Penney and Associates hits a substantial $14,000,000 (14 million dollar) case in Riverside County for their client, a fast food restaurant cook.
Car Accident ATTORNEYS
If you have just experienced a car accident, you may be worried about expensive medical bills, days or weeks of lost work, months of physical recovery, and of course your car is in need of repairs as well. It’s a lot to deal with! But the car accident lawyers of Penney & Associates are ready to help. We have decades of experience fighting insurance companies and litigating disputes, helping our clients obtain the peace of mind and financial compensation they need to rebuild their lives.
YOU CAN AFFORD OUR LEGAL SERVICES
You can afford our legal services.
We handle every car accident case on a contingency basis. This means we are paid a percentage of the damages you recover. If you don’t win, we don’t get paid. There are no out-of-pocket costs. Let Penney & Associates fight for you, so you can focus on recovering from your accident and regaining your health.
We take cases based on the facts.
Before accepting your case, we conduct a thorough review of all the facts surrounding your accident. We will review any available evidence, and explain in detail what you need to move forward with your claim. This meticulous process defines the approach Penney & Associates takes with every case, ensuring that our clients have the best possible chance to recover damages from those liable for their accidents and injuries.
Even if you are partially at fault for the accident, you may still be able to collect damages.
The judgement of the court is determined by how much responsibility each party had in causing the accident. Even if your own actions contributed to the accident, our attorneys can still help you win partial compensation from other responsible parties.
FEATUREDNOTABLE CASES
OBAIDI V. ESTATE OF BELNAP
Settlement: $1.5 Million*
Location: Yuba City, CA
Ms. Obaidi, a 66-year-old certified nursing assistant suffered multiple severe injuries when her vehicle broadsided a disabled vehicle sitting at a standstill on a freeway. The other driver had lost control of her car, coming to rest sideways across two lanes.
On her way to work during a dark, early morning in December, our client encountered the disabled vehicle and could not avoid a high-speed collision. The investigating officer placed 100% of the blame on our client. However, further investigation by hired independent experts showed that our client was not negligent. Conversely, it was shown that complete responsibility for the accident rested with the other driver (who tragically was fatally injured).
The case was settled for the insurance policy limit of $1.5 million*. Ms. Obaidi was represented by Stewart P. Galbraith of Penney & Associates.
FEATURED BLOGS
Read our blog posts below to learn more about this area of personal injury law, and how it affects your rights as an injury victim.
What to Do If You’re Injured in a Halloween Accident
What Is Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage on Your Insurance Policy?
Distracted Driving: The Most Dangerous Cities for Pedestrians
WE DEAL IN A WIDE VARIETY OF CAR ACCIDENT CLAIMS
All drivers have an obligation to show reasonable care while driving. In every case, we take a detail-oriented approach to showing how another driver was negligent, breached their duty of care, and caused your accident.
We handle every car accident case on a contingency basis. This means we are paid a percentage of the damages you recover. If you don’t win, we don’t get paid. There are no out-of-pocket costs. Let Penney & Associates fight for you, so you can focus on recovering from your accident and regaining your health.
- Speeding and unsafe driving - Accounting for 26% of all car accident fatalities in 2017, speeding puts everyone on the road at risk. A speeding driver can lose control of their vehicle and drive into oncoming traffic or rear-end other vehicles after failing to come to a stop.
- Not obeying traffic signs - Traffic signs are intended to guide drivers safely through their commute, and protect pedestrians and roadside workers. Failing to heed a traffic sign or turn signal is a major cause of fatal car accidents among younger, inexperienced drivers.
- Distracted driving - While laws have been passed across the US to limit distracted driving, roughly 391,000 drivers were injured in 2016 due to being distracted while on the road.
- Driving under the influence (DUI/DWI) - Driving under the influence accounted for 29% of all fatal car accidents in 2017. Alcohol and other drugs can negatively affect reaction times, and make it impossible for impaired drivers to respond to sudden changes in driving conditions.
- Drowsy driving - Stressful work, school schedules, and medical conditions have led to many drivers getting on the road without a proper night’s rest. The NHTSA says that nearly 800 people were killed in 2017 due to drowsy driving.
- Failing to adjust driving for weather conditions - Drivers who don’t take the weather into account when out on the road can endanger everyone around. Limits to visibility or slippery roads can cause even the most experienced driver to lose control.
- Road rage - Aggressive driving fueled by stress, or anger at other drivers, is considered an under-reported but significant cause of car accidents across the US.
- Inexperience - Drivers who lack experience can put others at risk because they may not fully understand the rules of the road, or make poor choices in stressful situations.
IF YOU’VE BEEN STRUCK BY A HIT-AND-RUN DRIVER WE CAN STILL HELP YOU!
By law, drivers are expected to stop after getting into a car accident. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen, and this can complicate claims with insurance providers. If you’ve already filed a claim, you may discover that every aspect of your conduct leading up to the accident will be questioned.
At Penney & Associates, we are familiar with the tactics used by claims adjusters in the wake of hit-and-run accidents. As with other types of auto accidents, we will work with law enforcement to gather all the facts about the case, and find witnesses to corroborate your claims. If your insurance company does try to limit your compensation, we can help you fight back with hard evidence.
WE CAN HELP YOU FILE CLAIMS FOR ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY UNSAFE ROAD CONDITIONS OR MECHANICAL DEFECTS.
Attentive drivers can reduce the risk of accidents by driving safely. But when mechanical failures or road conditions occur, even the most experienced driver may be unable to prevent an accident. Some common causes of accidents not involving driver behavior include:
- Mechanical defects and failures
- Flying roadside debris
- Potholes
- Missing/unclear road signs and markings
- Poor visibility
Mechanical defects caused by the negligence or actions of a manufacturer happen all the time. Potholes can form anywhere. City repair crews may fail to remedy a road hazard because they are overtaxed by too much work and too little funding. But when any of these are the direct cause of an accident, the question of liability is raised.
If your car accident was the result of vehicle defects or poorly maintained roads, we can help you identify who is responsible, and pursue all available evidence necessary to bring your case to a successful conclusion. With diligence, mechanical failures can be traced to manufacturer defects or the services of an auto repair shop, and city governments can be held responsible for failing to maintain infrastructure, from road surfaces to poorly lit streets.
If you have been injured in a car accident and want experienced legal representation, contact Penney & Associates today.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR A CAR ACCIDENT CASE BEFORE YOU CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY.
Car accidents can be incredibly traumatic experiences, and it is normal for feelings of stress and anxiety to persist after an accident. Memories fade over time, and your recollection of the accident can change. Your first priority after any accident is to get the medical attention you need. However, once you’ve secured your health, there are some things you can do to make the process of filing a claim easier.
Get contact information for other witnesses - Even though you might be at the very center of a car accident, other people will have a different, impartial perspective. Don’t assume that witnesses have spoken to police officers who responded to your accident. Taking the time to track down witnesses can make all the difference in your case.
Take pictures of the accident if you can - If you have a camera-equipped smartphone, pictures of the accident can help with your claims. This is particularly important with potholes and other dangerous road conditions that may have contributed to your accident. Local governments may act to quickly make repairs, so documenting these conditions before they’re fixed is invaluable.
Keep a record of what you can remember - Stress and the passage of time can make you forget important details of your accident. We recommend you make a record of what happened as soon as possible. Whether you handwrite it, type it in an email, or make a video recording of your description of the accident, having a dated record of your experience can protect your case from being undermined by the distortions of fading memories.
Save every receipt and bill related to the accident - While your bank could provide a statement showing where and when money moved from your account, and to whom, it’s still important to save copies of your bills.
Meet with attorneys as soon as possible - In California, the statute of limitations gives you two years to file an injury claim after a car accident. While this may seem like a long time, it’s important to meet with a personal injury lawyer and start the process as early as you can.
The Penney & Associates® firm has offices in Sacramento, Roseville, Santa Clara, Chico, Rocklin and Irvine with satellite offices in Fairfield, Sunnyvale, San Francisco, San Diego and Southern California.