Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer

Los Angeles Car Accident Attorney

Having to deal with the fallout of a car accident can be an overwhelming, frustrating, and immeasurably painful situation to handle alone, especially if you are also trying to overcome severe physical injuries at the same time. One of the things that can truly make a difference in a case like this is having strong legal representation by your side as you try to hold the right people accountable for their actions. A Los Angeles car accident lawyer can help your case.

Getting in a Car Accident in Los Angeles

It is important that you realize no two car accident cases are alike. They may be similar in some respects, but overall, every car accident case is going to be different. Just because an accident case similar to yours results in a substantial settlement, it does not automatically mean that yours will, too. The amount you may receive in a settlement will depend on a multitude of factors, including the severity of your injuries and your lawyer’s negotiation skills.

Car accidents can be caused by many different things, including distracted driving, equipment failure, poor weather, bad road conditions, natural disasters, or a random accident. Whatever caused your accident, it still likely resulted in a traumatic event that may stay with you for quite some time. You may also be adjusting to a new normal caused by severe, life-altering injuries from the accident. A good Los Angeles personal injury lawyer can help you seek compensation for everything.

Hiring the right lawyer can make all the difference when the time comes to seek legal action for what’s happened to you. You should build a good legal strategy that ensures you succeed in your case. Doing so on your own may result in a loss, and the last thing you want is to be caught unprepared against someone who did hire quality legal representation. Having someone in your corner who can represent your interests can be truly beneficial in the long run.

Statute of Limitations

Deciding to hold someone accountable for what’s happened to you is a very big decision to make. You may want to take some time to consider it before moving forward with a case. Make sure you don’t take too long. You need to make sure you pay close attention to the state of California’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims, which include car accident claims. Generally, you will have two years to build up a strong enough case.

You will have two years from the date of your initial accident to establish grounds for your claim, develop a strong case, gather the evidence you need, consult with an experienced car accident lawyer, and file a claim for compensatory damages. If you are not able to file your case before two years have passed, there is a strong chance that your claim will be dismissed outright, and your chance to pursue compensation for your accident will pass by with no action taken.

It can take a lot more time than you might think to build a strong enough legal case. You should consider starting yours as soon as you can. Otherwise, your time to file may pass before you have even started developing your case. If you are concerned that your case isn’t strong enough, you should consider speaking with an accident lawyer about what you have so far. They may be able to reassure you and encourage you to keep building your case.

The Aftermath of a Car Accident

Depending on the situation, dealing with the aftermath of a car accident may be one of the most traumatizing and overwhelming situations you ever have to be a part of. The damage you face could be immediate, especially if you are dealing with physical injuries. Throughout it all, you should keep in mind that every action you take will be reflected in your accident claim, as well as the police report. Here are some things you can do to make sure your claim is protected:

• Stay Calm: One of the most important things you can do after a car accident is simply to stay calm. This may sound easier said than done, and that might be the case. Staying calm after being in a traumatic event might be impossible, but the important thing is to try. It can be easier for you to make important decisions about your immediate future if you have a level head. Take a few deep breaths, get yourself together, and move forward.
• Do Not Flee: One of the worst possible decisions you could make at this stage is to get back behind the wheel and drive away, acting like the accident never happened. Not only would this completely sabotage your accident claim, but it would likely result in legal trouble for you as well. California state law prohibits any driver involved in a bad accident from fleeing the scene. If you do so, you will likely incur severe legal penalties.
• Check for Injuries: One common result of severe car accidents is shock. Depending on how bad the accident was, you may be facing severe shock, which means you may not be able to feel any injuries you have sustained. You need to start checking yourself immediately for injuries, then do the same for any passengers in the car. Look for red areas, blood, sprains, protrusions, bruising, and broken bones.
• Call 911: As soon as you are physically able to do so, you need to call 911. Make sure you get law enforcement out to block off the accident scene and EMTs to check any survivors for injuries. If you are too injured to call, make sure you have someone else call for you. Having police officers there to take control of the situation can provide you with some much-needed peace of mind. Make sure you are totally honest with the EMTs.
• Move Your Car: The last thing you want to do is inadvertently cause another car accident because your car is sitting in the middle of oncoming traffic. If you are physically able, you should consider moving your car to the shoulder, but only if the police clear it first. If your car is too damaged to move or you are too injured to move it, just leave it where it is. At some point, someone will move your car.
• Speak With the Police: When the police arrive, they will want to speak with you about everything that’s happened. When you speak with them, be totally honest and don’t point fingers regarding the accident. Do not admit any fault for the accident, but also don’t lie to the police.
• See the EMTs: Depending on what happened in the accident, you may be dealing with severe injuries. In fact, you may be too injured to do any of these steps. In that case, you will likely just be taken to the hospital. If you are conscious enough to see the EMTs of your own volition, be honest with them about your pain levels and where you are injured. Don’t get in their way, and just let them do what they can to help you.
• Exchange Relevant Info: You should exchange relevant insurance and contact information with the other driver in order to move forward with your accident claim. Make sure you get their full name, address, phone number, license plate number, driver’s license number, and insurance carrier information. Make sure you give them your information, too. Be as civil as you can, especially with police officers present.
• Never Admit Fault: Throughout this entire exchange, it is vital to your accident claim that you never admit any degree of fault for the accident. Doing so could irreparably jeopardize your accident claim and prevent you from being compensated. Even if you are fully aware that the accident was your fault, say nothing about it to anybody but your lawyer. Even apologizing can be misconstrued as an admission of guilt.
• Document the Accident Scene: Once the police give you the all-clear, you should start documenting the accident scene for your own records and your future claim. Take plenty of photos of your injuries, the damage done to all vehicles, the conditions of the road, any posted signs, and anything else that you think might be relevant to your case. Be sure to speak to any witnesses who may be willing to help and get their contact information.
• Contact Your Insurance: It is important that you reach out to your own insurance provider and inform them of what’s happened. They need to know that you have been involved in a car accident. Throughout this exchange, do not admit any fault for the accident. Speak only about the facts of the accident. If the other driver’s insurance company reaches out, you don’t have to speak to them. Simply advise them to speak with your lawyer.
• See Your Doctor: Even if you were given a clean bill of health from the EMTs, you should still see a doctor for a follow-up. Your doctor can be more thorough and possibly find things that the EMTs initially missed. If you have any internal injuries, you want to know that as soon as possible. Your doctor can also provide you with a crucial piece of evidence you will need for your accident claim: A valid medical record.
• Contact Your Lawyer: After enduring everything, you should reach out to an experienced car accident lawyer who can help you assemble your evidence, police report, photographs, statement, and medical record into a coherent and strong personal injury case for compensation.

Important Traits in a Car Accident Lawyer

When you decide to hire someone to represent you in a car accident case, you should hire someone who you can fully rely on and who understands your case as you do. You want someone dependable who you can trust with your immediate financial future. When you are looking to hire a personal injury lawyer, it may be reasonable to assume you are dealing with something quite heavy and unprecedented.

Here are some traits you may want to look for:

• Experience: One of the most important traits that a good lawyer can bring to your case is experience. When you decide to hire someone for your case, you should look for someone who has a considerable amount of experience handling car accident cases similar to yours if that’s an option for you. Additionally, you should look for someone who has a strong track record of success in those cases. Experience is a key factor.
• Empathy: Going after someone for causing your car accident may be much harder than it seems. A personal injury case can take its toll on you. There may be times when you start to question if the fight is worth it. You need a lawyer who can reassure you that you have a chance. Empathy can make all the difference when you are trying to hold someone accountable for causing you harm. Your lawyer should be understanding.

Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer Today

You can almost never predict a car accident. If one ever happens to you, you should make sure your interests are protected and that you can hold the right people accountable in court. Depending on your medical situation, you may be counting on your compensation package to pay for your medical bills. In that case, you may not be able to afford to lose.

Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer can be the deciding factor in your case and can help you succeed.

The legal team at the Law Offices of Carl D. Barnes understands the type of legal help you will need in a case like this. We can help you build up a strong legal strategy, gather the evidence you need, and make sure you aren’t taken advantage of by insurance companies. Contact us today to speak with a team member about your case. With our legal team on your side, you can rest assured that you are getting the quality legal support you need to succeed.