I spend a lot of time listening to the client. You begin, then, to hear things that you didn’t think were possible. The imagination starts working and then you find a way.
Long Beach Car Accident Attorneys
After a Crash, Should I Talk to a Lawyer?
A wreck can leave you in unthinkable pain and put you under a crushing pile of debt. You may be unable to work. You may be unable to provide for your family. If another driver was to blame for the collision, you shouldn’t be the one paying for the fallout.
California allows you to file a personal injury lawsuit when another person or company caused you injury. But there is a strict deadline for filing these claims. Let The Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV be your counsel and support. Since 2002, Joseph Low has helped hundreds of Southern California residents recover the money they needed after a traumatic event. He has a reputation as a patient counselor and fierce litigator - someone who will give your case, as well as your family, the attention they deserve.
Don't let those responsible for your injuries walk away scot-free. Contact The Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV today for a free case analysis. The number is (562) 901-0840.
What Are Common Causes of Crashes?
Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego are growing increasingly crowded, and our law office sees tons of crashes in these areas. The main causes are:
- Distracted driving: Even newer cars can be a source of distraction, with their dashboards and integrated features like back-up cameras. If a driver is distracted by a smartphone, a passenger, or even another accident on the freeway, he or she can crash into you. Many rear-end collisions these days are caused by distracted drivers, and since these drivers rarely brake in time, you can expect whiplash and other injuries to follow.
- DUI drivers: Drunk driving has decreased in the past years, but with the legalization of cannabis, we can expect to see more impaired drivers on California roads. If you suspect the driver who hit you is under the influence, call the police right away. They can test the driver at the scene and provide valuable information if you decide to pursue a claim.
- Hit-and-run drivers: Los Angeles is the hit-and-run capital of the United States. While many of these drivers cause only property damage, some hit pedestrians or flee the scene of a multi-car crash. It’s the police’s job to track down hit-and-run drivers, but they don’t always succeed. Having uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on your auto insurance policy is the best defense for a hit-and-run.
- Dangerous intersections: Sometimes, the road itself is dangerous. If a city’s public works department doesn’t take the time to trim trees covering road signs, or fill in potholes, an unnecessary accident can occur. The government entity can be held liable, but there is a short window of time to file a claim – call a lawyer immediately.
- Uber or Lyft drivers: As transportation network companies gobble up more of the market share, they send millions of untrained “independent contractors” into the streets, relying on an app to find customers and get them where they need to go in crowded Downtown and beyond. These drivers are often distracted, and fatigued from driving all the time to make ends meet. Uber and Lyft both have million-dollar insurance policies to protect passengers and other vehicles hit by their drivers, but coverage is very specific to the “stage” of the ride. An attorney can help you figure out whether you’re eligible and go after the policy on your behalf.
The injuries you can suffer in a wreck can be catastrophic – especially if you were a pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorcyclist. Broken bones, spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injury, internal organ rupture, traumatic amputation, burns, and severe road rash can also be astronomically expensive to treat.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Long Beach?
If you or someone you care about has recently been involved in a wreck, it is important to know you are not alone and there are options. By taking the following steps immediately, you can ensure your safety as well as protect your option to exercise legal action:
- Get medical attention. If you feel immediate pain or see a visible wound after a collision, call for emergency medical services. Allow them to examine you, and if they offer you an ambulance ride to the hospital, consider taking it. On the flipside, in a "minor" collision, you may not need paramedics at the scene, but speaking with a medical professional right after the accident is a prudent step to take. Hidden injuries can appear long after a wreck, and any documentation supplied by your doctor can become powerful evidence in a personal injury lawsuit later on.
- Record what you can. Whether you are currently standing along the highway waiting for the police or recovering in a hospital, collecting evidence of the wreck is of the utmost importance. You'll want to gather photographic and video evidence of the scene, your injuries, the other vehicles and their occupants, and any eyewitness contact information. If you cannot do so at the scene, ask a bystander to help. Obviously, it is important not to impede any police investigation, but securing these bits of proof can go a long way in proving your case to an insurance company, a jury, or both.
- Hold onto your damaged vehicle. It can be inconvenient to have your car in the shop, but specialists will need to assess the damage first to make their recommendations.
- Speak to a personal injury lawyer. Anything said between you and the at-fault party may be held against you later. Before you speak to that person or an insurance company, either yours or his, it is a good idea to contact a Long Beach personal injury attorney who can put your interests first.
Insurance companies are out to keep their bottom line as low as possible, meaning they intend to deny fault, or offer you a settlement right away for less than what you need to recover. There are many tactics the insurance adjuster can try on you, but they won’t try those same tactics on an experienced car accident attorney.
Don’t Wait - Call a Tough LA Trial Attorney
If someone else is at a fault for your injuries in a car crash, rest assured The Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV is prepared to hold them accountable in a court of law. We will pursue your claim tirelessly and will not stop until you've received the optimal outcome from the insurance agencies and guilty party. Call today at (562) 901-0840 for a free consultation with a Long Beach car accident lawyer.
Additional Car Accident Information
- Four Ways Your Life Can Change Forever After a Catastrophic Car Accident
- Mobile Devices Creating Dangerous Long Beach Intersections
- Rear End Car Accident FAQ In Southern California
- Late-Appearing Serious Injuries Caused by Car Accidents
- Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
- Department of Transportation