Southern California Car Accident Lawyers

Auto accidents occur every hour of every day. They are one of the most common sources of personal injuries. Car crashes are a leading cause of serious injuries and fatalities, impacting thousands of people each year. Drivers responsible for the accident are liable for any damages, whether that’s personal bodily injury or property damage. Insurance payouts that are fair and adequate can cover the costs of some damage, but oftentimes, it’s not enough. Having proper insurance coverage is essential, as California law requires liability insurance for all drivers, and driving without it can have serious legal consequences. When it’s not enough, you may need a Southern California car accident lawyer who has specific experience with auto accidents. Our law firm has a proven track record representing injured victims and securing maximum compensation for those affected by car crashes.

At Dordick Law Corporation, our experienced attorney team includes experienced California car accident lawyer professionals. As a leading law firm in Southern California, our motorcycle accident attorneys in Southern California (Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Riverside, San Diego & surrounding areas) can help you file a solid, well-supported personal injury claim to ensure you receive just and fair compensation. We have extensive experience handling Los Angeles car accident cases and understand the complexities of California’s legal system. Contact us online or at (310) 551-0949 to schedule a free consultation about your case today.

Notable Auto-related Settlements and Verdicts in California

Our firm has a proven track record of securing substantial verdicts and settlements for clients involved in serious accidents, catastrophic injuries, and wrongful death cases.

• Briones v. Zink – $125 Million Verdict – Ventura County, California
• Rodriguez v. Doe – $36.12 Million Arbitration Verdict – Alameda County, California
• Anton Yelchin v. Fiat – CONFIDENTIAL Settlement – Los Angeles, California

Common Auto Accident Injuries in Southern California

Injuries sustained from auto accidents can range anywhere from minor to fatal, with common injuries and car accident injuries frequently resulting from vehicle collisions. The common types of immediate bodily injuries often involved in personal injury claims include:

• Broken bones
• Lacerations and cuts
• Nerve damage
• Whiplash
• Spinal cord injuries
• Neck injury
• Traumatic brain injury
• Chronic pain

Any and all of the above injuries can be serious and life-threatening. It is important to seek prompt medical attention and medical treatment after an accident to ensure proper diagnosis, document your injuries, and support any legal claims you may have.

All bodily injuries – including physical injuries, permanent injuries, and severe injuries – regardless of their severity, are compensable if you are the victim of the accident, and they can have long-term impacts on your life. In many cases, psychological, mental, and emotional injuries such as post traumatic stress disorder are also compensable.

Car accident victims may experience a range of common car accident injuries, both physical and psychological, and should seek medical treatment promptly.

Types of Auto Accidents in California

Car crashes and motor vehicle accidents are common sources of injury, and the type of injuries you sustain depends on the type and manner of the car accident. Common types of crashes include:

• Head-on collisions, which are among the most devastating types of car crashes that often result in serious injuries and catastrophic injuries, including life-threatening bodily harm
• Rear-end accidents, which are among the most common motor vehicle accidents and frequently result in whiplash
• Side-impact collisions, which are common, usually occur at intersections, and result in a range of injuries depending on where the vehicle was struck
• Roll-over accidents, which are less common but result in head and neck injuries
• Sideswipe accidents, which are less common and occur when one of two or more vehicles traveling parallel with each other swipes the side of the other vehicle
• Blind spot accidents, which are less common and occur when one vehicle fails to spot another vehicle while changing or merging into another lane
• Motorcycle accidents, which are another type of motor vehicle accident and can result in severe or catastrophic injuries

Even a seemingly minor car crash or motor vehicle accident can lead to significant injuries and legal complexities.

The type of car accident can indicate liability for property and bodily damages. It’s important to remember, though, that accidents can be complex events, and so though the type may initially and seemingly indicate fault, a thorough investigation must be conducted for a clear understanding of where liability falls.

Common Causes of Auto Accidents in California

Car accidents happen due to many reasons. Investigating the cause of a crash is important for building strong car accident claims. Typically, causes can be grouped into three categories: drivers, vehicles, and environment.

Drivers

• Intoxicated driving (e.g., alcohol, marijuana, prescription drugs, illicit drugs)
• Distracted driving (e.g., eating, texting, disciplining children)
• Drowsy driving or falling asleep while driving
• Speeding or reckless driving
• Decision error (e.g., driving too fast for the conditions, misjudging another driver’s actions)
• Recognition error (e.g., inattention)
• Performance error (e.g., overcompensation, poor directional control)

Vehicles

• Tires/wheels-related
• Brakes-related
• Steering/suspension/transmission/engine-related
• Manufacture defects

Environment

• Slick roads (e.g., ice, loose debris)
• Glare
• View obstructions
• Signs/signals

Most crashes are the direct result of one driver. Aside from crashes caused by drivers, vehicles, or environmental conditions, there are other reasons that don’t fall within these categories. For instance, pedestrians can sometimes be the cause of an accident. In other circumstances, the cause cannot be determined.

When the cause of an auto accident is easily identified, liability will also tend to be easily identifiable. More complex auto accident cases, however, require the insight of an experienced car accident attorney in Southern California and the knowledge and expertise of expert witnesses. At the accident scene, it is important to gather evidence such as witness statements, accident reports, and the police report to support your car accident claim and establish liability. Our car accident lawyer in Southern California has extensive experience handling car accident cases and guiding clients through every step of the car accident claim process.

Benefits of Filing a Personal Injury Claim in California

After a car accident, insurance companies will investigate the cause of the wreck to see who was at fault. They will then offer to cover the victim’s expenses. Insurance companies, however, are for-profit entities. They make money by bringing in premium payments and increase profit margins by minimizing the amount of money they pay out in settlements.

Injury victims and injured victims have the right to seek compensation and recover financial compensation for their losses, including both economic and non-economic damages.

When an insurance company offers a settlement, that offer may not represent the true value of fair compensation a victim deserves. According to California tort law, victims should be compensated for their:

• Medical bills, past, and future
• Property damage
• Lost wages, past, and future
• Reduced earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• And more

Insurance Companies

This financial compensation is meant to address all losses suffered, and securing a fair settlement is important to ensure victims are not left with out-of-pocket expenses.

Frequently, insurance settlement offers only cover property damage and medical bills, and only those expenses incurred to date. Sometimes the settlement will also include lost wages, but again, it may only include the wages lost to date and not future wages or loss of earned income. Much of it depends on the rules of your jurisdiction.

Recovering compensation for all damages may require filing a personal injury lawsuit or pursuing a personal injury case, which can help injury victims recover compensation for the full extent of their losses.

By hiring a lawyer and pursuing these other forms of compensation, accident victims can fight for what they really deserve. Our firm has extensive experience handling personal injury cases, guiding clients through the process of recovering compensation, and working to achieve fair settlements for injured victims.

Car Accident Lawsuit FAQs

Contact our Southern California Car Accident Attorneys Today

If you live in Southern California, including Los Angeles County, Beverly Hills, Riverside, San Diego & surrounding areas, and have questions about your car accident, whether it is very straightforward or complex.

It is in your best interests to speak to a specialist personal injury lawyer in Southern California. At Dordick Law Corporation, we work hard for our clients to obtain fair and just compensation. Our law firm has extensive experience assisting clients with uninsured motorist coverage and liability insurance issues after an accident. Contact us using our online form or by calling us directly at (310) 551-0949 to schedule a free consultation today. Our team of attorneys can get you the compensation you deserve.