Many drivers live in terror of being involved in a serious accident, but small collisions such as fender benders and other smaller collisions can also result in bodily injury. A collision can cause you to become annoyed, disoriented, and hurt. In this state, you are more likely to make poor decisions, and you may not be able to supply complete details straight away. A Los Angeles Car Accident Attorney can help you overcome these challenges.

Find A Personal Injury Attorney for Car Crash Injuries

Various causes might be blamed for the large number of automobile and motor vehicle accidents in Los Angeles. None, however, compares to the sheer volume of people who use the thousands of kilometers of motorways and roads.

Los Angeles has nearly 20,771 miles of total roadways, 527 miles of interstate, and 382 miles of conventional highway, according to the California Department of Transportation. Furthermore, the county of Los Angeles has over 5.8 million registered cars and well over 7.5 million total automobiles. Only five states in the United States have more registered vehicles than Los Angeles County, and that figure is rising as the region sells 600,000 cars each year. Los Angeles County cars travel more than 92 million miles every day.

What are the most common times and places for car accidents to occur?

The vast majority of car accidents occur within a 25-mile radius of the driver's residence. You are more prone to let your guard down or make hazardous decisions in situations where you feel comfortable. A right around a traffic light is one of the most common locations for auto accidents. Faulty brakes, distracted driving, and erroneous turns can all lead to rear-end collisions and inadvertent damage.

Automobile crashes are more common at intersections, including stoplights. When it comes to who has the right of way, drivers frequently make mistakes, resulting in side-impact collisions.

Many auto accidents occur each year in garages and parking lots. Groups of pedestrians and other cars looking for vacant spaces may distract or confound drivers. The majority of parking lot collisions, fortunately, are minor.

On weekends, around a fifth of all drunk driving incidents occur between the hours of midnight and 3 a.m. According to statistics, Saturday is the most dangerous day of the week to travel.

The Most Common Types of Automobile Collisions

Whether or whether an automobile accident is fatal is determined by the sort of accident that occurred. However, no matter what form of collision occurs, one thing is certain: the vehicle will be damaged in some form.

The following are the most prevalent types of auto accidents in California (and pretty much everywhere else in the country):

Collisions with the vehicle's back end

This type of accident occurs when Driver A rams into Driver B from behind. This typically occurs when Driver A follows Driver B too closely. Maintaining a safe distance between your car and other vehicles is one of the best ways to avoid an accident like this.

T-Bone or Cross-Traffic Accidents

A driver runs on a red light, a stop sign, or has not properly yielded to oncoming traffic causes this type of collision to occur at a crossing. Being extra cautious at junctions is the simplest approach to avoid an accident like this.

Avoid ramming into other vehicles when changing lanes.

Another type of auto collision that you must be well-versed in. This usually occurs when a driver attempts to change lanes without first examining his or her blind spots. To avoid these kinds of crashes, make sure you're completely clear before changing lanes.

Collisions at Low Speed

These kinds of collisions are common in suburban areas, parking lots, and other public areas. A low-speed collision usually occurs while a driver is attempting to park or backing up to exit a vehicle. This is the type of collision in which a pedestrian is most likely to be hurt. The easiest method to avoid this is to always reverse an automobile with extreme caution.

Automobiles for Business

Commercial utility or delivery vehicle accidents can occur everywhere, from highways to near-deserted parking lots. Finding out whether an incident was caused by a human or mechanical fault, and thus who is to blame, is a tough assignment that should be left to the experts.

If you have been injured or died in a commercial vehicle accident, contact an LA-based Car Accident Attorney for help. They will examine your case and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and misery.

In commercial vehicle accidents, who is to blame?

Commercial car accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, including driver inattention and carelessness. Although a trained Los Angeles Car Accident Attorney can examine and decide culpability issues, commercial vehicle accidents can be blamed on automobile manufacturers, dealers, suppliers, regulatory authorities, and drivers. These causes may include but not limited to the following:

Mechanical flaws include faulty electrical components, wheels and tires, brake systems, maintenance and upkeep carelessness, and more.
Human Error

At all times, commercial drivers must operate commercial vehicles to the best of their abilities. Commercial vehicle accidents are caused by a variety of circumstances, including intoxication, sleep deprivation, and a lack of preparation.

Environmental/External Causes

Highway maintenance, repair, and design can all play a role in a commercial vehicle accident. If this is what happens, the government will also be held responsible. Our prescreened Los Angeles Car Accident Attorneys can help you determine if defective servicing, failure to avoid the illegal use of a commercial vehicle, insufficient supervision, or any other contributing factor is the fault of a self-insured defendant or company.

Failure of a Tire

While most drivers are aware of the significance of replacing dangerously old and rusted tires, many are unaware of the potential faults in seemingly "decent" looking tires. Tire flaws, which are often undetectable to the untrained eye, can lead to tire failure, which can cause or exacerbate the damage and injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents.

Tire failure can be caused by a number of issues, including tread separation, tire blowout, tire or rim explosion, and other issues. In several cases of tire breakdown resulting in injuries, tire manufacturers and suppliers have been found accountable because they developed a product that was not robust enough to preserve its integrity on the roadways. Tire makers must use sound tire design, guarantee that entire vehicle design and control systems work in concert with tire systems, and apply stringent production and inspection methods to avoid tire failure. These companies may be held liable for damage caused by faulty tires as a result of their failure to take such precautions. In addition, tire failure can occur as a result of improper tire installation, repair, or maintenance.

Tire misalignment

Victims of such instances might be eligible to seek compensation from the responsible parties if the negligence resulted in serious damage as a result of tire failure.

Tire failure is especially hazardous on the road since it can cause a driver's car to lose control, leading to collisions with other vehicles or objects. Tire failure also increases the chance of a rollover, which is more frequent with SUVs because they are less stable.

Crash-resistance

In the United States, six traffic collisions occur every minute, resulting in millions of catastrophic or life-threatening injuries each year. On the other hand, the vast majority of these incidents and injuries are preventable. Car manufacturers are legally accountable for ensuring that their vehicles are crashworthy to minimize unnecessary pain and discomfort.

If you or a loved one has been hurt or killed in a car accident, the vehicle's crashworthiness is likely to blame for some or all of the injuries.

Automobile Crashworthiness: Factors to Consider

In an automobile collision, there are two effects: the original collision and the second impact. After the initial hit, the full crash happens. A crash-worthy vehicle should have enough fire protection, correct restraint, and ejection precautions, as well as enough inside room for passengers to survive after the initial collision.

The "second impact" refers to any blows or injuries experienced by passengers as a result of the initial hit. A second impact happens when a passenger's head or body crashes into the dashboard or steering wheel or if they are ejected from the vehicle, resulting in the most serious injuries. Automobile crashworthiness is particularly significant in reducing second-impact injuries.

Negligence

Victims of auto accidents who are the victims of negligence have the right to sue the culpable party or parties in court for compensation.

Personal injury, property loss, lost wages, and pain and suffering may all be covered by financial compensation. In order to claim liability for an automobile accident, the complainant (victim) must demonstrate negligence. This can be done by demonstrating the following:

The defendant was required by law to take reasonable care. A complainant can show this in the case of a traffic accident by proving that the defendant was the one driving at the time of the impact. In the United States, when a driver meets someone on the road, he or she owes a reasonable duty of care.
The defendant did not adhere to a reasonable standard of care. The breach can take many different forms, from neglecting to maintain a vehicle's brakes to falling asleep behind the wheel. A violation is defined as behavior that falls short of what the law expects a reasonable person to do under identical circumstances.
As a result of this aforementioned violation, the plaintiff sustained losses. The plaintiff must show that the defendant's carelessness was directly responsible for his or her injuries or property damage. To establish this, police reports, surveillance videos from the incident and eyewitness accounts are commonly used.
The plaintiff was hurt or had property damage as a result of the violation. If the complainant cannot show any monetary damages or injuries as a result of the accident, they will not be able to recover an award.

Dealing with Insurance After a Car Accident

In California, all drivers must obtain personal auto insurance that protects them in the case of a collision. California has a fault-based regulation when it comes to insurance claims resulting from car accidents. For example, an injured driver has the right to file a lawsuit against the at-fault motorist's auto insurance policy to seek reimbursement for their injuries. An at-fault driver's policy may cover the entire cost of the injured driver's damages in minor crashes. However, injured drivers must be aware of the restrictions of an at-fault driver's insurance coverage, as well as the reality that insurance companies rarely agree to pay out claims.

An injured driver should speak with a Los Angeles Car Accident Attorney before dealing with insurance companies. An experienced Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer may help get an insurance claim off to a solid start by filing a claim on behalf of a client. When an insurance claim adjuster observes that an applicant has legal representation, the claim is considerably less likely to be denied. The outcome of your insurance carrier talks will be significantly improved if you hire the correct Personal Injury Lawyer.

Another insurance dilemma that may emerge is whether the at-fault motorist has enough vehicle insurance coverage to cover the cost of the injured driver's damages or if the at-fault motorist has no auto insurance at all. In these situations, an injured driver should check their personal auto insurance policy to see if it includes coverage for underinsured and uninsured motorists. If an insurance claim does not cover an injured driver's losses, California law allows them to bring a personal injury lawsuit for damages.

Photo Evidence Always Helps.

Certain pieces of critical evidence will nonetheless add value to and enhance a personal injury case involving an automobile collision. One of such pieces of evidence is accident photographs taken shortly after the accident. It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words, and in this situation, it is surely true. These images can significantly improve your reputation when it comes to your side of the story and can unequivocally establish property damage or accidents.

If you are able to, and it is suitable for you to do so, you should also consider taking photos of your injuries. Skid marks, missing auto parts, traffic signs or lights, weather conditions, chipped paint, broken glass, and an overall perspective of the accident scene should all be photographed. Insurance companies are less inclined to label a victim untrustworthy if there is photographic evidence to back up their claim.

Witness Statements Are Important.

In addition to documented evidence, independent third-party witnesses may be helpful in arguing the case. These witnesses have no financial stake in the outcome of your case. It can be useful evidence in your personal injury case if they can corroborate your story of how the event occurred. Collect all witness contact information at the location of the accident if you are physically able. Don't worry if you can't; the police report will almost definitely include a list of all witnesses to the collision.

How Your Documentation Can Assist Your California Personal Injury Lawyer Make a compelling case for yourself.

Have you ever kept a notebook or a diary when you were younger? When you go back over your notes, you'll notice that they bring up vivid recollections that you had forgotten about. The same is true in the case of a car collision. Everyone assumes they can remember every detail, but auto accidents are messy situations, and with medical visits, insurance providers, lost earnings, and other considerations, many people lose track of the details after an accident.

Make everyday notes about your pain and suffering, doctor's appointments, activities you couldn't do because of your injuries, your inability to return to work, and everything else connected to your regular life following a car accident.

Keep all of your auto maintenance costs, towing fees, medical bills, forensic imaging scans, medical appointments, physical therapy appointments, proof of lost income, and other paperwork relating to your car accident in the same file. Having this information all in one place will help your Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer ensure that you get compensated for all of your losses and injuries. Consider one of our prescreened California Attorneys in your Cal Bar Attorney Search.

How to Avoid Getting into Car Accidents

Although you may never completely eliminate the potential of an automobile accident, you can considerably reduce your or your loved ones' risk of serious injury or death.

Wear your seatbelt

Studies suggest that properly fastening a seatbelt reduces the risk of serious injury by up to 45 percent and the chance of moderate-to-severe injury by up to 50 percent in front-seat passenger cars. According to NOPUS observational statistics, seatbelt use in all US passenger vehicles is around 86 percent. Seatbelts must be buckled.

Use child safety seats in passenger vehicles

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, employing child safety seats in passenger vehicles can reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers.

Keep track of safety recalls

2014 was known as the "Year of the Car Recall," with over 550 recalls affecting over 52 million vehicles. Some of the recalls are due to minor issues, while the majority are due to substantial safety concerns. Ford, for example, issued a recall for two ignition parts that might cause your car to unexpectedly shut down, lose steering, and prevent the airbag from deploying in many models.

Don't drink and drive

Drunk driving claimed the lives of over 17,000 people in 2018.

Watch out for pedestrians if you're driving a car.

In 2018, 6,238 pedestrians were killed by vehicles in the United States, the great majority of which occurred outside of crossings.

What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Car Accident Attorney?

One of the most significant reasons to contact an expert LA Personal Injury Lawyer is that they will look out for your best interests. An expert Los Angeles Car Accident Attorney can help you gather information, prepare your case for filing a restitution claim, and negotiate with insurance companies, among other things.

Having a trustworthy California Personal Injury Lawyer on your side is critical and should not be overlooked. What a lawyer can do for you, moreover, is to help you determine whether or not you are entitled to compensation.

To make a claim for damages after a car accident, you must fulfill two conditions:

The crash was to be blamed on someone else, which was usually due to negligence.
As a result of the accident, you and your family (or dependents) experienced bodily, physiological, and emotional distress, as well as financial loss.

Only a Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer can help you navigate the complexity of a vehicle accident case in California. Having a good one on your side can make all the difference in how your case turns out.

The Basic Legal Process: Car Accidents and Personal Injuries

A lot of factors influence the length of an automobile accident lawsuit, including the circumstances that caused the accident, the facts and evidence available, and whether or not the at-fault party claims blame.

In most circumstances, however, a matter will either be swiftly handled or will take a long time to resolve. This is why retaining the services of a skilled LA Personal Injury Lawyer is a sensible choice.

The following are the most critical factors that can affect how quickly an accident lawsuit is resolved:

Questions of fact or law that are peculiar to the case may have an impact on the conclusion.
In this case, the settlement is for a large sum of money, which makes insurance companies nervous.
When the survivor has not fully recovered from the injuries sustained in the crash.

The court must carefully evaluate these factors to ensure that anything that could have a negative impact on the case has been settled quickly. Using the services of a skilled Los Angeles Car Crash Attorney will guarantee that everything goes as planned.

How much is my case worth?

Regardless matter how severe your injuries were, a skilled Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer could secure you compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. When calculating the worth of your situation, there are numerous factors to consider:

The facts of the crash, including the speed at which it occurred, whether any parties broke any laws, and whether the police have any records.
It is obvious whether or not to answer. Calculating compensation is usually simple once the at-fault driver has been identified.
The severity of the injury and the amount of damage to the car. To verify the severity of any injuries you've had, you'll need your medical documents.
Finally, all expenditures associated with care, auto repairs, and missed revenue will be included.

All of these factors will influence the total value of your event. Your settlement offer has the advantage that you can still negotiate a greater amount, but this may take longer. Contact a California Personal Injury Lawyer immediately; for a more thorough evaluation.

Personal injury compensation is the payment of a monetary amount in the hopes of restoring you to your pre-injury condition. In general, there are two sorts of compensation: tangible and intangible damages. Tangible losses cover financial losses, while non-economic losses are compensated by intangible losses.

Although it might not always happen the exact same way, the following are some examples of damage compensation:

Past and future medical expenses include hospitalizations, surgeries, and physical rehabilitation.
Benefit loss — past, present, and future: this occurs when you are unable to work as a result of a personal injury.
Any additional expenses incurred as a result of your personal injury.

Compensation for non-economic losses can include, but is not limited to, the following:

Emotional distress and anguish
Injuries or deformity that is chronic or permanent
Loss of consortium

After a car accident, what are the time limits for filing a personal injury lawsuit?

The statute of limitations for submitting a car accident injury lawsuit in California is two (2) years, beyond which time the claim is forever barred from being pursued in court. Property damage caused by a car accident, on the other hand, has a three-year statute of limitations from the date of the accident.

Finally, the statute of limitations for a car accident between you and a government official is six (6) months from the date of the incident. If the government agency denies your claim, you have six months to initiate a personal injury lawsuit against the liable government agency.

When It Leads to Wrongful Death

Wrongful death lawsuits are civil lawsuits filed by the families of persons who have died as a result of another's negligence or misbehavior. The Act requires the decedent's relatives to file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking punitive damages in these cases. The goal of a wrongful death lawsuit is to recompense families who were financially and/or emotionally dependent on the deceased.

This civil feature is frequently found in connection with a criminal case, although it can also exist without a criminal action. However, in every case, the family must be able to establish that the defendant's acts contributed to the death and that the death caused emotional and/or monetary harm to the affected family members.

Personal injury and wrongful death situations can be frightening and difficult to navigate. When a catastrophic accident or fatality occurs, insurance companies try to limit their exposure and culpability. Insurance companies hire lawyers whose main mission is to refute every aspect of the plaintiff's complaint.

A wrongful death claim is typically brought by or on behalf of the dead's spouse, children, or relatives or by the estate of the dead. The four aspects of negligence must be demonstrated, and our Los Angeles Car Accident Attorneys are skilled in assisting wrongful death victims in demonstrating them:

The defendant owed a debt to the deceased.
That commitment was breached by the defendant.
The victim died as a result of the defendant's negligence.
The surviving have incurred losses as a result of the defeat.

An LA Car Crash Attorney establishes the deceased's probable life expectancy in order to prove a lack of future revenues in addition to showing carelessness. An effective demonstration of non-economic or emotional injury is required for an equal harm award.

A wrongful death lawsuit does not add to the stress that comes with losing a loved one. Instead, the family should seek out a compassionate and knowledgeable wrongful death lawyer to take over the case and represent them as they grieve. Obviously, no amount of money can ever make up for the physical loss of a loved one, but damages can assist in compensating a family for their loss.

Wrongful Death Claims and Survival Lawsuits

If the defendant's irresponsible conduct result in substantial injury but not death, the complainant may initiate a claim under California's loss of consortium civil statute. This signifies that the domestic partner or spouse suffered a loss of affection and/or companionship with their wounded partner or spouse as a result of the defendant's neglect or actions.

In addition, the decedent's estate will file a survival cause of action under Section 377.30 of the California Code of Civil Procedure. The survival suit is comparable to a wrongful death claim (they're usually filed together), but it rewards the decedent's estate rather than the decedent's family. In essence, loved ones (direct legal family) file a wrongful death case, while the decedent pursues a cause of action for survival. The right to claim for damages "survives" the death of the decedent in a survival lawsuit.

Unlike a standard wrongful death claim, a surviving cause of action results in punitive damages being imposed on the offender. This is why, in most wrongful death instances, a surviving cause of action is included and pursued.

How long would it take for a personal injury case to be settled?

There is no clear answer to this question. There is no such thing as a right or wrong response. You and your Los Angeles Car Crash Attorney could settle the lawsuit in a matter of days or years, depending on the persons involved, the businesses involved, and the type of damages you're seeking.

If you're suing a huge and well-known corporation for failing to conduct a proper job search on a drunk driver who caused you catastrophic injuries, you might get a speedy settlement.

If the company is uninformed of the driver's extensive history of DUI charges, the corporation does not want the unfavorable publicity that a long-running case will generate. This means they will propose a peaceful resolution of the case outside of court.

If you sue someone for an injury, they may not always have the financial capacity to compensate you. Worse, if their insurance provider may refuse to pay you more than they initially agreed to. This could drag on for years if they refuse to settle, which can be annoying.

There is no right or wrong answer, and it's difficult to know what will happen if you decide to file a lawsuit. You should expect to wait a long time for your check, although it's always preferable if it arrives sooner.

Find A Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer

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You may contact us via our 24/7 Live Chat (or complete our case details submission form) for a free case review.

How To Find A Good Car Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles