Fontana Injury and Accident Lawyers

Why Fontana Chooses DK Law

As a major hub in the trucking industry, Fontana experiences a high number of vehicle-related accidents, but serious injuries aren’t limited to the road. They can happen in grocery stores, hospitals, or even private homes. 

If you’ve been hurt in Fontana or anywhere in San Bernardino County due to someone else’s negligence, DK Law is here to help. We fight to get you the compensation and care you deserve.

Major Routes in Fontana Are Riddled with Serious Accidents

As the second most populous city in San Bernardino County, Fontana sits at the heart of several major trade and transportation corridors. Key highways like Interstate 10 (San Bernardino Freeway), State Route 210 (Foothill Freeway), and Interstate 15 (Ontario Freeway) bring heavy traffic through the region every day.

Unfortunately, these busy routes are also hotspots for serious vehicle collisions, especially involving large commercial trucks. Due to their massive size and weight, truck accidents often result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities.

High-Risk Roads and Intersections in Fontana, CA

Do I Need a Lawyer After an Injury?

If you’ve been hurt in an accident, your first thought might be to focus on recovery, not legal action. But the reality is, insurance companies aren’t looking out for your best interests. 

An experienced personal injury lawyer can protect your rights, handle negotiations, and help you get the full compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?

In California, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the injury. 

That may sound like plenty of time, but delays can hurt your case. Evidence can disappear, witnesses’ memories can fade, and the insurance company may use any delay against you.

What Are Common Injuries in Personal Injury Cases?

Accidents caused by negligence can lead to a wide range of injuries—some painful and temporary, others life-changing. Here are some of the most common injuries our clients experience:

• Broken Bones: Fractures can occur in car crashes, falls, or other impacts and often require extensive recovery time, surgery, or physical therapy.
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): A blow to the head can cause concussions or more severe brain trauma, leading to lasting cognitive, emotional, or physical impairments.
• Spinal Cord Injury: Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or full paralysis, drastically altering a person’s mobility and quality of life.
• Whiplash: Often caused by rear-end collisions, whiplash affects the neck and upper spine, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: Sprains, strains, and tears to muscles, tendons, or ligaments can cause significant pain and limited movement, sometimes requiring rehabilitation.
• Internal Injuries: Damage to internal organs may not be immediately visible but can be life-threatening without prompt medical attention.
• Burns: Often resulting from car fires, chemical exposure, or premises accidents; burns can cause severe pain, scarring, and long-term complications.
• Psychological Trauma: Anxiety, PTSD, and depression often accompany serious accidents, especially in cases involving long recoveries or life-changing injuries.

How Fault Is Determined in Accident Cases

To recover compensation in a personal injury case, you must prove that someone else’s negligence caused your injury. This is done by establishing four key elements:

Duty of Care

The other party must have owed you a legal duty to act with reasonable care. For example, drivers have a duty to follow traffic laws and avoid endangering others on the road.

Breach of Duty of Care

You must show that the other party failed to meet that duty. This could be through reckless driving, failing to clean up a spill, or ignoring safety regulations.

Causation

It must be proven that their actions (or failure to act) directly caused your injury. If the injury would not have occurred but for their negligence, causation is established.

Damages

Finally, you must have suffered actual harm—such as medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, or long-term disability—as a result of the accident.

What Compensation Can I Recover?

If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation, also known as damages. These fall into two main categories: economic (tangible, financial losses) and non-economic (intangible impacts on your life).

Here’s what you may be able to recover:

• Medical expenses: Reimbursement for hospital bills, surgeries, doctor visits, medication, rehabilitation, and any other necessary treatment related to your injury.
• Lost wages: Compensation for the income you lost while recovering from your injuries—including missed workdays, reduced hours, or inability to return to your job.
• Pain and suffering: This covers the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury, which can vary widely depending on the severity and duration of your suffering.
• Property damage: If your vehicle, phone, or other personal property was damaged in the accident, you can seek repair or replacement costs.
• Future medical care: If your injuries require ongoing treatment, therapy, or medical equipment, your settlement can include projected future healthcare costs.
• Loss of earning capacity: If your injury affects your ability to work long-term or forces you into a lower-paying job, you may be compensated for the difference in future income.
• Loss of consortium: In serious cases, your injury may impact your relationship with your spouse or family. Compensation can reflect this loss of companionship and support.
• Punitive damages: In rare cases involving gross negligence or intentional harm (e.g., DUI accidents), courts may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior.

Common Insurance Company Tactics to Avoid

After an accident, you’ll likely hear from the other party’s insurance company. While they may seem helpful at first, insurance companies are businesses whose goal is to pay you as little as possible. 

When talking with the insurance adjuster, be mindful of these common tactics:

• Delaying the claims process
• Failing to conduct a complete investigation
• Lowballing your first offer
• Requesting unnecessary information
• Disputing medical treatment 

When you hire a lawyer, he or she will take over any and all communication with the insurance company. They’ll handle all negotiations and discussions so you can be protected from their deceitful tactics. 

5 Key Steps to Take After an Accident

If you’re involved in any type of accident, whether a car accident or a slip and fall, you must prioritize your health and safety. If you are able to do so, follow these steps:

1. Contact the Authorities

If your accident resulted in an injury, you are required by law to report it. The police and emergency medical services will arrive to assess the situation and transport you to the emergency room if needed.

2. Exchange Information

Calmly exchange contact and insurance information with the other party involved in the accident, whether it’s another driver or a property manager. Do not discuss fault or apologize with anyone.

3. Gather Evidence

If you are physically able to do so, take photos or video of the accident scene and your injuries. This can serve as proof later on in your case.

4. Seek Medical Attention

If you did not go to the emergency room, you should still see a doctor as soon as possible. Get checked out and keep records of your treatment. Failure to seek medical care can signal to the insurance company that you were not injured.

5. Talk to an Attorney

While minor accidents may be handled directly with the insurance company, more serious incidents often involve complex legal issues, higher medical costs, and long-term consequences—making it crucial to have an experienced attorney protect your rights and maximize your compensation.

The DK Law Difference

If you were hurt in Fontana due to someone else’s negligence, DK Law can help you seek maximum compensation for your injuries. We’ve helped countless Fontana residents take action after life-changing accidents caused by someone else’s negligence. 

We understand the unique risks on Fontana’s roads, how local insurers handle claims, and how to navigate the legal system in San Bernardino County. At DK Law, we’re not just your attorneys — we’re part of your community and here to fight for you.