Car Accident Attorney in Los Angeles

There are around 140 car accidents happening in Los Angeles daily. No matter if it is speeding, reckless driving, or distracted driving as a reason for an accident, the whole situation is quite overwhelming. Managing the aftermath of an accident requires professional help in order to stand up for your rights. That’s why you will definitely need an experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyer who will be by your side making sure the guilty party will be held accountable for their actions. Our team is devoted to providing expert legal guidance for you and ensuring your rights are protected every step of the way.

What You Need To Know About Car Accidents

The worst part of car accidents is that they happen in the blink of an eye, and you can barely react in time to avoid them. Many of them lead to horrible consequences like disabilities, serious injuries, and what’s worse according to the World Health Organization (WHO) around 1.19 million people die each year due to a car crash. 

Therefore, it is crucial to understand the common causes of car crashes, potential injuries, and legal implications. Whether it is a minor automobile accident because of a distraction or a major car collision, knowing your rights and the steps you have to take will help you recover from such a terrible experience. 

But first things first. Let’s first have a look at some of the most common causes of car accidents:

1. Distracted Driving: Whether it is sending a quick text to your significant other, taking a sip of your favorite drink, or even using a GPS while driving – any of such actions can result in a car crash. To be exact 324,652 suffered injuries in car accidents because of distracted driving in 2020.
2. Speeding: Exceeding the speed limit often makes it nearly impossible for the driver to react to sudden changes in traffic conditions, putting everyone on the road in danger.
3. Driving Under the Influence: It is not a secret to anyone that driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is, to put it mildly, dangerous. And yet, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ( NHTSA) every day, around 37 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes. This means that, on average, one person dies every 39 minutes in a crash involving a driver under the influence.
4. Extremal factors: Sometimes it is even a human error. It can also be things that we don’t always have an influence on like weather conditions, brake issues, or other car defects. That’s why, being too cautious is never a bad idea, especially when your life is at stake. For instance, checking your tire pressure and tread depth, or regularly testing your brakes for responsiveness and wear, are a must. 

The reasons can be different but you will still need to seek legal advice from top law firms that can ensure you receive the legal support and compensation you deserve. Hiring a great car accident lawyer can provide you with the guidance that you need to protect your rights, and navigate the complexities of car insurance claims. A skilled car accident lawyer will advocate on your behalf, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and, if it comes down to that, represent you in court. 

What you should do after a car accident

Right after a car accident, taking the right steps can safeguard your well-being and legal interests. Here is what you should do:

1. Ensure Your Safety: If possible, move to a safe location and check for injuries among all parties involved in a car accident. In a state of shock, we may lose the ability to understand what and how we feel. That’s why even if you think you are okay, check your body for any signs of personal injury to avoid medical complications later on. 
2. Call Emergency Services: Call 911 to report the accident and request medical assistance. Medical care and attention are essential at this point, even for minor injuries, as some symptoms may not appear right away.
3. Exchange Information: Obtain contact details of all parties involved in a car accident. Make sure to prepare car insurance information, and write down vehicle identification numbers (VINs) from all parties involved in the accident. Also, gather contact information from witnesses who can provide statements regarding the incident.
4. Document the Scene: Take pictures of the accident scene from different angles. You need to capture vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signs, and any relevant information that will help you in the car accident lawsuit. These visual records can serve as crucial evidence during insurance claims and legal proceedings.
5. Notify Your Insurance Company: Report the accident to your insurance company immediately to start the claims process. Your car accident lawyer can also help you communicate with insurance companies to ensure your insurance policy covers all applicable damages, including medical bills and car damage. Moreover, if the situation allows, your auto accident lawyer can fight for punitive damages as well. 

What you should not do after a car accident

It is quite logical what to do in the event of a car crash but because you are in a state of shock it might not be as obvious when it comes to things you should not do. Avoid these common mistakes that can jeopardize your car accident claim:

1. Admit Fault: Do not confess to any wrongdoing or blame anyone at the accident site. Such statements can be misunderstood and then used in court which can lower the chances of receiving compensation.
2. Delay Medical Attention: You may feel healthy right after the collision but don’t wait to check yourself. Some injuries like whiplash or internal damage may show symptoms hours or even days after the accident.
3. Neglect Documentation: Gather all the necessary information and documents related to the accident that may come in handy in your car accident case. It can be medical records, repair bills, property damage, receipts for additional expenses, and, of course, communication with insurance companies. Having all the documents in place will only help you get the desired results.
4. Accept Early Settlement Offers: Insurance companies or the at-fault driver may try to negotiate with you about an early settlement offer in order to reduce financial liability. That is why you need to consult with a car accident lawyer before agreeing to anything. 

Should you hire a lawyer for your car accident?

Many people will still wonder if they need a car accident attorney at all. Of course, minor accidents may be resolved without any legal help. However, it is best to consult with a professional car accident lawyer in Los Angeles especially if you are a car accident victim. If you have suffered any severe damage or injuries you definitely should find a personal injury attorney for your case. This way you will know your options and the compensation you are entitled to for pain and suffering.

Common Car Accident Injuries

Car accidents have different outcomes leading to a wide range of injuries. Some of them might have long-term consequences on the health and quality of life of a person injured in a car accident.  Here are some of the most common ones:

• Whiplash
• Broken bones and dislocated joints
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Internal injuries and bleeding
• Deep cuts and bruises
• Emotional trauma etc.

The list could go on and on but the main point is that if you experienced a car accident, you should never delay ‌medical assistance. This is not only important for your health and well-being but also for your injury claim. Medical documents will only increase the chances of you getting reimbursement and compensation for the expenses related to your injuries.

Questions to ask before hiring a lawyer

If you got into a car accident in Los Angeles and you are looking for legal help to get your compensation, then you should hire a car accident lawyer. However, once you google something like “traffic accident lawyer Los Angeles” you will find hundreds of options. In order to choose the best lawyer for your case first you have to ask a Los Angeles car accident lawyer some questions to check if they are a good fit for your particular situation. Once you hire the right one, the chances of you winning in court are way higher. Here are some important questions you can ask:

1. What is Your Experience with Car Accident Cases?: You might find lawyers that claim they have over 20 years of experience but it doesn’t necessarily mean they have worked with car accident cases. After you make sure the potential lawyer has a strong track record of handling car accident cases you can follow up with questions about what college they graduated from, where they practiced, and what their legal experience is in general. 
2. How Many Cases Like Mine Have You Handled?: There are multiple kinds of motor vehicle accidents that are very different from each other. Depending on whether it is a truck accident, bicycle accident, whether someone died or got severely injured, and so on, you have to find a top Los Angeles car accident lawyer who has strong experience with cases like yours.
   Don’t be afraid of asking a lawyer for their track record with cases similar to yours. Make sure to ask if they had cases that went to trial and how many of them settled. The bottom line is that you can’t risk ‌becoming a guinea pig for someone who doesn’t know exactly how to solve your case. 
3. What is Your Success Rate in Obtaining Settlements or Verdicts for Your Clients?: Ask about statistics on their success rates and the average amount of compensation they secured for their clients. This question can give you an idea of a lawyer’s effectiveness. A good car accident attorney in Los Angeles has to be proficient enough to negotiate settlements and win cases of different levels of difficulty in court. 
4. What are Your Fees and Payment Structure?: You have to have a clear understanding of how the lawyer will charge you for their services. Make sure to inquire about any potential upfront fees. Also, find out if the lawyer offers a free case evaluation which can give you a chance to discuss your case without any financial charges. This way you can check if the lawyer is the right fit for you and your case.
5. How Will You Communicate with Me Throughout the Process?: Clear and consistent communication is a must for a smooth process. Get to know about the preferred channels of communication (e.g., phone, email, in-person meetings) and their typical response times. Make sure to know the availability of the lawyer and if there are any other people who can be in touch with you on the lawyer’s behalf. You need to know how often you will receive updates on your case and how you can reach out to the lawyer or their team.

The legal process and time frames

To have your expectations met you first need to understand the legal process and time frames of filing a lawsuit. This way you will know the steps you and the Los Angeles car accident attorney will have to take and the duration of each one of them. Typically the legal process will look like this:

• Initial consultation

First, you have to schedule an appointment with the lawyer you hired. This is where you discuss the details of the accident, injuries, and potential legal options. At this stage, the lawyer will lead you through the steps they will take to win the case.

• Investigation and Evidence Gathering

Once you have a meeting with a car accident attorney in Los Angeles, they will start investigating your case which means gathering evidence, and documentation such as police reports, medical records, witness statements, and pictures of the accident scene. If needed, your lawyer can consult with other experts in the field or hire a team to have a higher chance of winning the case. The duration of this stage mostly depends on the complexity of the case.

• Filing the Lawsuit

At this point, a lawyer submits a complaint form to the court with your claims outlined in it. This document usually lists all the details of the car accident you were in. It also mentions the damage that you have had and it explains the legal reasons why you are filing the lawsuit. However, be aware that in the state of California, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is usually two years from the date of the accident. So if you want your rights to be preserved you have to act within this timeframe. 

• The Discovery Phase

After the lawsuit is filed, both parties get into the “discovery” phase. This stage involves exchanging information, documents, and evidence related to the case. Discovery includes depositions (interviews under oath), interrogatories (written questions), and requests for necessary documents. The length of this step depends on how complex the situation is and how well both parties collaborate. 

• Mediation and Settlement Negotiations

Before going to trial, there is a chance that your case may go through mediation or settlement negotiations. If needed there can be a neutral mediator who can facilitate the negotiations between both parties to reach a settlement agreement. The “Settlement Negotiations” stage can happen at any point in the legal process. By reaching a settlement agreement you can save time and resources by avoiding a long trial process. However, always remember to have your lawyer present at all negotiations so that you can reach an agreement that truly reflects your interests. 

• Trial 

Once all the steps above are completed you and the defendant will go through the trial process. This is a deciding step when both parties present their evidence, call witnesses, and make arguments in front of a judge or a jury. After the trial is closed, the judge or the jury will take all the presented information into account to issue a verdict.

Compensation You Can Recover After an Accident

After the accident, an accident victim is entitled to different types of compensation which means they can have the financial, physical, and emotional impacts of the accident covered. Let’s have a look at the particular types of compensation you can get:

1. Economic Damages

This type of damage is the easiest to calculate and prove as they are tangible, out-of-pocket expenses resulting from the accident. Common types of economic damages include:

• Medical Expenses: This includes the cost of emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and any medical treatments you have or will have to go through because of the accident. This is why it is necessary to keep all medical bills and documentation as they are evidence of such expenses.
• Lost Wages: In case you can’t continue working after the accident you are entitled to compensation for lost wages. This doesn’t include only the wages you have already lost but all the future income you will miss because of ‌injuries that have long-term or permanent effects on your ability to work.
• Property Damage: This type of compensation covers the expenses related to repairing or replacing your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the accident. Again, keeping all the receipts and documents from repair shops proving the expenses and the damages is a must. 

2. Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are intangible losses and they usually do not have a specific value in money. These damages are more subjective and can differ depending on the circumstances of the case and the accident. Common types of non-economic damages can include:

• Pain and Suffering: This type of compensation covers physical pain and emotional suffering caused by the accident. This one is not easy to quantify as many things are influencing the outcome like the severity of the injury, the duration of recovery, and the impact on your daily life.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If the activities and hobbies you once loved accident can’t be done anymore because of the injuries you might also have the right to receive compensation for the loss of enjoyment of life.  
• Loss of Consortium: This one covers the impact of the accident on your relationship with your spouse or other family members. Loss of Consortium covers the loss of companionship, affection, and sexual relations because of the injuries sustained in the car accident.

3. Punitive Damages

In cases where the defendant’s wrongdoing was intentional and the conduct was considered grossly negligent, the court may also award punitive damages on top of compensatory damages. The purpose of Punitive Damages is to punish the defendant and stop them from doing the same thing again in the future.

Why you need to hire a Los Angeles car accident lawyer

When it comes to situations like car accidents you have to be sure you will receive the compensation and justice you deserve. For that, you need an experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyer who will guide you through the legal process right to your goal. Hiring an attorney gives you several advantages:

• Knowledge of Local Laws

A Los Angeles car accident lawyer knows California traffic laws better than anyone else. They are aware of the nuances and complexities of these laws, which is extremely important for building a strong case.

• Experience with Local Courts

Going to court on your own is not easy as the legal process may seem so complex and confusing in the beginning. However, a lawyer with experience in local courts can make the process smoother for you as they are familiar with local court procedures, they know the judges, and personnel, which is only a plus for your case.

• Network of Experts: 

A skilled car accident lawyer has access to a network of local experts who will come in handy during the legal process. The lawyer may know accident reconstruction specialists and medical professionals working for insurance companies. These experts can help make the process go faster as you won’t need to look for these experts on your own.

Contact for a Free Consultation with a car accident attorney in Los Angeles

Hiring an experienced car accident attorney in Los Angeles makes the legal process so much easier, smoother and guarantees you will get what’s yours. A lawyer who has many years of experience dealing with similar cases will lead you through the complex legal process, use their network of experts, and make sure you will have a personalized strategy to win your case. So look no further! Contact us for a free consultation with our skilled car accident attorney in Los Angeles. And we will help you get the compensation and justice you deserve.

FAQS About Car Accident Charges

Ready to speak with a Los Angeles car accident attorney? Contact us now at (213) 577-1988 or contact us online.