Los Angeles Car Accident Attorney

If you have been involved in a car accident in Los Angeles, it is important to seek out the legal advice and representation of an experienced car accident attorney. A Los Angeles auto accident lawyer can help you navigate through the complexities of the law, protect your rights, and ensure that you receive just compensation for any injuries or damages sustained as a result of the incident.

At Wilshire Law Firm, our experienced auto accident attorneys understand how difficult this time can be for victims and their families, which is why our team of dedicated Los Angeles attorneys strives to provide compassionate and knowledgeable legal assistance to those who need it most. We are committed to helping you get justice from negligent parties so that you can move forward with your life. Call our Los Angeles Car Accident Law Firm 24/7 at (213) 335-2402 to start a free case review.

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How a Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

For over 15 years, the car crash lawyers at Wilshire Law Firm have been fighting for the justice and compensation of our injured clients and their families, and have recovered over one billion dollars for those clients.

Consulting with an experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney about your car accident claim is one of the most important steps you can take following an automobile incident that causes injuries or the devastating loss of a loved one. We’ll work to ensure that your rights are protected, that you receive the settlement you deserve, and that all the necessary paperwork is filed in a timely manner.

Steps We Take For You

The Los Angeles car accident lawyers at Wilshire Law Firm will ensure that all the details of your car accident claim are taken care of.

Some of the many steps we take for our injured clients include:

• Gathering evidence and conducting an investigation. This often includes Interviewing witnesses who can provide valuable information and may have used their cell phones to video the accident
• Obtain and review your medical records to prove the extent of your injuries
• Handling negotiations with insurance companies and other parties involved in the accident
• Taking depositions from the other people involved in the accident and accompanying you for your deposition if the other attorney wishes to take one.
• Providing legal counsel throughout the duration of the case
• Calculating damages, both economic and non-economic
• Working hard to make sure that any settlement or verdict is fair and just and that your rights are protected throughout the process.

In addition to providing legal counsel and representation, our Los Angeles car accident lawyers can provide invaluable advice on how best to handle the situation and ensure that you receive the compensation you need for medical bills, vehicle repairs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. They will also be able to evaluate whether a lawsuit is the best option for your case, as well as help you determine if the insurance company is offering an appropriate settlement.

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Common Car Accident Causes in Los Angeles

If you live in Los Angeles, you likely spend several hours each week on the road, navigating the heavy traffic. Even if you pride yourself on being a cautious, defensive driver, some factors leading to car accidents are simply beyond your control. Many car accidents are caused by others’ negligence or recklessness.

If you’ve suffered injuries in a car accident due to someone else’s fault, don’t miss critical deadlines to file a personal injury claim. Contact the experienced Los Angeles car accident attorneys at Wilshire Law Firm today. Our law firm knows how to win car accident cases and help crash victims secure the maximum compensation they deserve.

The following are some of the most common reasons for car accidents in Los Angeles:

Speeding

Speeding is the leading cause of car accidents across the U.S., including in Los Angeles. When a driver exceeds the speed limit, they reduce their ability to react to obstacles, making serious car accident injuries more likely. Speeding contributes to a significant portion of motor vehicle collisions and frequently results in catastrophic injuries or even wrongful death cases. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding accounted for about one-third of car accident deaths in one recent year.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving, such as texting, applying makeup, or eating, is one of the most prevalent causes of car accidents in Los Angeles. Despite public safety campaigns, many drivers continue these risky behaviors, putting others at risk. If a negligent driver caused your accident through distracted driving, Wilshire Law Firm’s auto accident attorneys can help you pursue a car accident claim and obtain fair compensation.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs is both illegal and extremely dangerous. DUI accidents often result in severe or even fatal injuries. If you or a loved one were injured by an impaired driver, our experienced car accident lawyers can help you file a car accident lawsuit to seek financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

Failure to Obey Traffic Signals

Ignoring traffic signals, like running red lights or failing to yield, is a frequent cause of motor vehicle collisions. These violations often lead to serious car accidents, as they create unexpected hazards for other drivers. If you’ve been injured in an accident where another driver failed to follow traffic laws, you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit.

Reckless or Aggressive

Reckless driving, such as tailgating, sudden lane changes, or aggressive speeding, endangers everyone on the road. These behaviors increase the likelihood of car accident injuries and property damage. If an aggressive driver caused your accident, our best car accident attorneys in Los Angeles can help you file a personal injury claim.

Mechanical Malfunctions

In some cases, car accidents result from mechanical failures, like brake malfunctions or tire blowouts. When drivers fail to maintain their vehicles, they put others at risk. If your accident involved a poorly maintained vehicle, our auto accident lawyers can help determine liability and seek compensation for your injuries and medical treatment costs.

Road Hazards

Potholes, debris, and other road hazards contribute to car wrecks in Los Angeles. These conditions can lead to serious injuries if a driver loses control of their vehicle. If a dangerous road condition caused your accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation through a personal injury case.

Drowsy Driving

Driving while fatigued can impair a driver’s reaction time and judgment, leading to accidents. Drowsy driving is especially common among long-haul drivers and shift workers. If a fatigued driver caused your car accident, Wilshire Law Firm’s experienced car accident attorneys can help you hold them accountable.

Weather-Related Failures

Rain, fog, and other weather conditions can create slippery roads and reduced visibility, increasing the risk of motor vehicle accidents. Drivers are expected to adjust their speed and behavior to match road conditions. If another driver failed to do so and caused an accident, you may have a car accident case to seek damages.

Vehicle Defects

Sometimes, car accidents are caused by faulty vehicle parts, such as defective airbags, brakes, or tires. If a defect in your car contributed to your accident, our auto accident attorneys can help you file a car accident lawsuit against the manufacturer.

If you don’t see the specific cause of your car accident listed here, we encourage you to reach out to Wilshire Law Firm. Our Los Angeles car accident lawyers offer a free consultation to review your case, explain California car accident laws, and help you understand your options for obtaining maximum compensation for your injuries. Whether it was a minor car accident or a serious collision resulting in catastrophic injuries, we’re here to guide you through the car accident claim process.

We Use Contingency Fees for Your Los Angeles Car Accident Lawsuit

Pursuing justice and working to collect compensation means making an investment in your case. When you become a client of our Los Angeles Car Accident Law Firm, we want you to know this: Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no fees unless you win. Don’t worry about upfront costs. Just let us get to work on winning your case. We’ve already collected over $1 billion dollars for injured clients and families.

Start Your L.A. Car Accident Lawsuit with a Free & Confidential Case Review

Wilshire Law Firm offers a free review of your Los Angeles car accident injury case. Accepting this offer to meet with our experienced legal team confidentially puts you under no obligation to retain our services. Instead, it provides a chance to get to know our experienced Los Angeles car accident attorneys, ask questions about your injury claim and find the best road forward.

How to Make a Car Accident Injury Claim

First, hire a car accident attorney in L.A. who may help arrange for a medical examination to assess the severity of your injuries. The second phase involves the collection of evidence. This is where our car accident attorneys and investigators will gather any information regarding the accident, including statements and pictures of the collision, which will be presented to the insurance company.

The Deadline for Filing an Injury Claim in Los Angeles

In Los Angeles, California, you have two years from the date of a car accident to file a claim if the accident resulted in injuries. If the accident resulted in a death, you have two years from the date of the person’s death (not the accident) to file a claim. If the accident only resulted in property damage, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a claim.

It’s very important that you consult with a car accident injury lawyer in Los Angeles, California, as soon as possible after the crash. Unfortunately, if the deadline – known as the Statute of Limitations – expires, you most likely cannot file a claim no matter how severe the accident and losses involved.

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Common Types of Car Accident Injuries in Los Angeles

Car accidents in Los Angeles often lead to a wide range of injuries, from minor scrapes to severe, life-altering conditions. Car accident victims may face mounting medical expenses, lost work, and the challenges of physical recovery. The experienced car accident lawyers at Wilshire Law Firm can assist with your car accident claim and help you seek fair compensation for your injuries.

Whiplash

Whiplash is one of the most frequent injuries in motor vehicle collisions, occurring when the head is suddenly forced forward and back. This can strain or damage neck muscles and ligaments, leading to chronic pain, limited mobility, and sometimes long-term disability. Whiplash injuries are common in rear-end accidents and can impact your ability to work.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Traumatic brain injuries are serious injuries resulting from head impact during a car accident. Even a minor TBI can lead to memory loss, headaches, and cognitive difficulties. In severe cases, TBIs can cause long-term or permanent impairment, affecting an individual’s quality of life and ability to work. Our auto accident attorneys can help you secure maximum compensation for the costs associated with traumatic brain injuries.

Broken Bones

Fractures and broken bones are common in serious car accidents. Victims may suffer fractures in their arms, legs, ribs, or other areas. These injuries can require costly surgeries, physical therapy, and extensive recovery time. If you’ve suffered a fracture, our experienced car accident attorneys can help you pursue a personal injury claim for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries can be devastating, often resulting in partial or complete paralysis. These catastrophic injuries may require long-term medical treatment, specialized care, and modifications to daily living arrangements. Car accident cases involving spinal cord injuries typically involve significant financial compensation to cover medical needs and the impact on the victim’s life.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries, including muscle sprains, strains, and tears, are common following vehicle collisions. These injuries often cause pain and discomfort, impacting daily activities and work abilities. Though they may seem minor, soft tissue injuries can lead to long-term issues, and car accident victims may require ongoing medical care.

Internal Injuries

Internal injuries can occur from blunt force trauma during a car accident, potentially damaging organs like the liver, spleen, or lungs. These injuries are not always immediately apparent and may require emergency treatment. Internal injuries can be life-threatening and lead to high medical expenses.

Burns

Burn injuries are possible in accidents involving vehicle fires or exposure to hot surfaces. Burns can be extremely painful, often leading to scarring and sometimes requiring skin grafts or plastic surgery. Severe burn injuries can leave a car accident victim with long-term physical and emotional scars.

Cuts and Lacerations

Cuts and lacerations from broken glass or metal are common in car wrecks. While some cuts are minor, deep lacerations may lead to nerve damage, infection, or scarring. These injuries can result in additional medical bills for necessary treatments and follow-up care.

Chest and Abdominal Injuries

Car accidents can lead to blunt trauma injuries in the chest and abdominal areas, which can cause broken ribs, collapsed lungs, or internal bleeding. These injuries are often serious and require immediate medical treatment to prevent life-threatening complications.

Knee and Leg Injuries

In a car accident, the impact can forcefully jolt the knees, leading to fractures, ligament tears, or dislocations. Knee injuries may require surgery and extensive physical therapy, impacting mobility and quality of life.

Psychological Injuries

In addition to physical injuries, car accident victims often suffer from psychological trauma, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These conditions can severely impact daily functioning and may require long-term therapy or counseling.

If you or a loved one has suffered from any of these car accident injuries, our team of Los Angeles car accident attorneys at Wilshire Law Firm is here to help. With a free consultation, we can review your car accident case, gather your medical records and other necessary evidence, and work toward a car accident settlement that addresses your needs. We understand how challenging car accident injuries can be and will fight to help you receive the maximum compensation you deserve.

Collecting Compensation After a Car Accident in Los Angeles

If you have been injured in a car accident in Los Angeles that was caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness, our team of vehicle crash attorneys in Los Angeles will fight to bring you justice. We seek to restore the losses, known as damages, required to make you and your loved ones whole again in the eyes of the law.

L.A. Car accident injuries can take months, even years, to fully heal, while other expenses can begin to pile up. If you were injured in a collision caused by someone else, you may be entitled to the following compensation:

• Medical expenses including hospitalizations, surgeries, physical therapy and other ongoing treatments
• Lost wages for work missed due to your injuries
• Lost future income when your injuries are so severe that you must shift to a new career
• Pain and suffering
• Punitive damages meant to punish those responsible

At Wilshire Law Firm, we have recovered over one billion dollars in damages for our injured clients. Get started with us today. Call us 24/7 for a free, no-obligation case review.

Fault, Not at Fault Vs No-Fault

California is a Fault state. You cannot add No-Fault insurance to your auto policy here. All parties involved in a car accident are assigned a percentage of the fault for the collision. Then, each driver is responsible for the damages corresponding to their percentage. Usually, the police report is the main piece of evidence used in determine that. However, police reports aren’t always accurate.

If you’ve been the victim of a car accident and are unhappy with the police report findings, call the attorneys at Wilshire Law Firm to make sure your rights are protected.

Dealing with Insurance After a Car Accident in Los Angeles

Car insurance claims can be complicated and difficult to deal with. Having a car accident attorney by your side will help you obtain the results you deserve. The attorney can gather information about the accident, determine the total damages, and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. Remember that the job of an insurance company is to pay out the least amount of money possible. A good auto accident attorney can counteract those tactics and fight for what you rightly deserve.

Dealing with the Other Driver’s Insurance

You should avoid speaking with the other driver’s insurance company. Don’t risk it, or they might trick you into admitting that you were responsible for the accident, which gets them off the hook. The best way to deal with the other party’s insurance carrier is to consult with the Los Angeles personal injury attorneys at Wilshire Law Firm first.

Steps to Take After You’ve Been Injured in a Los Angeles Car Crash

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you should do the following:

• Check for injuries to yourself and everyone involved
• Call emergency services
• Contact the police department
• Take pictures of the damage
• Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver
• Get a free consultation with a Los Angeles car accident attorney
• Cooperate with police officers and provide them with the information they need, (but do not admit to any possible mistakes)
• Obtain the names of any witnesses who saw the accident
• Attend all doctor appointments
• Notify the insurance company
• Make no promises to the other party for any payments

Reporting the Car Accident

Once you’re certain the police and/or an ambulance are on their way, exchange the following information with the other driver.

• Driver’s license
• Insurance company and policy number
• Registration

Do not let the other party leave without giving you their information. If they were at fault, they may be anxious to leave the scene, especially if the police have been called out. Also, call a personal injury lawyer as soon as time permits. This is a very important step to take. An accident attorney will answer your questions and make sure your rights are protected.

When to Report an Auto Accident?

Some of the most common car accidents are low-speed “fender benders.” These types of accidents typically occur in parking lots or while sitting in traffic. Initially, you may be too shocked to notice any pain after such a minor auto accident. For example, if you were rear-ended, you may not feel any pain at that moment. However, the next day, you could wake up with neck and back pain. That can happen even in a minor impact. If that’s the case, call a personal injury lawyer right away to discuss your best options.

How and Where to Report?

Under California law, you must contact the police anytime there has been an accident that caused death or injury or property damage of more than $1,000. You must also call the police if an intoxicated driver is involved in an accident regardless of whether anyone was injured or not. Additionally, if either party leaves the scene without exchanging information then a police report should be made as soon as possible.

Lastly, any hit-and-run car accidents involving another vehicle, pedestrian or other object require a phone call to the authorities.

The Police Report

Police reports usually take some time to complete. Don’t expect to be handed a completed report while you are still at the scene of your car accident. The officers involved will give you their business cards so you can contact them once the report is ready. In some cases, it can be several weeks before that report is ready. At Wilshire Law Firm, obtaining a copy of the police report is just one of the many details that we handle for our clients.

What Not to Say

After an auto accident, some drivers begin rehashing the events of the accident with the other driver. That’s never a good idea. Immediately after an accident, you’ll probably still be disoriented or in shock. Your thought process might be a bit rattled and you may not have a clear idea of the events that led to the accident anyway. Exchange information but do not discuss the accident itself and certainly don’t apologize or admit fault under any circumstances. Wait until the case gets reviewed by a car accident lawyer.

The best thing you can do is to call Wilshire Law Firm as soon as possible. Any missteps can end up costing you dearly.

Our experienced Los Angeles car accident law firm has over 15 years of success and we’ve collected over $1 Billion for injured car crash victims and their loved ones.

Words or Statements Can Be Misunderstood

After a car accident, using words such as “I’m sorry,” “I apologize,” or worse, “It was my fault” will only be used against you in court by the other party’s legal team. The best thing to do is stick to the facts. Gather important information from the other driver, take pictures of the cars, and remain at the scene if the police are on the way.

Never Say That You’re Okay

One of the biggest mistakes many people make after they’ve been in a car accident is to tell the other driver, witnesses, or the police that they’re okay and that they don’t need medical attention. Even in a minor collision, you need to see a doctor. There may be internal bleeding or other underlying issues that haven’t manifested themselves yet.

This is important because the insurance company may try to avoid compensating you for your medical care if you delay seeing a doctor after the car accident. The Los Angeles car accident attorneys at Wilshire Law Firm can help you navigate the legal process so that your rights are protected from unscrupulous insurance companies who only care about their bottom lines. Go to a doctor ASAP after a car accident because:

• Your body may be in shock and you may not feel the pain until a day or two later
• Injuries may not be immediately apparent
• You need to find out the long-term effects of a car accident

Forms and Statements

Many accident victims don’t realize this: you are not required to give an oral or written statement to the other driver’s insurance company. You are also not required to sign any documents given to you by the other driver. Be cautious when discussing the accident with the police especially if they or the other driver ask you if the accident was your fault.

The best option is to call Wilshire Law Firm. We deal with insurance companies, accident reports and at-fault drivers every day. Don’t take everything on by yourself. It could end up costing you dearly.

Witness Statements

A statement from a witness to the crash could be used as a key piece of evidence when trying to prove fault in cases involving car accidents. The witness statement or report will contain information from someone who has no interest or stake in the outcome of a personal injury car accident case. It is an unbiased point of view, which will include only the facts of what happened. It is important to get the contact information of any and all witnesses who were present at the scene.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents in Los Angeles

Wilshire Law Firm – Los Angeles Office

3055 Wilshire Blvd 12th floor,
Los Angeles, CA 90010

Ph: (213) 335-2402