give his honest opinion on the case. Very knowledgeable team that will do their best. I am personally impressed on how they handled my case. They gave me light at the end of a tunnel that seemed endless.

Causes of Car Accidents

In order to know your rights following a car accident, your lawyer must identify the cause of the crash. In some cases, the cause will be quite obvious, while it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause in other situations. It might require investigation, and your attorney should have the resources to get to the bottom of what happened and who was to blame. One of the most common causes of car accidents in the modern world is that of distracted driving.

Distracted driving is driving while engaging in any activity that takes your attention away from the road. This can include using a smartphone while driving, talking or texting while driving, or even talking to a passenger. When a driver is on the road engaging in distracted driving using a smartphone in California, they are also violating the law, which makes them automatically negligent and at fault. Driving under the influence (DUI) is an additional threat on the roads that leads to many preventable accidents and deaths each year.

Nearly one-third (1,066) of traffic fatalities in California were attributed to drunk driving in a single year. When a driver is under the influence of alcohol, their ability to safely operate their motor vehicle is drastically impacted. With so many other options for rideshares and other forms of sober transportation, there is no excuse for drunk driving, and these drivers should be held fully accountable for the harm they cause.

Other causes of crashes that might lead to injury claims include:

If someone else was to blame for your crash and injuries, they should also be responsible for your losses.

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Who Could be Liable for Your Car Crash Injuries?

The parties that could be at fault in your car crash begin with other drivers. When a driver is negligent, such as by distracted driving or violating a traffic law, they are liable for the damages that they cause. The insurance company of the negligent driver should cover your losses, and in some cases, more than one driver might be at fault.

You might also hold the other driver’s employer liable. When an employee is doing their job and causes an accident while they are in the course of their employment, generally, their employer will also be vicariously liable. This might happen when you are hit by a commercial truck driver or a delivery driver, for example.

Companies can also be negligent in their own right. Sometimes, employers require that employees work too much, making them fatigued and unable to drive safely. In other situations, employees may be incentivized to complete deliveries as quickly as possible, and they could cause accidents as a result of their rushing and speeding.

Trucking companies and companies like Uber have insurance that can cover the cost of accidents, and you may be entitled to compensation from these corporate insurers that have much higher policy limits. Your car accident attorney can advise you of which parties they will pursue to achieve full compensation and coverage for your accident.

Do I need an Attorney for My Car Accident?

Danielle De Smeth speaking on car accidents

How a Santa Barbara Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

When you have been in a car accident, reaching out to an auto accident lawyer in Santa Barbara as soon as possible will support the best outcome of your case. Your attorney ensures that your damages are accurately calculated and that your settlement offer is sufficient. They will step into your shoes and handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance companies and opposing parties, so that you can focus on your recovery while your attorney focuses on making the most of your compensation. If you need assistance with a car accident claim in the Santa Barbara area, you want the law firm of Bamieh & De Smeth, PLC, on your side. Please contact us for a free case evaluation so we can learn more about your situation and advise you of your legal rights.

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Santa Barbara Car Accident FAQ

What should you do after a car accident?

After your car accident, the first thing you should do is seek out emergency medical attention. Receiving emergency medical care will ensure that you have no immediately threatening injuries from the accident. After you have received immediate medical attention, you should reach out to a car accident lawyer.

Connecting with a lawyer as soon as possible after your initial medical care will help you to start the process of collecting the compensation you need and are entitled to. Your car accident attorney will have the resources to begin gathering evidence right away to identify and prove liability for your crash. Evidence tends to fade or disappear the longer you wait, so the sooner you get an attorney on board, the better.

Should you accept a car accident insurance settlement?

Accepting an insurance settlement without first going over it with a car accident attorney can be a huge mistake. This can result in you receiving much less than you are entitled to and leave you with losses you will need to cover yourself.

The purpose of a quick and low settlement offer from the insurance company is to support their bottom line and profit margins. The insurance companies do not work for you, they work for profit, and profit is made by paying as little as possible on claims. If you accept this settlement offer without legal guidance, you will likely leave significant funds on the table that you cannot later recover.

Your car accident attorney has worked on many similar cases before and can determine what your claim is worth. We will advise you when a settlement offer is fair or when further negotiations are necessary.

How much does a car accident attorney cost?

You might think that you cannot afford a car accident attorney, as many lawyers charge costly hourly fees. However, personal injury lawyers are different, and often, you won’t have to pay anything out of pocket to hire a lawyer at all for your car accident claim.

Furthermore, your attorney is only paid if they win your case, and that payment comes out of a portion of your settlement or award. This is called a contingency fee arrangement, and it helps make sure that anyone injured in a car crash can afford the proper legal representation.

Call a Santa Barbara car accident attorney from Bamieh and De Smeth to discuss options on how we can seek damages for your losses in a way that you are both comfortable with and can afford.

Our Experienced Legal Team

See All Staff

Founding Attorney, Partner Ron S. Bamieh

Danielle De Smeth

Managing Attorney, Partner Danielle De Smeth

Jennifer Yates

Attorney & Partner Jennifer Yates

Jason D. Frantz

Attorney Jason D. Frantz

Anzac Jacobs

Attorney Anzac Jacobs

Thelma Corsa

Attorney Thelma Corsa

Meghan Sherry

Attorney Meghan Sherry

Charlotte Krem

Attorney Charlotte Krem

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