Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer
Drivers in and around Los Angeles spend more time in their cars than people in most other places on Earth, increasing the odds of getting into a car accident. If you are involved in a crash, take steps to get to safety and get the medical care you need, then contact an attorney.
Our lawyers represent car accident victims and fight to get them damages for their injuries, especially when those injuries cause lost time at work, expensive medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages. Never trust that the insurance companies have your best interests in mind; work with a lawyer instead.
Call our car accident attorneys at the Law Office of John J. Perlstein at (213) 252-1070 for your free case review right away.
What to Do After a Car Accident in LA
If you were hurt in a car accident, take these steps immediately. Whether you were the driver, the passenger, a rideshare rider, or even a pedestrian/cyclist, the steps are the same:
Call 911
You should report all accidents involving injury to the police and request an ambulance at the same time. While you wait for their response, get to a safe location and clear the street to avoid a second crash.
Get Medical Care
Once the ambulance arrives, get screened and follow their recommendations. If the EMTs say you should go to the hospital, go with them.
Collect Evidence
If you can stay, take the following steps to collect evidence:
- Exchange contact info and insurance info with all drivers.
- Note info about all vehicles involved in the crash (make, model, color, license plate number).
- Note any weather, lighting, or road conditions that might have affected the accident.
- Check if you can see any dash cams or security cameras that might have caught the accident on video.
- Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and injuries.
Call a Lawyer
Before you call insurance or worry about vehicle repairs, call a lawyer. We can advise you on your rights after a crash, look into your insurance policy to see what coverage you might be able to get right away, and help you file claims.
Most cases involve filing an insurance claim, but if the defense refuses to cooperate or the insurance companies delay your case, we can also take the case to court to press the claim.
How to Deal with Insurance After a Crash
The best way to deal with insurance is to never deal with them alone. Call our car accident lawyers first, and allow us to file your claims, negotiate for damages, and take the insurance companies to task when they delay coverage or make low-dollar offers.
Should I Talk to Insurance?
If you call the insurance company, they will ask for a recorded statement. Do not do this on your own; always work with a lawyer before talking to the insurance companies.
Should I Accept a Payout?
Your own insurance policy might cover some damages up front regardless of fault. This can be helpful, and getting this money can mean making rent or having grocery money, especially if your injuries take you out of work.
However, you should never take money from the defendant or their insurance company before checking with a lawyer. This could act as a settlement and end your case. Sometimes, it is not easy to tell whether the money is coming from your insurance or the defense’s insurance, so always work with a lawyer.
Understanding Coverage
In California, we use a “fault” or “tort” car insurance system. This means the at-fault driver’s insurance covers the crash.
Drivers are required to carry at least the following state minimum insurance limits:
- $30,000 per person for injury
- $60,000 per accident for injury
- $15,000 per accident for property damage.
That is what the defense’s insurance covers. They may also have higher “standard coverage” with limits increased to $100,000 per person for injuries.
Your own insurance might also have supplemental coverage, such as collision coverage to pay for vehicle repairs or medical payment coverage. If you have these coverages, they pay regardless of who caused the crash, as long as you pay a deductible first.
FAQs for Car Accidents in Los Angeles
Do I Have to Report My Crash?
If anyone was injured or killed in the crash or it involves at least $1,000 in property damage, you have to report it to the police. Our lawyers can also help you fill out any additional reports (form SR-1) if that was not already done.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim?
Car accident injury claims must be filed within 2 years of the accident under the California statute of limitations for personal injury claims. However, you should call a lawyer much sooner to avoid unnecessary delays.
What Evidence Do I Need?
Car accident injury cases are typically based on at least
- Your own testimony
- Your medical records
- Your bills and
- Your vehicle damage appraisals.
Even stronger cases can involve other eyewitness testimony, expert testimony, photos of the accident scene, and video of the crash.
Can I Use Dash Cam Footage?
If you or someone else caught the crash on your dash cam, that can be incredibly helpful. Dash cams are typically legal in California (though you might not be able to record audio), and the video can be essential evidence in a crash where the defendant tries to blame you for the crash.
Who Decides Fault in a Car Accident Case?
If the case is filed with insurance, they will be the ones to determine fault. This process can take a long time, and insurance companies may drag out the decision in the hopes of pressuring you into caving and accepting a low settlement.
If we take the case to court, the jury decides fault instead.
Call Our Car Accident Lawyers in Los Angeles Today
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident, call the car accident attorneys at the Law Office of John J. Perlstein at (213) 252-1070 to get started with a free case review.