San Diego Auto Accident Attorney

A San Diego auto accident lawyer who knows why and how accidents happen

At Gary A. Sernaker, A Professional Law Corporation, we understand the variety of motor vehicle accidents that can occur on San Diego's roadways. The following are some of the contributing factors:

  • SUV size — SUVs seem to be getting increasingly larger and their size and design features, including height, weight and bumper design, continue to threaten smaller vehicles. When an SUV collides even at low speed, serious injury can result.
  • Rollovers — The American obsession for larger vehicles brings inherent risks, such as rollovers. SUVs, minivans and other vehicles with a higher center of gravity are prone to flipping over even when handling routine maneuvers. These accidents can lead to catastrophic injury and death.
  • Defective restraint systems — The feature that was specifically designed to protect drivers and passengers can, in fact, harm them. Many standard seat belt systems do not operate safely and can lead to serious injury or death. These systems include:

  • Lap-belt-only systems
  • Automatic shoulder harness with no lap belt
  • Door-mounted three-point systems
  • Seat belt buckles that unlatch during collisions
  • Lack of air bags
  • Air bags that open with excessive force

  • Defective door latches and windows — Poorly designed car doors and windows may open or break during a collision, threatening the lives of occupants by subjecting them to ejection and serious injury.
  • Seat malfunction — Poorly constructed car seats can have disastrous effects for their occupants. If the seat breaks, the occupant is no longer constrained and is subject to serious injury or death.
  • Offset head-on collision — Automobile manufacturers sometimes fail to provide sufficient front-end structural support on their vehicles. During a collision, this preventable defect can cause catastrophic injury or death.
  • Failure to warn — An auto manufacturer can be held liable if it does not properly inform drivers through warnings on the vehicle or through the vehicle's owner's manual of any unique or specific handling issues or restrictions and modifications that can safely be made without rendering the vehicle unstable.
  • Conversion van defects — Modifications made to full-sized, commercial vans pose serious hazards to passengers. The vehicle's stability and structural integrity may be compromised at the expense of leisure. Undue pressure on the rear doors, for instance, may cause them to open during an accident, such as a rollover or collision. Modified roofs may collapse due to inadequate structural support and oversized windows may allow passengers to be ejected.
  • Gas tank rupture/insufficient fuel system integrity — Vehicles designed and built with improperly positioned gas tanks can rupture and explode in flames even during a mild collision.

An auto accident attorney in San Diego who takes action and gets results

With more than 30 years of helping accident victims recover for their losses, Gary Sernaker has successfully taken on large auto manufacturers in his fight for justice.

Learn more about Gary's notable cases>>>

Experience. Preparation. Results.

Gary Sernaker, auto accident lawyer in San Diego County, has earned the prestigious designation, AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review RatedSM by Martindale-Hubbell®, for his legal abilities and adherence to ethical standards. He was the sole recipient of the 2009 Trial Advocate of the Year by the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego.

When choosing among San Diego auto accident lawyers, there is no substitute for experience. It builds the foundation for extensive preparation, anticipation of the opposition and refusing to accept no for an answer. That’s why our injury law firm gets results.

Call Gary A. Sernaker, A Professional Law Corporation, today at 1.866.226.2108 or contact us online to learn if you have a case. We’re happy to meet with you at our Del Mar or North County office or at your home or hospital. Se habla español.