Woodland Hills Car Accident Lawyer

With a population of over 77,000 residents, Woodland Hills is an ever growing city that many travel to either for work or for enjoyment. With popular destinations such as the Topanga Village becoming a hub of social gatherings, and Pierce Community College attracting a variety of aspiring applicants, there are a number of drivers occupying the roads and chances are, you may become involved in a car accident.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers we will do our duty to ensure that you are fairly represented in the California court system and receive fair compensation for any car accident claim you may have. We are a reputable law firm with over 20 years of legal experience and our team of car accident attorneys are well versed in handling car accident cases. From rear-end collisions to drunk driving accidents, our team of dedicated lawyers are ready to help you through the legal process and are available 24/7 to answer any questions and concerns you may have.

We have recovered over $1.7 billion in financial compensation to our clients who have sustained injuries and high medical expenses from a serious car accident. With years of experience handling car accident cases under our belts, we are confident that we will get you the maximum compensation that you deserve for your losses.

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay no fees until you win. To schedule a FREE initial consultation, you can get in touch with us by calling us at (213) 927-3700 or by filling out our quick online contact form.

Car Accident Statistics

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) have conducted a Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash report in 2021 and discovered that there were an estimated 6,102,936 police-reported traffic crashes in the United States, and out of that, 42,939 people were killed and an estimated 2,497,657 people were injured as a result. To break it down even further, this means that one person was killed every 12 minutes and an estimated 5 were injured with every passing minute in 2021.

In a State by State fatality report conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, California had the second highest number of fatal crashes in 2021, totaling 3,983 crashes, falling only behind Texas by 85 crashes. On top of all that, negligent and reckless driving has often been cited as the root cause of car accidents throughout the United States.

The NHTSA reported in a 2015 Crash Stats Fact Sheet that about roughly 74% of motor vehicle accidents were caused by negligent driver error, such as speeding, driving under the influence, distracted driving, and drowsy driving. With that in mind, if you have been involved in a serious car accident, it is important to seek legal representation if you want to get compensated for sustained damages and injuries.

Types of Car Accidents In Woodland Hills

When it comes to identifying the most common types of car accidents in Woodland Hills, the scale of the damage is going to be dependent on what type of accident has occurred. From what is typically seen in Woodland Hills, hit and runs, single-car, multi-car, rear-end, and head-on collisions are some of the most prominent due to the city’s road structure and traffic congestion.

So if you have been involved in a car accident and would like to file a personal injury claim, it is important to understand the different types of accidents in order to have a better understanding when you meet with a car accident attorney.

Hit and Run Accidents

One of the most frustrating accidents to be involved in, a hit and run accident is when a driver crashes into another vehicle, pedestrian, or property and leaves the scene immediately after. Hit and run accidents go against California Vehicle Code 20002, which states that every driver must stay at the scene of the accident and cooperate with the other parties involved.

Any violation against that rule will result in the hit and run driver being charged with a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the severity of the accident. They may also face jail time of up to 6 months and/or be fined up to $1,000.

However, if car accident victims of a hit and run face bodily injury or death, then according to California Vehicle Code 20001, the driver will face a prison sentence of up to one year in state prison or county jail. They may also be charged with a fine ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. In addition, they will also be given two points towards their driving record, and if they get two more points within the same 12 month period then their license will be revoked or suspended.

When it comes to determining why someone would commit a hit and run accident, a AAA hit and run study has indicated that the incurred time of the incident is a huge motivating factor. This is because when at fault drivers cause an accident when it is late at night or very early morning, they believe that there are no witnesses around to hold them accountable.

Single-Car Accident

A single-car accident is referred to as an accident that causes damage to only one vehicle. According to a 2021 Fatality Facts report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), about 55% of fatal car accidents are derived from single-vehicle accidents in California. However, it is important to note that these types of accidents typically occur when one driver is attempting to avoid crashing into another driver, or if the driver loses control because of a road hazard or poor weather conditions.

As such, the liability of a single-car accident is dependent on the condition of the driver, the road, and the weather conditions. The only exception to this rule is unless there was a negligent third party that was responsible for creating a road hazard and caused the accident to occur.

Multi-Car Accident

A multi-vehicle accident is when two or more vehicles are involved in a collision. These types of car crashes are often caused by the negligence of a reckless driver and depending on the time and location of the accident, it can potentially turn into a multi-car pileup.

The 2021 IIHS Fatality Facts report has discovered that roughly 45% of fatal auto accidents are from multi-car accidents and pileups. While these types of accidents are not as fatal when directly compared to single-car incidents, these cases can take up more time to process due to multiple parties and insurance companies becoming involved and trying to determine a liable party.

Head-On Collisions

A head-on collision is a type of motor vehicle collision where the front ends of two vehicles strike one another at a significant speed. This type of car accident is one of the most common, especially in Woodland Hills, because distracted drivers and drunk drivers are very likely to be the ones to cause these accidents.

In fact, a high-speed impact from a head-on collision can be extremely fatal as a 2021 Crash Type infograph by the National Safety Council indicates that 27% of all head-on collisions end up as fatal accidents. While the fatality rate of these accidents is dependent on the speed and amount of impact, a head-on collision can still inflict long-term injuries such as paralysis and nerve damage.

Rear-End Accidents

A rear-end car accident is without a doubt, one of the most common types of accidents where one driver crashes into the back of another vehicle. Due to the nature of rear-end accidents, they are typically less intense compared to other accidents and less likely to sustain severe injuries. However, they can still inflict lasting damage depending on the force of impact.

The California Office of Traffic Safety has reported in a Speeding Collision report that approximately 35% of all speeding related car accidents were rear-end accidents. This tends to happen when a driver is either navigating through congested traffic or if they are not paying attention to the road, the distance between each car, or their speed.

Common Car Accident Injuries

Car crashes often produce devastating injuries depending on the speed and force of impact. From traumatic brain injuries to internal bleeding, it is important to understand the different types of injuries that can be sustained in a car accident when you are filing a personal injury claim. However, if you have sustained any serious injuries due to a car accident, it is recommended to seek medical attention for any of the following injuries.

Head Injuries

Brain injuries are some of the most common injuries found in traffic accidents and a car accident is no different. Head injuries are classified as either penetrating or non-penetrating depending on the force of the crash, impact of the collision, and the state of the injury. Depending on the severity of the injury, victims may suffer agitations, dreaded dizziness, headaches, blurred vision and many other signs that require immediate medical treatment.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord and neck injuries are another common type of injury found in a car accident. Similarly to head injuries, spine and neck injuries are very serious and can easily occur in an accident, due the spine’s limited amount of ability to absorb heavy impacts. As a result, the amount of force that is inflicted onto the spine and neck area can potentially inflict long lasting injuries such as paralysis and a loss of motor functions.

Burn Injuries

A burn injury is one of the more severe types of injuries that can be sustained in accidents where a car crash results in a fire or explosion. If an accident victim is trapped long enough to sustain a burn injury, then they can suffer a variety of burns. While first-degree burns are considered to be extremely minor injuries, third-degree burns are considered to be more severe and it needs to be treated immediately or else it can permanently disfigure the body.

Internal Injuries

Internal injuries are often referred to as internal bleeding and damage to internal organs. These types of injuries are typically caused by sudden high speed trauma and if there are any organ rupture or internal bleeding, it can become fatal. While victims of these types of accidents may seem alright from the outside, a high speed collision can potentially cause internal bleeding and can lead to death if not treated immediately.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

The cost of hiring a car accident attorney will be dependent on the lawyer’s experience, the complexity of the case, and what kind of pay structure they utilize. However, most Woodland Hills accident attorneys utilize a contingency fee structure due to its accessibility for accident victims who may struggle to afford a personal injury attorney. 

A contingency structure means that clients won’t have to pay any upfront fees and lawyers won’t get paid unless they win the case or secure a settlement for their client. This is particularly beneficial for clients because it ensures them that your lawyer will seek the best outcome for the case no matter what.

When Should I Hire a Car Accident Attorney for a Personal Injury Case? 

If you were involved in any type of car accident that has caused severe injuries, it is recommended for you to take immediate legal action to acquire economic and non-economic damages for losses caused by the incident. This is due to the fact that the amount of medical care and possible surgery associated with severe car accidents can become costly and sometimes these personal injury claims can take some time to process and to properly compensate damages.

Insurance companies are known to offer low compensation to accident victims and an experienced car accident attorney will negotiate with these insurance companies to make sure you are given the maximum compensation to pay for your damages.

Our Woodland Hills Car Accident Lawyers Are Here To Help

If you were involved in a car accident in the Woodland Hills area due to someone else’s negligence, you may be able to sue to recover damages. Recoverable damages in personal accident cases such as these may include medical bills, lost wages, and even wrongful deaths. No matter what kind of accident you were involved in, it is important to understand all possible legal options so that you can make the best out of your situation.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our team of Woodland Hills car accident attorneys have over 20 years of collective legal experience in handling car accident cases and we are confident that we will get you the financial compensation you deserve for your losses. We have recovered over $1.7 billion in financial compensation for our clients and we will continue to fight for their rights.

To schedule a FREE consultation at our Woodland Hills personal injury law firm, reach out to our 24/7 legal team by calling (213) 927-3700 or by completing our easy online contact form.

Frequently Asked Questions For Your Woodland Hills Car Accident Attorney

How Long Does a Car Accident Lawsuit Take?

The length of an auto accident suit will be dependent on the nature of the car accident and the severity of the sustained injuries. For minor to moderate personal injury suits, they can be processed and settled within a few months, and the negligent driver’s insurance company will typically issue compensation soon after. However, for complex car accident suits with severe injuries and property damages, that can take anywhere between several months to years.

How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?

Most car accident attorneys work on a contingency based system, which means they won’t get paid unless they win a case or receive a settlement offer for their client. As a result, the contingency fee can range anywhere between 25% to 40% with most personal injury attorneys averaging around 33%.

However, if you are unsure about the strength and overall value of your case, most car accident lawyers do offer free consultation, so you can go and discuss your case in detail without having to worry about any legal fees.

What Is the Statute of Limitations in California?

According to Section 335.1 of California’s legislation, all personal injury cases are required to be filed within two years of the incident date. If you do not file a claim within that time frame, you waive your right to file a personal injury case against a responsible party and you would not be able to receive compensation from the incident.