SANTA BARBARA LAWYERS

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Santa Barbara Rideshare Accident Attorneys

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident involving an Uber or Lyft driver, you can pursue financial compensation for your medical expenses, ongoing physical therapy, and lost wages. The rideshare era has certainly made getting from place to place in Santa Barbara much easier. Drinking and driving has decreased thanks in part to ridesharing's surge in popularity. It has additionally provided many people with an additional income source in today's gig economy.

But as the rideshare industry grows, so do the number of collisions involving Uber and Lyft drivers. Even worse, insurance companies often do not know the insured party is using their vehicle for ridesharing. This means they might be unwilling to fully compensate victims.

Since ridesharing is a relatively new phenomenon, the legal waters when it comes to Lyft and Uber car crashes are murky at best.

This is why you'll benefit from having the Santa Barbara Lyft and Uber accident attorneys at M.R. Parker Law, PC in your corner. Uber and Lyft are huge publicly-traded companies worth billions of dollars. Unlike a lot of drivers carrying only the minimum-required liability coverage of $15,000 for injury or death on their auto policy, Uber and Lyft drivers have a $1 million insurance policy. But rideshare companies will look at things like if their driver was or wasn't signed onto the app and accepting rides when the accident/incident occurred.

Considering how much liability coverage Lyft and Uber drivers carry, anyone injured in a car wreck caused by a ridesharing driver could be entitled to more compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and pain, suffering and emotional trauma tied to the wreck. This includes passengers injured in a rideshare vehicle, regardless of whether or not their driver was at-fault.

The car accident lawyers at M.R.Parker Law, PC specialize in Lyft and Uber accidents. Contact us today for a free consultation with one of our Lyft/Uber accident lawyers in Santa Barbara.

SANTA BARBARA TEXTING WHILE DRIVING ATTORNEY

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Accidents Caused By Texting & Driving

A major cause of car accidents is distracted driving. Crashes caused by distracted driving range from very serious - many roadway fatalities and wrongful death lawsuits are due to distracted driving - to minor rear-end accidents or fender-benders.

According to research, texting while driving increases the risk of crashing by as much as 25 times.

Studies have also concluded that 4.6 seconds is the average time a driver takes their eyes off the road to send or read a text message. If driving 55 mph, that equates to driving the distance of a football field with your eyes covered.

In California, it's against the law for someone driving an automobile to use their cell phones to make a call, talk without a hands-free setup, and read or type out a text message while driving.

Although texting and driving is what people instantly think of when distracted driving is mentioned, there are other instances of distracted driving still prevalent. They include: following the directions on an electronic navigation system like GPS or Google Maps, using a handheld cell phone, messing with a radio or CD player, doing makeup, smoking or vaping, taking selfies or recording a video. and eating while driving.

If you've been hurt in an accident with a distracted driver, M.R. Parker Law, PC can help get you compensated for any expenses and pain or suffering incurred.

Santa Barbara Lawyers for Drunk Driving Victims

Were you or someone you love hit by a drunk driver in Santa Barbara? The aftermath of this this terrible act of negligence and reckless behavior can be devastating.

Nearly one-third of deaths on U.S. highways and roads are caused by drunk driving. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol isn’t just against the law, it’s a moral breach of conduct that risks the lives of others. Someone driving under the influence has trouble focusing, muscle impairment, problems with coordination, mental confusion, a lack of alertness, and a delayed response time.

Someone who survives a car crash with an intoxicated driver often has very bad injuries to deal with. This includes both physical pain and mental distress or emotional trauma.

A victim of a drunk driving accident can seek financial compensation. Not only can they seek standard compensation – things like medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering – but punitive damages could also conceivably be paid out. Jurors and judges can be hard on drunk drivers and the payout in DUI cases can be very significant.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by an impaired driver, contact the Santa Barbara drunk driving accident attorneys at M.R. Parker Law, PC for a free consultation.

Santa Barbara High Speed Crash Attorneys

Exceeding the speed limit – or driving too fast for road conditions – is second behind distracted driving as the leading contributing factor to most car collisions.

Speeding increases the force of impact. The faster you drive at the time of the crash, the greater the force of the collision. This usually means more serious injuries and more fatalities. Speed also contributes to much more property damage.

When you drive you're taking a leap of faith. You're trusting those you're sharing the road with. You're trusting that they are responsible drivers and put forth enough reasonable care to avoid a wreck. A driver that speeds neglects this responsibility and puts everyone at risk - especially motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians.

If you’ve been injured in a high-speed collision in Santa Barbara, and it can be proven the other party was speeding, you may be entitled to a payout.

Let the high-speed collision attorneys at M.R. Parker Law, PC fight to maximize your compensation for medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, pain, suffering, and emotional distress.

Contact our Santa Barbara high-speed collision attorneys today for a free case evaluation.

Santa Barbara Rear-End Car Collision Lawyers

It's one of the most common accidents. Your car comes to a full stop but the vehicle behind you doesn't stop. Your car is rear-ended.

Although rear-end accidents are less serious than a major collision, injuries are prevalent and could be a nagging problem if not immediately evaluated. Injuries after being rear-ended include whiplash - also known as a neck sprain or a neck strain, mild or severe concussions, spinal injuries like herniated discs or hyperextension, and lockjaw or TMJ symptoms.

Since rear-end collisions usually don't result in EMTs or ambulances, many people just go home following a rear-end accident and don't go to an Emergency Room or Urgent Care to be examined. Symptoms might not surface until hours or days later. If you develop any symptoms, seek medical attention right away.

If you've been rear-ended and injured, contact the rear-end collision attorneys at M.R. Parker Law, PC today for a free evaluation of your case. Often, rear-end accidents can be attributed to other factors like driving too fast for conditions or distracted driving.

Vehicle Rollover Accident Lawyers in Santa Barbara

Rollover accidents typically occur when a driver loses control of their automobile and it trips over something - generally uneven pavement, a curb, tree stump, or an object.

Most vehicle rollovers involve SUVs or pickup trucks. Rollovers are most common with SUVs. This is due to their mass being distributed higher off the road in relation to the the width of the vehicle. The gravity's center is increased even more when there's additional cargo and passengers.

Most rollover accidents are single-vehicle accidents - however, rollovers can also occur in multiple-vehicle accidents, particularly if the vehicle is struck from the side.

While rollovers account for fewer than 3% of all car accidents, one-third of car accident deaths come in rollovers. This can often be attributed to there being partial or full ejection from the vehicle.

If you've been hurt in a rollover, contact auto accident lawyers at M.R. Parker Law, PC to determine the worth of your case.

Santa Barbara T-Bone Accident Lawyers

It all happens way to quickly. A light changes from red to green or you're crossing through an intersection after sitting at a stop sign. Suddenly, another car slams into the side of your vehicle. This broadside collision is called a "T-bone" accident and is the most common accident-type at intersections.

If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a broadside crash you can trust the Santa Barbara t-bone car accident attorneys at M.R. Parker Law, PC to get you the money that you deserve.

Santa Barbara Sideswipe Car Accident Attorneys

Sideswipe accidents happen when moving vehicles get too close to one another and collide together along their sides.

Sideswipe accidents often present some challenges when proving liability since they become a blame game where the drivers blame each other. Sideswipe accidents are typically caused by drivers drifting into an adjacent lane, making improper turns, failing to yield when lanes merge, or being overly aggressive or inattentive when switching lanes.

If you've been injured in a sideswipe accident, contact the auto accident attorneys at M.R. Parker Law, PC to set up a free case evaluation

Santa Barbara Multiple Vehicle Accident Lawyers

All car accidents are scary, but collisions that involve multiple vehicles can be particularly devastating. Vehicle pile-ups and chain-reaction collisons involving more than 2 vehicles are some of the most dangerous kinds of traffic collisions.

Multi vehicle accidents can often be attributed to factors like low-visibility, road hazards, tailgating, distracted driving, or construction zones.

Multiple-vehicle crashes can be life-changing and sometimes fatal. If you or a loved one has been injured in a multi-vehicle accident, contact the car accident attorneys at M.R. Parker Law, PC. We'll stand by your side to protect your legal rights.

Santa Barbara Crossover Accident Lawyers

Unsafe lane changes can injure you and your passengers. Death is even possible. A lane crossover is deemed unsafe if the motorist is commits the following:

• Fails to properly signal when turning
• Fails to see a car fast approaching in a parallel lane or doesn't properly judge speed
• Neglects to check their blindspot when changing lanes
• Attempts to switch lanes at a stop light or intersection
• Is texting or on their cellphone when driving
• Falls asleep at the wheel
• Simultaneously merges into the middle lane with another car

If you were injured when merging into traffic, or in an accident where someone unsafely switched lanes, contact the crossover accident attorneys at M.R. Parker Law, PC today to talk about being rewarded compensation for your injuries and medical claims.

Medical Bills - The amount of your settlement is impacted by the type and severity of your injuries.

That said, whether you have bruises, cuts, and burns, whiplash or a back injury  or you suffer from brain trauma or a spinal cord injury accompanied by paralysis or another permanent disability, our Los Angeles car accident injury lawyers can help you!

We work closely with you and your doctors to determine the extent of your injuries. We'll assess the type of medical care and therapy or rehab you’ll need, if a full recovery is anticipated, and how long the recovery process will take.

Immediately following your car wreck, it's critical you see a doctor for a full medical examination. Even if the accident seems like a simple fender-bender, many neck or back injuries aren't realized until hours or even days after the collision. You'll want to have a medical record if you expect to have a case.

You could be owed compensation for all medical expenses. This includes physical or cognitive therapy costs, ambulance fees, fees for doctor consultations,  medical supply costs for crutches, etc., prescription drug costs, permanent disability costs, charges for in-home care services, the cost of home remodels to accommodate a physical handicap. and on-going care and treatments.

Car accidents can result in serious injuries that significantly alter how you live your life and may also force you to miss work. If you're missing work because of injuries from a car collision, we can fight to get you the compensation you need.

Hiring one of the Los Angeles area car accident attorneys at M.R. Parker Law, PC will help your chances of reclaiming lost income after an auto accident. When you seek "lost wages" related to a car collision, you're going for any income you could've earned had you not been injured in the crash.

Lost wages generally include:

• Hourly Pay or Weekly/MonthlySalary
• Bonuses and Commission
• Sick and Vacation Pay
• Overtime Pay
• Self-Employment Wages
• Missed Promotions or Raises While You Weren't Working

Insurance companies are notorious for paying out as little as possible and might sometimes argue against your lost wages benefits. If this happens, tag in the personal injury lawyers at M.R. Parker Law, PC to get you the money you deserve.

Pain and suffering is compensation you can seek for any physical pain, emotional distress, and lessened quality of life caused by a car accident. The legal definition is physical or mental distress.

For example, brain trauma or a spinal cord injury might mean the accident victim can't participate in hobbies or activities they once liked.

A dollar amount can be put on that.

Someone disfigured in a wreck might pursue money if it's greatly impacted their personal life or cost them work opportunities.

A dollar amount can be put on that.

Someone that suffers a broken bone or whiplash could walk around all day in immense pain, have a lower quality of life, and be struggling with loss of sleep, feelings of depression, crippling anxiety, and maybe even PTSD from reliving the wreckage itself.

You have the right to be compensated for any temporary or permanent limitations this accident and someone's negligence has brought on.

Our Los Angeles pain and suffering attorneys are very skilled at making a jury and judge feel your pain. We paint a picture of the quality of life you had and what you've lost. Your ordeal and both the tangible and intangible losses you face will be effectively told and we'll get money for you!

Property damage typically includes the cost to repair or replace your vehicle. You might also be compensated for any belongings that were in the car and consequently damaged in the crash. An insurance adjuster will estimate the cost and our attorneys can include that amount in the settlement offer.

Compensation for property damage is determined by replacement value, the cost of repairs, loss of use of items, or testimony that proves sentimental value if the damaged property is a family heirloom. Most property damage tied to a car accident is handled by insurance companies. You really shouldn't need an attorney to help with the insurance claims process. That said, if the insurance company refuses to pay out benefits you're owed, or denies your claim with no reasonable basis, they're acting in "bad faith" and this is possible grounds for a lawsuit.

If you need some extra help getting what you feel you're owed from the insurance company, consider speaking with one of the attorneys at M.R. Parker Law, PC.