Car accidents are one of the most common sources of personal injury throughout the country. San Diego is no exception, with congested roadways and countless drivers on the road, thousands of accidents occur each year. When a serious car crash disrupts your life, the right legal help makes all the difference.
At The Law Office of Kevin Lemieux, APC, our San Diego car accident attorneys fight for those who’ve been injured through no fault of their own. You’ve been in an accident: call us at (619) 488-6767 to schedule a free consultation with a qualified San Diego car accident attorney.
Why The Law Office of Kevin Lemieux, APC is a Good Fit
Our personalized approach to every case means we take the time to understand how the crash has affected your life and gather the evidence to support your case. There is no one-size-fits-all approach at The Law Office of Kevin Lemieux, APC. We push back against insurance companies that try to downplay your injuries or shift responsibility onto you.
We know the local courts, medical providers, and investigators throughout San Diego County, and we use that knowledge to your advantage. By utilizing customized legal strategies, we can present the strongest case possible. When you work with us, you don’t face insurance companies and the legal system alone. You have an advocate who will demand accountability and fight for fair results.
Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle
At The Law Office of Kevin Lemieux, APC, we handle all types of car accident cases, from everyday fender benders to catastrophic highway collisions. We frequently represent clients injured in all kinds of vehicle collisions, including:
- Rear-end and intersection crashes
- T-bone and side-impact collisions
- Distracted or reckless driving accidents
- Drunk or impaired driving collisions
- Hit-and-run crashes
- Multi-vehicle pileups
- Commercial, delivery, and rideshare vehicle accidents
- Pedestrian and bicycle collisions involving cars
Regardless of the circumstances, our goal remains the same: to secure full compensation for your injuries and help you rebuild your life. We are dedicated to handling your case compassionately and addressing all the legal aspects of your claim, so you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery.
Common Injuries After a Car Crash
Even seemingly minor crashes can cause serious, lasting injuries. We work with medical professionals who carefully document the extent of harm, so you receive the treatment and compensation you need. Common car accident injuries include:
- Whiplash and soft tissue damage.
- Head injuries and concussions.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- Broken bones and fractures.
- Spinal cord injuries and herniated discs.
- Internal bleeding or organ damage.
- Post-traumatic stress and anxiety disorders.
Prompt diagnosis and treatment not only protect your health, but they also strengthen your legal claim.
Compensation You May Be Entitled To
When your injury is the result of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. At The Law Office of Kevin Lemieux, APC, we thoroughly review your case, including police reports, medical records, talking with witnesses, and more. We are known for our transparency, and after reviewing your case, we will inform you of the damages you are eligible to claim and provide an estimate of what that compensation may look like.
Economic Damages
When your injuries have impacted your financial well-being as a result of another person’s negligence, you can recover compensation. What you can recover will depend on the nature and severity of your case. Economic damages often include:
- Past and future medical expenses.
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation services
- Lost wages from missed work.
- Diminished earning capacity.
- Property damage repair or replacement costs.
- Household service costs.
- Home modifications for disability.
- Wrongful death benefits for families.
Keeping track of all your expenses after an accident can be difficult. Your focus has been on your physical and mental health, not on keeping track of every dollar spent. Our San Diego car accident attorneys at The Law Office of Kevin Lemieux, APC, will do just that. We collect every document necessary and work with financial and medical experts to make sure the extent of your financial damages is calculated accurately.
Non-Economic Damages
California Civil Code § 3333 allows car accident victims to recover non-economic damages as well. Unlike medical bills and lost wages, the emotional damage caused by an accident can’t be easily tallied by counting dollars and cents. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be fairly compensated after your accident. Non-economic damages you may be eligible to recover for include:
- Physical pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
- Disability and disfigurement.
- Inconvenience.
- Loss of consortium.
Documenting your experience after the accident is important to securing compensation. You can document your experience in many ways, including through journaling or seeking help from a mental health professional.
Punitive Damages
In some cases, California Civil Code § 3294 allows car accident victims to recover punitive damages. Recovering punitive damages can be appropriate if the at-fault driver’s conduct was especially reckless. The purpose of punitive damages is to punish the at-fault driver for particularly egregious behavior and deter them from similar behavior down the line. Such behaviors can include driving drunk or fleeing the scene of the accident, among others.
Catastrophic Injury and Wrongful Death Claims
When a crash causes life-altering injuries or takes a loved one’s life, the emotional and financial toll is overwhelming. These cases require careful preparation and a deep understanding of what a family has lost.
We pursue compensation for:
- Long-term medical care and rehabilitation.
- Lost earning capacity.
- Funeral and burial costs.
- Loss of companionship, support, and guidance.
- Pain and suffering before death.
Our firm handles these cases with compassion and a determination to achieve justice. We know nothing can undo what happened, but we work tirelessly to ensure families receive the resources and justice they need to move forward.
Proving Negligence in Car Accident Injury Cases
Car accident claims are based on negligence – when another driver’s careless behavior causes harm to others on the road. You must prove four elements to have a successful car accident injury case. At The Law Office of Kevin Lemieux, APC, we prove these elements by building every case on clear, convincing proof that connects the driver’s actions to your injuries and losses. The elements of negligence that must be proven are:
Duty of Care
Every motorist in California has a legal responsibility to drive safely, obey traffic laws, and avoid situations that create unreasonable risks. That means following speed limits, paying attention to the road, yielding when required, and avoiding distractions or impairment.
Breach of Duty
Next, we demonstrate that the driver failed to uphold that duty. A breach can happen in many ways, such as texting while driving, running a red light, driving under the influence, or following too closely. We collect crash reports, witness statements, photographs, and physical evidence to demonstrate how the driver’s behavior fell short of what a reasonable and cautious person would have done in the same situation.
Causation
It’s not enough to show that someone drove carelessly. California doesn’t allow personal injury claims to be brought for the sole purpose of punishing the driver for reckless behavior. That task falls to law enforcement. We must also prove that you were injured in the accident and that their actions directly caused your injuries.
We connect the sequence of events from the moment of impact to the harm you suffered. Medical documentation, crash analysis, and the timeline of treatment all help demonstrate that the driver’s negligence was the clear and direct cause of your injuries.
Damages
Finally, we prove the extent of your losses. This includes your medical expenses, the cost of rehabilitation, lost wages, reduced earning ability, and pain and emotional distress. We gather the records, bills, and supporting documentation that demonstrate how the crash has affected your health, finances, and daily life.
When all of these elements come together, we build a strong claim for compensation from the negligent driver and any other responsible parties. Our firm carefully examines every potential source of recovery, including negligent drivers, employers of commercial vehicles, and manufacturers of defective auto parts, to ensure you receive the maximum compensation allowed under California law.
How Insurance Companies Try to Shift the Blame
After a crash, insurance companies often move quickly — not to help you, but to protect their bottom line. Even when it’s clear their driver caused the accident, they’ll look for ways to push some of the blame onto you. They might suggest you were distracted, speeding slightly, or could have “avoided” the collision.
Their goal is simple: to reduce what they owe you or get you to accept a low settlement. The Law Office of Kevin Lemieux, APC, is familiar with these tactics and knows how to effectively counter them. Solid evidence is crucial to establishing the truth about what really happened. One of our qualified car accident injury attorneys will gather all the necessary evidence to present a strong case. We gather:
- Police and accident reports
- Medical documentation
- Photos and video from the scene
- Witness statements
- Vehicle maintenance and repair records
- Cell phone data or dashcam footage
- Expert witness reports and testimony
When we handle your case, insurers know they can’t pressure you into taking the minimum offer. We negotiate hard to raise settlement values — and if they refuse to deal fairly, we’re ready to take your case to court. We’ve earned a reputation for standing our ground, and that often leads to better results for our clients.
Trial Experience That Sets Us Apart
We never urge our clients to settle for anything less than what their claim is worth. During every step of your case, we prepare as if we are going to take your case to trial and win. That means that when a case must go to court, we’re ready. Insurance companies know we’re prepared to go the extra mile for our clients and pursue litigation when necessary. This often leads to stronger settlements before the trial ever begins.
While many personal injury attorneys aim to settle cases quickly, The Law Office of Kevin Lemieux, APC, stands out for more than 21 years of courtroom experience. Kevin Lemieux has built a reputation for meticulous trial preparation and persuasive advocacy before San Diego judges and juries.
From selecting juries to presenting compelling evidence, we’re confident in the courtroom and relentless in our pursuit of justice. This proven trial experience is one of the key reasons clients trust our firm to handle even the toughest cases.
Deadlines to File a Claim
Your deadline to file a car accident claim can depend on a few different things, including the type of claim you are making and who the negligent party is.
Passenger Vehicle Claims
In most California car accident cases, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death cases, the deadline is usually two years from the date of death. Missing these deadlines can prevent you from recovering compensation. It’s best to schedule a consultation with a car accident attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights and preserve critical evidence.
Collisions Involving Commercial and Government Vehicles
Accidents involving delivery trucks, rideshare drivers, or government vehicles often involve multiple parties and complex legal procedures. Each has different insurance coverage and filing claim rules. Claims involving government vehicles may require written notice within just six months. At The Law Office of Kevin Lemieux, APC, we are familiar with identifying and investigating all liable parties. We act promptly to preserve evidence, notify the relevant parties, and ensure your claim is properly filed.
If You’ve Been Injured in A Car Accident, Get Legal Help from an Experienced San Diego Car Accident Lawyer Today
You don’t have to face insurance companies or complex claims alone. The Law Office of Kevin Lemieux, APC, provides the personalized attention and strong legal representation you need after a car accident.
Call (619) 488-6767 today to schedule a free consultation. We’ll listen to your story, explain your rights, and take immediate steps to protect your claim.
Let us handle the insurance companies, the paperwork, and the negotiations — so you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life.
Car accidents are one of the most common sources of personal injury throughout the country. San Diego is no exception, with congested roadways and countless drivers on the road, thousands of accidents occur each year. When a serious car crash disrupts your life, the right legal help makes all the difference.
Our personalized approach to every case means we take the time to understand how the crash has affected your life and gather the evidence to support your case. There is no one-size-fits-all approach at The Law Office of Kevin Lemieux, APC. We push back against insurance companies that try to downplay your injuries or shift responsibility onto you.
