Brain Injury

For individuals under the age of 75, half of all traumatic brain injuries are caused by car accidents, bicycles or motorcycle accidents...

Brain Injury Brain Injury

March 8, 2010

Injured in a car accident in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles, California, is one of the largest metropolitan cities in the United States with a population of over 10 million citizens. Everyday someone is injured in a car accident and suffers severe injuries. Common car accident injuries can include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones and even death.

If a Los Angeles driver has been injured in a car accident and suffered car accident injury because of the negligence of another driver, they may be able to receive car accident injury compensation for medical bills, property damage and lost wages. If the car accident injuries were the result of another driver’s reckless and dangerous actions punitive damages may also be available.

Los Angeles drivers who want to discuss filing a car accident claim can contact a car accident lawyer who understands car accident law.

What if there is an accident in a car?

There are a few things that should be done immediately if a driver has suffered car accident injuries.

  1. Don’t flee the scene. A person who flees the scene could be charged with a hit and run.
  2. Check on the other drivers, make sure they have not been injured and call 911.
  3. Don’t admit fault or make any statements except to the police.
  4. Exchange information with other drivers who were injured in the car accident.
  5. Seek medical attention.
  6. Contact your insurance company.
  7. Do not agree to any settlement offers without consulting with a car accident lawyer.

Do I have a car accident claim?

Los Angeles drivers who have been injured in a car accident and have filed a car accident injury claim must prove the other driver was negligent to win their car accident law suit. To prove negligence the plaintiff must prove three things:

  1. The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty to act reasonably and safely.
  2. The defendant breached their duty of care.
  3. The plaintiff’s car accident injuries were a result of the defendant’s negligence. Negligence is defined as failing to conform to a standard of conduct which puts other individuals at risk.

If the claimant in the car accident proves the defendant was negligent, the judge or jury may award the plaintiff damages to compensate the defendant for their car accident injuries. Damages for common car accident injuries can include lost wages, medical costs and pain and suffering. In some cases the judge or jury may award additional damages to punish the defendant for flagrant disregard of the law (ex. drunk driving).

What can car accident attorneys do for me?

Car accident attorneys can help California drivers recover compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for permanent disabilities like brain injuries suffered in a car accident. Car accident lawyers can help negotiate with the car accident insurance company, file all of the necessary court documents and manage the paperwork and claims process.

In the state of California, a claimant has 2 years to file a car accident claim against anyone who caused their car accident injuries. If a negotiation has not been reached, it is important to file a car accident law suit before the California statute of limitations expires.

February 22, 2010

Involved in a car accident in San Jose?

Car accidents can lead to catastrophic, life-threatening injuries and even death. If you have been injured in a car accident in San Jose, California, you need to know your legal options. San Jose car accident lawyers can help you get the legal help you need and hold negligent drivers accountable for their illegal actions.

There are close to one million drivers in San Jose and everyday many of those drivers are involved in some type of car accident including: motorcycle, pedestrian, car and drunk driving accidents. If you have been injured in a car accident you may have suffered a car accident injury which can have severe long-term consequences for your health and quality of life. If your car accident injuries were caused by the negligence of another driver you can file a car accident injury law suit to fight for the compensation you deserve including:

  • Paid medical care for you car accident injuries. Medical care can include: hospital stays, surgery, medications and rehabilitation.
  • Property replacement
  • Compensation for your pain and suffering
  • Lost wage benefits

If the defendant’s actions are found to be willful and malicious, you may be awarded punitive damages. To find out more about filing a claim in a car accident, contact a car accident lawyer for help.

Do I have a car accident claim?

San Jose drivers who have been injured in a car accident only have a personal injury claim if they can prove the following:

  • The defendant owed them a duty to act safely and reasonably.
  • The defendant breached their duty of care toward them by their negligent actions. Negligence is defined as “failing to conform to an acceptable standard of conduct”.
  • The defendant’s negligent actions caused injury to them injury.

If the plaintiff proves all of the above, the judge or jury can assess damages for the car accident law suit which may provide lost wage compensation, paid medical expenses, paid property damages and pain and suffering compensation to the plaintiff.

Steps after a car accident in San Jose

Anyone involved or injured in a car accident should do the following:

  1. Stay at the scene of a car accident.  Fleeing the scene can lead to a charge of hit and run.
  2. Ensure all the other drivers are safe, and if anyone has been injured in the car accident call 911.
  3. Do not admit fault for any of the common car accident injuries and only make statements to the police.
  4. Gather information from all of the drivers involved or injured in the car accident.
  5. Seek medical attention even if you do not think you are injured.
  6. Contact your insurance company.
  7. Prior to settling your car accident insurance claim a car accident lawyer should be contacted.

What does a San Jose car accident attorney do?

Car accident attorneys can help drivers who have been injured in a car accident negotiate with their insurance company, and if their car accident injuries were caused by the negligence of another driver, they can help them file a car accident law suit. It is important to contact a car accident injury lawyer as soon as possible if you are considering filing a car accident claim. Under most circumstances, in the state of California, injured drivers will have two years from the date of their car accident injuries to file their personal injury claim.