Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer

A car accident can change your life in an instant. Whether it’s a major collision or a minor fender-bender, the aftermath can be stressful and overwhelming. Injuries might not be immediately apparent, leading to unexpected medical bills and financial strain. Insurance companies often try to minimize or deny your claim when you need help the most.

You don’t have to face this alone. Our dedicated team of car accident attorneys understands the challenges you’re dealing with and is committed to fighting for the compensation you deserve. We’ll handle the legal process so you can focus on healing and moving forward.

Contact us today at (213) 927-3700 or use our online contact form to speak with our personal injury attorneys. We’re here to support you every step of the way.

Who’s Fighting for You? | Founder and President of West Coast Trial Lawyers

Neama Rahmani, our co-founder and President, leads our Los Angeles car accident team. He began his legal career early, graduating from UCLA at 19 and Harvard Law School at 22. Neama has a broad range of experience—from prosecuting cartel members as a Federal Prosecutor to working as the Director of Enforcement for the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission. He now uses this experience to guide our dedicated team of Car Accident Lawyers, focusing on getting justice for accident victims with strong leadership and expertise.

Why Choose West Coast Trial Lawyers For Your Car Accident Case?

At WCTL, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that a car accident can take on a person’s life. That’s why we are committed to providing our clients with the highest level of service and representation. Here are just a few reasons why you should choose us for your car accident case:

• Experience: Our team of car accident lawyers have over 20 years of experience in handling complex car accident cases and are Harvard Educated. We have the knowledge and expertise to navigate the intricacies of California car accident laws and help you receive the maximum compensation.
• Success: We have a proven track record of success in recovering over $1.6 billion for our clients. Our attorneys are dedicated to achieving the best possible outcomes for car accident victims.
• 24/7 Service: We take the time to listen to our clients’ concerns and provide personalized service tailored to their needs. Your case is unique, and we treat it with the individual attention it deserves. Unlike many other firms, we are available to come to you 24/7.
• NO FEES UNTIL WE WIN: We work on a contingency fee basis, which means that you don’t pay us unless we win your case. This ensures that you can access top-notch legal representation without any upfront costs.

Should I Hire a Los Angeles Car Accident Attorney?

While you are not legally required to hire an attorney after a car accident, navigating the claims process on your own can be difficult. Although managing everything on your own might seem reasonable, without legal expertise you could face challenges that prevent you from receiving the full compensation you deserve—or worse, risk losing your entire claim. Dealing with insurance companies, understanding complex legal paperwork, and managing the stress of recovery can make the situation overwhelming.

How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help?

Hiring an experienced car accident attorney can be the most important step to helping you navigate the complexities of a car accident case and securing the best possible outcome. A person injury lawyer will advocate on your behalf, handle communications with insurance companies, and ensure that all legal procedures are correctly followed. This professional support not only alleviates stress but also significantly increases your chances of maximizing your compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

Can I Afford the Services of a Car Accident Attorney?

Yes, you can! We provide high-quality legal representation on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront—we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. Our experienced auto accident attorneys specialize in handling car accident cases and will deal directly with insurance companies on your behalf. Plus, we offer a free case evaluation to explore your options, whether it’s negotiating a settlement or pursuing a personal injury lawsuit.

Having proper medical documentation and legal representation is crucial for a successful personal injury claim, as it can significantly impact the outcome and help navigate the complex claims process.

Deadline To File A Los Angeles Car Accident Claim

California car crash victims have to know that it will take time to make a claim to a California insurance provider. It is important to understand the distinction between a car accident claim and a car accident lawsuit; while a claim is typically filed with an insurance company, a lawsuit involves legal action in court and often requires consulting with qualified attorneys.

According to section 335.1 of California’s code of civil procedure, the state’s statutes of limitation for injury cases begin at the moment of a discovered injury. This allows victims of automobile accidents an initial 2-year window in which to pursue legal action against the at-fault parties. If you are injured by a government employee or need to make a claim against a government entity, you are required to make the appropriate government claim with the appropriate government agency within six months

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Car accidents in Los Angeles can be attributed to a variety of factors. Distracted driving, speeding, and drunk driving are among the most common causes of car accidents in this city. Distracted driving, particularly due to cell phone use while behind the wheel, is a significant cause of vehicle accidents in Los Angeles, despite laws prohibiting such behavior.

Speeding remains one of the primary factors leading to accidents in Los Angeles, including a notable proportion of fatal collisions. Common traffic violations leading to serious accidents include failing to yield the right-of-way, performing illegal maneuvers, as well as ignoring stop signs and traffic lights. Adverse weather and suboptimal road conditions also play a role in the occurrence of motor vehicle accidents in Los Angeles.

Different Types of Car Accidents

Los Angeles, with its bustling traffic and vast highways, sees a variety of motor vehicle accidents every day. Just in 2022, California had over 4047 fatalities resulting from car accidents, that equals to about 11 per day. These accidents include:

• Rear-end collisions
• Head-on crashes
• Side-impact collisions
• Single car accidents
• Multi-Car accidents

Each type of accident has its unique causes and potential injuries. Common car accident injuries, such as whiplash, often result from rear-end accidents due to drivers not paying attention to the road. Head-on collisions may be caused by a vehicle drifting into oncoming traffic and frequently result in the deployment of airbags, which may cause other delayed pain symptoms.

Side-impact or T-bone accidents usually occur at intersections or in parking lots, causing substantial damage to vehicle sides. Single car accidents involve collisions with static objects or situations where drivers lose control of their vehicles, ranging from hitting road debris to animal collisions.

​​Our law firm specializes in representing clients across the spectrum of car accidents detailed above. Our expertise extends to addressing the unique challenges and injuries associated with each type of accident, ensuring that our clients receive comprehensive legal support from a dedicated Los Angeles car accident lawyer tailored to their specific circumstances.

Car Accident Statistics in California

The most important part of preventing future car accident accidents is educating the public on traffic accidents. Keeping track of the current auto accident statistics and how they affect the LA area to help determine what caused this accident can be valuable. According to the latest information available by the Los Angeles County Office of Traffic Safety (2020), 26132 fatalities have been reported. Among the resulting accidents, 228 involved drunk drivers, 3.397 had speed-related incidents and 3903 involved collisions with pedestrians. In 2019, California had more than 66.378 deaths.

Proving Negligence in a Car Accident

Negligence is a fundamental concept in personal injury law that refers to a failure to behave with the level of care that someone of ordinary caution would have exercised under the same circumstances. This concept applies to actions taken, as well as those that were not taken but should have been, leading to unintended harm or injury. In the context of Los Angeles car accident cases, proving negligence is crucial for a successful claim.

Gross Negligence

While negligence refers to a lack of care or a failure to take reasonable precautions, gross negligence denotes a more severe level of carelessness. Gross negligence implies a conscious and voluntary disregard for the need to use reasonable care, which is likely to cause foreseeable grave injury or harm to persons, property, or both. It’s characterized by actions that show a substantial deviation from how a reasonable person would act in the same situation.

In personal injury cases, identifying gross negligence is crucial because it can impact the severity of the penalties and the type of damages awarded. For instance, in cases where gross negligence is proven, punitive damages, which are intended to punish the defendant and deter similar future conduct, may be awarded in addition to compensatory damages.

Most Common Car Accident Injuries

Los Angeles auto accidents can result in a range of injuries, from mild to severe, affecting victims in both the short and long term. The chaotic nature of city traffic, combined with high speeds on freeways, contributes to the severity and variety of injuries that can occur. Among the most common injuries are:

• Whiplash and Neck Injuries: Sudden movements of the head and neck during an accident can cause these injuries, leading to pain and limited mobility.
• Broken Bones: The force of a collision often results in fractures, which can range from simple breaks that heal with time to more complex fractures requiring surgical intervention.|
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): One of the most serious outcomes, TBIs can range from mild concussions with temporary symptoms to severe brain damage affecting cognitive and physical functions.
• Lacerations and Bruises: Sharp objects, broken glass, and the force of impact can cause cuts and bruising, sometimes leading to significant blood loss or cosmetic concerns.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: These injuries can lead to temporary or permanent changes in strength, sensation, and other body functions below the site of the injury.
• Internal Injuries: Damage to internal organs and internal bleeding can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

In addition to these physical injuries, it’s crucial to acknowledge the possibility of wrongful death in severe cases. Auto accidents can tragically result in fatalities, leaving families to cope with the loss of a loved one and the legal implications that follow. Whether dealing with recoverable injuries or the profound impact of a wrongful death, legal assistance is invaluable in navigating the aftermath of an automobile accident.

What Damages Can I Collect from a Car Accident Claim?

Victims of car accidents in Los Angeles are entitled to various forms of financial compensation for their damages. These damages may include medical expenses, lost wages, and factors pertaining to pain and suffering.

Economic Damages

Economic damages in car accident cases in Los Angeles can include medical expenses covering both immediate and long-term medical care like hospital bills, therapy costs, medication, and future medical needs. Victims can also receive compensation for lost wages if they are unable to work post-accident, which encompasses salary, commissions, bonuses, tips, and retirement contributions.

Economic damages also include:

• Repair and replacement costs for damaged property such as vehicles and personal belongings
• Loss of use damages like rental cars and hotel expenses
• Out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident, including travel costs to medical appointments and payments for services that victims cannot perform

These expenses should be documented for compensation claims.

There is no statutory cap on the amount of economic damages that can be awarded in California, enabling full recovery of verified monetary losses.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages in Los Angeles car accident cases cover:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Scarring
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Decreased quality of life

The value of these damages is often calculated using a multiplier method, where economic damages are multiplied by a number based on the severity of pain and suffering.

The daily rate or ‘per diem’ method is another approach to estimating non-economic damages, which assigns a monetary amount to each day of the victim’s suffering. Physical evidence, like the clothes worn during the crash, can help show the extent of physical and emotional trauma resulting from the breach.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages in Los Angeles are awarded in rare cases where a defendant’s conduct is classified as malice, oppression, or fraud. Willful and wanton negligence, where the defendant acted intentionally with knowledge of the probable harm, can also justify punitive damages in California.

There are no statutory caps on punitive damages for personal injury cases in Los Angeles, and awards must be reasonable and related to the actual harm and general damages recovered. The amount of punitive damages is not fixed and is determined by evaluating the reprehensibility of the conduct, the defendant’s behavior patterns, and their financial condition; punitive damages in wrongful death cases are limited unless the defendant is convicted of felony murder.

What If I’m Partially to Blame for the Accident?

Even if you think you may be partially at fault for the accident, it’s important not to admit liability at the scene or when speaking with insurance companies. California operates under a comparative negligence system, which means you can still recover damages even if you share some of the blame. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re found to be 20% at fault, your total compensation would be reduced by 20%.

Navigating this process can be complex, and admitting fault prematurely might jeopardize your ability to receive fair compensation. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer can help assess your situation, protect your rights, and work toward securing the best possible outcome—even if you’re partially responsible.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Los Angeles

After a car accident take these following steps:

1. Safety First! Seek Medical attention if you are injured.
2. File a claim with all collected information, including the other driver’s details and witness statements if available. But, don’t speak to the other party’s insurance provider, they may use your words against you.
3. Call a car accident lawyer in LA to handle all legal and insurance negotiations, allowing you to focus on recovery without the additional stress.

In cases where the at-fault party is a government entity, one must adhere to the California Tort Claims Act, which includes filing a claim within six months and specific procedures post-claim rejection.

Trying to handle a car accident claim on your own will not only get you less money than you deserve, but it is more stressful than you may think. The insurance companies are not on your side. They are trained to pay car accident victims less than what they deserve. Their success is entirely dependent on making money by paying you less than what they collect in premiums.

Our experienced team of Los Angeles car accident attorneys will take care of everything for you. We will file a claim with the insurance companies, help with your medical treatment, take care of all the paperwork, build a strong case in your favor, and help you win the maximum amount of compensation you deserve.

What if My Car Accident Case Goes to Court?

The legal process for car accident cases involves several steps. Settlement discussions typically ensue after the demand letter is sent, with the option of mediation involving a neutral third party if direct negotiations stall. If an equitable settlement isn’t reached, the legal process advances to filing a lawsuit, after which the defendant is served and responds, followed by the discovery phase involving information exchange and evidence gathering.

Should mediation fail or settlement negotiations not result in an agreement, the case proceeds to trial. At trial, the following steps occur:

1. Evidence is presented by both parties.
2. Witness testimony is given.
3. Closing arguments are made.
4. The judge or jury deliberates and reaches a verdict.

The duration of personal injury cases largely depends on the specifics of each case, such as the severity of the injuries, the clarity of fault, and the willingness of the parties to settle. On average, a straightforward case might resolve within a few months when both sides agree on the circumstances and the compensation.

However, if there are disagreements about what happened, if you have serious injuries with long-term effects, or if the case goes to trial, the timeline can become much longer—sometimes lasting several years. This extra time is usually due to detailed investigations, the “discovery” process where both sides share information, negotiation periods, and the court’s schedule. Understanding this timeline is important for setting realistic expectations and preparing for the legal journey ahead. Patience and the guidance of a skilled car accident attorney become invaluable assets in navigating this process toward a favorable outcome.

What if I’m Involved in a Collision With an Uninsured Motorist in Los Angeles?

If you were involved in an automobile accident and the party at-fault does not have insurance or has insufficient coverage, you may be able to receive compensation from your own insurance carrier if you purchased uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

In California, all automobile insurance companies are required to offer uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage to their policyholders. In many situations, the amount of coverage for uninsured/underinsured motorists will be equal to the liability limits of your auto policy.

It should be noted that, if you have not purchased uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, you may still be able to recover damages.

Speak to a Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer Today!

WCTL’s reputation for excellence in Los Angeles is reinforced by 5-star reviews and a dedication to transparent communication. We offer comprehensive case handling for you and your loved ones, including property damage, without additional charges, and work on a contingency fee basis, ensuring our services are accessible to those in need.

You can reach our Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyers by phone at (213) 927-3700 or fill out our easy online contact form to speak with our legal team today.

With extensive trial experience and a track record of success in high-profile cases, we provide unparalleled advocacy for your auto accident claim. Trust us to leverage our local expertise and commitment to securing the best possible outcome for you.

Helpful Articles From Our Car Accident Attorneys

At WCTL, we are committed to providing our clients with the information they need to make informed decisions about their car accident case. Here are some helpful articles from our Auto Accident Lawyers:

• How to Get Your Car Fixed After a Car Accident
• Is Brake Checking Someone Illegal?
• Is It Illegal to Not Have Car Insurance in California?
• What is a Fender Bender? [A Guide on How To Handle Them]