Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer

Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer

 

Car accidents happen all the time in Southern California. Almost 150,000 people are injured each year in crashes in this area.

We help victims of serious crashes get the money they deserve by taking legal action.

Even though most people don’t think about it, car accidents can happen when they do seek medical treatment immediately.

If you were injured in an accident that was someone else’s fault, contact a Los Angeles car accident lawyer with experience with these cases.

Our experienced Los Angeles automobile accident attorneys guide our clients through the car accident claims process, so they can receive the maximum compensation for their unique crash experience.

 

What to do After A Car Accident – 5 Important Steps

After a car accident, it is important to take some time to assess the situation and make sure everyone involved is safe. Once you have done that, there are a few key things you should do:

1. Call the police. Even if the accident seems minor, it is always best to err on the side of caution and have law enforcement officials come to the scene. This will ensure that a report is filed and that any necessary investigations are conducted.

2. Exchange information with the other driver. Be sure to get the other driver’s name, contact information, insurance information, and license plate number.

3. Take pictures of the scene. If you have a camera or smartphone, be sure to take photos of the damage to both vehicles and any skid marks or other evidence at the scene. These photos can be helpful in support of your insurance claim.

4. See a doctor. Even if you don’t think you are injured, it is important to have a medical professional check you out after an accident. Often, injuries do not present themselves immediately but can become more apparent over time.

5. Contact your insurance company. Be sure to notify your insurance company of the accident as soon as possible so that they can begin processing your claim.

Following these steps after an accident can help ensure that you are taken care of both physically and financially. If you have any questions or need assistance, be sure to contact a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles, Long Beach and Anaheim.

Best Car Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles?

The best car accident attorney for you is one that meets the following criteria

  • Availability: It is prudent to search for a lawyer who is readily available whenever you require his or her services
  • Professionalism: It is important to search for a lawyer who carries out his/her duties with the utmost professionalism.
  • Approachability: The best lawyers should be courteous and easily approachable to their clients. The personal injury lawyer you select should offer a reliable and convenient means of communication with clients
  • Sincerity: An accident lawyer should always be frank with their clients.  The lawyer should be willing to inform you about the prospects of the case, good and bad, thereby helping you to avoid unnecessary anxiety going forward.
  • Record of Success: Reputation is important in personal injury since the insurance company responsible for the case is continually weighing how far to go in their negotiations.

Do you need a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident?

If you are in a car accident, even if it seems like it was minor, you should get a lawyer.

You might not know if the accident was minor until after seeing a doctor.

Injuries can take hours, days, or weeks to get worse.

Are you worried about any legal concerns after crashing your car?

If you’re in Los Angeles, California, it’s a good idea to talk to an attorney.

A Los Angeles car accident lawyer can help you recover the compensation you deserve, no matter how severe your damage. These include ensuring that the money is enough for future medical costs.

Airbag Defects and Malfunctions that Can Cause Injury

Airbags can malfunction in several ways, including:

  • Airbags may not deploy in every accident. However, when the collision is intense enough, they need to inflate. If you wear a seat belt, but the airbags don’t inflate, you might get hurt.
  • Airbags can sometimes accidentally deploy. If your car hits a curb or a big hole, the airbag might suddenly inflate and cause injuries. In some cases, the driver loses control and has a collision because of the accidental deployment.
  • Airbags can often do more harm than good. They are more likely to cause injury than safeguard the vehicle’s occupants when deploying in low-speed crashes. However, they help minimize injuries in collisions at higher rates of speed. For smaller children and adults, overly aggressive airbags can be very dangerous.
  • Even though your car doesn’t have side airbags, that doesn’t mean you’re safe in a collision. Many cars do come with side airbags, which can help reduce injuries if you are in a collision on the side.
  • Airbags sometimes deploy late. When there are marks on the wheel or dashboard indicating that someone hit it, or when the steering wheel is bent, the airbag may have deployed late. This can cause more injuries than if the bag had not been deployed at all.

September 20, 2021: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration kicks off an engineering investigation into 30 million vehicles built by more than 20 car manufacturers between 2001 and 2019, among them Ford, General Motors, Honda, Stellantis (the parent company of Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Ram, and others), and Toyota. The investigation covers vehicles outside the existing recall that already has affected 67 million vehicles.

How do you prove liability in a car crash?

The evidence in an auto accident lawsuit against an at-fault driver must include three things proving their responsibility.

Only when you have established the at-fault party’s guilt or innocence is it possible to prove that they were responsible for the injuries or losses suffered.

Driver Negligence in California

Negligent driving incidents happen all the time in and around Los Angeles. It must be demonstrated that the other driver had a duty of care to both passengers and other vehicle occupants and that they failed to meet this duty of care in some manner.

Generally, a valid car accident claim requires demonstrating the following elements of negligence:

  • The other driver had a duty to operate his or her vehicle in a safe manner
  • The other driver breached this duty
  • The actions of the other driver caused the accident
  • The accident directly caused injuries or monetary losses

Proving another driver’s negligence can be far more complicated than many accident victims realize.

If you are in a car accident, you need evidence to prove that the other driver was negligent. If you don’t have evidence, getting the other driver’s insurance company to pay for your damages will be hard. Different types of evidence can be used to show negligence, including the following:

  • Statements from any eyewitnesses
  • Statements from other drivers and passengers
  • Pictures from the scene of the crash
  • Surveillance video from nearby cameras
  • Dashcam footage
  • Police or accident reports
  • Mobile device data
  • Vehicle “black box” recording data

When the police investigate a car accident, they look at all of the evidence to see who was responsible. This includes looking at what the drivers and witnesses say happened and any physical evidence at the scene.

Do I have to Report A Car Accident to the Police?

If you are in a crash that caused an injury, fatality, or significant property damage, you must report it to the police immediately. In California, if you are in a crash that causes injuries or death, you must report it within 24 hours. You can do this by writing a report to the California Highway Patrol, or someone else in the car can do it for them if the driver is incapacitated.

If a police officer responds to the collision and documents it in writing, drivers are not required to do so. However, drivers may be required to submit an accident report regardless.

You Can File an Accident Report With the DMV

When you have an accident, you must fill out a form and send it to the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. This is different than sending it to law enforcement. You can often find the form online.

Drivers generally have a longer time to file an accident report than a police report.

In California, for example, if a collision occurs and the police are called, residents have 10 days to report it to the DMV.

  • injured or killed someone, or
  • caused more than $1,000 in property damage to a single accident victim

Drivers can make this crash report using this Form.

Citation: California Highway Patrol, CHP Accident Investigation Team

How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim?

In California, the statute of limitations for filing a claim for injuries resulting from a car accident is 2 years.

If the incident resulted in fatalities, the time limit to file a wrongful death claim is also 2 years.

If you’re only seeking compensation for vehicle repair damages, you have 3 years to bring a claim.

Citations: CCP § 338, (CCP) § 335.1

California Car Insurance Laws

Due to California’s large population of drivers, strict regulations are enforced. Like in most states, some type of car insurance is mandatory for every vehicle on the road.

The costs of these insurance policies may vary depending on region or availability. However, you must legally have a minimum amount of insurance.

  • Bodily injury liability coverage: Insurance companies pay up to $15,000 for the death or injury of a single person and up to $30,000 for multiple victims.
  • Property damage liability coverage: $5,000 minimum required and used to pay for any property your car has damaged.
  • Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage: Most insurance companies offer this as optional coverage at the same rate as bodily injury liability.
  • Uninsured motorist property damage coverage: A $3,500 minimum is given to no-fault parties who have had their vehicles damaged by an uninsured driver. This coverage is only available if the uninsured driver is found.

Citation: California DMV

Can I get compensation for a car accident if I’m partly responsible?

In California, if you are partly to blame for an accident, your total recovery may be reduced by the percentage of blame that is assigned to you.

Even if you are 99% at fault, you may still be able to recover some compensation. When discussing this with an accident lawyer, make sure to talk about the possibility of recovering despite being mostly at fault.

What You Need to Know About Comparative Negligence

California is a comparative negligence state, meaning multiple parties may be responsible for an accident. Furthermore, each party is responsible for up to the percentage of blame attributed to them.

Example: Assume you were 25% at fault in a car accident, and your injuries resulted from another driver’s negligence. In that scenario, your accident injury claim would be reduced by 25%.

Can I afford a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles?

Hire a Lawyer on Contingency: If you are injured in a traffic accident in Los Angeles, you can hire a lawyer without paying any fees. The lawyer will only get paid if they win your case.

Contingency fee lawyers offer services for free and will investigate the accident for free. Lawyers want to help you, no matter what your financial situation is. You may not be able to work because of your injuries.

How does a car accident claim work?

When a motorist was injured by another driver’s negligence, a claim could be filed. Car crash claims allow victims of accidents to recover compensation for their losses.

You should contact an experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyer to discuss your situation. Your car accident lawyer will ensure your claims are filed on time and accurately.

I’m undocumented can you still take my case?

California law prohibits anyone seeking immigration status against them in cases of auto accidents and civil lawsuits.

Some states allow people to file a lawsuit if they are in a car accident. The person who files the lawsuit is called the plaintiff. The plaintiff wants to get money from the person who caused the accident and calls the defendant. The plaintiff can also sue the defendant’s lawyer.

Pursuing an injury can be a complicated process. It requires a lot of knowledge. Most people won’t want to do this by themselves.

Do you need a car accident lawyer?

If you are in a car crash, you might have some questions. You should talk to a lawyer who specializes in car accidents. This is because the accident might seem minor at first but later become more complicated.

After a car accident, it can take some time to realize how injured you are. Sometimes the injury doesn’t show right away. When this happens, it’s a good idea to talk to a car accident lawyer. They can help you figure out what to do next.

Is it worth getting a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles?

In almost all cases, hiring an experienced Los Angeles auto accident lawyer is important.

Is it worth getting a lawyer for a minor car accident?

If you get injured, it is always a good idea to speak with a lawyer. This is especially true in Los Angeles, CA. Injuries can sometimes take time to worsen, so it is important to get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible.

A personal injury lawyer can ensure you get enough compensation for a full recovery, no matter the extent of your injuries. This includes making sure you have enough for your future medical bills.

Free Case Evaluation For All Motor Vehicle Accidents – Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers Today

Rideshare Car Accident

Both Uber and Lyft Ridesharing services are popular in Los Angeles. They give us a cost-effective and easy way to get around our vast, sprawling metropolis when we don’t wish to drive ourselves.

However, Uber and Lyft drivers are not any more immune to being in car accidents than anyone else. When accidents do occur, it is essential to have a knowledgeable and experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer on your side. This is critical because Uber has a $1 million liability coverage, which includes numerous incidents involving Uber.

LA Freeways

Personal Injury Lawyer

Personal Injury lawsuits from motor vehicle accidents are used to recover lost wages, medical expenses, pain, and suffering and could also be punitive. A personal injury claim should provide you with fair compensation.

Car accident attorneys in Los Angeles will give your car accident claim a free case evaluation to see if the firm can provide you with the legal representation you deserve.

The law firm’s legal team will come to you if you have suffered catastrophic or severe injuries. The legal team has experience guiding crash victims through the entire legal process.

Contact us to get a free consultation today.

Compensation for Lost Wages After a Car Accident in Los Angeles

If you missed work due to a vehicle accident in Los Angeles, you might be eligible for compensation for your lost wages. You will only be compensated for missing work if a personal injury lawyer can establish that:

  • You were in a car accident
  • Someone else caused that car accident
  • You were hurt in the accident

By contacting a legal professional as soon as possible following your accident, you may pursue full compensation for lost income.

Waiting to get help can make it easier for insurance agents to deny your claim. Contact a Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer Today

3 Types of Lawsuit Damages

Economic Damages: Economic damages are intended to compensate a plaintiff for losses to a dollar amount that can readily be attached.

Economic damages are calculated by determining the amount of out-of-pocket losses an aggrieved individual has or will expect to incur due to their injuries.

A few examples of economic losses include:

  • Loss of Earning Capacity
  • Medical Bills
  • Lost Wages

Non-Economic Damages: Non-economic damages are essentially intended to cover subjective losses and will not necessarily cover out-of-pocket losses.

Non-economic damages may include compensation for:

  • Emotional Distress
  • Pain and Suffering
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life

Punitive Damages: The third type of damages a California court may award is known as punitive damages. Punitive damages are intended as punishment and are only awarded when a defendant’s behavior is especially harmful. Punitive damages are relatively rare and, in fact, are only incorporated in 5 percent of all verdicts.

Citation: Punitive Damages

Who Pays The Medical Bills After a Car Crash?

Sadly, car accidents can be completely life-changing, and they happen daily.

Who is expected to pay for your medical expenses if you survive a vehicle accident?

What if you need additional care? Insurance companies may make a case for “comparative negligence” to decrease your settlement in a vehicle accident.

It’s important to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

Catastrophic Injuries From a Serious Car Accident

Car, truck, and motorcycle collisions can result in serious injuries that can cause lifelong complications. Some of the injuries that individuals sustain in a vehicle accident include the following.

  • Deep tissue lacerations: The damage to the tissue can be extensive that could result in an infection.
  • Broken bones: The injury can be extremely painful requiring surgery. Also, the injury normally takes a long time to heal.
  • Traumatic Brain Injuries: The injury results in a concussion or contusion, internal bleeding, lacerations, and skull fractures requiring surgery. Most people with a TBI or brain injury will have a permanent disability that will keep them from earning as much money as they did before.
  • Burn injuries: can occur if the vehicle catches fire after the accident. Fires are an extra risk in Electric Vehicles.
  • Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can have serious health complications. The individual may become handicapped and remain dependent on others for daily activities.
  • Herniated Disc: The injury results in severe pain as the disks that act as cushions between vertebrae or backbones protrude and press the adjacent spinal nerves.
  • Whiplash injury: The injury occurs due to the head’s rapid backward and forward movement in an accident.

Questions about Whiplash?

Whiplash is one of the most commonly reported injuries following a car accident. There are more than 3 million reported cases of a whiplash across the country every year.

If you are struggling with a whiplash injury, you must understand your legal options.

Understanding Whiplash

A whiplash injury is a type of soft-tissue damage that affects the neck. When the head moves back and forth rapidly, it’s likely to get whiplash. The most common cause of whiplash in Los Angeles is rear-ended automobile accidents. The passengers in the car that is hit from behind or rear-ended are most likely to sustain the injury.

Here’s how whiplash usually happens:

  1. Your seat absorbs the force of the collision because your vehicle was rear-ended.
  2. The seat pushes against your back and compresses your spine toward your head.
  3. Your torso moves forward from your seat, and your head rests against it. Your spine goes out of alignment as a result of this.
  4. Your head swings violently backward and then rapidly forward.
  5. A seatbelt keeps your body in position but may make neck movement more dramatic.

Whiplash can damage soft tissue, intervertebral discs, the cervical spine, and your joints.

Whiplash is one of the most prevalent vehicle accidents. According to research, the majority of whiplash patients are women.

Citation: Whiplash

Downtown Los Angeles

What kind of accidents do our auto accident attorneys handle?

The best California accident lawyers will help you get the best outcome. This is a case type.

Los Angeles Car Accident Statistics

In 2021, Los Angeles County experienced a total of 40,669 reported motor vehicle crashes.

Citation: Something About OrangeBerkeley Crash Data Map, IIHS Crash Data, OTS.CA.GOV

Car Accidents Involving Commercial Vehicles

Legal difficulties can arise due to the complexity of commercial vehicles and automobiles, such as liability layers, insurance subrogation concerns, and accident reconstruction issues. A large commercial vehicle firm, like FedEx or UPS, usually has a legal staff operating under one principle: reducing compensation.

Types of commercial vehicle accidents:

  • Semi-trucks
  • Delivery trucks and vans
  • Recycling or garbage trucks
  • Box trucks
  • Taxis
  • Coaches and buses

These cases often involve negligence by the driver of the commercial vehicle.

Distracted driving, such as texting while driving and using a phone while driving, is one of the most typical reasons for these calamities.

Other times, a lack of training or experience operating a commercial vehicle might be to blame. We’ll take investigative steps to figure out what caused your accident and assist you in obtaining compensation for all accident-related expenses

If you have lost a loved one in a fatal commercial vehicle accident, we can help you pursue a wrongful death claim.

What if I was working at the time of my accident?

In most cases, someone who is not the worker can bring a worker’s compensation claim. The employer can also bring a claim for damages based on the worker’s compensation claim.

What compensation can you recover after a hit-and-run?

It is against the law for a driver responsible for an auto-related accident to flee the scene of the accident.

This includes bike accidents, pedestrian accidents, and motorcycle accidents.

Vehicle Code 20001 clearly states that “the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to another person, other than himself or herself … shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident.”

If you are in a car accident in California, you are required by law to share information with the other drivers involved, such as your address, driver’s license number, vehicle registration, and insurance information.

This information is important. The person cannot lie to you or give you fake information, so they don’t have to deal with insurance or anything else related to the accident. If you are in a car accident with someone who ran away from the scene or gave you false information, you need to contact a lawyer who knows about hit-and-run accidents in Los Angeles.

Financial recovery after a hit and run

Money is a common concern many people have after a hit-and-run accident or any other type of car accident. They may worry about how they will pay for their medical bills or car repairs.

If you are injured in a hit-and-run accident, you may be able to get financial compensation. Contact a skilled Los Angeles trial lawyer who will fight for your rights to learn more.

If you are in an accident and the other driver is not caught or does not have enough insurance, a skilled lawyer can help you. They will know what to do and can advise you on what to do next.

If you have been injured in a hit-and-run accident, it is important to seek legal help. Personal injury lawyers in Los Angeles can work on your behalf to get you the financial compensation you deserve.

How Long Does It Take To Get The Settlement 

If someone is injured or their property is damaged because of someone else’s mistake, that person is responsible under California law. The victim can get their medical bills paid by the person at fault, the responsible company, or the guilty party’s insurance company.

Some people may try to negotiate a lower car accident settlement. This can be a long and exhausting process, but getting the money you need immediately is important to ensure a healthy recovery and quality of life.

If the insurance company is drawing out the process, there are a few possible options:

  • Your private health insurance: Insurance provided by a private company can usually be found at Health Insurance Marketplaces, which offer many flexible options.
  • Your government health insurance: Typically low-cost or free. These plans are offered through the state. Examples of these types of plans include Medicare, Medi-Cal, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
  • Medical Payments Insurance: awards the victim whether they are at fault or not.
  • California worker’s compensation: insurance through your employer.

Citations: Private Health InsuranceCalifornia Health InsuranceMedicareCHIP

Hire A Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer

Our experienced car accident lawyers will explain everything step by step in detail. We’re ready to help you get the best legal assistance possible.

Our injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means our attorneys are paid a percentage of the amount we recover for you.

We don’t receive a fee if we do not recover for you.

From our experience, we have found that the contingent fee arrangement is what most of our clients want.

You may have grounds to bring a personal injury claim against one or more parties for your recent auto accident, so contact our Los Angeles car accident attorneys immediately to set up a free consultation with an experienced lawyer about your case.

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