Best Accident Lawyers: Best Car Accident Lawyers in Los Angeles

Car Accident Law Tips

A Step-by-Step Checklist for What to Do After a Car Accident

You've been in a car accident. So, what do you do now? Try to remain calm, no matter how difficult it is. There are several steps you can take to protect your rights. If you follow the guidelines below, you will put yourself in the best position to receive a potential settlement or favorable jury verdict. Contact form for more information on car accident law.

Check for Injuries: If you or anyone else is injured, call 911 immediately and request an ambulance. Give the operator specific information about your location. Even if you believe your injuries are minor, you should have them evaluated by a doctor. Certain conditions, such as whiplash, internal organ damage, and head injuries, do not always have immediate symptoms. It's critical to get your injury diagnosed, documented, and treated for your own health and well-being, as well as the strength of your case. Best Car Accident Lawyers in Los Angeles

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Move Vehicle Off-Road: If you are in the path of oncoming traffic and it is safe to do so, move your vehicle to the side of the road. Otherwise, activate your hazard lights and/or deploy flares if you have them.

Call the Police: It is critical to notify the authorities so that they can respond to the accident scene and create a traffic collision report. This proves that the accident occurred. If the accident happened on a freeway, the California Highway Patrol will almost certainly be called. If the accident occurred on a surface street within the boundaries of Los Angeles County, the Los Angeles Police Department would respond. When law enforcement arrives, obtain their names and badge numbers so that you can request a copy of the accident report.

Exchange Information: Obtain the names, addresses, and phone numbers of the driver and any passengers. Take down or, better yet, photograph their driver's license numbers, license plate numbers, and proof of insurance cards. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses who saw the accident.

Document Evidence: If you have a cell phone or camera, take pictures and/or video of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, tire tracks, skid marks, broken glass, traffic signs, and so on. Take pictures and/or videos of your injuries, such as bruises, cuts, bleeding, and so on.

Notify your insurance agent and/or company by calling the number on your insurance card or visiting the insurer's website or mobile app. Simply state the facts, nothing more, nothing less.

Notify the DMV: If the accident caused more than $1,000 in property damage or resulted in the death of someone, California law requires you to notify the DMV within 10 days of the accident.

Repair Vehicle: You are free to use any body shop you want for repairs, but many insurers have an in-house network that will bill the insurer directly at discounted rates. We can help you with this process.

Consult a Car Accident Attorney: Call us at 626.792.5888 as soon as possible after the accident, preferably before speaking with the insurance company. Best Car Accident Lawyers in Los Angeles

Common Errors to Avoid Following a Car Accident

Certain actions can seriously jeopardize the outcome of your car accident law case. Avoid the following:

1. Leave the scene of the accident
2. Refuse to see a doctor after the accident
3. Skip medical appointments
4. Sign a medical authorization release form
5. Admit fault to the police, the other driver, passengers, or witnesses
6. Give a recorded statement to the at-fault party’s insurance company
7. Accept the first settlement offer
8. Post pictures or updates about your accident or condition on social media

Factors Influencing the Strength of Your Auto Claim

The strength of your personal injury claim is determined by several factors, including the nature and extent of your injury, the existence of a causal link between your injury and the accident, the quality of evidence, the ability to prove liability, the existence of quantifiable damages, and the availability of insurance coverage.

While each case is unique, there are some general variables that will increase or decrease the amount of compensation received in an insurance settlement or court-based lawsuit. Best Car Accident Lawyers in Los Angeles

The extent of your injuries

The higher the settlement, the worse the injury. Factors that may increase the value of your claim include:

1. A severe injury, such as a broken bone or bones, head or brain trauma, nerve damage, or spinal cord damage
2. A permanent injury, such as paralysis, amputation, scarring, or disfigurement;
3. A long-term or indefinite period of recovery
4. Dependence on medication/s
5. reliance on medical aids or devices
6. Physical or emotional stress caused by the injury
7. Diminished quality of life

Soft tissue injuries, for example, frequently result in lower settlement amounts. Sprains, strains, and bruises are examples of these. If any of the following factors exist, an insurance adjuster will most likely devalue the claim: Best Car Accident Lawyers in Los Angeles

1. The majority of your medical expenses were for diagnosis rather than treatment.
2. There was no medication prescribed in connection with your injury.
3. Short-term medical care
4. There is no permanent harm.
5. There are no physical or emotional issues, and there is no disruption in life.
6. You had a pre-existing medical condition.

Quality of Evidence

In a personal injury case, evidence is critical. You have no case without it. Evidence is required to demonstrate that a.) you were injured, b.) your injury was caused by someone else's negligence, and c.) you suffered losses as a result of your injury. Chang Injury Lawyers understand how to collect, preserve, and present evidence. Here are some of the approaches we could take: Los Angeles Uber Black Requirements

1. Conduct interviews with first-hand witnesses (those present at the time of the accident) and expert witnesses (experts in the field that can support your argument)
2. Gather documentary evidence
3. law enforcement’s accident report
4. medical records
5. diagnostic test results: X-rays, MRIs, scans, radiology bloodwork/pathology
6. photos of accident scene
7. photos of injury
8. photos of property damage
9. dates and times of doctor's and hospital visits, as well as surveillance footage of treatment prescribed
10. surveillance footage
11. comprehensive list of damages, including medical bills, out-of-pocket expenses, and lost wages

Investigate state traffic laws and cite any vehicle codes or "rules of the road" that may be applicable to your situation. Best Car Accident Lawyers in Los Angeles

Proving liability

A personal injury claim or a lawsuit is based on proving that someone else was at fault for your injury. In order to win a car accident claim, you must be able to demonstrate that

1. The other driver had a responsibility to operate his or her vehicle safely.
2. This duty was violated by the other driver.
3. The accident was caused by the other driver's actions.
4. The accident directly resulted in injuries or monetary losses.

Driver Negligence

1. Speeding
2. Distracted driving includes talking/texting on a cell phone, eating, drinking, applying makeup/grooming, and wearing earbuds.
3. Driving while high on drugs and/or alcohol
4. Reckless driving
5. Disobeying traffic signals, signs, laws
6. Tailgating
7. Improper turns
8. Unsafe lane changes
9. Failure to signal turn
10. Wrong-way driving
11. Failure to stop or yield right of way at intersections

Government Entity Negligence

• Poor road maintenance
• Inadequate or missing road and intersection signage
• Defective road design
• Poorly marked construction zones

Availability of Insurance

In the event of an accident, California requires all motorists to have the following minimum liability insurance coverage:

1. $15,000 for injury/death to one person
2. $30,000 for injury/death to more than one person
3. $5,000 for damage to property

What if I Was Hit By an Uninsured Driver?

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If you were in an accident with an uninsured driver, you may be wondering how you can get compensation. Fortunately, if you have the proper coverage in place under your own auto insurance policy, you have options. Best Car Accident Lawyers in Los Angeles

1. Uninsured motorist coverage pays for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages caused by an uninsured motorist. Serves as a substitute for the uninsured's liability coverage.
2. Collision coverage - pays for repairs; the amount of the deductible depends on your plan.
3. Medical Payment (MedPay) coverage pays for medical expenses up to the policy limits.

You might also be able to get reimbursed from your health insurance company.

Were you partially to blame for the car accident?

When liability is unclear, California uses a pure comparative negligence system to assign fault. This means that if you were partially to blame for the accident, you can still recover, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you seek $100,000 in damages but were 40% to blame for the accident, your recovery would be $60,000. Some insurance policies, such as MedPay Insurance and California collision insurance, pay regardless of fault. Best Car Accident Lawyers in Los Angeles

Car Accident Claims Process

Make a claim with your insurance company. When you report your injury to your auto insurance company, the personal injury claims process officially begins. Change Injury Lawyers' car accident attorneys can contact the at-fault party's insurance company and inform them that we are filing a claim on your behalf. We will file a claim with your own insurance company if the at-fault party is uninsured or has insufficient insurance to cover your losses.

Insurance Company Sends Reservation Letter The insurer of the at-fault party will respond to your claim by sending a reservation letter indicating that they are investigating your claim but will not admit liability on behalf of their insured.

The phase of Investigation While you continue to heal and complete your medical treatment, firm begins an investigation to investigate the underlying facts of your case and gather evidence to support your claim. We may engage in activities such as: Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer Personal Injury Attorney

Send the Demand Package to the Insurance Company We will submit a demand package to the at-fault driver's insurance company as soon as you have recovered from your injury and reached maximum medical improvement — the point at which you have "stabilized." This will be a detailed file that explains how the accident occurred, how badly you were injured, and how the injury has affected your life.

The documentation provided may include all of your treatment records, medical bills, accident photos, police reports, witness and expert testimony, and so on. We will demand a certain dollar amount for all of your losses, past, present, and future. This is usually more than you are willing to accept. Best Car Accident Lawyers in Los Angeles 

Truck Accident Lawyer Los Angeles

Any type of motor vehicle accident is terrifying, but truck accidents are especially heinous. Commercial trucks, also known as tractor-trailers, big rigs, semis, or 18-wheelers, can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and have a length of up to 75 feet. Their sheer size and weight endanger smaller passenger vehicles, particularly when traveling at high speeds. The consequences can be even worse if these trucks are carrying hazardous materials such as flammable liquids, radioactive materials or gases, or poisonous chemicals. Best Car Accident Lawyers in Los Angeles

Truck accidents are common in Southern California. This is due in large part to the truck traffic generated by local commerce. The streets and freeways surrounding Los Angeles and Long Beach ports are particularly congested. The four highway stretches with the most truck accidents per year are the 710 at the 60 interchanges in East Los Angeles; the 710 between the 105 and 91 freeways; the area where the 60 and 57 freeways converge; and the 710 and the 10 freeways, also in East Los Angeles. Is There a Lawsuit Against Uber 

The Complexity of Truck Accident Claims

Truck accident claims differ from car accident claims in several important ways:

• State and federal laws apply
• There could be multiple liable parties involved (truck driver, trucking company, truck manufacturer, cargo company, etc)
• Insurance coverage is much higher
• Multiple insurance policies at play

Federal and State Trucking Laws

A series of state and federal laws govern the commercial trucking industry, establishing certain standards that truck companies and truck drivers must follow. Most notably,

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) establishes rules centered on:

1. Insurance: Trucking companies are required to carry at least $750,000 in insurance per truck. The minimum insurance coverage for a trailer carrying hazardous materials is $5,000,000.
2. Hours-of-service: this regulates the minimum amount of time drivers must spend resting between driving shifts and limits the number of daily and weekly hours spent driving and working.
3. Size, weight, and route designations of trucks
4. Drivers must keep a detailed log of their driving times, inspections, and so on.
5. Hiring and Training: Trucking companies must conduct a thorough screening and application process for their drivers, as well as administer drug tests, among other things.

How Pasadena Truck Accident Attorneys Can Assist You

Trucking companies are massive corporations with boundless resources and power. As a victim, you should seek the advice of an experienced truck accident attorney at Chang Injury Lawyers. We understand the nuances of the trucking industry and stay current on all state and federal laws and regulations. When you hire us, we will immediately start working on your claim by doing the following: Best Car Accident Lawyers in Los Angeles

1. Conduct an independent investigation, including a review of the police report, medical records, and other documents related to your accident.
2. Determine all parties who may be held liable for your injury.
3. Determine whether the trucking company and driver were in compliance with the regulations.
4. Examine the driver logs, maintenance and inspection records, and black box data.
5. Negotiate a settlement that compensates you for your losses.
6. If negotiations fail or if the offer is insufficient, file a lawsuit.

Who is Liable?

You may be able to seek damages from more than one party depending on the facts of your case. The list of potentially liable parties and their negligent actions are as follows.

Truck Driver Negligence

1. Distracted driving is prohibited.
2. Dangerous and aggressive driving (following too closely, cutting off other drivers)
3. Driving while fatigued accounts for 30-40% of truck accidents.
4. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is prohibited.
5. Failure to properly maintain equipment and conduct routine inspections
6. Violations of traffic laws include speeding, failing to yield, running red lights, and so on.
   Improper cargo securing or loading

Trucking Company Negligence

1. Failure to conduct a thorough background check to ensure the driver is qualified for the position
2. Failure to provide sufficient training
3. Allowing or encouraging a driver to break federal hours-of-service regulations
4. Falsifying records
5. Allowing drivers to take unbalanced cargo/overloading trailers
6. Inadequate inspection and maintenance

Manufacturer of trucks

Faulty truck or trailer parts include faulty tires, brakes, trailer lights or reflectors, jump or pull start, air line or hose, alternator, wiring, transmission, steering wheel, and improper trailer attachment. Best Car Accident Lawyers in Los Angeles

Cargo Supplier/Cargo Holders

Improper cargo packaging or loading at the point of origin

Disclaimer: The information on this website is not, and is not intended to be, legal advice. You should seek legal counsel regarding your specific situation. Contacting pasadenainjuryca.com does not result in the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information until we have established an attorney-client relationship.