Capitola CA Personal Injury Lawyer - Car Accident Attorney
Free Consultations - Call Michael Rehm at (831) 431-0986
The seaside city of Capitola is a popular beach destination for tourists. Residents view Capitola as a relaxing place to unwind after a hard day at work. A stroll on the Bayfront promenade often precedes a glass of wine at Paradise Beach Grille or a legendary Bloody Mary at Zelda's.
Unfortunately, people who spend too much time unwinding may not be the best drivers at the end of the day. In the most recent year studied by the Office of Traffic Statistics, 34 people were injured or killed in Capitola traffic accidents. That ranks Capitola right in the middle of California cities of comparable size.
Four of the accidents were alcohol related. Capitola's OTS ranking for alcohol-related collisions is slightly worse than its overall ranking. Of 102 comparable cities, 60 had a better ranking than Capitola.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents in Capitola
Four of Capitola's accidents involved bicyclists. After adjusting for population and miles driven, the OTS ranked Capitola as having the 24th worst bicycle accident rate of 102 comparable cities.
Capitola's pedestrian accident ranking was in the middle of the 102 ranked cities, but the city had the 15th worst ranking for accidents involving pedestrians who had reached the age of 65. Capitola might be a desirable place to retire, but seniors need to be aware of negligent drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians.
Insurance Claims for Capitola Accident Injuries
Since OTS did not report any hit-and-run accidents in Capitola, it is fair to assume that negligent drivers who cause Capitola accidents are usually identified. In most cases, injury victims settle with the driver's insurance company without needing to file a lawsuit.
Negotiating a fair settlement requires a full understanding of the law, a careful understanding of the facts, and an appreciation of the verdicts that local juries usually return for similar injuries. Capitola Auto Accident Attorney Michael Rehm can help injury victims pursue a fair settlement of their claims against insurance companies.
Capitola Accident Injury Lawsuits
When a lawsuit is necessary, it will be filed with the Superior Court for Santa Cruz County. Personal injury cases are heard at the Santa Cruz Courthouse at 701 Ocean Street in Santa Cruz.
In the most recent year for which statistics have been released, only 88 motor vehicle accident lawsuits were filed in Santa Cruz County. Of the dozen judges assigned to the Santa Cruz Courthouse, only two preside over personal injury cases.
About 76% of Santa Cruz County motor vehicle accident lawsuits are resolved within one year after the lawsuit is filed. Within 18 months, 89% have been resolved, while 94% are resolved within two years.
In the same year that 88 lawsuits were filed, 79 lawsuits were resolved. Only three of those went to trial. Since experienced lawyers for injury victims and insurance companies can usually predict how a jury will decide a case, most cases settle out of court. Settlements help accident victims avoid the anxiety and uncertainty of a trial. When insurance companies refuse to be fair, however, Michael Rehm is more than prepared to ask juries to do justice for their clients.
For a free consultation with Attorney Rehm, call (831) 431-0986. Consultations are always confidential and at a minimum, it will help provide information as to your situation and the law surrounding it. Call anytime.
Capitola Motorcycle Accident Lawyer - Auto Accident Attorney
Free Consultations - Call Michael Rehm at (831) 431-0986
Accident Resources:
Capitola Police Department - Accident Report Request Information