Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer
Legally Reviewed By: Michael A. Akselrud
- Last Modified November 13, 2023
Dangerous Intersections in Los Angeles
How much is a Los Angeles car accident case worth?
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Los Angeles?
Can a Los Angeles car accident lawyer help me receive compensation if I am partly at fault?
Common Types of Car Accidents & Injuries in Los Angeles
What steps should I take after a Los Angeles car accident?
What if I was in a hit-and-run accident?
What recourse do I have if my loved one was killed in a Los Angeles car accident?
How can The Lanier Law Firm’s Los Angeles car accident attorneys help me with my case?
Car accidents cause catastrophic injuries and claim the lives of beloved family members. In January 2022, LAist reported preliminary data from the Los Angeles Police Department showing that 294 people were killed in Los Angeles car crashes and another 1,479 were seriously injured in 2021. Negligence by careless drivers is the most common cause.
Driving a motor vehicle is a privilege, and every driver owes other motorists a duty of care. The personal injury lawyers at The Lanier Law Firm have seen firsthand how devastating these accidents are. We work tirelessly to ensure car accident victims receive fair compensation.
Dangerous Intersections in Los Angeles
According to ABC7 Los Angeles Eyewitness News, the following intersections and roadways are among the most dangerous in Los Angeles.
Burbank Boulevard and Sepulveda Boulevard (Van Nuys)
Van Nuys Boulevard and Roscoe Boulevard (Panorama City)
Victory Boulevard and Coldwater Canyon Avenue (Valley Glen)
Sherman Way and Coldwater Canyon Avenue (Valley Glen)
How much is a Los Angeles car accident case worth?
Every car accident injury case is unique. The more severe your injuries, the more compensation you may be entitled to claim. The following types of compensation may be available to you.
- Economic damages: Monetary losses caused by the accident, including property damage, medical expenses and lost wages
- Non-economic damages: Non-monetary losses, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress and loss of consortium
- Punitive damages: Also called exemplary damages, compensation awarded as a punishment against a defendant who caused an accident by fraud, malice or oppression, often awarded in cases of drunk driving or blatant recklessness
The state of California does not place limits on compensation.
Compensation most often comes from insurance companies, up to the policy limits. If the available insurance is insufficient, you can sue the at-fault party directly. The personal injury attorneys at The Lanier Law Firm can help you identify negligent third parties that could also be sued, such as a vehicle manufacturer or the city of Los Angeles.
Insurance Requirements in California
The state of California requires drivers to carry the following liability insurance at a minimum.
- Bodily injury protection: $15,000 per person, up to $30,000 per accident
- Property damage: $5,000 per accident
Uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist policies are not required. However, they are highly recommended. We also recommend purchasing more than the minimum liability coverage, as much as you can afford.
By submitting this form, you agree to our terms & conditions. Please read the full disclaimer.
Legally Reviewed By: Michael A. Akselrud
- Last Modified November 13, 2023
2829 Townsgate Rd.
Suite 100
Westlake Village, CA 91361
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How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Los Angeles?
California’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident or from the date of death in wrongful death claims.
Due to the extensive investigations and preparations required to build a robust personal injury or wrongful death case, it is important to contact an experienced car accident attorney right away.
Can a Los Angeles car accident lawyer help me receive compensation if I am partly at fault?
Under the California pure comparative negligence statute, you can receive compensation if you are partly at fault in the accident, even if you are 99 percent at fault, but your compensation will be diminished accordingly.
Common Types of Car Accidents & Injuries in Los Angeles
Our personal injury law firm has more than 30 years of experience handling virtually every type of motor vehicle accident case. The following types of automobile accidents are common in Los Angeles and southern California:
Intersection, interchange and other roadway access accidents
Alcohol and drug-related accidents
Speeding and aggressive driving accidents
Roadway departures and head-on collisions
Unlicensed driver and competency-related accidents
Aging driver accidents
Motorcycle accidents
Teen driver accidents
Injuries ranging from broken bones to severe brain damage are common among car accident victims. Many of these injuries require extensive medical care that can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The most common car wreck injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Bruises
- Joint injuries (shoulders, elbows, knees)
- Sprains and strains
Car accident injury victims often face a long, painful recovery process followed by chronic pain and a lifetime of disability. The caring, compassionate auto accident attorneys at The Lanier Law Firm fight for car accident victims to receive the maximum compensation available so they can access the latest medical treatments to restore as much function as science will allow.
What steps should I take after a Los Angeles car accident?
After a car accident, your health and safety are always your highest priorities.
The LAPD’s guidance for people who have been involved in a motor vehicle crash includes the following:
- Call 911 if anyone is hurt or intoxicated.
- If no one is injured and the accident is a hit-and-run or you were hit by an unlicensed driver, call 1-877-ASK-LAPD.
- If the accident is not a hit-and-run or unlicensed driver accident, the police will not respond, but you can file a traffic collision report online.
- Obtain a copy of your police report for a fee by calling (213) 486-8130.
- Take pictures and, if possible, a video of the accident scene, vehicles involved, skid marks and damages.
- Exchange insurance information with the other party, but do not discuss fault or any other details of the crash.
- Obtain the names and contact information of any witnesses.
- Seek medical care even if you do not feel injured. Some injuries are not immediately apparent.
Beyond this general guidance, you may have other questions about your rights and options that are relevant to factors surrounding your collision. For example, the other driver may have left the scene of the accident or your insurance coverage may be insufficient.
If you have additional questions about protecting yourself from legal or financial consequences related to the accident, contact a Los Angeles auto accident lawyer as soon as possible.
What if I was in a hit-and-run accident?
Los Angeles is known as the hit-and-run capital of the nation, and the statistics certainly justify this claim. As many as 48 percent of Los Angeles car accidents are hit-and-run accidents. The challenge with hit-and-run accidents is that the at-fault driver’s identity is unknown, making it impossible to file an insurance claim.
If you have uninsured motorist coverage, you can file a claim to recover your medical costs. You can also file a claim against any negligent third parties, such as another motorist or a property owner.
The city of Los Angeles has adopted several measures to help car accident victims find and identify the hit-and-run driver.
One such measure is a mass notification system, similar to Amber Alerts, that issues alerts to the public via social media with information about the make and model of hit-and-run vehicles. This system also instructs taxi drivers and auto body specialists to watch for dented or bloodied vehicles.
Furthermore, the city offers rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of hit-and-run drivers.
Award Amounts for Hit-and-Run Information
- $50,000 for a fatal crash
- $25,000 for a collision resulting in serious injury
- $5,000 for an accident causing a lesser injury
- $1,000 for an accident causing property damage only
Leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in serious injury or death is a felony.
What recourse do I have if my loved one was killed in a Los Angeles car accident?
Nothing is more devastating than the sudden loss of a beloved family member. The state of California allows immediate family members or next of kin to claim the following damages for the wrongful death of their loved one caused by negligence.
- Economic losses
- Burial expenses
- Funeral expenses
- Pecuniary losses, which is the total financial loss resulting from the death, which includes wages that might have been earned, the value of service provided and lost inheritance
- Non-economic losses
- In the case of wrongful death that occurs between January 1, 2022, and January 1, 2026, the pain and suffering of the family
- Loss of society
- Loss of parental guidance
- Loss of consortium
- Punitive damages
- Any damages the decedent could have claimed had they lived, including:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Punitive damages
How can The Lanier Law Firm’s Los Angeles car accident attorneys help me with my case?
When you or your loved one is harmed in a car accident, navigating legal issues and dealing with insurance adjusters is overwhelming. Auto accident cases are complex and require resources such as forensic investigators and expert witnesses. The Lanier Law Firm has a staff of more than 60 attorneys throughout California and the nation with a vast network of resources. When you entrust your car accident case to The Lanier Law Firm, you can count on us to handle the details and fight vigorously on your behalf.
Our lawyers are nationally recognized for our strong track record of successful settlements and verdicts, earning our attorneys such prestigious honors as Super Lawyers, Trial Lawyer of the Year and Best Law Firms by U.S. News & World Report. Our attorneys offer personalized, compassionate service, as in the case of our wonderful client, Peggy H.
“Thank you and your law firm for the wonderful job you have done in helping us with our Mom. Your firm has been nothing short of professional, helpful and compassionate.”
Our Los Angeles law office is located at:
2829 Townsgate Rd.
Suite 100
Westlake Village, CA 91361
You will not find a more dedicated legal team than The Lanier Law Firm. Our legal representation is available on a contingency basis with no upfront fee, and we offer free case evaluations.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
By submitting this form, you agree to our terms & conditions. Please read full disclaimer here.
