Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer

Elite Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer | Proven Track Record of Success

Welcome to West Coast Trial Lawyers, where we offer more than just expert Los Angeles Car Accident Attorney services; we're your dedicated partners in the pursuit of justice. Where legal agents unite to help you achieve the compensation you deserve. Our law firm has received significant attention from media outlets, highlighting our unwavering dedication to assisting those in need.  We guarantee that our legal team will treat each and every personal injury case with the same acumen as those high profile cases seen on T.V, magazines and popular news platforms. We take. Whether it be a minor auto accident or catastrophic injury, our lawyers are ready and waiting to speak with you, offering their assistance during this challenging time. Have you recently experienced a car accident in Los Angeles? Finding a dedicated Los Angeles car accident lawyer is crucial to protect your rights and claim fair compensation.  Call us at (888) 573-3619 or fill out our easy contact form and one of our legal representatives will reach out immediately.

Why Choose Our Elite Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyers?

Our Elite Car Accident Lawyers in Los Angeles have built a reputation founded on success. We have a proven track record of successful resolutions, with over $1.6 billion recovered for our deserving clients, providing our clients with the confidence they need as they navigate the complex legal landscape of a car accident lawsuit. Boasting a dedicated team of over 20 attorneys and 100 staff from prestigious backgrounds like Harvard, we provide unmatched, personalized service right from our Los Angeles office—no outsourcing, just direct support. We take the stress off our clients’ shoulders by:

• Overseeing settlement negotiations, and adhering to California’s statutory deadlines for filing lawsuits.
• Handling all paperwork throughout the injury claims process, including litigation 
• Maximizing compensation for damages while saving our clients time through coordinated scheduling of court dates and liaising with healthcare providers
• Allowing our clients to focus on their recovery

Our expertise in personal injury law specific to Los Angeles allows us to interpret complex legal situations accurately and provide informed advice. Our initial consultations are free, enabling potential clients to determine if our lawyer’s approach aligns with their needs without any financial pressure. Choosing to partner with us means our services are offered on a contingency fee basis; this Guarantees you pay no fees until you win!

Who's fighting for you? | Founder and President of West Coast Trial Lawyers

Neama Rahmani, our esteemed co-founder and President, is at the forefront of our Los Angeles car accident division. His early legal beginnings, marked by graduating UCLA at 19 and graduating from Harvard Law School by 22, showcase his exceptional foundation. Neama's diverse experience, from prosecuting cartel members as a Federal Prosecutor to his impactful work as the Director of Enforcement for the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission, underscores his extensive legal acumen. Today, he leverages this wealth of experience to lead our dedicated team, focusing on delivering justice for car accident victims with unparalleled leadership and expertise.

Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents in Los Angeles

  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.

​​Common Causes of Car Accidents in Los Angeles

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.

Common Injuries from LA Auto Accidents

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.

Determining Fault in Los Angeles Car Accidents

  Determining fault in a car accident in Los Angeles is a complex process. It involves proving negligence through the following steps:

1. Duty of care: Showing that the other driver had a legal obligation to drive safely and follow traffic laws.
2. Breach of duty: Demonstrating that the other driver failed to meet their duty of care by acting negligently or recklessly.
3. Causation: Establishing that the other driver’s breach of duty directly caused the accident.

Harm caused by the breach: Proving that the accident resulted in injuries, property damage, or other losses. Experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyers play a pivotal role in this process. They conduct thorough investigations and reconstruct the accident events, gathering evidence such as police reports, photos, videos, and witness statements to establish fault in a car accident claim.

Duty of Care

In the context of car accident cases in California, the ‘duty of care’ is a legal obligation to use reasonable care to avoid causing injury to others. This obligation is outlined in California Civil Code section 1714(a), which states that everyone is responsible for injuries caused to another by their lack of ordinary care or skill. A duty of care can be established by law or by common law. It requires individuals to manage their property or themselves with ordinary care or skill. Courts consider several factors to determine the existence of a duty of care, including the foreseeability of harm and the policy of preventing future harm.

Breach of Duty

A breach of duty occurs when someone fails to adhere to the established standard of care, potentially leading to injury or damage. In court, this breach is proven through:

• Expert testimony on the required skill and knowledge
• Accident reconstruction
• Establishing that a reasonable person would not have acted as the defendant did

Common breaches of duty include distracted driving, speeding, drunk driving, tailgating, and instances of road rage. Specific examples of a breach of duty are a driver failing to secure a load properly, leading to road debris, and actions that violate a duty of care, such as unsafe driving behaviors.

Causation and Damages

Causation is a crucial component of California negligence claims. It requires the establishment of both Cause In Fact and Proximate Cause to hold a party responsible for an injury. Gathering evidence such as photos and videos is essential to demonstrate a driver’s breach of duty, which is necessary to link the conduct to the victim’s injuries. The strength of a causation argument can be affected by the defendant’s moral blame and the foreseeability of harm, as well as any intervening events that may disrupt the causal chain. For damages to be awarded in personal injury cases, it must be determined with certainty that the plaintiff suffered injuries as a direct result of the accident, emphasizing the policy of preventing future harm.  

What Is Negligence and how does it affect my auto accident claim in Los Angeles?

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. The distinction between negligence and gross negligence is significant in legal proceedings. It not only influences the strategy for presenting a case but also affects the potential outcomes in terms of compensation and legal repercussions for the defendant. Understanding these concepts is essential for anyone seeking justice in a personal injury case, especially in the complex landscape of Los Angeles car accidents. We highly suggest speaking to a dedicated motor-vehicle accident attorney as soon as you can. 

How a Car Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles Can Help 

It is possible for more than one individual to be held liable for causing a collision. California is a comparative negligence state, which means that more than one party may be found liable for causing a car accident in Los Angeles. Therefore, liability can be divided based on the degree of fault. Damages are also divided based on the share of fault. Finally, any available damages will be reduced depending on a driver’s individual degree of fault.    Understanding comparative fault laws is crucial when dealing with car accident claims, as demonstrated in this scenario below involving Ana and Carl:   Ana, unaware of her car's faulty brakes which sometimes delay response, finds herself in a serious situation on the road. Meanwhile, Carl, distracted by an incoming text message, overlooks the traffic coming to a standstill but manages to stop his vehicle just in the nick of time. Unfortunately, Ana, unaware of her car's brake issue, collides with Carl’s stationary car. This situation shows how both parties share can responsibility: Ana for driving an unsafe vehicle and Carl for his distracted driving.   In such cases, liability is allocated based on each party's degree of fault, affecting the damages recoverable. This scenario not only highlights the complexity of determining fault in car accidents but also shows that multiple factors can contribute to these incidents.   Moreover, car accidents caused by faulty vehicle parts, such as Ana's brakes, introduce the possibility of claims against: 

• Manufacturers
• Designers
• Distributors
• Safety inspectors
• Dealerships
• Technicians
• Other third parties

  These cases emphasize the importance of thorough investigation and the need for a Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer to navigate the intricacies of car accident claims and comparative fault laws effectively. 

Financial Compensation for Car Accident Victims

  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. To properly evaluate and estimate the value of a personal injury case, attorneys rely on meticulous examination of evidence, including medical bills, records, pictures of injuries, financial records, and wage statements, to demonstrate the full extent of financial losses and the severity of the injuries sustained.

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 Should I do right after a Car accident in Los Angeles?

After a car accident, it is imperative to take the 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.

Time Limits for Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in California

The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit in California, including car accident cases, is two years from the date of the injury.  If a car accident results in death, the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death lawsuit is calculated from the date of the person’s death. For claims related to vehicle damage alone, the statute of limitations extends to three years from the accident date. Filing a lawsuit after the expiration of the statute of limitations will typically result in the court refusing to hear the case, except in certain situations such as if the injured party is a minor or if the defendant has left the state of California. Promptly consulting a car accident attorney is crucial to meet legal deadlines and file the case within California’s two-year statute of limitations, thus enhancing the chances of a favorable outcome.

What to Expect During the Legal Process

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 the case involves disputed facts, severe injuries with long-term effects, or if it goes to trial, the timeline can extend significantly, sometimes spanning several years. This extended duration is usually due to the detailed investigation required, the process of discovery where both sides exchange information, negotiation periods, and the court's schedule. Understanding this timeline is crucial for setting realistic expectations and preparing for the legal journey ahead. Patience and the guidance of a skilled 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.  For example, if you had a $50,000 underinsured/uninsured motorist policy limit and the other at-fault driver had only $25,000 liability limits, you would be entitled to collect the full $25,000 difference from your insurance carrier along with $25,000 from the insurance carrier for the at-fault driver. If your underinsured or uninsured policy limit was $30,000, you would first collect $25,000 from the at-fault driver’s policy and then only be able to collect $5,000 from your own carrier. It should be noted that, if you have not purchased uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, you may still be able to recover damages.   

Speak to an expert 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 (888) 573-3619 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.