LOS ANGELES
ACCIDENT CENTER

Get the latest accident news in Los Angeles County

Request a Free Consultation

About Los Angeles Accident Center

Los Angeles Accident Center was created to provide useful information for anyone who has been injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence in Los Angeles and throughout the state of California. Author and attorney Sherwin Arzani and his team have over 17 years of personal injury experience. If you have been injured in accident, you will find useful information to assist you during this difficult time.


Car Accidents Return as Los Angeles Eases COVID-19 Restrictions

If you are a resident of Los Angeles, you probably know that there was a significant decline in traffic during the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, there were fewer traffic accidents and car crashes. However, note that after a considerable drop in fatalities during the last 2 weeks of March, when the city’s stay-at-home order was implemented, the LA Police Department is reporting an alarming increase in traffic death on city streets.

Emptier Roads Pose a Greater Danger in Los Angeles

Although because of the novel coronavirus, more people are staying at home and also driving less, keep in mind that new data reveals that emptier roads can actually be more dangerous. According to the preliminary data from the National Safety Council, the death rates per mile driven significantly increased by 14 percent nationally in March compared to the previous year. 

You may be surprised to know that the sudden increase in deaths is linked with a surge of speeding on LA streets that are emptier than usual. And this is a cause of concern for the traffic and law enforcement authorities in the city. According to the LAPD, the increase in fatality rates can also be attributed to a higher number of people walking as well as biking in their neighborhoods. And in the first half of May, 21 people died in auto accidents, including 3 people who died in an unfortunate high-speed car crash on Imperial Highway in Willowbrook.

A Deadly Combination

The combination of activities curtailed, schools closed, summer jobs canceled, and the easing of COVID-19 restrictions could prove deadly. This is especially true as teenagers take to the road this summer. According to AAA, now is an excellent time for parents to not only model safe driving behaviors but also help ensure that their teenagers practice them, as well.

Did you know that as coronavirus stay at home orders were lifted, “total loss” car crashes increased 2% nationwide? This shows the importance of road safety and vigilance. These car crashes are so severe that the relevant insurance company will deem the vehicle a total loss rather than spending money in order to fix it.

Teen Drivers Pose a Higher Risk

Also, it is worth noting that a total of 159 individuals were killed in car crashes involving teenage drivers in Arizona in the last 10 years during the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Across the nation, more than 8,300 individuals lost their lives in teen-related summertime automobile crashes between 2008 and 2020. And that is more than 7 people per day each summer as compared to the rest of the year, representing 6 people per day.

City Officials are turning to Technology to Reduce the Risk of Accidents 

Did you know that speed levels are up by as much as 30 percent on some streets in Los Angeles?  This is why Los Angeles officials and law enforcement personnel have turned to technology to help curb speeding. The officials are also trying to prevent residents from tinkering with various pedestrian walk signals. They also decided to leave a majority of LA’s 5,000 traffic lights on nighttime settings. 

Note that the traffic lights in Los Angeles are usually synchronized so that drivers can easily get the green light at multiple intersections in a row. However, at night, when speeding is more common as streets are emptier, each traffic light works as a separate unit. And this means that drivers are considerably less likely to encounter a wave of green lights, and, hence, will be compelled to stop. 

And that is not all; the city has also deactivated pedestrian push buttons at many crosswalks so that people don’t have to risk contagion by pushing these buttons. Also, note that the slightly longer light cycles will force more drivers to stop.

The aftermath of a Los Angeles car accident can be a confusing and anxiety-ridden time. You might be in shock and extremely shaken from the accident itself, and might have sustained grave bodily injuries as the result of another person’s negligence.  Depending on the specific circumstances of your car accident, you may be eligible for damages or compensation. 

How a Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney can help you

If you are involved in a car accident caused by the negligence of another driver, you may experience physical, mental, and financial harm. If you were seriously injured in a car crash, you might not be able to work while seeing your medical expenses, as well as regular bills, mount alarmingly. If you have sustained an injury or loss because of reckless driving in Los Angeles, you should discuss the circumstances of your personal injury with a knowledgeable and experienced personal injury attorney. 

How to Find the Best Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney

Have you recently suffered an injury in an accident? You may be able to recover much-needed compensation by filing a personal injury claim for damages. The chances of being fairly compensated for your accident-related injuries increase when you hire an experienced personal injury attorney to represent you.

There are thousands of personal injury attorneys in the L.A. area; how can you decide which one is best suited to handle your case? The attorneys at the Los Angeles Accident Center have created a list of suggestions to consider when you are searching for a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles.

Do an Online Search

The internet can be a wealth of information for accident victims. There are hundreds of different sites that offer information about local personal injury lawyers. While many of these websites can be great, some can prove to be more confusing than helpful. Try to stick to search engines, legal directories, and the California State Bar website when narrowing down your choice of attorney.

Search Engines

Search engines like Google and Yahoo can be a great way to learn about personal injury attorneys in your neighborhood. Use a search engine to conduct a broad search for terms like “Los Angeles personal injury lawyer,” “good personal injury lawyer near me,” or simply “Los Angeles accident lawyer.”

For even better results, try including the type of accident you were involved in and your personal neighborhood. If you were in a car accident in Glendale, try “Glendale car accident attorney.” If you were injured on the job in Ventura, try “Ventura worker’s compensation attorney.” The more specifics you include in your search, the more relevant the results will be.

Legal Directories

Legal directories are great, because they are generally easy to navigate and contain a lot of information about attorneys, including education, experience, publications, and contact information. Many of these directories have incorporated rating systems, which allow you to get a sense of what prior clients think about an attorney.

Take the time to read these reviews, they can provide a lot of information that will be extremely helpful in narrowing down your search. You may feel great about an attorney’s background and education, only to find out that prior clients have been disappointed with his/her representation. Great legal directories for finding a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer include:

Los Angeles County Bar Association

The Los Angeles County Bar Association website can be great if you need help finding an attorney. The website has a referral system to match clients with prescreened and qualified attorneys. The process, which is fairly easy to use, requires you to:

  • Choose the type of attorney you need to hire;
  • Indicate your preferred language;
  • Provide contact information; and
  • Explain your legal issue.

The referral service will then match you to relevant attorneys in your area.

California State Bar

Always check the California State Bar website for information about an attorney you’re thinking about hiring. This is where you can find official information about an attorney’s education, experience, and areas of specialization.

Request a Free Consultation

Most Los Angeles personal injury attorneys offer a free consultation for prospective clients. Once you have narrowed your search for an attorney down to a few you should ask to meet with them in person.

During a free consultation, the attorney will begin by giving you an overview of their experience and try to explain why they are well-suited to represent you. You will have an opportunity to explain why you want to pursue a legal claim and listen to their candid thoughts about your case.

Prepare For Your Free Consultation

Don’t walk into a free consultation without doing a little bit of homework. This includes checking out the attorney online and reading up about your type of accident injury case. The more information you have walking into the consultation, the better equipped you will be to have a frank conversation about your legal needs.

Ask Questions to Learn More

During your free consultation, you will have the opportunity to ask the attorney you are meeting with a series of questions. The questions you ask should help you to determine if you would be comfortable and confident hiring that attorney.

Questions that you should be prepared to ask during a free consultation with a Los Angeles personal injury attorney include:

  • How long have you been practicing as a personal injury attorney?
  • Do you practice personal injury law exclusively?
  • Have you ever been disciplined by the California State Bar?
  • Have you handled other cases like mine?
  • How many jury trials have you handled?
  • Are you confident in the courtroom or do you prefer to negotiate cases before trial?
  • What verdicts and settlements have you recovered in the past?
  • How much do you think my case is worth?
  • How much are your legal fees?

Consider What is Important to You

What is the most important characteristic of the attorney you hire to handle your Los Angeles personal injury claim? Is there a specific factor that will lead to you hire one attorney over another?

There are many things to consider when you are hiring a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, and you will have to decide which are most important to you. This answer will help you decide which attorney is best-suited to handle your case.

Personality

You don’t have to be best friends with your attorney, but you do have to trust them. It is important to choose an attorney who you would feel comfortable confiding in. Details can make or break a case, so it is important to be as detailed as possible when discussing your case with your attorney.

When you are meeting with an attorney during your free consultation try to assess whether you feel comfortable and confident when speaking with them.

Cost

Most Los Angeles personal injury lawyers will take your case in exchange for a percentage of any compensation you recover. However, this is not always the case. Even when it is, this percentage will vary from case-to-case. Many times, this percentage can range anywhere from 25 percent to 40 percent of your compensation.

A personal injury attorney will consider the type of case, the complexity of the case, and value of the case when deciding the percentage they will take in any given case. Ask the attorney you meet with to give you a firm offer and to disclose any hidden fees (e.g., court costs, deposition fees, etc.) that may be linked to your case.

Experience

Some Los Angeles personal injury attorneys have decades of experience under their belt. They have handled thousands of cases and know the Los Angeles court system like the back of their hand. Maybe they’ve been practicing for so long that they have earned a reputation with local insurance companies and judges. This can be of great value to you when you hire that attorney to represent you.

However, this experience may also come at a cost. Established attorneys may charge more than attorneys with less experience. Just because an attorney does not have a significant amount of experience does not mean that they are not qualified to handle your case or that they will be any less effective. You will have to weigh the importance of experience when deciding which attorney is best for you.

Contact the Los Angeles Accident Center

Have you been injured in an accident in Los Angeles? Contact the Los Angeles Accident Center today to find out if you have a viable legal claim for damages. We will review your case, explain your rights, and answer any questions you have. You have a limited amount of time to act after an accident, so do not hesitate to call us today.

How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help if You Are Being Blamed for a Car Accident

Common personal injury scenarios where compensation may be awarded include motor vehicle accidents, slip and fall accidents, and medical malpractice. For instance, when another driver causes a car accident, the driver could be liable for your injuries and damages. However, the at-fault driver or their insurance company might try to blame you for causing the accident. 

Don’t try to handle the “blame game” alone because you could lose your right to compensation for damages. Instead, work with an experienced car accident lawyer. An attorney can defend you against unfair allegations of blame to help you receive fair compensation for a car accident claim

How Will the Insurance Company Try To Blame Me for the Accident?

Insurance adjusters have numerous tricks they use to play the “blame game” in a car accident. Common insurance tricks the adjuster might try to use in your case include:

Obtaining Contradictory Testimony 

Most insurance companies call victims on a recorded telephone line. Always ask if you are being recorded when speaking with an insurance adjuster. Do not consent to speak on a recorded line.

The insurance company might ask you questions during a telephone conversation, in person, or during a deposition. The slightest inconsistency in your answers is used to discredit you.

Allowing your personal injury lawyer to handle all communications with the insurance company is best. If you are deposed or testify in court, no recorded or written statements will impeach your testimony.

Ask Leading or Tricky Questions

Insurance adjusters are highly-trained professionals. They know how to ask questions that trick victims into making statements the company can use against them. 

For example, the adjuster might ask you to describe the day’s events. They may pressure you for details, such as when you left work. 

You state that you left work late because of a busy day. Now, the adjuster claims you were tired when you left work and in a hurry to get home, so you were distracted while driving.

Another common trick is to ask you how you are feeling today. If you say you are feeling fine, then the adjuster twists your words to claim you must not be seriously injured.

Again, allowing your lawyer to deal with the insurance adjuster is best. Instead of answering questions, tell the adjuster to call your personal injury attorney. 

Spying On You Via Social Media and Online Content

Insurance companies search online content and social media accounts. Anything you post online could be used as evidence in court. It is best to stop using social media and all other online accounts during your personal injury case. 

Blaming You for the Severity of Your Injuries

An insurance company might try to blame you for your injuries. For example, it might claim you failed to seek prompt medical care or follow your doctor’s treatment plan. Therefore, your injuries are more severe than they would have been had you acted reasonably to mitigate damages.

Always seek immediate medical treatment after a car accident. Keep all of your doctor’s appointments and follow your doctor’s orders. Talk with your personal injury lawyer before seeking treatment other than through your doctors or medical facility, such as being treated with acupuncture, massage therapy, or homeopathic therapy. 

Why Does It Matter if the Insurance Company Blames Me for a Car Accident?

California is an “at-fault” car insurance state and requires drivers to carry various types of coverage, such as bodily injury liability. New York, for comparison, is one of few states that have “no-fault” insurance coverage requirements. After a crash in a no-fault state, your first claim is to your no-fault insurance provider. However, you could also have a claim against the other driver’s liability insurance coverage. In an at-fault state, you can immediately pursue compensation from the driver who caused the crash.

Regarding claims against the at-fault driver, you must prove that they caused the car accident to recover compensation for damages. Under New York’s comparative fault law, your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault. California follows the same type of law.

Therefore, if the liability insurance company can shift some of the blame for the car crash to you, it can reduce its liability for your claim. For example, suppose you are 33% to blame for causing your accident. If so, you are only entitled to two-thirds of your damages.

How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help if I’m Being Blamed for an Accident?

An experienced personal injury lawyer understands comparative negligence laws. They also understand the tricks and tactics insurance companies use to blame accident victims unfairly to avoid paying claims.

An attorney can help you if you’re being blamed for an accident by:

  • Conducting an independent investigation to determine the cause of the accident
  • Gather evidence proving the other driver caused the crash
  • Handle all communications with the insurance company
  • Work with accident reconstructionists and other expert witnesses to prove you are not to blame
  • Fight unfair allegations of comparative negligence during settlement negotiations and in court

Talking with a personal injury lawyer about your accident case is free. Before you talk with an insurance company, take advantage of a free consultation. It can help you protect your right to the money you deserve after being injured in a car accident. 

Suffering an injury at work can leave you with a number of debilitating consequences to contend with. You might be impacted physically, emotionally, mentally, and financially – all at once. Near the top of your list of concerns may be how you will be compensated as you recover and heal from the accident.

Fortunately, you likely have options available through California law. One possibility is filing a workers’ compensation claim, and another is filing a personal injury claim. Read on to learn about how these two types of claims differ so that you can assert your legal rights after a workplace injury.

Workers’ Compensation Claims

One place to turn for financial support after a workplace injury is California’s workers’ compensation system. Per California law, every employer in the state with at least one employee is required to provide workers’ comp benefits. Generally speaking, you can file a workers’ comp claim regardless of whose fault the accident was.

Available benefits through a workers’ compensation claim include:

  • Medical care
  • Temporary disability 
  • Permanent disability
  • Supplemental job displacement 
  • Death benefits

The types of benefit(s) you are eligible for will depend on the nature of your injury and the impact it will have on you going forward. You must notify your employer of your injury within 30 days to ensure you receive the benefits you’re entitled to.

Personal Injury Claims

One major tradeoff of the workers’ compensation system is that, unless a rare exception applies, you won’t be able to file a lawsuit against your employer after a workplace injury. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re barred from pursuing a personal injury claim.

If there is a third party who is responsible for your injury, you may be able to file a claim against them for additional compensation. For instance, if you were involved in a car accident through the course of your work, you might be able to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver.

Through this third-party personal injury claim, you can recover both economic and non-economic damages – compensation that goes far beyond what you can receive through workers’ compensation. Examples of economic and non-economic damages include:

  • Lost wages
  • Medical bills, current and future
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental conditions such as PTSD and depression
  • Rehabilitation and therapy
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of quality of life
  • Decreased earning capacity
  • Childcare costs
  • Miscellaneous out-of-pocket expenses
  • Disfigurement and scarring

In cases involving extreme conduct from the at-fault party, you may be able to recover punitive damages as well. However, these damages are meant to “punish” the defendant for their behavior and are rarely awarded. 

An Experienced Attorney Can Help You Determine Your Legal Options

Understanding your legal rights is critical after sustaining an injury at work. While workers’ compensation is almost certainly an option you can utilize, it can only provide limited benefits. If you can find a third party to hold liable, you’ll be able to pursue a more lucrative personal injury claim that can more thoroughly compensate you for your losses.

An experienced workplace accident attorney in California can help you every step of the way. If you hire a lawyer, you can take the time you need to focus on your health and well-being. In the meantime, your attorney can evaluate your best legal course of action and handle your claim(s) on your behalf. 
Since most lawyers in this area of the law offer free initial consultations, it’s likely worth your time to set up a time to meet. Note, too, that most workplace accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis – meaning that they only get paid if they obtain compensation for you.

Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer After an Accident?

Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer After an Accident?

You might feel overwhelmed after suffering a personal injury in an accident. The consequences can affect you financially, mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Your list of concerns might also include how you’ll recover compensation from the party responsible for your injuries and losses. But do you actually need a personal injury lawyer to do so?

The short answer is that it depends. If your case doesn’t involve losses (especially economic losses) or you did not, in fact, sustain an injury, you might not need to hire an attorney. But in almost every other instance, it is likely in your best interest. 

The rest of this article will provide insight into when you need a personal injury lawyer after an accident.

A Personal Injury Attorney Can Negotiate With the Insurance Company on Your Behalf

In almost every personal injury case, an insurance company will be involved in one form or another. Sometimes, you’ll need to file a claim with your insurer; in other situations, you’ll file one against the at-fault party’s insurance company. Since California is an at-fault car insurance state, you can generally pursue compensation from the other driver after a crash.

Ultimately, insurance companies are for-profit businesses. The adjusters they employ are incentivized to minimize the claims they review for liability. This is true regardless of whether it is your or the responsible party’s insurer you are dealing with. When you speak with them, they may use various tactics to reduce or escape financial responsibility for your losses.

If your claim is substantial, you’ll most likely benefit from hiring a personal injury lawyer in this context. An experienced attorney in this field of law will help you level the playing field with the other side. Personal injury lawyers are trained negotiators familiar with insurance companies’ operations. In short, an attorney won’t let the insurance company take advantage of your interests.

A Personal Injury Lawyer Will Protect You If You Are Being Blamed for Your Injuries

In many personal injury cases, multiple parties caused the accident – even if one party is more responsible than another. Comparative fault is how this issue is sorted out such that each party is held accountable for their actions.

States differ in how they deal with this issue, though there are a few broad categories of handling comparative fault that most fall under. California, for instance, works under a “pure comparative negligencestandard

Under the pure comparative negligence standard, each party is assigned a percentage of fault. Your recoverable damages may be adjusted based on your percentage of the blame. For example, if you are assigned 20% of the blame, your financial compensation may be reduced by 20%.

Other states are not so favorable to accident victims. Nevada, for instance, adheres to a “modified comparative negligencestandard with a 51% bar to recovery. The way it works is similar to California’s system, except that if you are assigned 51% or more of the blame, you cannot recover compensation at all. This standard applies in almost every personal injury context, such as after a car accident or a motorcycle accident.

The at-fault party will likely try to accuse you of causing the accident, as that can allow them to reduce their liability for your injuries. However, hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer means you can effectively respond to these allegations.

You Will Have Time to Focus on Your Rest and Recovery After Your Accident

Hiring a personal injury lawyer might be necessary if you’ve suffered serious injuries from your accident. The personal injury claims process can be lengthy, and sometimes taking a case to court is required in order to realize its full value.

It’s unadvised to do this alone, especially if you’re still working on caring for your health and well-being. If you hire a personal injury lawyer, you’ll be able to focus on your rest and recovery. In the meantime, your attorney can take care of every aspect of your claim from start to finish. That includes tasks such as:

  • Collecting evidence on your behalf
  • Investigating your accident to evaluate your damages and identify the at-fault party or parties
  • Handling all of the communications, paperwork, and negotiations 
  • Filing a lawsuit before the deadline if necessary

A lawyer can also advise you on your legal rights and options as your case develops, ensuring your best interests are protected at all times.

A Personal Injury Law Firm Can Give You Access to Resources and Experts

In personal injury law, the injured victim has the burden of proof to support their contentions “by a preponderance of the evidence.” This is easier to satisfy than the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard found in criminal cases. Nonetheless, you must submit enough evidence to show your positions are more likely true than otherwise.

It can sometimes require expert assistance to properly establish a claim. Two examples of these experts are accident reconstructionists and forensic economists. This assistance might also come in the form of an expert witness, should your case reach trial. A personal injury lawyer can hire experts to strengthen your claim when needed.

Experts also could come into play in terms of evaluating your damages. You generally only have one chance at receiving compensation, and hiring an attorney means you’ll make the most of that opportunity. You’ll be able to demand an amount that accurately reflects your losses, both backward and forward-looking.

Set Up a Free Consultation With a Personal Injury Lawyer 

In most cases, hiring a personal injury lawyer means you’ll set yourself up for a favorable outcome for your claim. That means obtaining the compensation that makes you whole again as best as possible. 

Most personal injury attorneys offer a free consultation, so you can receive legal advice and learn about their services. And since most lawyers in this field work for a contingency fee, you’ll only pay them attorney’s fees if they secure compensation for you. 

The contingency fee system also means the lawyer won’t be able to take on your case unless it makes sense for them. For that reason, it is at least worth your time to set up a meeting and find out whether a lawyer could benefit you in virtually every circumstance.