What To Do After a Car Accident in Los Angeles
Were you recently involved in a car accident in Los Angeles, CA? If so, you might be overwhelmed with medical bills and insurance claims. We want you to know that you do not need to deal with the car accident claim alone.
At M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers, our Los Angeles car accident lawyers have over 100 years of combined legal experience handling accident claims. Our legal team investigates your car crash and handles all aspects of the claim for you. We have recovered over $400 million in jury verdicts and personal injury settlements of our clients.
Contact our law firm to schedule your free consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer in Los Angeles, California at 866-864-5477.
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How M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You With a Car Accident Claim in Los Angeles
M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers is one of California’s leading personal injury law firms. Our award-winning legal team has extensive experience handling all types of motor vehicle accident cases, such as speeding accidents, distracted driving crashes, DUI accidents, and more. We use our considerable resources to help you recover the money you deserve when a negligent driver or another party causes a car wreck.
When you hire us to handle your accident case, you can expect us to:
- Initiate an independent investigation to determine what caused your car accident
- Gather evidence from witnesses, police reports, the accident scene, accident reconstructionists, and other sources
- File insurance claims and handle all matters related to those claims
- Fight claims of contributory fault that reduce the value of your claim
- Maximize the value of your personal injury claim through careful documentation of damages
- Negotiate aggressively for the total value of your claim
- File a lawsuit and take your case to court if the other party refuses to accept a fair settlement offer
We understand that you and your family have been through a traumatic experience. Our legal team is here to help. Call now for your free case evaluation with a Los Angeles car wreck attorney.
What Should I Do After a Los Angeles Car Accident?
The moments after a car crash can be confusing, painful, and frightening. Even if you have been in a prior car accident, it can be challenging to remember what you should do. Steps to take to protect your health and legal rights after a car accident include:
Get to a Safe Location
Your safety is the first concern. If you can pull your vehicle to the side of the road, do so to prevent other vehicles from hitting you. Use your hazard lights to warn other drivers of the accident.
Generally, getting out of your car on a busy roadway could be more dangerous than remaining in the vehicle. You could also cause additional injuries by moving. However, there could be situations where you may need to exit the vehicle to remain safe, as in the case of a fire or leaking fuel.
Report the Accident
Call 911 to report the accident to the police. You must also report the crash to the California Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days when the crash involves injury, death, or property damage over $1,000.
Do not admit fault for the cause of the accident. Instead, tell the police officer what happened without embellishing the facts. Answer their questions honestly and concisely.
Document the Accident Scene
If it is safe to do so, take photographs of the accident scene and the vehicles. Making a video with your cell phone can also capture details you might have missed when taking pictures. These images can help prove how the accident occurred and the extent of the property damage claim.
Ask witnesses and anyone who stops at the accident scene for their names and contact information. In some car accident cases, eyewitness testimony can help establish causation and fault.
Seeking Medical Attention for Injuries
As soon as possible, see a doctor. Failing to seek prompt medical care could hurt your personal injury case.
The insurance company might allege that you failed to mitigate damages by delaying or refusing medical care. The company might also claim that the accident did not cause your injuries because you failed to see a doctor after the crash.
Common injuries after a car accident can include:
- Brain injuries,
- Broken bones,
- Back injuries,
- Spinal cord injuries,
- Knee injuries,
- And other catastrophic injuries.
If you have legal questions after your car accident, visit our car wreck FAQ to learn more.
What Compensation Can I Receive From a Los Angeles Car Accident Claim?
Under California tort laws, an injured party may seek compensation for damages and losses caused by a negligent act. In other words, if the other driver caused the car crash, you could receive money for your injuries and financial losses.
A car accident victim can receive compensation for their economic damages, including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Future loss of earning capacity
- Personal care
- Help with household chores
- Physical therapy
- Nursing care
They can also demand compensation for their pain and suffering or non-economic damages. Those damages include emotional distress, a decrease in quality of life, and permanent impairments.
When Do I Need To File My Car Accident Claim By in the State of California?
Typically, you have just two years from the accident date to file a claim under the California statute of limitations. However, there are exceptions to the rule. The sooner you talk with an attorney about your case, the better your chance of receiving a fair settlement.
Understanding when to hire an auto accident lawyer is also critical to help you maximize your claim. An attorney will guide you through the California car accident claim process, so you can focus on your recovery.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Los Angeles Auto Accident Lawyers
You need trusted legal advice as soon as possible if you’ve been hurt in a car accident in Los Angeles. Insurance adjusters look out for the insurance company’s best interest, not yours.
Call our law firm to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyer. At M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers, we handle all types of car accident cases, including:
- Airbag and seatbelt injuries
- Head-on Crashes
- Highway Crashes
- Hit & Run Accidents
- Intersection Crashes
- Lane Change Crashes
- Left Turn Accidents
- Multi-vehicle Accidents
- Parking Lot Accidents
- Passenger Negligence
- Rear-end crashes
- Red and Yellow Light Accidents
- Rollover Accidents
- Self-driving accidents
- Single Vehicle Accidents
- U-Turn Accidents
Let’s discuss how we can work to pursue the compensation you deserve.
Additional Car Accident Resources and Information
RELATED LINKS
- Airbag Injuries
- Car Accident FAQ
- Car Color & Crash Risk
- Common Injuries
- Distracted Driving Accidents
- DUI Accidents
- Head-On Crashes
- Highway Crashes
- Hit & Run Accidents
- How To Get Money from a Car Accident Without a Lawyer?
- How To Obtain an Accident Report in LA
- Intersection Crashes
- Lane Change Crashes
- Left-Turn Accidents
- Los Angeles Car Accident Statistics
- Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections
- Multi-Vehicle Car Crashes
- Parking Lot Accidents
- Passenger Negligence
- Questions To Ask a Lawyer After a Car Accident
- Rear End Crashes
- Red and Yellow Light Accidents
- Seatbelt Injuries
- Self-Driving Car Accidents
- Speeding Accidents
- Types of Accidents
- Uninsured Motorist Claims
- What To Do After a Car Accident in Los Angeles
- Who Is At Fault for My Car Accident?
- View All +
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