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. An 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, we 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 (800) 501-3011 to start a free case review.
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 car accident attorney is one of the most important steps you can take following an automobile incident that includes injuries or the tragedy of losing a loved one in a fatal collision. 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 case 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.
Get started now and let us fight for you.
Our Los Angeles Car Accident Law Firm Knows How to Win Injury Lawsuits
If you live in Los Angeles, you may spend several hours a week behind the wheel of a car. You may even pride yourself on being a safe, defensive driver. That helps, of course, but it might not be enough to shield you from a car accident. Many of the factors that lead to auto accidents are beyond our control. They can be the result of someone else’s irresponsibility and negligence. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, through no fault of your own, don’t miss the deadlines to file an injury lawsuit. Call the car accident attorneys at Wilshire Law Firm right away.
The following are some of the most common reasons for car accidents in Los Angeles:
A Disregard for the Law
Motorists who speed, blow stop signs, or drive under the influence all show a complete disregard for the law and the lives of others. Their actions can have severe consequences for their victims. If you’ve been injured in an accident as a direct result of someone else’s recklessness, it’s important to speak to an accident attorney as soon as possible. Waiting can jeopardize your case and the potential settlement amount you should be entitled to.
Negligence/Distracted Driving
Texting, applying makeup, or even eating are all examples of distracted or negligent driving. All of these are leading causes of car accidents in Los Angeles. In spite of all the laws and public safety campaigns against distracted driving, statistics show that many still engage in these dangerous habits. That’s why it’s important to remain vigilant on the road.
Even if the distracted party didn’t mean to cause the accident, you should still contact the Los Angeles car accident lawyers at Wilshire Law Firm to complete a free case review so you’ve covered all your bases.
Malfunctions
Of course, human error is not always to blame for a car accident. Sometimes, auto accidents occur due to poorly maintained vehicles. If you’ve been injured in an accident with a vehicle that you suspect wasn’t properly maintained, talk with the car accident injury attorneys at Wilshire Law Firm to see what your options might be.
Remember, it’s every motorist’s responsibility to make sure their vehicle is safe to drive. Mechanical defects can range from faulty brakes and steering systems to tire blowouts and broken wipers. Our car accident law firms deal with all types of car accidents and can help you sort out the details of your particular situation.
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 confidentially meet with our experienced legal team 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.
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 in determining 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 delayed 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents in Los Angeles
Our Los Angeles Location
Wilshire Law Firm
3055 Wilshire Blvd., 12th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Tel: (213) 335-2402
