San Mateo Self-Driving Car Accident Lawyer

Self-driving cars are among the biggest examples of how modern technology has made the world smaller and more convenient. However, self-driving cars are not yet completely autonomous—they require vigilant driver supervision.

Failed technology coupled with negligent drivers who aren't supervising their vehicles has led to dangerous accidents. It's not surprising that self-driving car accidents have occurred frequently in San Mateo, considering it's located in Silicon Valley, the world's hub for innovation and technology.

If you sustained injuries in a San Mateo self-driving car accident, California law permits you to take legal action against the driver and/or car manufacturer responsible for your injuries. You should not have to shoulder the financial and emotional burden of severe injuries when a self-driving car caused them.

The San Mateo self-driving car accident lawyer at Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos have the knowledge and resources to help injured victims seek compensation for their injuries. We can review the circumstances of your accident and advise you on the viability of your claim.

Why Choose Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos

You need to concentrate on healing after sustaining injuries in a San Mateo self-driving car accident. Attending doctor appointments, physical therapy, and getting the rest you need leaves little time to deal with insurance carriers, who want to avoid paying you any money.

The skilled legal team at Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos has over 75 years of collective experience advocating for injured people and communicating with insurance companies.

The experienced personal injury lawyers at Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos have advocated for negligence victims for more than three decades. The firm's dedication to professional excellence and client service has led to the recovery of tens of millions of dollars in settlement money and jury awards.

Our lawyers know how to negotiate with insurance companies on both sides. Additionally, our team has skilled litigators for the times when negotiations fail and going to trial is the only option. In either case, the legal team at Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos will diligently pursue the best possible outcome for clients who have suffered injuries, including those sustained in San Mateo self-driving car accidents.

We like to meet potential clients in person for a free case consultation, but severe injuries and other life obligations sometimes make this impossible. If you cannot travel to our office, we can set up an online meeting or travel to you.

Contact Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos to discuss the details of your San Mateo self-driving car accident and learn more about how we can help you fight for compensation for your injuries.

Compensation in San Mateo Self-Driving Car Accident Claims

Under California law, those who sustain injuries because of intentional harm or careless behavior have a cause for civil action against the person, business, or another entity responsible for their injuries. If you bring a lawsuit after getting injured in a self-driving car accident, you could receive compensation for economic and noneconomic damages related to the accident and your injuries from a settlement or jury verdict in your favor. 

Economic damages refer to losses corresponding to a specific monetary cost, like medical expenses and vehicle repairs. Noneconomic damages refer to losses that aren't so easy to attach a number to. You can think of noneconomic damages as how your injuries have impacted your life, like pain and suffering. Lawyers estimate pain and suffering and other losses to make up the noneconomic portion of a personal injury claim. 

Each case is different, so the amount and type of damages someone could receive varies.

Common damages in self-driving car accident claims compensate victims for:

• Medical treatment costs, including ambulance and emergency room services, hospital stay, surgery, diagnostic tests, medication, follow-up visits, and travel costs to and from the doctor/hospital
• Estimated future medical treatment costs when a San Mateo self-driving car accident causes a severe or permanent injury that requires ongoing care and treatment, sometimes in a long-term nursing care facility
• Costs of rehabilitation, including specialized treatments with physical therapists, occupational therapists, mental health professionals, and other specialists that help injured victims face the physical and emotional consequences of their injuries
• Lost income from missing work because of the accident, injuries, and rehabilitation
• Lost earning capacity when a San Mateo self-driving accident prevents someone from working
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of consortium
• Diminished quality of life

Factors that affect the type and amount of damages a self-driving car accident victim might receive include:

• Type and severity of injuries
• Total economic loss
• Likelihood of a full recovery

An experienced San Mateo self-driving car accident attorney from Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos can evaluate your case, gather evidence, and consult with specialists and experts to advise you on the amount and type of damages that apply to your claim.

Tesla Self-Driving Car Recall

Tesla has dominated the electric vehicle space, especially in California, which has the most electric vehicles of any state. As the company continues to innovate and apply new technology, they are among the top vehicle manufacturers to offer cars to consumers that have full-self driving capability.

However, according to Tesla, "Full Self-Driving Capability is intended for use with a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to take over at any moment."

This suggests that drivers abuse the feature, leading to accidents.

Tesla, however, has had problems rolling out self-driving features.

In February 2023, Tesla recalled more than 360,000 Model S, X, 3, and Y vehicles from model years 2016 through 2024 to address four instances when the vehicles acted unsafely in intersections or did not respond to posted speed limits.

The Full Self-Driving beta software caused some vehicles to break traffic laws under these four conditions:

• When proceeding or turning through some intersections during a yellow light
• When sitting still at certain intersections controlled by stop signs, especially with no other traffic around
• When adjusting speed while traveling through some variable speed zones
• When changing lanes out of some turn-only lanes to continue straight

These situations can happen before the driver has a chance to make adjustments, increasing the risk of an accident. If you suffered injuries because of your Tesla or because a Tesla caused a crash with your vehicle, you could be eligible for compensation.

Statute of Limitations in San Mateo Self-Driving Car Accident Claims

Each state has a time limit—called a statute of limitations—for victims of negligence to take legal action against the party responsible for their injuries. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in California is two years. This means you must bring a lawsuit within two years of the date of your San Mateo self-driving car accident.

However, never wait until the last minute to consult with a lawyer. Someone needs to start on your case as soon as possible, especially when it comes to gathering evidence. The quality and availability of evidence diminish with time, potentially leading to a weaker claim.

For the best chances of obtaining maximum compensation for your self-driving car accident injuries, it's best to contact an attorney soon after your accident.

Types of Injuries in San Mateo Self-Driving Car Accidents

The injuries that people suffer in self-driving car accidents do not differ from other types of car accidents. Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos can help with severe accident injuries. Many of our clients have suffered debilitating and life-changing injuries that often prevent people from working and engaging in their favorite activities.

Serious injuries that could give rise to a self-driving car accident claim include:

• Fractures. Broken bones do not always qualify as severe injuries because they usually heal. However, multiple fractures and breaks in specific parts of the body can be debilitating and require surgery, leaving victims with lifelong struggles.
• Brain injuries. Even seemingly mild brain injuries can cause long-term issues with memory and other cognitive functions.
• Back and neck injuries. Severe injuries along the spinal column are not only painful but often require surgery. Herniated discs, broken vertebrae, and others leave victims with chronic pain and discomfort.
• Spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord injuries often cause permanent paralyzation in one or more areas of the body.
• Amputations. Sometimes car accidents crush people's limbs. If doctors cannot restore blood flow, they must amputate affected limbs to prevent infections from spreading throughout the body.

Fighting the Insurance Company After a San Mateo Self-Driving Car Accident

Depending on the situation with your San Mateo self-driving car accident, your claim might involve an auto insurance company. If a Tesla self-driving car was involved in the accident, there is a good chance your lawyer will advise you to name them as a defendant, involving their insurance provider and legal team.

Regardless of which insurance companies are involved, you can be sure they will do everything they can to avoid paying your claim. If they cannot deny liability, they will find a way to downplay your injuries or shift blame to reduce the value of your claim.

Self-driving technology is new, and fighting the insurance company often includes dealing with large and intimidating legal teams. Hiring an attorney to advocate for you increases the chance that you will have a positive outcome in your claim. The insurance company will take your claim more seriously and play fewer games when a claimant has legal representation.

Additionally, your attorney can guide you through the complex claims process and deal with the other side while you focus on learning how to move on with your life after your accident and injuries.

What to Do After a San Mateo Self-Driving Car Accident

If you hire a lawyer, they will handle the bothersome details of your case. However, there are a few things you can do to protect the value of your claim and provide your lawyer with the information they need to advocate for you.

They include:

• Following doctors' orders and complying with your treatment plan. Failure to show up to your doctor appointments, physical therapy, and others gives the other side grounds to argue your injuries are not as bad as you claim. They might also argue your injuries are worse because you aren't fully engaging with your treatment.
• Keeping copies of all medical bills, vehicle repair bills, and other receipts that show economic loss related to your San Mateo self-driving car accident.
• Obtaining a copy of the official accident report for your self-driving car accident.
• Keeping a daily journal to document the emotional, physical, and financial struggles you face because of your injuries to convey the noneconomic damages you've incurred.
• Staying away from social media until your case is resolved, so the other side can't use your posts to devalue your claim.

During your initial consultation, bring all documents and photos you have saved to share with your lawyer. They can review your claim and determine your eligibility to seek compensation for damages.

Injured by a Self-Driving Car? Get the Legal Help You Need Today

If you sustained injuries in a San Mateo self-driving car accident, you have the right to seek compensation for damages from the party responsible for the accident and your injuries. Contact a San Mateo self-driving car accident attorney to review your claim. Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos has the experience and resources to fight for you to get compensation for your injuries.

You should not have to face the economic struggles that come with your injuries on top of your physical pain if someone else caused the accident. Reach out to a personal injury lawyer.

Contact Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos online or call us at (650) 345-8484 to discuss the details of your San Mateo self-driving car accident, your injuries, and the way they have affected you. We can answer questions and advise you on the next steps for your circumstances.