Auto Accident Overview

Every year, auto accidents claim close to 3,000 lives in the State of California alone. In fact, in the 2011 statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), at least 2,791 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in the state. Of the said figure, some 1,001 were passenger car occupants. With thousands of people suffering from injuries or getting killed instantly, there is no doubt that automobile accidents are one of the most devastating occurrences. For a person involved in this unfortunate event, suffering from injuries or losing a loved one is definitely an overwhelming experience

If you got injured in an auto accident in Los Angeles, or lost a loved one because of the same circumstances, and negligence is the reason why it happened, then you must be aware that you can file damages against the party at fault. However, knowing your rights and enforcing them are two different things. Enforcing your claim for damages is a difficult task, more so if you try to negotiate with the other party and its insurance provider on your own. At this point, it is very crucial that you leave the negotiations and other legal matters of your claim with a reputable auto accident lawyer.

Major Causes of Auto Accident in Los Angeles

California, along with its key cities such as Los Angeles, is no stranger to auto accidents. Regardless of whether the accident was a minor fender bender or a collision resulting in a serious wreck, these incidents are usually due to driver error. Major causes of automobile accidents include, driving while intoxicated, driving while feeling tired or sleepy, and driving recklessly and negligently, which involve running the red light, ignoring the traffic signs and signals, driving over the posted speed limit, and getting distracted while behind the wheel. There are also incidents wherein road hazards due to poorly-maintained roadways cause these mishaps. In any of these, negligence is almost always involved.

Basically, it is every motorist’s duty to exercise reasonable care towards others while behind the wheel. It is expected for everyone using the road, especially those who are driving vehicles, to be careful when dealing with other road users, wherein they must yield and give the right of way, as well as follow the traffic rules and regulations. Failure to do so would increase the chances of a collision, which may potentially injure or kill other people.

In the event of a car accident, it is imperative for you to seek medical treatment, especially if you sustained injuries. If it is caused by negligence, then you must be able to consult with an experienced lawyer who understands the gravity of your situation.

When Do I Hire an Auto Accident Lawyer?

Hiring an expert lawyer for auto accident claims in Los Angeles, California must be done soon after the incident happened. The statute of limitations or time limits for filing claims in this type of personal injury accident is within two (2) years from the date of your injury or the death of your loved one. While this is so, it is still imperative for you and your family members to exercise your rights immediately so that you won’t lose out on securing a favorable settlement you deserved.

By retaining the services of an attorney for auto accident claims, you will have an increased chance of obtaining compensation from the liable party who caused the accident. By letting your legal counsel handle the important legal matters of your claim, you will be eased of the expected difficulty that comes with asserting your rights against the party at fault as well as its insurance company. Your lawyer will help make sure pieces of evidence are gathered, from medical records of your injury treatment, accounts from witnesses, police report of the incident, photos taken at the accident scene, to videos retrieved from CCTV cameras installed near the scene. With these, your attorney will be able to determine who is at fault for the accident, depending on the circumstances of the unfortunate event. It could be either the other driver involved or a government entity, if the accident was due to a road hazard.

Your good reputation auto accident attorney will also help you aggressively pursue your claim, working on it as diligently as possible for you to be reimbursed fully for the high costs of medical treatment and rehabilitation, your income lost as a result of physical limitation to go back to work, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other non-economic losses.