Traveling in Los Angeles almost always involves gridlock and heavy traffic, and motorists have the fourth-highest likelihood of a collision. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released its first projections for traffic fatalities in 2024, estimating that 8,650 people died in traffic crashes in the first three months of the year. If you’ve been seriously hurt due to another driver’s negligence, you need Salamati Law.
A Los Angeles car accident lawyer at Salamati Law aggressively advocates for your legal right to fair and reasonable compensation for your damages and losses. Call today for a free consultation.
Why Choose Salamati Law to Handle Your Car Accident Lawsuit
You can depend on our legal team to protect your interests and deftly handle negotiations with insurance companies. We have secured millions of dollars on behalf of our clients and approach every new case with the same level of compassion and dedication. When you hire a Los Angeles car accident lawyer at Salamati Law, you hire a law firm with an excellent track record of success. We can hold those responsible for your injuries liable.
Our many car accident case results speak for themselves. Examples include an $812,500 settlement for a car accident client whom the defendant alleged had a pre-existing injury. A client injured in an Uber accident who required neck surgery received a $1.5 million settlement.
While most car accident claims are settled, we’ll take your case to court if the insurance company fails to agree to a reasonable settlement.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Los Angeles
Move yourself to safety. It is imperative to report your accident to the police. While you should give them accurate information about the circumstances of the accident, do not admit fault. Even if you think you bear some responsibility for the collision, your attorney’s investigation may show that other factors were involved, such as a mechanical defect in either one of the vehicles.
The Importance of Documentation
A successful car accident claim requires documentation. Take photos or videos of the accident scene, including all vehicles involved in the crash. Document road conditions that may have contributed to the crash, especially during inclement weather. Record any evidence, such as skid marks or vehicle debris. Take photos of your injuries.
Get the other driver’s name, address, contact and insurance information. If there are eyewitnesses to the accident, obtain their names and contact information.
Seek Medical Attention
Always seek prompt medical attention after a car crash. Seriously injured accident victims are generally transported to the emergency room via ambulance. However, even if you feel shaken but otherwise fine, see a doctor anyway. Adrenaline floods the body, which can mask severe injuries, such as concussions.
Moreover, you risk harming your health and your car accident claim by not seeking medical attention. Insurance companies often try to minimize the damages of victims. It is part of their business model to attempt to pay out as little as possible. If you wait several days or longer to see a doctor, the insurance company will likely allege that you were not seriously injured or that some other event caused your medical issues. Consult a Los Angeles car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Common Types of Car Accidents
The most common types of car accidents include:
- Distracted driving: Distracted driving is now among the leading causes of automobile accidents. While frequently associated with texting while behind the wheel, distracted driving involves any activity that takes the driver’s eyes off the road. This includes eating or drinking, using the navigational system, pets in the car, or even talking to other passengers.
- Drunk driving accidents: Driving drunk is a crime. While the police may arrest the suspect, any criminal charges are separate from a personal injury lawsuit filed in civil court.
- Head-on collisions: Among the crashes with the highest fatality and severe injury rate, many head-on collisions result from drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol or dealing with fatigue.
- Hit-and-run accidents: Leaving the scene of a car accident is a crime. When a hit-and-run happens, it is a good bet that the fleeing driver is responsible for the collision. At Salamati Law, we investigate the case and gather evidence to hold the driver accountable if they are found. If the driver remains unidentified, we will negotiate with your insurance company on your behalf.
- Rear-end collisions: Rear-end collisions often happen due to distracted driving. While some such collisions are fender benders, others result in severe injury and long-term impairment.
- T-bone accidents: This type of collision refers to one vehicle striking the side of another, also known as a broadside accident. These crashes occur when a driver fails to yield the right of way at an intersection or turns left without checking the roadway for oncoming traffic.
- Texting and driving accidents: Overall, texting and driving is responsible for more accidents and deaths than drunk driving. Your attorney can obtain the text records of the at-fault driver to prove your claim.
- Uber & Lyft accidents: The popularity of rideshare apps coincides with increased rideshare accidents.
What are the Most Common Injuries in a Car Accident?
Car accident victims may eventually recover from some of the most common motor vehicle accident injuries. However, many suffer catastrophic injuries from which complete recovery is impossible.
Typical car accident injuries include the following:
- Amputation
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash
As noted, all of the above have the potential for long-term disability. For example, spinal cord injuries (SCIs) from car accidents can have many long-term effects, including physical and mental health issues and disrupting organ systems. They can also cause a loss of sensation or movement in the body, such as the arms or legs. A skilled attorney can ensure that all of your medical needs, now and in the future, are part of your damages award.
What Types of Compensation are Available for an Auto Accident Claim?
Common forms of car accident compensation or damages include the following:
- Medical expenses, current and future
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Property damage
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
How Much to Expect from a Car Accident Settlement in California
The amount of compensation you can expect from a Los Angeles car accident settlement depends upon the seriousness of your injuries and their impact on your life. Other significant factors include the insurance policy limits of the at-fault driver and whether they have other assets to pursue in litigation.
In general, the more severe the plaintiff’s injuries and long-term prognosis, the higher the settlement value. The accident victim’s age, occupation, and educational level also play a role in settlement amounts if they are unlikely to return to their former line of work due to their injuries.
California Is a Pure Comparative Negligence Jurisdiction
You can still recover compensation if you are partly at fault for the collision. California operates under a pure comparative negligence standard when it comes to liability. You can still receive a damages award, but the amount of compensation is reduced by the jury’s determination of your percentage of fault.
For example, if you were driving five miles over the speed limit when the other driver crashed into you, the jury might decide you were 25 percent at fault. That means a $100,000 award is reduced to $75,000. Pure comparative negligence underscores the need for a skilled accident lawyer to counter insurance company tactics that you bear a greater percentage of fault.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Los Angeles?
California’s statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is generally two years from the accident date. Failure to file a lawsuit by this deadline typically means your case cannot proceed.
In 2023, car accidents killed more people than homicides, according to the Los Angeles Times. A total of 336 people lost their lives, the highest number since Los Angeles started keeping such statistics. In California, the decedent’s surviving relatives can file a wrongful death claim; the statute of limitations is two years from the death date, not the accident date.
As noted, obtaining legal representation as soon as possible is crucial. Waiting too long to consult an attorney can mean valuable evidence is lost. The sooner you file a car accident case, the faster your attorney can begin the investigation.
Contact a Los Angeles Car Accident Attorney at Salamati Law for a Free Consultation
If you or someone you know was seriously injured in a car accident due to another party’s negligence or recklessness, you need the services of an experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyer at Salamati Law. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today. Since we work on a contingency basis, you pay no legal fees unless you receive compensation. We provide representation to clients throughout Los Angeles County.
