Auto Accident Injury in Los Angeles, CA

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Los Angeles? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Los Angeles, CA that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Los Angeles, California

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed. According to KABC-TV, there were roughly 250 traffic deaths and more than 54,000 car crashes in Los Angeles in 2019. In the same year, the city saw a 7% increase in hit-and-run crashes that resulted in death, according to LAPD collision data.

One potential reason for the crash statistics is that LA law enforcement may focus more on fighting crime and concentrate less on enforcing the city’s traffic laws. LAPD data reveals that the number of issued speeding tickets plummeted significantly over the past 10 years. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, instances of serious injuries from traffic accidents totaled 16,039, in 2018. Serious injuries totaled 10,711 in 2014 and have continued to trend upward. Even so, like many cities across America, Los Angeles has an ambitious Vision Zero plan. It aims to reduce traffic deaths to zero by 2045 on LA County roads.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police report. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

The LAPD mails copies of traffic reports to victims and victim representatives. Obtaining a copy of the report requires paying a fee. The requester may receive a refund if a traffic report does not exist. Requests must include the name of the parties involved in the crash, where the incident happened, the date of the collision, the vehicle license plate number and a report number if the person has it.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

• Full name, address, phone number and email address
• Driver’s license state and number
• Auto insurance company name, policy number and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it. 

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

The cost of auto accident deaths in California for 2018 was approximately $3.40 billion. Car crash victims who survive their injuries may face medical bills that are much higher in Los Angeles County than the rest of the country. The LA Times reports that the average per-patient expense in LA County was $84,179, compared to $46,412 in the rest of the country.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws In California

Liability Laws for Los Angeles

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.

In contrast to no-fault states across America, California requires insurance companies to determine who is at-fault for car crashes and assigns liability accordingly. California is also a pure comparative negligence state. That means auto accident victims can recover damages even if they bear 99% fault for the collision. Local legal professionals understand how local insurance companies work.

Statute of Limitations In Los Angeles

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. The statute of limitations in California for auto accidents is two years. Injured parties who only desire compensation for damage to their vehicle have three years to bring suit.  

This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on the compensation you deserve.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Los Angeles, CA

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in California!