El Segundo Car Accident Lawyer
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Experienced Car Accident Attorney In El Segundo, CA
In the blink of an eye, a car accident may happen and stay with you for life. Permanent disability, lost wages, emotional pain, and anguish along with daily agony are all consequences that can arise from such accidents. As if this weren’t tough enough to deal with already, navigating California’s legal system is often difficult as well – insurance companies or other involved entities usually strive to minimize your personal injury claim’s worth in any way they can.
Sheridan & Rund, PC understands the intricate legalities and possible elements that impact your case’s worth and settlement value. If necessary, we stand ready to take your case to trial in order to hold the liable party accountable for their negligence. Our El Segundo car accident lawyers not only defend the rights of injury victims but also help them rebuild their lives after an unexpected tragedy occurs. Contact our office today for a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.
Top 10 Causes of Car Accidents in Los Angeles County
Unfortunately, car accidents are commonplace; in fact, US roads witness hundreds of thousands of crashes every year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) acknowledges the danger posed by motor vehicle safety to our nation and has made it one of its main priorities. Car accidents are amongst the most lethal throughout America with Los Angeles County being especially hazardous in this regard.
Sheridan & Rund, PC has been fighting for the rights of Los Angeles County’s injured victims and demanding compensation from negligent parties. We understand that uncovering how and why an auto collision occurred is critical in motor vehicle accident cases, so we have compiled some of the most frequent causes below. Our experienced legal team stays ahead to ensure your right to justice and grants you deserved remuneration for any losses or injuries suffered due to another driver’s careless behavior.
- Distracted Driving
- Drunk Driving
- Speeding
- Reckless Driving
- Hazardous Weather
- Running Traffic Signals
- Driving at Night
- Vehicle Defects
- Tailgating
- Wrong-Way Driving & Illegal Turns
Financial Compensation You Can Recover After A Car Accident
After a car accident, it is quite understandable for one to experience racing thoughts and anxiousness. Surprisingly, statistics demonstrate that the typical individual will be involved in 3-4 crashes during their lives. Most individuals are worried about medical bills quickly after an incident – understandably so. But if your injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness, you’ll have to account for treatments and recovery time too!
Severe injuries are not only accompanied by an unbearable amount of physical pain, but also emotional turmoil. To make matters worse, medical bills pile up, insurance adjusters bombard you with phone calls and countless quotes from auto body shops arrive at your doorstep. It can be a difficult period as it demands time away from work resulting in lost wages that add to the already overwhelming weight on your shoulders.
Even though an El Segundo car accident attorney can’t change the trauma you have experienced, they may be able to make moving forward smoother with a reasonable and substantial personal injury settlement. The most typical forms of financial compensation that could potentially be recovered following a car crash in Los Angeles County are provided below.
Hospital Bills
After a car collision, if you require any physical or psychological medical care, the at-fault party likely is liable for associated costs. This may include expenses of surgeries and therapies, prescription medications and accessories, and ambulance fees incurred due to permanent disabilities – all adding up in no time. Fortunately, an expert El Segundo auto accident lawyer can ensure that these costly bills do not become your family’s financial burden to bear.
Property Damages
In the aftermath of a car collision in Los Angeles County, the responsible party must bear all costs incurred due to property damage. This would typically involve paying for repairs or full replacement if your vehicle is deemed beyond repair by an auto body shop. Furthermore, any materials and possessions inside that were destroyed from this unfortunate incident are also included as part of their responsibility.
Lost Wages
When talking about compensation, we are referring to both past and future lost wages. If you’ve had to miss time from work due to medical appointments or rehabilitation related to an injury caused by a car accident, the money that was lost then is covered in this form of compensation too. This also includes any damages incurred as a result of being unable to do your job properly or earn promotions because you were injured. The aftermath of any vehicle crash can be destructive; nevertheless, if you team up with a capable El Segundo car accident lawyer they will guarantee that all instances have been assessed so that your estimation for losses accounts for everything accurately.
Pain And Suffering
After an accident, you may be eligible for financial compensation for the physical pain and suffering caused by your ordeal. This includes emotional anguish, distress, anxiety, PTSD symptoms, as well as a loss of quality of life and companionship. The repercussions from serious car accidents in Los Angeles County can be debilitating – don’t suffer in silence! If you think that you have grounds to claim damages following an incident causing injury or other losses to yourself or another person then contact Sheridan & Rund, PC today and speak with our experienced El Segundo car accident lawyers right away.
Punitive Damages
In some cases, you may be entitled to punitive damages if you are involved in a car accident. Punitive compensation is not meant as recompense but rather used for punishing the negligent defendant responsible for your injury or losses. A car accident lawyer in Los Angeles County can advise you whether pursuing punitive damages is appropriate in your case, an appropriate amount and provide legal advice going forward.
Most Common Types of Car Accidents
When filing for a personal injury claim, never underestimate the importance of knowing what type of accident you were involved in. In Los Angeles County, car accidents happen all too often; but there are some more common than others. For years now, our El Segundo car accident lawyers have been offering successful legal services to those injured in these and other types of incidents. We will be sure to guide you through this difficult process with ease.
Head-On Collision
Although head-on collisions only constitute a small portion of all vehicular accidents, they are undeniably the most fatal and devastating. The simultaneous impact from two cars moving at high speeds doubles their destructive power – more than that experienced when being hit by a stationary vehicle! Unfortunately, these types of crashes have led to an unprecedented number of fatalities compared to other automobile accidents.
Rear-End Accident
A shocking one-third of all rear-end collisions are caused by drivers trailing other vehicles too closely without paying attention. Oftentimes, these accidents happen due to distracted driving behavior like rubbernecking, talking on the phone, engaging in arguments with passengers, and texting while behind the wheel.
Rear-end collisions are not only the most common type of car accident but also one of the most forceful. In some cases, victims may sustain severe injuries such as a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury due to the force and surprise nature of these crashes. As a result, rear-end accidents can cause considerable damage that requires urgent medical attention.
Side-Impact Collision (T-Bone)
Side-impact collisions often referred to as “T-bone” accidents, are commonly experienced at intersections when one car runs a stoplight or disregards another vehicle’s right of way. Unfortunately, this type of crash typically leads to severe and life-threatening injuries for those who were hit on the side of their automobile.
Vehicle Rollover
There are usually two kinds of rollover vehicular accidents: tripped and untripped. More often than not, these types of crashes derive from a vehicle that slides to the side before colliding with an object and flipping over – these account for the majority of all recorded rollovers.
In contrast, non-tripped rollovers tend to be more frequent in crashes involving trucks. These accidents often involve heavier vehicles like semi-trucks or 18-wheelers and are the result of a driver swerving to avoid an object on the roadway; their heavy weight combined with vehicle momentum can cause them to lose control and flip over.
Common Injuries From Car Accidents In El Segundo, CA
While the potential for significant injury is greater in more serious car accidents, even minor collisions such as fender benders can create a force of impact powerful enough to cause severe injuries. Many motorists are unaware that low-impact auto incidents may result in lasting physical harm.
Understanding the various varieties of auto accident traumas can benefit both you and your El Segundo car accident lawyer in establishing precisely how much reimbursement or damages are deserved. Several of the most frequently seen injuries from car accidents include:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Whiplash
- Scrapes, cuts, and bruises
- Neck injuries
Auto Insurance Requirements in California
California, like other states, enforces mandatory auto insurance requirements for all of its motorists. Failure to comply could lead to hefty fines or penalties. According to California law, drivers must have the following types of minimum coverage:
- $15,000 – for injury or death of one person in one accident
- $30,000 – for all injuries or deaths suffered by two or more people in one accident
- $5,000 – for property damage
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Worth Getting A Lawyer For A Car Accident?
The ideal result of your car accident claim in California can be achieved quickly and efficiently with the help of a talented auto accident lawyer. To ensure you secure the maximum outcome, it is best to act soon and hire an attorney that specializes in these types of cases. By diligently reporting, documenting, and negotiating every step along the way, you will have a greater chance at success.
An El Segundo car accident attorney can offer aggressive and thorough legal counsel to maximize your recompense, as well as secure justice for any injuries you may have suffered. Plus, they will be able to ensure that all filings abide by the state’s strict deadlines – a crucial element in avoiding costly mistakes. Having such a team on your side from the outset provides so many advantages!
What To Do After A Car Accident?
Following a car accident in Los Angeles County, it is urgent that you and any passengers assess the severity of your injuries. Even if they seem minor, we strongly suggest contacting 9-1-1 for both medical aid and to report the incident to law enforcement.
Following a car accident, it is highly recommended that you call an ambulance even if the injury seems minor – your body may be in shock and adrenaline can mask the severity of any injuries. After ensuring all safety procedures have been taken care of and after receiving a thorough medical evaluation, these are the steps we suggest taking:
- Seek and accept medical treatment
- Report the crash
- Exchange information with the other driver(s)
- Stay safe at the scene
- Cooperate with law enforcement
- Document accident information
- Notify your insurance company
- Contact an El Segundo car accident lawyer
What Compensation May I Be Entitled To After A California Car Accident?
A motor vehicle crash victim in Los Angeles County may be eligible for financial remuneration. Commonly, those affected by an automobile accident could receive the following:
- Past pain and suffering from the date accident until the date of payment
- Future pain and suffering from the date of payment until the expected date of death
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost future earnings if unable to work
- Loss of consortium or relations with a spouse
- Costs for home or vehicle modifications
- At-home nursing care
- Medication bills
- Property damage
- Punitive damages in very rare and exceptional cases
- Wrongful death expenses, and
- Other damages that our car accident lawyer could recover for you.
Can I Settle A Car Accident Claim Without A Lawyer?
While it is possible to settle a car accident claim without the aid of an attorney, many mistakes can be made that reduce or devalue your compensation for the damages. Without proper guidance from an experienced motor vehicle lawyer, you could lose out on potential settlements and end up with lesser value than what might have originally been owed.
Some of these pitfalls include making an admission of fault or partial fault when you were not actually at fault, making a mistake while giving a recorded statement, not seeking the appropriate medical care or undergoing long gaps in medical treatment, lack of knowledge on how to obtain compensation for lost wages and other losses, accruing tow yard fees, lack of knowledge on how insurance policies work and what type of benefits you might be entitled to, inexperience with the state disability system, lack of knowledge about claim deadlines, and many more pitfalls. To make the most informed decision, it is essential to speak with a trusted and knowledgeable personal injury and car accident lawyer. Doing so will help you avoid any potential issues that could arise in such an impactful situation.
Contact Our El Segundo Car Accident Lawyers Today
If you have experienced a car accident in Los Angeles County, it is essential to begin the search for an established El Segundo car accident lawyer. Insurance organizations may leverage drivers involved in accidents and can try to persuade them into accepting far less compensation than what they deserve. Don’t be subject to injustice twice – reach out to Sheridan & Rund, PC now! Our proficient personal injury attorneys will carefully guide you through your case and help secure the monetary restitution that should rightfully come with any serious auto incident.