Why San Marino Residents Trust Reardon Injury Law
An unexpected injury can shatter the peace and security you enjoy in a community like San Marino. The moments after an accident are filled with confusion, pain, and uncertainty. You may be facing mounting medical bills, time off from work, and the overwhelming stress of dealing with insurance companies. At Reardon Injury Law, we understand that your primary focus should be on your recovery, not on navigating a complex legal system. We are here to lift that burden from your shoulders.
Our firm is founded on a principle of deep, empathetic understanding of what you are going through—both physically and emotionally. Before becoming a personal injury attorney, our firm’s founder, John Reardon, practiced as a chiropractor for 20 years. This extensive medical background gives us a unique and powerful advantage. We don’t just see a case file; we see the real-world impact of a spinal cord injury, a traumatic brain injury, or chronic soft tissue damage. This insight allows us to build a more compelling case on your behalf, ensuring the full extent of your injuries and future medical needs are meticulously documented and powerfully argued.
For residents of San Marino, we bring dedicated, sophisticated legal representation combined with a genuine understanding of the medicine behind your injury. We handle every aspect of your claim, from investigating the accident to negotiating with insurers, so you can concentrate on healing and rebuilding your life.
Accident Hotspots in San Marino
While San Marino is known for its quiet, tree-lined streets and low traffic volume, its residents are not immune to the dangers of Los Angeles County’s bustling road network. The city itself recorded only 16 fatal and injury collisions in 2022, but the greatest risks often lie just outside its borders on the routes you take every day for work, school, and errands.
Many serious accidents involving San Marino residents occur on the major freeways and arterial roads that define regional travel. These include:
- Interstate 210 (Foothill Freeway): This major east-west corridor to the north of San Marino is a common site for high-speed car accidents and devastating truck accidents, especially during rush hour.
- Interstate 10 (San Bernardino Freeway): Located to the south, the I-10 is one of the busiest freeways in the nation. The constant congestion and high speeds contribute to a significant number of collisions.
- Huntington Drive: As a primary thoroughfare connecting San Marino to neighboring cities and freeways, Huntington Drive presents a mix of local and commuter traffic. This environment can be particularly hazardous for motorcycle accidents and cyclists.
Additionally, nearby intersections in the greater San Gabriel Valley are notorious for their high collision rates. These include Garvey Avenue and Atlantic Boulevard and San Marino Street and Catalina Street, the latter of which poses a known risk for pedestrian accidents.
Types of Cases We Handle in San Marino
At Reardon Injury Law, we have the experience and resources to handle a wide spectrum of personal injury and wrongful death claims. Our unique medical-legal perspective is invaluable across all injury types, allowing us to advocate effectively for our clients’ long-term well-being.
We proudly represent San Marino residents in cases involving:
- Car Accidents: Whether your accident happened in a local school zone or on the I-210, we can help you navigate the claims process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
- Truck Accidents: Collisions with commercial trucks often result in catastrophic injuries. We have the expertise to take on large trucking companies and their aggressive insurance carriers.
- Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcyclists are uniquely vulnerable on the road. We are dedicated to protecting the rights of injured riders and combating unfair biases.
- Pedestrian Accidents: We fight for pedestrians who have been struck by negligent drivers, helping them secure resources for their recovery.
- Bicycle Accidents: Our firm supports injured cyclists in holding careless drivers accountable for causing them harm.
- Rideshare Accidents: Accidents involving Uber and Lyft have unique insurance complexities. We are well-versed in handling these intricate rideshare accidents.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, we encourage you to explore our full list of practice areas and contact us for a free consultation.
What to Do After an Accident in San Marino
The actions you take immediately following an accident are critical for protecting your health and your legal rights. If you are involved in a collision in or around San Marino, follow these steps:
- Ensure Your Safety: If possible, move your vehicle out of traffic to a safe location. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
- Contact Emergency Services: Call 911 immediately. The San Marino Police Department or California Highway Patrol will respond to document the scene and create an official police report. This report is a vital piece of evidence.
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine, it is crucial to be evaluated by a medical professional. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries like concussions or internal bleeding. For severe trauma, you will likely be transported to a regional trauma center like Huntington Hospital in Pasadena. Other nearby facilities include Methodist Hospital of Southern California in Arcadia. A medical record creates a direct link between the accident and your injuries.
- Document the Scene: If you are able, use your phone to take pictures and videos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, skid marks, traffic signals, and your injuries.
- Exchange Information: Get the names, contact information, driver’s license numbers, and insurance details from all drivers involved. Also, collect contact information from any witnesses.
- Do Not Admit Fault: Be polite, but do not apologize or accept blame for the accident. Stick to the facts when speaking with police and other parties. Any admission can be used against you by insurance companies.
- Contact a Personal Injury Attorney: Before you speak with an insurance adjuster, call our firm. Insurance companies are focused on minimizing their payout, not on your well-being. We will protect your rights from the very beginning.
Understanding Your Rights Under California Law
Navigating a personal injury claim requires a clear understanding of California’s specific laws. Here are some key concepts that may affect your case:
- 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 total compensation award will simply be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault, you can still collect 80% of the damages.
- Statute of Limitations: In most personal injury cases, California law (CCP § 335.1) gives you two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. However, there is a critical exception: if your claim is against a government entity (like a city, county, or state agency), you must file a formal claim within six months under the Government Claims Act. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar you from seeking compensation.
- California’s Minimum Insurance Requirements: The state’s minimum liability insurance coverage is just $15,000 for injury to one person, $30,000 for injury to multiple people, and $5,000 for property damage. In any serious accident, these amounts are woefully inadequate. An experienced attorney can help you explore other potential sources of recovery, such as your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage.
- Types of Compensation: A successful claim can help you recover 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, and emotional distress.
Contact Reardon Injury Law Today
You do not have to face the aftermath of a serious injury alone. At Reardon Injury Law, we combine legal skill with medical insight to provide compassionate and effective representation for the residents of San Marino. We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay absolutely no fees unless we win your case.
Your road to recovery starts with a single step. Schedule your free, no-obligation consultation to learn how we can help. Call us today at (657) 522-7122 or fill out our online contact page to get started.
