Let Us Steer You in the Right Direction After Your L.A. Auto Accident
Car accidents are among Los Angeles, California’s most common causes of severe injuries and fatalities. Whether involved in a single-vehicle crash, a multi-car pileup, or anything in between, you must be aware of the legal repercussions and your responsibilities. A Los Angeles auto accident lawyer can provide the legal guidance and support you need during this stressful time.
Short Summary:
- Car accidents are prevalent in Los Angeles and can cause serious injuries. If you’ve been in an accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. A Los Angeles auto accident lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and get the compensation you deserve.
- California law requires drivers to carry a minimum amount of car insurance. If you are in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, you may still be able to recover compensation for your losses. The statute of limitations for filing a car accident claim in California is two years for personal injury claims and three years for property damage claims.
- When filing a car accident claim in California, you can recover economic damages, such as medical bills and lost wages, and non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering and emotional distress. A Los Angeles auto accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and maximize your recovery. They can help with accurate accident reporting, documenting the damages for reimbursement, navigating the complex insurance claim process, investigating the accident, and determining the best strategy to get full compensation.
What Are Some Common Injuries Sustained in Car Accidents in Los Angeles?
Car accidents can cause various physical injuries, from minor scrapes and bruises to traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage. The extent of the injury depends on several factors, including the type of auto accident, the type of vehicle, the speed, and the force of impact.
Common injuries from auto accidents include:
- Head injuries
- Neck injuries
- Facial fractures
- Whiplash
- Back and spine injuries
- Broken bones
- Crush injuries
- Shoulder, hand, and foot injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
No matter the type of injury or its severity, you shouldn’t have to bear the costs alone. You have to get help from a legal professional to navigate the filing process for compensation and ensure all your medical expenses and other losses are covered.
What Are Your Financial Responsibilities Required by California Law?
In California, drivers must carry an insurance policy that meets the state’s minimum requirements as stated in California Insurance Code § 11580.1b.
Under California’s Vehicle Code §16056, drivers must maintain a minimum of 15/30/5 liability coverage on all registered vehicles. This insurance policy pays for the damages and losses endured by another driver in an auto accident.
The 15/30/5 coverage is broken down as follows:
- $15,000 for bodily injury/death of one person
- $30,000 for bodily injury/death of two or more people
- $5,000 for property damage
If a driver is found liable in an accident and their insurance does not cover the damages, they may be responsible for paying these costs out of pocket.
Were You Involved in an Accident with an Uninsured or Underinsured Driver?
If an uninsured or underinsured driver hits you, you may still be able to obtain compensation for your losses. California law requires every insurance provider to include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage as defined in California Insurance Code §11580.2.
- Underinsured motorist coverage pays for your injuries and losses when the at-fault driver does not have enough insurance to cover them. This coverage also pays for medical bills and property damage if the other driver is uninsured.
- Uninsured motorist coverage protects you if the other driver is not insured. When the at-fault driver has no insurance, uninsured motorist coverage will pay for your medical bills and property damage.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Car Accident Claim in California?
The statute of limitations in California depends on the type of claim you are filing. Generally, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the accident date (California Civil Code §335.1). If you have a property damage claim, it is three years from the accident date (California Civil Code §338). The statute of limitations begins to take effect when the accident occurs, and waiting too long to file your claim can result in having the case dismissed.
What is California’s Car Accident Liability Law?
In California, the law of pure comparative negligence determines who is liable for damages resulting from a car accident. That means that each person is held responsible for their negligence, and the compensation awarded to an injured party depends on their degree of fault in causing the accident. For example, if you were 25% responsible for a car accident, you would receive only 75% of the damages. If multiple parties were involved in the accident, each person would be held responsible based on their percentage of fault as defined under California Civil Code §1431.2.
What Damages in Car Accidents You Can Recover?
When filing a car accident claim, the damages sought are typically divided into two categories: economic damages (California Civil Code §1431.2(b)(1)) and non-economic damages (California Civil Code §1431.2(b)(2)).
- Economic damages – This refers to the actual financial losses people suffer when they’re hurt in an accident. It includes:
- Medical bills: This covers all the doctor visits, tests, medicine, and treatments you’ve had for your accident, plus any you might need in the future.
- Lost income: If you couldn’t work because of your injuries, you can get compensation for the money you missed out on. This also includes future earnings you might lose if you can’t work like you used to.
- Car repairs or replacements: If your car or other belongings were damaged in the accident, you can get money to fix them or get new ones.
- Non-economic damages – These are for things that cannot be easily priced, like pain and suffering, or how the accident affects your daily life. Since these are hard to put a value on, how much money you get depends on your lawyer showing how much it has impacted your life. Unlike some states, California doesn’t have a limit on this type of compensation. It includes:
- Pain and suffering: This means money for the physical hurt and emotional upset you’ve been through because of the accident.
- Loss of consortium: This means money for the love, companionship, and support you lose from your spouse or family member because of the accident.
- Emotional distress: This means money for how the accident has affected you emotionally, like making you anxious, depressed, or giving you post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
However, there are some limitations to the non-economic damages that can be recovered in a car accident as defined under California Civil Code § 333.4. These include:
- The driver did not have valid insurance coverage.
- The driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol (Vehicle Code §Sections 23152 or 23153).
Why Do I Need a Los Angeles Auto Accident Lawyer?
The aftermath of a car accident in Los Angeles can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to pursuing fair compensation. Don’t navigate the legal process alone. Let’s discuss how a Los Angeles car accident lawyer can help:
- Accurate Accident Reporting: A lawyer can assist in accurately reporting the accident, which is crucial for filing an insurance claim.
- Damage Documentation: They can review the police report and ensure all your damages (car repairs, medical bills, etc.) are documented for reimbursement.
- Claim Filing Navigation: An attorney can help navigate the complex insurance claim process and ensure all documents are completed correctly.
- Accident Investigation and Legal Strategy: They will investigate the accident, review relevant laws, and determine the best strategy to obtain full compensation for your losses.
At Haffner Law, we have extensive experience helping accident victims in California receive the justice and compensation they deserve. Our car accident lawyer in Los Angeles is ready to assess your claim and help you get the best possible outcome for your case.
Work with Our Los Angeles Auto Accident Lawyer and Get the Compensation You Deserve!
Don’t remain quiet about your injury or debt after an auto accident. If you have been involved in an auto accident, our Los Angeles auto accident lawyer can help.
We know that dealing with auto accident lawsuits can be challenging. There are a lot of rules and steps involved. We can help you understand your rights and make sure you get the fair compensation you deserve under California law.
At Haffner Law, we understand the complexities of auto accident cases and have intricate knowledge of California state law regarding auto accident claims. We will provide personalized legal support and assess every detail of your case to identify any potential issues so we can help you build a strong argument for financial compensation.
Aside from auto accidents, we can help you with employment law and class action suits. Contact us for a free case review today! Get the compensation that you rightfully deserve.
