Car accidents are an ongoing concern in Glendale, especially in heavily traveled roads, like Brand Boulevard, Colorado Street, and Pacific Avenue. Major routes, like the Glendale Freeway (SR-2) and the I-5 corridor are also notable locations that have reported cases over the years. With constant traffic and busy retail zones, crashes caused by reckless driving can happen within an instant, leaving victims with serious injuries and unexpected financial burdens.
Affected individuals may pursue legal action against the at fault party to recover compensation. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we can help you seek relief by handling the claims process, seeking fair compensation, and holding negligent parties accountable.
With more than 20 years of experience handling personal injury cases and over $1.7 billion in settlements recovered, we are equipped to investigate claims, challenge insurance companies, and advocate on your behalf to ensure you are given the compensation you deserve.
Our law firm works on a contingency-fee basis, meaning there are no upfront fees, and legal costs will only be presented if your case is successful. To book a FREE consultation, you can connect with us by calling (213) 927-3700 or filling out our quick online contact form.
Why Choose West Coast Trial Lawyers?
At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we focus on personal injury law and handle car accident cases with the experience necessary to pursue efficient and effective claim resolution. We provide legal representation that is focused on protecting our clients’ interests and advancing their cases with the utmost level of care and professionalism.
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We listen, we understand, and we tailor every step, so you always feel supported and informed.
Proven Track Record
Our track record shows what weโre capable of. That is winning cases and securing justice for clients just like you.
No Upfront Legal Fees
Getting legal help shouldnโt add financial stress. We only get paid if we win your case. No exceptions.
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You will work closely with your lawyer from start to finish, getting straightforward advice whenever you need it.
Guidance Through Every Step
From your first call to the final resolution, we stay by your side, guiding you through every twist and turn.
What’s the Most Common Injury in a Car Accident?
One of the most common injuries in a car accident is whiplash. This involves an aggressive back-and-forth motion of the head that occurs during impact. Such bodily harm can involve neck pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion. In some cases, these symptoms can appear days after the crash. While often considered minor, such harm may interfere with daily life.
Aside from a whiplash, car accidents can lead to other serious injuries, including bone fractures, spine damage, and traumatic brain injuries. Even low-speed crashes can contribute to head trauma, which can affect your memory, concentration, and overall mood. These physical harms are often tied with emotional distress, like anxiety or fear of driving, especially when you are met with a lengthy recovery period.
What Is the Most Common Cause of a Car Accident?
The most common cause of a car accident is driver error, particularly distracted driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), this kind of behavior has claimed 3,275 lives in the United States in 2023. In a car accident case, distraction is often a central factor since it reduces reaction time, making it difficult for drivers to respond promptly to sudden stops, traffic signals, or pedestrians crossing the road.
In Glendale, certain areas are deemed as the most dangerous intersections due to multiple high-risk factors. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) claims that intersections contribute to a large portion of accidents statewide. This can be due to traffic intensity, pedestrian activity, and turning issues.
What Are the Most Dangerous Intersections?
From a historical perspective, traffic collision data has shown that certain areas of Glendale experience higher crash activity than others, specifically in and around the downtown corridor. Based on statistics compiled by the Glendale Police Department, several intersections have been ranked among the city’s highest for reported car accidents.
One of the most notable locations was North Brand Boulevard and Goode Avenue, where a total of 43 collisions were recorded. This intersection is a connection point to the Ventura Freeway (SR-134), contributing to heavy traffic and increased crash risk. That same number of cases also occurred near 201 South Central Avenue, particularly where entrances to Americana at Brand and Glendale Galleria are near one another, ultimately accounting for constant interaction between drivers and pedestrians.
Additional intersections that have been identified as higher-collision areas include parts of the San Fernando Corridor, Pacific Avenue at Glenoaks Boulevard, and the Glendale-Burbank border. These occurred mostly because they are busy commuter routes and commercial streets where reckless driving and crosswalk issues were fairly common.
How Long Can You Sue After Getting Hit by a Car?
In Glendale, you will have two years from the date of the car accident to file a claim. If you miss it, courts will usually bar the case even if you sustained serious injuries.
If the at fault party is a government entity, you will need to file an administrative claim within six months of the incident. If the injured victim is a minor, the statute of limitations will pause and begin when they turn 18. In certain circumstances, the deadline may be further extended if the injuries were not immediately discovered.
Insurance companies sometimes delay investigations or negotiations. Even if an injury claim starts with insurance, settlement talks do not stop the statute of limitations. If the deadline passes without a resolution, you may lose the right to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Can You Claim Injury if You’re At Fault?
You can still claim injury even if you were partially at fault for the car accident. California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning fault is shared and does not restrict you from pursuing legal action. Your compensation will be reduced based on your degree of fault. For instance, if you were 30% liable and the other driver is 70% liable, you could still recover compensation for your losses, but it will be reduced by that 30%.
It is important to understand how insurance companies handle shared liability. Insurers may attempt to shift more fault onto the injured person to reduce what they pay. This is particularly why preparing documentation, such as police reports, witness statements, and medical records, can be critical after a crash.
What Happens if I Have an Accident with an Uninsured Driver?
If you are involved in a car accident with an uninsured driver, your options will depend mostly on your own insurance coverage. California requires drivers to carry liability insurance, but many still do not. Because of this, uninsured motorists are fairly common. When the at fault driver has no insurance, there is no liability policy to pay for your damages, which can complicate the claim process.
In many cases, injured victims turn to their own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. This applies when the at fault driver does not have insurance to pay for the harm caused. UM benefits may help cover medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If UM coverage is not available, the victim can still pursue the uninsured driver directly through a personal injury lawsuit.
Recovering compensation can be difficult when the at fault driver lacks sufficient assets or income. These cases usually involve complex legal and insurance issues that require careful evaluation. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we offer FREE legal consultations to review available coverage, identify all potential sources of recovery, and help prevent mistakes that could weaken your claim.
How Many People Are Injured in Car Accidents Every Year?
According to the NHTSA, traffic deaths in the U.S. decreased in 2023. An estimated 40,901 people died in motor vehicle crashes, representing 1,820 fewer fatalities when compared to 2022, which is a 4.3% decrease year over year. The mortality rate dropped 6.0% from 1.34 to 1.26 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT).
Motor vehicle crash injuries increased slightly in 2023. NHTSA estimates indicate that 2.44 million individuals were injured, up from 2.38 million in 2022, a 2.5% rise. The injury rate, however, remained unchanged at 75 injuries per 100 million VMT.
Crash volume also rose. Police-reported traffic collisions increased to roughly 6.14 million in 2023, up from 5.93 million in 2022, alongside a 1.6% increase in total VMT based on data reported by the FHWA.
More recently, NHTSA’s early estimates for the first half of 2025 show ongoing progress. From January through June 2025, about 17,140 people died in motor vehicle crashes, resulting in an 8.2% decline when compared to the same period in 2024 when 18,680 fatalities were reported.
What to Do After a Car Accident?
After a car accident, you should check yourself and others for injuries. Call emergency services, if needed. Be sure to remain at the accident scene until help arrives and it is safe for you to leave. Make sure to exchange contact information with all involved parties, and cooperate with law enforcement to ensure an official police report has been created. You can request a copy if you plan on pursuing a personal injury claim against the at fault party.
Try to gather evidence as soon as you can. Take photos or videos of vehicle damage, road conditions, and visible injuries. Reach out to bystanders and ask for their contact information, as well. Witness statements can later support what happened. These details all play a critical role in determining fault and protecting your rights.
Seeking immediate medical attention after the incident is important, even if you feel like you endured minor bodily harm. Maintain copies of your diagnoses, bills, and medical records. These will be used to exhibit how the accident affected your daily life.
Once immediate concerns have been handled, reach out to a skilled attorney. Car accident claims may involve insurance negotiations, liability disputes, and strict deadlines. A Glendale car accident lawyer can guide you through the entire process, ensuring you are given the best possible outcome.
How Much Are Most Car Accident Settlements?
Car accident settlements will differ based on the severity of bodily injuries, the amount of available insurance coverage, and how clearly fault can be established. In minor to moderate cases, settlements may range from a few thousand dollars to the low six figures. Accidents involving severe injuries can result in higher settlement amounts or court awards.
Settlements are driven by measurable financial losses, like medical bills, future treatment costs, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity. These economic damages form the baseline of a personal injury claim because they can be supported with documentation, such as pay records and invoices. The greater the losses are, the higher the potential settlement value will be.
In addition to economic damages, injured victims may also recover non-economic damages. These compensate for harms that are real, but are not easily quantified, like emotional distress, lost enjoyment of life, and pain and suffering. Non-economic damages make up a large portion of a settlement, especially in cases where long-term recovery or permanent impairment are involved.
Injured in a Car Accident? Our Glendale Personal Injury Lawyers Are Here to Help
Car accident victims deserve reliable representation when injuries affect their lives. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our experienced legal professionals guide clients through every stage of the process, from investigating the accident to handling insurance negotiations. We will focus on defending your interests and pursuing compensation that reflects the true value of your losses.
To book a FREE initial consultation with one of our Glendale car accident attorneys, you can connect with us by calling (213) 927-3700ย or completing our easy online contact form.
