When someone else's carelessness causes your crash, you shouldn't have to bear the financial burden alone. Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos San Mateo car accident attorneys have spent decades fighting for clients whose lives have been turned upside down by negligent drivers.
We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll these accidents take on victims and their families, and we work to secure the compensation they deserve.
Our legal team focuses on serious injury cases that require extensive investigation, professional testimony, and aggressive advocacy against insurance companies. Contacting our firm quickly ensures your rights remain protected while you focus on your recovery.
San Mateo Car Accident Guide
- Key Takeaways
- Why Hire Our San Mateo Car Accident Law Firm
- Common Causes of Car Accidents in San Mateo
- Where Car Accidents Happen Most in San Mateo
- Types of Car Accident Injuries We Handle
- Fighting Insurance Companies After Car Accidents
- What to Do After a Serious Car Accident
- The Legal Process for Car Accident Claims
- Challenges Specific to San Mateo Car Accident Cases
- Your Future Deserves Strong Legal Advocacy
- Frequently Asked Questions
Key Takeaways
- Serious car accidents often involve complex liability issues requiring thorough investigation
- Insurance companies frequently attempt to minimize payouts through various tactics
- Medical documentation and professional testimony are vital for proving the extent of your injuries
- Multiple parties may share responsibility for your accident, increasing the potential for compensation
- Our San Mateo car accident lawyers focus on high-value cases involving significant injuries
- California's fault system allows you to recover damages even if you bear partial responsibility
- Early legal representation helps preserve evidence and protect your interests
Why Hire Our San Mateo Car Accident Law Firm
When you suffer serious injuries in a car accident, you need strong legal support. At Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos, our San Mateo car accident attorneys bring decades of experience to complex cases across the Bay Area. By focusing on significant injury claims, we dedicate the resources and attention needed to secure the best results.
Our investigations go beyond routine accident claims. We work with reconstructionists, engineers, and medical specialists to uncover hidden liability factors such as vehicle defects, unsafe road design, or third-party negligence that can increase your recovery.
Conveniently located at 411 Borel Ave, San Mateo, our office is near major hospitals and easily accessible by car or public transit. With a multilingual team fluent in Greek, Spanish, and Chinese, we ensure every client understands their rights. Insurance companies know we fight hard and never settle for less than you deserve.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in San Mateo
Car accidents in San Mateo often stem from preventable driver behaviors. For example:
- Distracted driving is one of the leading causes, as motorists still text, call, or use social media despite California’s hands-free laws. Our team investigates phone records and digital activity to show when distraction contributed to a crash.
- Speeding and aggressive driving also create serious risks. Heavy traffic pressures drivers to exceed safe speeds or make reckless lane changes, often leading to high-impact collisions with severe injuries.
- Impaired driving remains another major danger. Alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications slow reaction times and impair judgment, causing devastating crashes. In DUI cases, victims may pursue punitive damages in addition to compensation.
- Intersection accidents occur on El Camino Real and cross streets like Hillsdale Boulevard and Delaware Street. Combined with occasional fog or rain, these conditions make a thorough investigation essential in proving liability.
Where Car Accidents Happen Most in San Mateo
Highway 101 is one of the most dangerous routes in San Mateo, with heavy traffic, congestion, and aggressive driving leading to frequent accidents. The stretch between the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge and Highway 92 is especially hazardous during commute hours, where construction and lane restrictions add to the risks.
El Camino Real also poses significant dangers due to its mix of commercial traffic, pedestrians, and busy intersections. Accidents are common downtown, particularly near Hillsdale Shopping Center and the Caltrain station, where local and through traffic collide.
Highway 92 brings additional challenges, with changing speed limits and bridge conditions. Fog and high winds make the bridge itself especially treacherous.
Finally, surface streets across San Mateo create risks near schools, shopping centers, and business districts. Our deep knowledge of these roadways allows us to uncover factors others might overlook when building strong cases.
Types of Car Accident Injuries We Handle
Car accidents can cause devastating injuries, with traumatic brain injuries among the most serious. These occur when a head strike or sudden movement forces the brain against the skull, leading to anything from concussions with lasting effects to severe trauma causing permanent disability. Proving these cases requires detailed medical records and professional testimony.
Spinal cord and nerve damage may result in paralysis, chronic pain, or loss of sensation. Such injuries demand emergency care, rehabilitation, and long-term medical planning—creating enormous lifetime costs.
Orthopedic injuries, including fractures and joint damage, can leave lasting limitations even after surgeries and extended recovery. Internal injuries pose additional risks, as organ damage or internal bleeding may not be immediately visible but can be life-threatening.
Beyond physical harm, many victims experience psychological trauma such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression, which can greatly affect daily life and future well-being.
Fighting Insurance Companies After Car Accidents
Insurance companies often use sophisticated tactics to reduce payouts in serious car accident claims. They may downplay the severity of your injuries, dispute treatment needs, or argue that pre-existing conditions caused your problems. Our San Mateo car accident attorneys counter these strategies with solid medical documentation and professional testimony.
One of the most dangerous tactics is the quick settlement offer, which often comes before the true extent of your injuries is known. Accepting too soon can leave you without resources for future care or lost income. We protect clients from these mistakes by carefully assessing long-term needs before negotiations.
Insurance adjusters may also push for recorded statements to weaken your claim, while investigators monitor your social media or daily activities to dispute your injuries. These tactics confuse or intimidate accident victims into weakening their cases. We prepare our clients in advance, explaining what to expect and guiding them through each stage so they feel confident and supported.
The complexity of serious car accident cases gives insurance companies multiple opportunities to dispute liability and damages. They may hire accident reconstructionists or medical professionals to challenge your version of events. We counter these strategies by conducting thorough investigations, working with respected professionals, and developing persuasive arguments. Our preparation often convinces insurers to settle fairly—but if a trial becomes necessary, we are ready to fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
What to Do After a Serious Car Accident
Seeking immediate medical attention is necessary for your health and legal case, even if you don't initially feel seriously injured. Adrenaline and shock can mask pain and symptoms that become apparent hours or days after an accident. Having prompt medical documentation creates an important record linking your injuries to the accident and demonstrates that you took your health seriously from the beginning.
Gathering evidence at the accident scene can significantly strengthen your case if you can do so safely. Take photographs of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, and visible injuries. Get contact information from witnesses and make notes about what you remember happening. However, your safety and health come first, so don't attempt evidence gathering if you're seriously injured.
Avoid making statements about fault or apologizing at the accident scene, even if you try to be polite. Others can take your statements out of context and use them against you later, even if you didn’t admit responsibility. Stick to factual information when talking to police officers and other drivers.
Contact our San Mateo car accident lawyers as soon as possible after your accident, ideally before giving any statements to insurance companies. Early legal involvement allows us to preserve evidence, investigate liability, and protect your rights. We can communicate with insurance companies while you focus on medical treatment and recovery.
Keep detailed records of all expenses related to your accident, including medical bills, prescription costs, therapy appointments, and lost earnings. Document how your injuries affect your daily activities, pain levels, and ability to work or enjoy normal activities. This information helps us calculate appropriate compensation and provides evidence of your damages.
The Legal Process for Car Accident Claims
From the moment we take your case, our team begins preserving key evidence before it’s lost. We review police reports, interview witnesses, inspect vehicles, and analyze the accident scene to uncover all contributing factors, including road defects, vehicle failures, or third-party responsibility.
In serious car accident cases, professional input is key. We work with accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, and economists to build a complete picture of liability and damages. Their testimony strengthens your case and helps juries fully understand the impact of your injuries.
We also coordinate closely with your doctors to secure detailed medical records, imaging, and professional opinions documenting the extent of your injuries and future care needs. This medical foundation supports both settlement negotiations and trial preparation.
Whether through settlement or trial, our San Mateo attorneys are ready to fight for full and fair compensation on your behalf.
Challenges Specific to San Mateo Car Accident Cases
Car accidents in San Mateo often involve unique liability challenges due to heavy traffic and complex roadway systems. The mix of highways, surface streets, and traffic controls can make determining fault difficult. Our attorneys understand local traffic patterns, accident history, and road design, allowing us to identify all contributing factors.
Jurisdictional issues also arise when vehicles from different counties or states are involved. These cases determine the applicable laws and where you should file your claims. We navigate these complexities to handle your case in the most favorable forum.
High property values and living costs in San Mateo mean that lost income and future earnings must be calculated carefully. We work with local economists to ensure accurate damage assessments.
With a diverse population, language barriers sometimes complicate cases. Our multilingual staff helps bridge these gaps, ensuring clear communication and fair representation.
Your Future Deserves Strong Legal Advocacy
A serious car accident affects more than just the victim—it impacts the entire family. Medical bills, lost income, and sudden changes can create financial stress during an overwhelming time. Our San Mateo personal injury attorneys fight for compensation that protects your recovery and your family’s long-term security.
The future may feel uncertain, but you don’t have to face it alone. While you focus on healing, our team handles the complex legal issues, working to secure the resources you need to move forward.
We’ve helped many families rebuild after devastating accidents and are ready to do the same for you. And California gives you only two years to file a lawsuit after your accident, so the sooner you act, the quicker we can start building your case.
If you or a loved one has suffered a severe injury, contact At Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos today at (650) 345-8484 or online for a free consultation with our San Mateo car accident lawyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do car accident cases typically take to resolve in San Mateo County?
The timeline varies significantly based on the severity of your injuries and the complexity of your liability issues. Simple cases with clear fault and minor injuries might resolve within months, while complex cases involving serious injuries, disputed liability, or multiple parties can take years.
We work efficiently to move your case forward while ensuring we have complete documentation of your damages before considering any settlement.
What if the other driver doesn't have insurance or enough coverage?
California requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance, but many ignore this law or carry inadequate coverage. Your insurance policy may include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage that provides additional protection.
We explore all available coverage sources and may identify other responsible parties such as employers, vehicle owners, or government entities.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for the accident?
California uses a fault system that lets you recover compensation even if you share some responsibility for the accident. Your percentage of fault will reduce your recovery, but you can still pursue claims against other negligent parties. We work to minimize any fault attributed to you while maximizing recovery from other responsible parties.
How do you handle cases when the client doesn't speak English well?
Our staff speaks Greek, Spanish, and Chinese, and we have experience working with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds. We ensure clear communication throughout the legal process and can arrange for qualified interpreters when necessary.
Language barriers will not prevent you from receiving quality legal representation and understanding your rights and options.
How long will my car accident case take to resolve?
Every case follows a unique timeline. Your lawyer has every incentive to resolve your case as efficiently as possible without sacrificing the compensation you need.
Some matters resolve relatively quickly, while others require more time to fully document the extent of your injuries and secure a fair outcome. Your lawyer will do their best to reward your patience.
What types of compensation can I seek in a car accident claim?
In California, you can seek compensation for a wide range of losses, known as damages. These often include the full cost of your medical treatment (past and future), lost wages and diminished earning capacity, property damage to your vehicle, and non-economic damages for pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
In cases involving extreme recklessness, such as a drunk driving crash, you may also pursue punitive damages.
What if I have to miss work because of my injuries?
Lost income is a significant financial burden after an accident. We help you document all work you missed due to your injuries, medical appointments, or recovery. This includes not just salary but also lost commissions, bonuses, and other benefits.
If your injuries prevent you from returning to your former job, we can work with vocational experts to calculate your diminished future earning capacity as part of your damages claim.
Do I need a lawyer if the other driver’s insurance company already made an offer?
You should always consult a San Mateo personal injury attorney before accepting any offer from an insurance company. Initial settlement offers are often far less than you need to cover your long-term expenses. Insurers hope you will take a quick payment before you understand the full value of your claim.
An attorney evaluates your case to determine a fair value and negotiates on your behalf to protect you from settling for too little.
Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos, LLP
Address: 411 Borel Ave. #405,San Mateo, CA 94402
Phone: (650) 419-0473
Fax: (650) 345-9875