When it comes to personal injury cases in Century City, CA, car accidents are some of the most harmful. Car accidents can be complicated cases involving multiple parties, so it’s important to hire a car accident lawyer well-versed in all types of motor vehicle accidents.
Having a knowledgeable professional handle your case frees up time for recovering physically or emotionally from any injuries sustained during the crash.
Hiring an experienced Century City car accident attorney will also allow you to take care of other issues, such as missed work or repairs needed for your damaged vehicle. For help after an accident in Century City contact the attorneys at M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers by calling (877) 300-4535
to schedule a free consultation.
How M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Car Accident in Century City
If you’ve been in a crash in Century City, California, one of the most important steps you can take is to hire an experienced car accident lawyer.
Here’s how M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers can help you:
- We will investigate your case by obtaining and reviewing evidence.
- We will then determine who is at fault and, therefore, liable for damages and loss caused by the accident.
- We will negotiate with the insurance company to obtain a reasonable settlement offer for your losses. We know their tactics and will do everything possible to make sure the office is fair.
- If the insurance company is unwilling to make a reasonable offer, we will help you take further legal action. We will prepare all court documents needed in filing a lawsuit and make sure everything is submitted within the appropriate deadlines.
Our Century City personal injury lawyers are here to handle your legal claim while you focus on your medical recovery. Call today to get started with a free, no-risk consultation.
How Common Are Car Accidents in Century City, California?
Car accidents are a common occurrence in Los Angeles, where Century City is located:
- In 2022, there were 312 people killed in traffic collisions, which is 5% more than the previous year (2021) and a significant 29% increase compared to 2020.
- The number of injuries in Los Angeles due to traffic collisions in 2022 was 10,739.
- In 2021, there were 12,804 reported injuries in traffic collisions in Los Angeles.
Our experienced personal injury lawyers are here to help you make it through this difficult time as best we can. Contact us today for trusted legal advice and help.
What Is My Car Accident Case Worth in Century City, CA?
Determining the value of a car accident case is not as straightforward as it might seem. Many factors can impact the value of your claim, including the following:
- Severity of Injuries: The extent of the injuries sustained in the accident plays a significant role in estimating the value of your case. Generally, more severe injuries will result in higher compensation.
- Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Another important factor in the value of your claim is your out-of-pocket expenses. These expenses include any costs directly attributable to the car accident and may vary significantly from one case to another. Examples of out-of-pocket expenses include medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle repair or replacement.
- Comparative Negligence: If you were partially responsible for the accident, your compensation might be reduced proportionately. For example, if you were 25% responsible for the accident, your compensation could be reduced by 25%.
- Insurance Policy Limits: The value of your claim may be affected by the at-fault party’s insurance policy limits. If the defendant’s policy limits are insufficient to cover your damages, you may need to explore alternative ways to obtain full compensation.
An experienced Century City car accident lawyer can help you determine the value of your claim and take steps to obtain the compensation you deserve.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Century City Accident Victims?
If you’ve been injured in an accident, you may be entitled to collect damages from those responsible. Damages can come in many forms but typically fall into three categories: economic, non-economic, and punitive.
Economic damages are intended to pay for financial losses related to the injury, such as medical expenses, lost wages due to time away from work, and property damage.
Non-economic damages focus more on addressing pain and emotional suffering endured because of the accident rather than strictly providing reimbursement for financial costs. This often includes compensation for pain and suffering, stress, anxiety, PTSD, diminished quality of life, and loss of consortium.
Punitive damages are intended to punish a defendant and deter similar bad behavior in the future. They are rarely awarded in car accident cases, as there must be proof that the defendant acted with oppression, fraud, or malice.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed For a Car Accident in California?
One of the frequently asked questions is whether you may recover compensation even if you are found partially at fault for the accident. The good news is that California follows the system of pure comparative negligence, which enables you to claim compensation even if you’re partially responsible for the accident.
Pure comparative negligence allows you to claim compensation proportionate to your degree of fault, meaning your compensation gets reduced according to the percentage of blame you share. This is true even if you’re 99% at fault for the accident.
For example, if you suffered damages worth $100,000, but were found to be 30% at fault, you could still claim $70,000 (70% of the total damages).
We’ll Fight To Recover Compensation for All of Your Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can cause serious injuries. Some of the most common include the following:
- Whiplash: This is an injury to the neck, often caused by rapid forward and backward movements of the head and neck during a car accident.
- Broken Bones: A bone can be fractured or broken as a result of impact from airbags, seatbelts, or being thrown against surrounding objects in a vehicle crash.
- Internal Bleeding/Organ Damage: An individual might experience internal bleeding or organ damage due to blunt force trauma from their body’s sudden movement inside an automobile during an accident.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): TBIs are common in car accidents and may occur when the head hits something inside the vehicle or if a person is ejected from the car.
- Soft Tissue Damage: Soft tissue damage occurs when muscles, ligaments, or tendons are stretched beyond their normal range, resulting in sprains and strains following accidents involving automobiles.
We can help you get compensation no matter the types of injuries you’ve sustained. Learn about your legal options by calling for a free case review today.
What Causes Most Car Accidents in Century City, California?
Knowing the common causes of car accidents can help you stay more vigilant on the road and keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Some of the most common causes include the following:
- Distracted driving: Being distracted while behind the wheel, such as texting or talking on the phone, can greatly increase the chances of being in a car accident.
- Speeding: Driving over the speed limit or going too fast for road conditions puts everyone on the road at greater risk of an accident occurring.
- Reckless driving: Aggressively changing lanes, tailgating, and running red lights are all examples of dangerous behavior that increases the chances for an auto collision to occur.
- Drunk/Drugged driving: Operating a vehicle under the influence impairs a person’s ability to make sound judgments while behind the wheel, increasing their likelihood of being in an automobile crash.
- Ignoring traffic signals/signs: Running stop signs or failing to abide by yield signs can lead to unfortunate collisions.
California is an “at-fault” state for car accidents, so you can pursue a claim directly against the responsible driver. Begin the process today by reaching out to our personal injury law firm.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Car Accident in California?
To prove negligence, you’ll need evidence that shows the other driver’s fault. This can include:
- Photographs: Take pictures of the accident scene, including damages to both vehicles, skid marks, road conditions, and any traffic signs or signals.
- Witness statements: Collect contact information and statements from any witnesses at the scene.
- Police reports: Request a copy of the police report as it will contain crucial information regarding the accident and the officer’s assessment of what happened and who is at fault.
- Medical records: Keep a file of all your medical bills, treatment documents, and any records of injuries sustained from the accident.
With this evidence, you will need to establish the following four elements:
1. Duty of Care
Show that the other driver had a legal responsibility to exercise caution and drive safely.
Prove that the other driver failed to uphold their duty of care by acting negligently or recklessly.
3. Causation
Demonstrate that the other driver’s breach of duty directly caused the accident and your injuries.
4. Damages
Provide evidence of the actual damages or losses you suffered as a result of the accident (e.g., medical expenses, lost wages, property damage).
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a Car Accident in California?
In California, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the person responsible. If you miss this deadline, the court may dismiss your case, and you will lose your right to pursue compensation.
In some cases, there are exceptions that extend or shorten the statute of limitations. Two common exceptions include the following:
- Delayed Discovery: This exception applies when you don’t realize you are injured right away or you don’t immediately understand that someone else’s negligence caused your accident. In these cases, the two-year statute of limitations may begin when you become aware of your injury or the other party’s negligence.
- Defendant Leaves the State: If the would-be defendant leaves California before you file a lawsuit, the statute of limitations stops running during their absence. The reason behind this exception is the difficulty of serving the defendant when they are outside of the state.
There are other exceptions as well in some instances. Protect your legal rights by contacting a personal injury lawyer for help determining the deadline for your case.
No matter how careful you are when behind the wheel, the risk of being involved in an accident is always present. If you find yourself in this undesirable situation, contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer is crucial.
Let us help you. Contact M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a Century City car accident attorney.
