Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer

At 55 miles per hour, a car can travel 80 feet in just one second. It only takes this brief moment of diverted attention to miss a signal, or not notice a pedestrian in the road. Car accidents have all sorts of causes, all of which can cause serious injuries to anyone involved. Some of the most common car accident causes include:

Distracted Driving

Distractions are the number one cause of car accidents. These days the possible distractions on the road are seemingly endless. Twitter notifications, choosing a new playlist on Spotify, a call from a friend, trying to eat a quick breakfast on the way to work — practically anything can be a distraction. All it takes is one moment of distraction for someone to cause an accident that could seriously injure someone.

Speeding

The faster a car is going, the further it can travel in the short amount of time it takes for the driver to notice a hazard and step on the brakes. Excessive speeds are known to cause serious and sometimes fatal accidents.

Reckless Driving

Speeding is one type of reckless driving, but not the only type. Illegal passing, illegal turns, tailgating, swerving, and other reckless maneuvers are all frequent causes of car accidents.

Vehicle Disrepair

Failing to take a car in for regular maintenance or when something appears to be broken, can cause it to malfunction in a way that could hurt the driver as well as others on the road. Worn-out breaks, old windshield wipers, overdue oil changes, and undiagnosed engine issues can all cause an accident that could result in serious injuries.

Driving Under the Influence

Drugs and alcohol are known to impair a person’s vision and decision-making abilities. Driving under the influence is a serious crime all throughout the country, and when someone decides to get behind the wheel while impaired, they are putting everyone on the road at risk.

Who is responsible for a car accident?

When a driver runs a red light, or if they are paying too much attention to their cell phone, they are putting lives at risk. If you have been injured in a car accident because someone else was driving erratically, or were distracted on the road, they could be found liable for your injuries. If you have been injured in a car accident, you should seek assistance from a Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer as soon as possible. Insurance companies will try to settle your claim for as little as possible, but you deserve better.

What should I do if I was in a car accident?

Every car accident is a different situation, but no matter the case, your actions in the first minutes after the collision are crucial.

• Notify Law Enforcement. When police respond to a car accident, they can be a third-party source for evidence which will be critical in the resolution of your case. In addition to having police on the scene to document the incident, notifying the authorities will also ensure that medical assistance is present to treat any serious injuries.
• Gather Information. Do not allow the other driver and any other parties involved to leave the scene of the accident without first documenting their name, number, and all insurance information. Try to take a picture of their driver’s license and insurance card, as well as their license plate, and send them to your email right away.
• Document the Accident. Take photos as soon as possible of the damage done to your car, any damage to the other car(s), as well as the scene of the accident. Try to document the full area in order to help paint a picture of the circumstances of the accident.
• Locate Witnesses. If there was anyone else present at the time of the accident, be sure to gather their full contact information. A photograph of their ID is particularly useful, just in case your car accident lawyer is having a hard time contacting them for help with the case.