Beverly Hills Car Accident Lawyers

Types of Car Accidents

• Single-vehicle accidents are fairly common, and they can lead to serious injuries for the vehicle’s occupants and substantial property damages. Causes may include driver error, mechanical problems with the car, unexpected road obstructions, weather issues or unsafe road conditions.
• Rear-end collisions occur when the vehicle in the rear comes in contact with a vehicle ahead of it. Damages may range from minor fender-benders to hard-impact collisions that render one or both vehicles non-driveable. Determining the causes of the collision and assigning responsibility will have an impact on which motorist should be held responsible for damages.
• T-bone accidents usually occur at intersections. Side-impact collisions can result in serious injuries to occupants because the vehicle’s crumple zone does not provide as much protection as the front end or the rear of the car.
• Sideswipe collisions occur when cars traveling in the same direction swipe each other while merging, changing lanes or swerving out of lane. Damages range from cosmetic to one that requires major body work.
• Rollover accidents may be a single-vehicle event but may also involve another vehicle. SUVs and other vehicles with a higher center of gravity are prone to rollovers, but any automobile may roll over when driven at high speeds while negotiating a sharp turn especially in slippery road conditions.

What you should do After a Car Accident

• Stop your vehicle, and check on all occupants, including those in other vehicles that may have been involved in the collision.
• If it is practical, move vehicles to the shoulder and away from traffic. This will prevent obstruction and limit the risk f other vehicles piling on to the collision.
• If someone is obviously injured, call 911 immediately. Emergency services will contact law enforcement and traffic safety officers and investigators to the site. Traffic investigators will take charge of collecting motorists’ contact information along with insurance data. Make sure to take down the name of responding officers so that you can follow up on the accident report.
• In minor accidents, exchange insurance information with the other parties involved. Take photos and videos of the accident if you can.
• Call your insurance carrier to report the accident as soon as possible. When speaking with traffic investigators and your insurance representative, state the facts objectively as everything you say will be documented and become part of the investigative reports. Do not say anything that may be understood as accepting fault for the accident. In California, the DMV-SR1 form must be submitted within 10 days if the accident resulted in fatalities or damages exceeded $1,000.

Types of Injuries from Car Crashes

• Whiplash involves injuries to the soft tissues in the neck and back that may occur due to sudden movement as a vehicle is forced to change its speed due to a collision. This type on injury may occur even in low-speed crashes involving minimal damage to the car.
• Head and Back Trauma occur due to the impact of the collision that may cause violent contact with various objects. Head injuries may lead to concussions, a coma or traumatic brain injuries affecting cognitive abilities. Back injuries may affect mobility and may even lead to paralysis. Injuries to the limbs include lacerations and broken bones which may occur in high-speed crashes.
• You may lose your ability to drive a motor vehicle, affecting your quality of life permanently.
  

  Accounting for Damages After a Car Accident

  The issue of damages incurred due to a car accident is complicated because there are different types of damages involved, and assigning liability for the damages is crucial to determining who compensates whom and for how much. Damages usually include the following:

  • Medical expenses
    Seek medical attention even when injuries are not apparent. Make sure to keep a record of medical reports and receipts for medical services. Be aware that there is a deadline for seeking medical attention for injuries suffered due to a car accident if you want these expenses included in the insurance claim.
  • Property Damage
    Reporting the accident to your insurance carrier will trigger an investigation by their adjuster who takes charge of preparing a compensation offer for damages to your car. Navigating this process can be complicated if another party and other insurance companies are involved.
  • Lost Wages
    You will also be asked to present proof that you are unable to work. You should be compensated for wages lost as a result of your inability to attend work due to the accident.
  • Pain and Suffering
    Pain and suffering refers to physical pain and emotional and mental distress that accident victims endure due to a car crash. The description may include anxiety, depression, insomnia and other behavioral issues.
  • Wrongful Death
    If the accident resulted in fatalities, you may be compensated for losing a loved one. Compensation covers medical bills, loss of future wages, loss of companionship and other issues.

  Why You Need the Services of an Attorney

  Being in a car accident will have a significant impact on your life financially, physically and emotionally. Under California and other federal laws, you have certain legal rights that you can exercise to make sure that you receive just compensation for injuries and damages suffered due to the accident. As a matter of practice, your insurance provider will try to pay as little as possible while making it difficult for you to collect. The process of seeking equitable settlement is stressful and time-consuming. You need a legal expert on your side. Choose one who is experienced in personal injury cases with demonstrated success in achieving fair compensation for car accident victims. The experts at Beverly Hills Valley Accident Lawyers are here to help.

   

  We Help Victims of Car Accidents in these Areas

  Beverly Hills | Encino | Granada Hills | Northridge | Porter Ranch | San Fernando | Santa Clarita | Sherman Oaks | Sun Valley | Sylmar | Valencia | Valley Glen | Van Nuys