Why Union City Residents Trust Reardon Injury Law
A sudden accident can turn your life upside down in an instant. One moment you are commuting on I-880 or running errands on Alvarado-Niles Road, and the next you are dealing with physical pain, emotional trauma, and the stress of mounting medical bills. The confusion and anxiety that follow an injury can be overwhelming. At Reardon Injury Law, we understand what you are going through. Our first priority is to provide compassionate, clear, and unwavering support to help you navigate this difficult time.
For residents of Union City and across Alameda County, choosing the right legal representation is critical. Reardon Injury Law brings a unique and powerful advantage to your case: our founder, John Reardon, practiced as a chiropractor for 20 years before becoming a personal injury attorney. This extensive medical background gives him an unparalleled ability to understand the true nature and long-term impact of your injuries. He can interpret medical records, challenge insurance company doctors who downplay your condition, and build a compelling case that accurately reflects the full extent of your suffering.
We are not a high-volume firm that treats clients like case numbers. We are a dedicated team that provides personalized attention to every individual we represent. We handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we successfully recover compensation for you. Your fight becomes our fight, and we are committed to securing the justice and resources you need to heal and rebuild your life.
Accident Hotspots in Union City
As a key hub in the East Bay, Union City sees a significant volume of commuter and commercial traffic, creating conditions where serious accidents can occur. While official city data does not single out specific intersections as the “most dangerous,” local traffic patterns and state reports highlight several high-risk scenarios. The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) has noted Union City’s elevated risks for speed-related and nighttime collisions.
These risks are most pronounced in areas such as:
- Freeway On-Ramps and Off-Ramps: The interchanges for Interstate 880 (I-880) and State Route 84 (SR-84) require drivers to merge and decelerate quickly. These high-speed transitions are common sites for side-swipe, rear-end, and merging car accidents, especially during rush hour.
- Wide, Multi-Lane Corridors: Major thoroughfares like Decoto Road and Alvarado-Niles Road feature multiple lanes that encourage higher speeds and frequent lane changes. These conditions can lead to serious T-bone crashes and accidents involving drivers who fail to see motorcycles or smaller vehicles.
- Intersections with Unprotected Left Turns: Busy intersections without a dedicated green arrow for left turns force drivers to judge gaps in oncoming traffic. A moment of misjudgment can result in devastating head-on or side-impact collisions, often leading to severe injuries for all involved. The risk is heightened during nighttime hours or in poor weather conditions.
The constant flow of commercial vehicles to and from industrial areas and across the Dumbarton Bridge also means that devastating truck accidents are a persistent danger on our local freeways and arterial roads.
Types of Cases We Handle in Union City
The Reardon Injury Law team is equipped to handle a wide range of personal injury claims. Our deep understanding of both the medical and legal aspects of an injury case allows us to effectively represent clients who have been harmed by another’s negligence.
Given Union City’s traffic dynamics, we frequently represent clients in cases involving:
- Car Accidents: From fender-benders on local streets to multi-vehicle pile-ups on I-880, we help victims recover compensation for their injuries and losses.
- Truck Accidents: Collisions with semi-trucks and other large commercial vehicles often result in catastrophic injuries. We have the expertise to take on complex trucking litigation.
- Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable on the road. We fight to protect the rights of riders who have been injured by inattentive drivers.
- Rideshare Accidents: Accidents involving Uber or Lyft can be complicated due to multiple insurance policies. We know how to navigate these complex claims.
- Pedestrian Accidents: A person on foot is no match for a motor vehicle. We advocate for pedestrians struck in crosswalks, parking lots, or on sidewalks.
- Bicycle Accidents: We help cyclists who have been injured due to drivers failing to share the road safely.
If you have been injured in any type of accident, please visit our practice areas page to learn more or contact us for a free case evaluation.
What to Do After an Accident in Union City
The actions you take in the minutes, hours, and days after an accident are crucial for both your health and your potential legal claim. Follow these steps to protect yourself:
- Prioritize Safety and Call 911: If possible, move your vehicle out of traffic to a safe location. Check on yourself and others for injuries. Call 911 immediately to report the accident and request police and medical assistance. The Union City Police Department will likely respond to accidents on surface streets, while the California Highway Patrol (CHP) handles incidents on I-880 and SR-84.
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine, it is essential to be evaluated by a medical professional. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries like whiplash, internal bleeding, or concussions. Go to a nearby emergency room, such as Washington Hospital in Fremont, Kaiser Permanente Fremont Medical Center, or Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley. A medical record creates a direct link between the accident and your injuries.
- Document Everything: Use your phone to take pictures and videos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, skid marks, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. Get the names, contact information, driver’s license numbers, and insurance details of all drivers involved. If there are witnesses, ask for their names and phone numbers.
- Do Not Admit Fault: Be polite and cooperative with law enforcement, but do not apologize or say the accident was your fault. Stick to the facts of what happened. Any admission of guilt can be used against you by insurance companies.
- Contact a Union City Personal Injury Lawyer: Before you give a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster, speak with an experienced attorney. The insurance company’s goal is to minimize their payout. An attorney at Reardon Injury Law will protect your rights and handle all communications on your behalf, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Understanding Your Rights Under California Law
Navigating the legal system can be intimidating, but understanding your basic rights is the first step toward securing fair compensation. California law provides several key protections for injury victims.
- Pure Comparative Negligence: California follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. This means you can still recover damages 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 total damages.
- Statute of Limitations: You have a limited time to file a personal injury lawsuit. Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a claim. However, a critical exception exists for claims against government entities (e.g., an AC Transit bus, a city-owned vehicle, or a dangerous road condition). In these cases, you must file a formal notice of claim within just six months of the injury. Missing this deadline can permanently bar you from seeking compensation.
- California’s 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 any serious accident, these minimums are often exhausted immediately. An experienced attorney can investigate all potential sources of recovery, including uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage and third-party liability.
- Types of Compensation (Damages): A successful personal injury claim can help you recover compensation for both economic and non-economic losses, including medical bills (past and future), lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, property damage, and non-economic damages for pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
Any lawsuit related to your Union City accident would likely be filed at the Alameda County Superior Court - Hayward Hall of Justice. Our firm is prepared to guide you through every step of this process.
Contact Reardon Injury Law Today
You do not have to face the aftermath of a serious injury alone. Let Reardon Injury Law put our unique combination of medical and legal expertise to work for you. We are dedicated to helping Union City residents get the resources and justice they deserve.
Call us today at (657) 522-7122 or visit our contact page to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. We work on a contingency basis, so there is never a fee unless we win your case.
