A car crash can upend your life in an instant. You may be facing injuries, vehicle repairs, and pressure from insurance companies, on top of work and daily responsibilities. When the path forward feels uncertain, a Los Angeles car accident lawyer can step in and manage the legal process for you.
At Arias Sanguinetti | Trial Lawyers, we will take care of gathering evidence, negotiating with insurers, and making sure you don’t get shortchanged. You focus on recovery, and we’ll take care of the rest. We’ve obtained over $2 billion for our clients. If you need a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, we’re here to fight for you. Schedule your free consultation today.
Understanding California Car Accident Law
Insurance companies profit from those who have been injured in collisions, being ignorant of their rights, which allows them to push for lower settlements. Our Los Angeles car accident attorneys know how these companies operate and fight to ensure that injured parties are not taken advantage of after a crash.
California law follows an at-fault system, meaning the driver responsible and their insurance company must cover damages. Even if you share some fault, you may still recover financial compensation under California’s pure comparative negligence system. With pure comparative negligence, you can potentially recover damages even if you were 99% to blame.
All drivers in California are required to carry minimum insurance coverage of:
- $15,000 for property damage
- $30,000 for bodily injury per person
- $60,000 for bodily injury per accident
Uninsured drivers may still have legal options. Handling a claim requires proving liability and dealing with insurers, and experienced legal support makes all the difference.
What Are Your Rights After a Car Accident Caused by Another Party’s Negligence?
Understanding your rights is the first step toward moving forward. Our sole purpose is to protect your interests, deal with the legalities, and fight for the best possible outcome.
Your rights after a crash include:
- Right to seek financial recovery: You can pursue payment for medical care, lost income, and the pain you’ve experienced because of the crash.
- Right to legal representation: You don’t have to deal with insurance companies alone. A lawyer can protect your rights and handle the legal side of your case.
- Right to a fair settlement: If an insurance company offers less than what your case is worth, you have the option to negotiate or take legal action.
- Right to medical care: Whether or not you were at fault, you have the right to get treatment for any injuries caused by the crash.
- Right to privacy: You control your personal and medical information and decide who has access to it.
Knowing your rights helps you take the right steps after a crash. If you’re unsure what to do next, our Los Angeles car accident attorneys are here to answer your questions and help relieve your stress.
Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer Near Me 310-844-9696
Types of Los Angeles Collision Cases We Handle
Motor vehicle collisions happen in an instant, but the consequences can last a lifetime. Our personal injury attorneys fight for those injured in Southern California, helping them recover after serious crashes. No matter how your wreck happened, our team is here to protect your rights and pursue the best possible outcome.
Some of the most common cases we handle include:
- Head-on collisions: These high-impact collisions often cause severe injuries and long-term complications.
- T-bone collisions: Intersections are dangerous, and side-impact crashes can be devastating.
- Rear-end accidents: Even at low speeds, being hit from behind can lead to painful injuries like whiplash.
- Sideswipe accidents: Drivers who drift into another lane or fail to check blind spots can cause serious damage.
- Left-turn collisions: Misjudging traffic or failing to yield can lead to dangerous broadside impacts.
- Multi-vehicle crashes: Pileups are chaotic, making it difficult to determine fault and liability.
- Rollover accidents: When a vehicle flips, the risk of catastrophic injury is high.
- Hit-and-run crashes: When a driver flees the scene, we help survivors seek justice and compensation.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a car accident due to the negligence or intentional actions of another party, we’re here to handle the legal side of things while you rebuild your life.
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What Damages Can Be Recovered in an Accident Claim?
A car accident resulting from negligence can bring unexpected medical costs, lost income, and lasting pain. If someone else caused the crash, filing a personal injury claim can help cover these losses and provide financial relief. The goal is to recover the most compensation possible so you can move forward without financial strain.
Depending on the details of your case, you may be able to seek compensation for:
- Medical bills: Covers hospital visits, surgeries, medications, and ongoing care.
- Physical therapy: Helps restore movement and strength after an injury.
- Lost wages: Reimburses income lost while recovering.
- Lost future earnings: Provides financial support if injuries limit your ability to work.
- Pain and suffering: Compensates for physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish.
- Property damage: Pays for repairs or replacement of your vehicle and other belongings.
- Punitive damages: Awarded in cases of extreme negligence to hold the responsible party accountable.
Understanding your legal rights is key to obtaining the best compensation outcome. Every car crash is different, and the right legal strategy can have a significant impact on your recovery.
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Determining Liability in a Car Accident Caused by Negligence
Figuring out who is responsible for a car wreck isn’t always straightforward. Fault depends on the circumstances of the crash, available evidence, and California’s comparative negligence laws. A thorough investigation can help establish liability and strengthen your claim. The list of potentially liable parties in these cases is long.
Another Driver
Reckless driving, speeding, distracted driving, or failing to follow traffic laws often result in another driver being at fault. If their actions caused the crash, they can be held financially responsible.
A Commercial or Rideshare Company
If the driver was working at the time of the collision, whether for a trucking company or a rideshare service, their employer may share liability.
A Government Entity
Poorly maintained roads, malfunctioning traffic signals, or missing signs can contribute to crashes. If city or state negligence caused the accident, a government agency may be responsible.
A Vehicle Manufacturer
If a defective part, like faulty brakes or a malfunctioning airbag, contributed to the crash, the manufacturer or distributor could be held accountable.
These are only some of the parties that could potentially be to blame. Determining fault requires gathering evidence such as police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and accident reconstruction analysis. Legal support can help prove liability and strengthen your case.
Why Waiting to Get Legal Help Can Hurt Your Case
After a car crash, handling things alone might seem like the easiest option. However, waiting too long can make it harder to recover fair compensation for your injuries and damages. Getting legal guidance early can protect your rights and help you through the legal process more smoothly.
Here’s why acting quickly matters in motor vehicle accidents:
- Preserving evidence: Witness statements, traffic footage, and accident scene photos can disappear over time. Gathering these items early strengthens your case.
- Understanding your rights: Knowing what compensation you’re entitled to is key. A lawyer can explain your options and help you fight for fair compensation.
- Dealing with insurance companies: Insurers push for quick, low settlements. Legal support prevents you from accepting less than you deserve.
- Meeting legal deadlines: California law limits how long you have to file a claim, which is generally two years. However, if you are filing a claim against the government in California, you will likely only have six months to take legal action. Delaying could cost you the ability to recover damages, including punitive damages in severe cases.
This process can be complicated, but taking action early gives you the best chance of success.
How Can a Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer Help?
Recovering from a car accident caused by negligence is stressful. You may be dealing with medical bills, insurance companies, and legal issues. A lawyer takes on the hard work, so you don’t have to. With the right legal support, you can focus on healing while someone fights for the financial recovery you deserve.
Here’s how a car accident lawyer can help:
- Explain your legal options: Understanding your rights can make a big difference. A lawyer will walk you through every option so you can make informed decisions.
- Handle the paperwork: Legal claims involve a mountain of forms, deadlines, and requests for records. An attorney ensures everything is filed properly and on time.
- Negotiate with insurance companies: Insurers often try to settle for less than a case is worth. A lawyer pushes back to get the best possible outcome.
- Gather strong evidence: From medical records to accident reports and witness statements, your lawyer collects the proof needed to build a solid case.
- Represent you in court: If a fair settlement isn’t offered, an attorney is ready to take the case to trial and fight for what you deserve.
- Advocate for the financial recovery that you deserve: Without legal support, those who have suffered losses risk accepting lowball offers. A lawyer fights to recover everything you’re entitled to receive.
Having a skilled Los Angeles car accident attorney by your side makes the process smoother and gives you the best chance of success.
Our Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyers Work on a Contingency Fee Basis
When you hire us to help with your case, you never have to worry about the cost of legal fees. Our experienced car accident lawyers in Los Angeles work on a contingency fee basis, which means that we don’t get paid unless you recover compensation from the liable party. You won’t have to pay a fee to retain our services or be billed by the hour.
When we win your case, we will collect payment as a preset percentage of the compensation you recover through settlement or court ruling. This payment is paid directly out of the money you recover, which means you never pay anything out of pocket. If we are unable to obtain compensation for your losses, you pay us nothing.
By charging our clients in this manner, we are able to ensure that everyone has access to quality legal representation, regardless of their financial status.
Don’t Trust the Insurance Company
When pursuing compensation after a car crash, you will likely have to deal with the liable party’s insurance provider. Insurers tend to act as though they are there to help in order to disarm potential claimants.
Their aim is to get you to let down your guard so they can manipulate you into saying something that allows them to deny or devalue your claim. Alternatively, they may offer you a lowball settlement offer soon after your collision with the hope that you will accept before you realize the full value of your losses.
The best way to fight back and protect your right to recover fair compensation is by reaching out to an experienced car accident attorney serving Los Angeles soon after the crash. By hiring a lawyer, you will force the insurer to work through your legal representative and prevent them from using their usual tactics against you.
What Should You Do After a Car Crash in L.A.?
A car accident resulting from negligence can leave you shaken, in pain, and unsure of what to do next. Taking the right steps can protect your health, your rights, and your ability to recover financial support for your losses.
Here’s what to do if you’ve been injured in a crash:
- Move to safety: If possible, get to a secure area away from traffic.
- Call 911: Report the accident and request medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor.
- Document everything: Take photos of the scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries.
- Exchange information: Get insurance and contact details from all drivers involved.
- Speak with witnesses: If anyone saw the crash, ask for their contact information.
- Request a police report: Ask for a copy before leaving the scene or follow up later.
- Seek medical care: Even if you feel okay, some injuries take time to show symptoms. Keep all records of treatment and expenses.
Taking these steps can protect your well-being and help build a strong case if legal action is necessary.
Common Injuries from Car Accidents in Los Angeles
Some car crash injuries may not appear right away. Experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyers recommend getting a medical evaluation after any accident, even when symptoms aren’t immediately obvious.
Some injuries take hours or days to show symptoms, and early treatment can prevent long-term complications.
Some of the most common injuries we see include:
- Whiplash: Sudden force on the neck can cause lasting pain and stiffness.
- Head injuries: Concussions and skull fractures may lead to cognitive issues.
- Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spine can result in paralysis or chronic pain.
- Neck and back injuries: Herniated discs and muscle strains often worsen over time.
- Internal injuries: Organ damage or internal bleeding can be life-threatening if untreated.
- Burns: Fires and chemical exposure can lead to severe skin damage.
- Amputations: Some crashes cause traumatic limb loss, requiring lifelong adjustments.
- Paralysis: Severe spinal trauma may result in partial or total loss of movement.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Concussions and brain damage can affect memory, speech, and coordination.
- Broken bones: Fractures can range from minor breaks to complex surgical injuries.
- Fatalities: Some collisions lead to the tragic loss of life, leaving families devastated.
Seeking medical care is the first step after a crash. Minor injuries may not be immediately noticeable. Seeing a doctor right away can help catch and treat conditions before they worsen.
Holding Negligent Los Angeles Drivers Accountable
One careless driver can change everything in a split second. Suddenly, you’re left with injuries, a wrecked car, and an insurance company more focused on saving money than helping you. The stress adds up fast, and it’s not always clear what to do next. At Arias Sanguinetti, we know what’s at stake. With over 300 years of combined experience, we fight for what’s right.
We’ll handle the paperwork, push back against lowball offers, and take cases to court when necessary. A Los Angeles car accident lawyer from our team will stand up for you every step of the way. Your focus should be on getting better. Let us handle the rest. Call us or complete our online contact form to schedule your free consultation today.
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