Los Angeles is notorious for having some of the worst traffic congestion in the world, and the local freeways allow residents and visitors to cross the large metropolitan area a bit faster. However, freeway driving can be dangerous in many ways, and it is vital to know the value of working with an experienced Los Angeles freeway accident lawyer if you experience any type of high-speed accident.
The attorneys at Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, have helped many past clients in the Los Angeles metropolitan area with all types of personal injury cases, including those arising from vehicle accidents. While any vehicle crash can have devastating effects, freeway accidents have a particularly high chance of causing catastrophic or fatal injuries to those involved. If someone else caused such an accident, you have the right to seek accountability.
Our firm believes in responsive, client-focused legal counsel. We can assist you with gathering the evidence needed to prove fault for your freeway accident and ensure we explore every available avenue of compensation to assist with your recovery. You may be entitled to claim more compensation than you initially expected. Our goal is to help our client recover as much compensation as possible for their damages in the most efficient timeframe.
Most of the vehicle accidents reported throughout Los Angeles each year are the result of negligence behind the wheel, which is failure to exercise reasonable care in specific situations. Commonly cited causes of freeway accidents in Los Angeles include speeding, inattentive driving, and driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs. If your accident resulted from DUI, the at-fault driver faces criminal charges along with their liability for your damages.
Evidence you may require to prove fault for a recent freeway accident can include vehicle computer data, eyewitness statements, drivers’ cell phone records, and expert witness testimony if the case involves any unusual and/or complex details. It’s possible for more than one party to share fault, and an experienced Los Angeles freeway accident lawyer can be invaluable for accurately determining liability for your damages.
Once you have proven fault for your damages, you have the right to seek compensation from the driver who caused them. Freeway accidents often occur at high speeds, meaning victims have a high chance of sustaining severe injuries. They may face a difficult recovery and be unable to work for an extended time. The defendant in your case can be liable for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and your pain and suffering.
Recovery from your accident may begin with an auto insurance claim, but if the at-fault driver’s insurance cannot fully compensate you for your losses, then you will need to file a personal injury suit. Most of the personal injury cases filed in Los Angeles end through private settlement negotiation, but there is always a chance that litigation will be necessary. The team at Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, is ready to provide the legal counsel you need to resolve your case efficiently in various areas as well such as:
Proving fault will be an essential first step in your recovery efforts following any type of car accident in Los Angeles. Before the victim of another driver’s actions can recover compensation for their losses, they must identify the party responsible and then prove the full scope of damages resulting from the incident. Your Los Angeles freeway accident lawyer can help gather witness testimony and various forms of physical and digital evidence to make your case.
California follows the pure comparative negligence rule, meaning each party found liable for damages in a civil suit will have a fault percentage assigned to reflect their level of fault. These percentages indicate how much of the resulting damages they are responsible for repaying. If a plaintiff in a civil suit has a fault percentage assigned, they will lose this percentage of their case award as a penalty.
State law requires every driver to have auto insurance that meets basic coverage requirements, but the state also has one of the highest statewide rates of uninsured drivers in the country. If the driver who caused your recent accident does not have insurance, you can file a claim against your own policy if you have purchased uninsured motorist coverage. If not, you will need to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver.
The time it could take for you to finalize your recovery efforts following any accident in Los Angeles depends on several factors, especially the amount you are seeking in compensation and the manner in which the defendant caused the accident. When a defendant’s fault is clear, they are more likely to engage in settlement negotiations to avoid the time and expense that litigation requires. Your Los Angeles freeway accident lawyer can estimate your case’s potential timetable.
It’s understandable to have concerns about the potential cost of hiring legal counsel when you are already struggling with the economic impact of your accident. However, most personal injury attorneys in Los Angeles accept cases on a contingency fee basis. This means the client pays a percentage of their final case award to their attorney as their fee, but only if the attorney wins their case. There is no fee for the client if the attorney is unable to secure compensation.
The attorneys at Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, have years of professional experience resolving all types of car accident claims in Los Angeles, and we know how damaging freeway accidents can be. If you are ready to start your recovery process with the help of an experienced Los Angeles freeway accident lawyer, contact Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, today to schedule your consultation with our team.