Los Angeles sees thousands of car accidents each year on its busy streets and highways. While most minor fender benders can be handled between drivers, major accidents often require help from an attorney to protect your rights and seek fair compensation. This article explains why working with an experienced car accident lawyer is crucial after a serious collision in LA. We’ll cover how attorneys can maximize your injury claim, prove negligence, and handle the insurance process so you can focus on recovery. Whether you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a crash, read on to learn why partnering with a qualified lawyer can mean the difference between a lowball settlement and the full value of your case.
Causes of Car Accidents in LA
Los Angeles is home to nearly 4 million registered vehicles on its busy streets and highways. With so many cars on the road, accidents are common. Some of the most common causes of accidents in LA include:
Distracted Driving
Using a cell phone, adjusting music, eating food, or any other activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the road is considered distracted driving. Distracted driving greatly increases the chances of an accident occurring. Even just glancing at your phone to read a text message can be dangerous.
Drunk Driving
Driving while impaired by alcohol and/or drugs is illegal for good reason – it dramatically reduces reaction time and motor skills. Drunk drivers cause a high number of accidents in LA, especially at night and on weekends.
Speeding
Exceeding the posted speed limit is a major contributor to accidents in LA. Higher speeds reduce the driver’s ability to react in time to avoid a crash. Speeding also increases the severity of injuries sustained in a crash due to the greater force of impact.
Weather Conditions
Rainy weather in LA can create slick road conditions that lead to loss of vehicle control. Areas with accumulated rainfall may cause hydroplaning where tires lose contact with the road. Sun glare and foggy conditions also impair visibility.
Poor Road Conditions
Potholes, uneven pavement, debris on the road, and other hazards can force drivers to abruptly brake or swerve. Construction zones with narrowed lanes are another common issue. These road defects increase accident risk, especially to motorcyclists and bicyclists.
Injuries from Car Accidents
Car accidents can cause many different types of injuries, ranging from minor to catastrophic. Some of the most common injuries from car crashes include:
Whiplash
Whiplash is one of the most frequent injuries sustained in auto accidents. It occurs when the head is suddenly thrust backward and then forward, causing strain and tears to muscles and ligaments in the neck. Symptoms of whiplash include neck pain and stiffness, headache, shoulder pain, dizziness, and restricted range of motion. Whiplash injuries can vary from mild to severe.
Broken Bones
The impact of a collision can easily break bones in the body. Common broken bones from car accidents include ribs, the sternum, legs, arms, wrists, and ankles. Broken bones often require surgery and extensive rehabilitation. In severe crashes, there may be multiple fractures leading to significant disability.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord is very vulnerable in auto accidents, especially high-speed crashes. Spinal cord injuries range from bruises and inflamed nerves to partial or complete paralysis if the cord is severed. Permanent disability is common with spinal cord trauma. Patients may lose sensation, movement, and function below the level of injury.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A blow to the head can cause concussions, contusions, bleeding, and other traumatic brain injuries. The effects of a TBI range from headaches, dizziness, and confusion to profound impairments in cognition, speech, vision, and emotional regulation. Severe TBIs can leave victims in a vegetative state.
PTSD
Some accident survivors develop post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD causes intense anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, and avoidance of driving or travel. Psychological therapy and medication can help manage the symptoms. But PTSD can be a lifelong, debilitating condition.
The wide range of injuries from car crashes highlights the need to seek immediate medical attention after an accident. An experienced personal injury attorney can help identify all of a victim’s injuries and ensure fair compensation to cover the medical bills, lost income, and other damages.
When You Need a Lawyer
An experienced car accident lawyer in Los Angeles can be a powerful ally if you were injured in a crash. While sometimes accidents are minor “fender benders”, other times they result in serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment and time away from work. If your accident caused injuries that are more than just minor bumps and bruises, it’s wise to consult a lawyer.
Specifically, you’ll want to hire a lawyer if:
- You suffered an injury like a broken bone, herniated disc, head trauma, or any injury that requires surgery or extensive treatment. Even “soft tissue” injuries like whiplash can benefit from legal help if they impact your life significantly.
- The insurance company is denying your claim or offering an unfairly low settlement that doesn’t cover your expenses. An attorney can deal with the insurance provider and fight for maximum compensation.
- You have mounting medical bills and lost wages from time off work. A lawyer can seek compensation for all of your accident-related expenses.
- The insurance company is placing any blame on you for the accident when you don’t believe you did anything wrong. A lawyer will stand up for your side of the story.
- There are disputes over who was at fault. An attorney can gather evidence and build a strong case for your version of events.
- The injuries have impacted your quality of life or ability to work. A lawyer can help seek compensation for this “pain and suffering”.
- There are multiple parties involved. If another driver caused the accident but they were working at the time, their employer may share liability.
The severity of your injuries, extent of expenses, and conduct of insurance companies often determine if hiring a lawyer becomes necessary. An experienced attorney levels the playing field and helps maximize your compensation so you can focus on recovery.
How a Lawyer Can Help Maximize Your Compensation
Hiring a car accident lawyer can make a big difference in the compensation you receive after an accident. An experienced lawyer has the knowledge and resources to handle every aspect of your claim and get you the maximum settlement. Here are some of the key ways a lawyer can help:
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Maximize compensation: A lawyer will thoroughly investigate your case, gather evidence to prove full damages, quantify future costs, and negotiate the highest possible settlement from insurance companies. They know how to calculate the full value of a claim and won’t let insurers get away with lowball offers.
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Deal with insurance companies: Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and lawyers working to minimize payouts. A personal injury lawyer levels the playing field and handles negotiations so you don’t have to. They know all the tactics insurers use and won’t back down or settle for less than you deserve.
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Prove liability: Establishing who is at fault and to what extent is crucial. A lawyer will gather police reports, accident reconstructions, witness statements, video footage, and other evidence to clearly prove the other driver’s liability. This evidence can make or break your ability to recover damages.
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Determine fault: Even if you were partially at fault, a lawyer can reduce how much this impacts your claim. They establish important details about the accident and use legal arguments to reduce your percentage of fault as much as possible. This directly increases your compensation.
With an experienced car accident attorney on your side, you can focus on recovery while confidently trusting them to build the strongest case, prove full damages, negotiate skillfully, and maximize your settlement or court award. Don’t leave money on the table – a lawyer helps injured victims get everything they deserve.
Finding the Right Lawyer
When looking for the right car accident lawyer, experience and reputation should be top considerations. Ideally, you want to find an attorney who focuses specifically on car accident cases and has a track record of success.
Specifically, look for a lawyer who:
- Has at least 5-10 years of experience handling car accident cases. An experienced lawyer will know how to build a strong case, negotiate fair settlements, and take your case to trial if necessary.
- Has a proven reputation for getting clients top dollar for their injuries and damages. Look up case results and client testimonials to verify their success.
- Focuses their practice specifically on car, motorcycle, truck, bicycle, pedestrian, and other auto accident injuries. A lawyer who specializes in car accidents will have deeper knowledge of auto insurance laws and previous experience with similar cases.
- Has a reputation as an aggressive negotiator. The best lawyers fight relentlessly to get their clients maximum compensation under the law. They have sharp negotiation skills and won’t be pushed around by insurance companies.
- Is trusted and recommended by past clients. Talk to people you know or read online reviews to find a lawyer known for their compassion, communication skills and legal expertise.
Take time to research lawyers’ qualifications and consult with a few before deciding. A skilled car accident attorney can make all the difference in the compensation you receive for your injuries. Be picky in choosing the best lawyer for your case.
Questions to Ask a Lawyer
When meeting with a potential lawyer, you’ll want to ask questions to understand their experience and how they may handle your case. Here are some key questions to ask:
- How much experience do you have with car accident cases similar to mine? You’ll want to choose a lawyer who regularly handles cases like yours and has a proven track record of success. They’ll be familiar with the challenges and best strategies to maximize compensation.
- How will you build my case and what is your legal strategy? An experienced lawyer will explain their strategy for investigating the accident, identifying liable parties, demonstrating damages, negotiating with insurance companies, and taking the case to trial if needed. Make sure their approach seems logical and comprehensive.
- How will you keep me updated on the status of my case? You’ll want to choose a lawyer who will regularly communicate with you, explain new developments, and involve you in key decisions. Make sure you feel comfortable with their communication style.
- What are your fees and how are they structured? Most personal injury lawyers work on contingency, taking a percentage of the final settlement or award. Typical fees range from 33% to 40%. Understand the fee structure so there are no surprises.
- What can I expect my total compensation to be? An experienced lawyer should be able to provide a reasonable estimate of potential compensation based on the damages and liability in your case. This allows you to decide if it’s worthwhile to pursue.
Lawyer Fees
When hiring a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles, it’s important to understand the different fee structures and options. This allows you to choose the best arrangement for your situation. The main types of lawyer fees are:
Contingency Fees
The most common fee structure is a contingency fee agreement. This means the lawyer only gets paid if they recover compensation for you. The lawyer’s fee is a percentage of your settlement or award, often around 33%.
Contingency fees align the lawyer’s interests with yours – they only get paid if you do. This motivates them to maximize your recovery. It also means you don’t pay any legal fees upfront or if your case is unsuccessful.
Hourly Fees
Some lawyers charge by the hour for their services instead of taking a percentage of your payout. Hourly rates often range from $200 to $500 per hour depending on experience and specialty.
You’ll likely need to pay a retainer upfront and additional legal bills monthly. This gives you more predictable costs. But it removes the contingency incentive for a large settlement.
Expenses
In addition to fees, you’ll need to pay any case expenses like court filing fees, expert witness fees, investigation costs, etc. Make sure to clarify if these are deducted before or after the lawyer’s percentage fee.
The best fee agreement depends on your specific situation. Discuss options thoroughly with potential lawyers before signing a contract.
Maximizing Compensation
If you are injured in a car accident that was caused by another driver’s negligence, you may be entitled to several types of damages or compensation. An experienced car accident lawyer can help ensure you receive full and fair compensation.
Lost Wages
If your injuries from the car accident caused you to miss work, you can claim lost wages and income. Your lawyer can calculate the value of income you lost while recovering. They will factor in lost benefits, opportunities for promotion, and future earning capacity.
Medical Bills
Car accident injuries often lead to ambulance transportation, hospitalization, surgeries, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and more. Your lawyer will tally all accident-related medical bills and expenses, both already incurred and expected future costs. These can add up quickly.
Pain and Suffering
Money cannot undo your physical and emotional suffering. But monetary compensation acknowledges the difficulties you now face in your health, relationships, and quality of life. Your lawyer can advocate for a pain and suffering settlement that fits the severity of your injuries.
Property Damage
If your vehicle or other personal property was damaged in the crash, you can claim these losses. This includes damage to your car, lost items, a damaged bicycle, etc. Your lawyer can recover repair or replacement costs.
With an experienced car accident attorney on your side, you improve your chances of maximizing compensation and receiving full payment for all your losses. A lawyer levels the playing field against big insurance companies.
Conclusion
Los Angeles has a high rate of car accidents each year that lead to injuries and financial losses for many people. If you or a loved one has been in an accident, it’s important to protect your rights by seeking experienced legal representation. An attorney can help maximize your compensation, guide you through the claims process, deal with insurance companies on your behalf, and help get your life back on track after an accident.
Don’t wait to contact an attorney after an accident – the sooner you engage a lawyer, the more they can do to build your case and get you the best possible settlement or court award. Take some time to research car accident attorneys in LA, ask questions to find the best fit, and schedule a consultation. An attorney will review your case details and help determine your legal options. With an experienced car accident lawyer on your side, you can feel confident you will get fair compensation so you can move forward after an unfortunate accident. Call today to learn more about how a lawyer can help.
