Why San Fernando Residents Trust Reardon Injury Law
The moments after an accident are a blur of confusion, pain, and overwhelming stress. Whether you were rear-ended on the I-5 during rush hour or struck by a car while crossing a busy street, your life has been abruptly turned upside down. You’re facing mounting medical bills, calls from insurance adjusters, and the uncertainty of not knowing what comes next. At Reardon Injury Law, we understand that your primary focus needs to be on healing, not on fighting a legal battle alone.
Our approach is built on a foundation of empathy and genuine care for our clients in San Fernando and across California. We listen to your story, validate your experience, and provide the steady guidance you need. What sets our firm apart is our founder’s unique background. Before becoming an attorney, John Reardon practiced as a chiropractor for 20 years. This extensive medical experience gives him an unparalleled ability to understand the true nature and long-term impact of your injuries. He can decipher complex medical records, anticipate future treatment needs, and effectively communicate the full extent of your suffering to insurance companies and juries.
We believe that expert legal representation should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. That’s why we offer a free consultation to discuss your case and work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay absolutely nothing unless we successfully recover compensation for you. We are committed to shouldering the legal burden so you can focus on what matters most: your recovery.
Accident Hotspots in San Fernando
While San Fernando is a close-knit community, its residents are no strangers to the dangers of Los Angeles County traffic. The city is crisscrossed and bordered by some of the region’s busiest freeways, including the I-5 (Golden State Freeway), I-210 (Foothill Freeway), and the nearby SR-118. These major arteries, combined with congested surface streets, contribute to a significant number of accidents. In fact, state data from 2022 ranked San Fernando 10th out of 104 similarly sized cities for total fatal and injury collisions.
Many serious accidents affecting San Fernando drivers occur on the major boulevards that serve as vital connectors throughout the Valley. These routes are often characterized by high traffic volume, complex freeway on-ramps, and frequent turning conflicts. Some of the most hazardous nearby intersections include:
- Sepulveda Boulevard & Roscoe Boulevard: Located near the I-405, this intersection is notorious for crashes caused by vehicles merging at high speeds from freeway exits and navigating heavy traffic flow.
- Sepulveda Boulevard & Victory Boulevard: The heavy commercial traffic, constant left turns, and proximity to major freeways make this a high-risk area for severe car accidents and collisions involving delivery trucks.
- Sepulveda Boulevard & Ventura Boulevard: As a major corridor in the Valley, this intersection sees immense traffic volume, significant pedestrian activity, and complex merges near freeway ramps, leading to a high rate of incidents.
These dangerous areas see a wide range of collisions, from devastating truck accidents on the freeways to tragic pedestrian accidents on busy boulevards.
Types of Cases We Handle in San Fernando
Our firm has the experience and resources to handle a wide range of personal injury claims. We understand the unique factors involved in each case type and how they apply to the San Fernando area. Our expertise includes:
- Car Accidents: From fender-benders on Maclay Avenue to multi-car pileups on the I-210, we help victims of negligent driving recover the compensation they deserve.
- Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable in the heavy traffic around San Fernando. We fight to protect the rights of riders who are often unfairly blamed for collisions.
- Truck Accidents: The I-5 is a major trucking route, and accidents involving large commercial vehicles can be catastrophic. We have the knowledge to take on complex truck accident claims involving federal regulations and powerful trucking companies.
- Bicycle Accidents: We advocate for cyclists injured by inattentive or aggressive drivers on local streets and boulevards.
- Pedestrian Accidents: Our firm represents individuals who have been struck and injured while walking, often in crosswalks or near commercial centers.
- Rideshare Accidents: Accidents involving Uber or Lyft can have complicated insurance issues. We know how to navigate these claims to ensure our clients are fully compensated.
If you have been injured in any type of accident caused by someone else’s carelessness, please visit our practice areas page to learn more or contact us directly for a free case evaluation.
What to Do After an Accident in San Fernando
The steps you take immediately following an accident are crucial for protecting both your health and your legal rights.
- Prioritize Safety and Call 911: If possible, move your vehicle to a safe location off the main road. Check on yourself and others for injuries. Call 911 immediately to report the accident. The San Fernando Police Department or the California Highway Patrol (CHP) will respond to create an official report.
- Seek Medical Attention: Your health is the top priority. Even if you feel fine, accept medical evaluation from paramedics. Some serious injuries, like concussions or internal bleeding, may not have immediate symptoms. For treatment, you may be taken to a nearby hospital such as Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills or Olive View–UCLA Medical Center in Sylmar. A documented medical visit is vital for your injury claim.
- Document the Scene: If you are able, use your phone to take photos and videos of the accident scene from multiple angles. Capture vehicle damage, license plates, skid marks, traffic signals, and any visible injuries.
- Exchange Information: Get the other driver’s name, contact information, driver’s license number, insurance policy details, and license plate number. Also, collect contact information from any witnesses. Do not argue or discuss fault at the scene.
- Avoid Speaking to Insurance Adjusters: The other party’s insurance company may contact you quickly, seeking a recorded statement. Politely decline to provide one until you have spoken with an attorney. Their goal is to minimize their payout, not to protect your interests.
- Contact a San Fernando Personal Injury Lawyer: An experienced attorney can immediately take over communication with insurance companies, begin an investigation, and ensure all critical evidence is preserved.
Understanding Your Rights Under California Law
Navigating the legal system can be intimidating, but understanding your basic rights is the first step toward justice. In California, personal injury law includes several key provisions:
- Pure Comparative Negligence: California follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. This means you can still recover financial compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. Your final award will simply be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 10% at fault, you can still collect 90% of your total damages.
- Statute of Limitations: There is a time limit for filing a personal injury lawsuit. For most cases in California, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a claim (California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). However, a critical exception exists for claims against government entities (e.g., a city bus, a public school vehicle, or an accident caused by a poorly maintained road). In these cases, you must file a formal claim within just six months of the incident.
- Minimum Insurance Requirements: California law requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance of only $15,000 for injury to one person, $30,000 for injury to multiple people, and $5,000 for property damage. In a serious accident, these low amounts are often exhausted quickly, which is why having your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage is so important.
- Available Compensation (Damages): Victims of negligence are entitled to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. This can include medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Contact Reardon Injury Law Today
You do not have to face this difficult time alone. At Reardon Injury Law, we combine our deep medical knowledge with proven legal strategies to fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. We will handle every aspect of your case, from investigating the accident to negotiating with insurers and, if necessary, presenting your case at the San Fernando Courthouse.
Let us put our unique expertise to work for you. Call us today at (657) 522-7122 or visit our contact page to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. There are no fees unless we win.
