Auto Accident Injuries

Being in a car accident is scary, especially when the cause was another’s negligence. At Ghozland Law Firm, we work tirelessly to ensure that the rights of car accident victims are protected. Because auto injury accidents have the potential to result in serious damages
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Auto Accident Injuries

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Being in a car accident is scary, especially when the cause was another’s negligence. At Ghozland Law Firm, we work tirelessly to ensure that the rights of car accident victims are protected. Because auto injury accidents have the potential to result in serious damages, it is essential to work with an attorney you can trust. Our attorneys in Los Angeles, Diamond Bar and West Covina are passionate about helping clients obtain the compensation they deserve, and we do everything we can to ensure our clients reach favorable outcomes.

You Have Found the Best Auto Injury Attorney

Here Are a Few Reasons Why:

  • If we don’t win, you don’t pay
  • More than 40 years of combined experience
  • More than $50 Million recovered for our clients
  • Free case evaluations
  • We form partnerships with our clients
  • We fight tirelessly for our clients’ rights
  • Calls are returned within 24 hours
  • No case is too complex for us to handle

What Damages Can I Receive Compensation for?

It is important to remember that after an accident, there are a few things you can do to obtain your rightful compensation. Should you choose to work with us, we will do all we can to help you recover compensation for the following:

1. Medical Bills

2. Repairs to your car or other damaged property

3. Rentals during the time your car is out of commission

4. Compensation for lost wages

5. Restitution to help replace your vehicle if it was totaled

Critical Steps to Take in the Aftermath of a Car Accident

Calling the police as soon as possible after an auto collision is always a good idea.

They will be able to take down a detailed report of what occurred and provide official documentation of the accident. Taking down the information of the other driver or drivers, passengers and witnesses is also key. Photograph the surrounding area, especially paying close attention to signs, road condition and the angle of how the cars collided if possible.

Regardless of the severity of the accident, you should never make any statements to an insurance company without first speaking to a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer. Insurance companies will work hard to make sure that you do not receive the full amount of money that you deserve. Obtain medical treatment as you see fit, but never make a statement to an insurance broker without getting in touch with our firm.

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What should you do after a car accident?

Immediately following a car accident, there are a number steps that you should to make sure that you are in the best position to recover all of your damages. Please note that those who are trying to recover damages from an injury have two years after the accident occurs to file their claim. If you’ve been in a auto accident, you may be wondering what you should do next. Those who experience a collision often feel confused and anxious from the unexpected event. Fortunately, a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer from the Ghozland Law Firm is readily available to guide you through the difficult process.

Obtain medical care

If anyone is hurt, then dial 911 for an emergency response team. They will be able to assist you with any injuries. Even if you don’t feel injured, you should still go see a doctor, because many physical issues are not readily apparent. A trained medical professional can check for hidden injuries like whiplash or brain trauma that can only be seen through an x-ray, CT scan, or other tests.

Notify the police

While some may not want to call the police because they do not want to involve insurance companies, the police can help everyone keep calm and make sure the proper information is exchanged. In addition, police reports are seen as trustworthy documents by the insurance companies, should there be any disputes between your testimony and the other driver’s statement. The police officer in charge of the scene should automatically note the other driver’s information in the official report, all of which you will need when filing a claim. If you are questioned by the police or the driver, please do not place blame or admit fault for the accident. Wait until you confer with your lawyer before making a statement.

Document the details

If you have a camera on hand, make sure that you take pictures of both cars and the accident scene. This will help provide visual evidence if your claims are disputed. Also, make sure to obtain the other driver’s full name, phone number, address, and insurance information. You will need the other person’s insurance company name and policy number, in addition to the make, model, and license plate number of the other car. If you can, get the name and badge number of the police officer in case future problems.

Call an attorney

Before taking further action, call an attorney from our firm that can guide you through the claims process. Our team can help you get the right documentation that demonstrates the fair amount of compensation you should be receiving. This includes car damages, medical injuries, and even emotional pain and suffering. Insurance companies often try to settle for less that the correct amount, so hiring an attorney can provide the support you need! Persons that experience major injuries should especially consider a lawyer, as you will most likely need medical testimony to support your claim.

Contact the insurance company

After consulting with your legal representation, call the insurance company and provide them with the details of the accident. Again, do not admit fault or place blame on any party. You should also send a written statement so that the insurance company cannot deny the contact.

How does the insurance process work for a car accident claim?

Once you contact the insurance company and inform them of your accident, a representative of the company should respond within a few days. The representative, also known as a claims adjuster, will get in touch with you so he or she can obtain more details about the accident. The adjuster may come to your home and take photos of your car and inspect it for damages, then ask you to take it to one of the company’s approved auto shops for an assessment. In order to get information about your medical bills, the insurance representative will probably ask who your medical provider is. Be prepared to give them this type of information.

You can also expect the adjuster to get a copy of the official police report, talk to the other driver and other witnesses in their investigation. All of these components will help the representative get an idea of how much you are entitled to and if your policy covers all the damages. The claims adjuster should then make a settlement offer, which will specify how much the insurance company will pay. If the claim is not enough to pay your damages then you and your attorney can pursue the case further. You do not need to accept a settlement offer from the insurance company on the first try because you have other options. You could notify the adjuster’s supervisor, who may then look into your claim and send a new settlement. If this doesn’t work, then you can also take your case to court. An attorney at our firm is more than competent to file a lawsuit against an insurance company. Our legal team is dedicated to making sure that you are treated fairly.

Benefits of Hiring the Best Car Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles

If you were injured in a car accident, then it is absolutely necessary for you to obtain legal counsel for a lawyer. You need the top personal injury attorney for your case in Los Angeles if you want the best chance of success. Insurance companies are notorious for trying to settle for less than their clients deserve. Our legal team can not only assist you in making a solid claim, but can protect you against insurance companies that don’t want to give you the compensation you deserve. We take care of all negotiations, so you don’t have to be burdened by any legal matters.

For over a decade, the Ghozland Law Firm has been helping clients obtain the compensation they deserve from their injury! If you’ve been hurt by another person in any way, it is only just that the individual reimburses you. Our legal team has been able to obtain tens of thousands of dollars for clients who were in car accidents caused by another. Even if you believe you may have been partially at-fault, contact our firm. We are committed to returning client calls with 24 hours, so call us or fill out a free case evaluation to get started!

Types of Car Accidents

Auto accidents are a common fact of life, especially when you live in Southern California where everything is so spread out that you virtually have to own a vehicle in order to survive. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that in 2011, there were an estimated 2.22 million people injured in motor vehicle crashes, and 32,367 fatalities in that same year.

In general, types of car accidents fall into one of the following four categories:

  • Lane Departure Crashes
  • Collisions That Take Place at Junctions
  • Collisions Where a Pedestrian or Bicyclist is Struck
  • Collisions With Animals Such as Dogs, Cats and Deer

Although other types of collisions can and do occur, the above four examples are the most common. A motor vehicle can be struck from the rear as in a rear-end collision, or from the side in a side-impact collision, otherwise known as a T-bone accident, or the front-ends of two vehicles can collide in perhaps the most dangerous collision of all, the head-on collision. Victims of these types of car accidents should obtain legal counsel from a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer at the Ghozland Law Firm. Our legal team has a decade of experience in dealing with car collisions.

Examining types of collisions

Head-on Collision

More likely to have a poor outcome because of the speeds involved when the collision occurs. Often times the typical head-on collision will occur when one vehicle strays into the path of an oncoming vehicle. This can happen when someone swerves to avoid an object in the road, or when the driver is engaged in distracted driving behaviors such as texting while driving, or when the driver falls asleep at the wheel, or drives under the influence of alcohol or another substance which causes driver impairment. With head-on collisions, the risk of property damage and severe injuries and death are relative, the higher the speeds, the greater the risks of catastrophic injury and death.

Side-impact Collision

Otherwise known as a T-bone accident typically occurs at intersections (road junctions), and these are a very common type of accident. A side-impact crash or intersection collision occurs at lights, and streets with two or more stop signs. An intersection collision can occur when the at-fault driver fails to stop at a red light, or when the at-fault driver fails to stop at a stop sign and yield the right of way to oncoming traffic, or it can occur when someone turns left in front of oncoming traffic. Side-impact crashes have a higher incidence in urban areas because there is a higher density of junctions in the city.

Unfortunately, side-impact crashes can be especially dangerous and sometimes fatal because the passengers are seated so close to the door, which offers practically zero protection as compared to when another vehicle strikes the rear of the vehicle as in a rear-end collision. At least with rear-end collisions, passengers in the rear of the vehicle are separated by the vehicle’s trunk.

Rear-end Collision

A traffic accident where the front of a vehicle collides with the rear of the vehicle in the front. Rear-end collisions typically occur because the driver in the rear vehicle wasn’t maintaining a safe following distance, because they were tailgating, or because of panic stops, or because of driver inattention or distraction. In the vast majority of rear-end collisions, the driver in the rear vehicle is considered to be at fault in the crash, but not 100% of the time. An exception to the rule is where the driver in the front vehicle goes into reverse gear and plows the rear of their vehicle into the front-end of the vehicle in the rear, but this is a rare occurrence.

A typical medical consequence of a rear-end collision is whiplash injuries, in more severe cases herniation may even occur. Perhaps the most dangerous type of rear-end collisions involve minivans, which benefit little from the short rear crumple zone. This is frightening because those sitting in the rear of the minivan are the most likely to be seriously injured or killed in a rear-end collision and these passengers are frequently child passengers.


Determining Liability in a Car Accident

In dangerous car accidents, one or several of the parties could be at fault. Reasons could include driver distraction, negligence, reckless driving, aggressive driving, and vehicle or safety system malfunctions. It is not always just one individual who is at fault. What may seem like a simple accident, such as one driver running a red light and colliding with another vehicle, may have other factors involved. If you have been injured in a car accident and feel that the other driver was at fault, contact a car accident attorney in Los Angeles. A skilled attorney from our firm is experienced and knows how to take action to investigate an accident to determine liability in a car accident. This is the first crucial step in being able to receive the compensation you deserve.

Investigating who is at fault

Determining liability in a car accident is based on the facts, not opinion. This requires an investigation, and in some cases, this can be quite complex. Surveying the accident site, examining the vehicles, finding and interviewing witnesses are just some of the actions that may be necessary. In some cases, an accident reconstruction expert may need to be called in. The documented evidence will show who and what caused the accident.

Since California is a no-fault state, litigation occurs to determine who and to what degree each driver was responsible. A driver might be 100%, 50%, 10%, etc. at fault. That percentage is the proportionate amount he or his insurance carrier must pay the other injured party.

Need a Lawyer for Your Car Accident Case in Los Angeles?

Do not rely on only your word, witness statements, or even a police report in your favor. You may not be at fault, but it could require further action to fully establish this fact. You need a lawyer to determine liability in a Los Angeles car accident. At our firm, we are well-connected with respected experts that can investigate the accident reports and other data when this is necessary. At Ghozland Law Firm in Los Angeles, we have the experience you want on your side if you were seriously injured in a car accident. You can be assured your case is in professional hands. Contact us today to learn how we can help you.



Causes of Car Accidents

As of 2011, the California Department of Motor Vehicles reported that there was a total of 31,802,483 registered vehicles in the state, thereby making the possibility of being involved in a collision a very real one for Californians. Those who live in Southern California are accustomed to a fast pace, we are a class of busy people who are trying to balance our work and our families and in the pursuit of finding balance, we often employ extreme multitasking techniques.

Between sending emails, paying bills online, sending text messages, and making a massive shift towards more efficient and effective communication, we want everything done fast. However, when it comes to driving safely, especially in a big town such as Los Angeles, it’s important to slow down and for the sake of safety, to make the right choices when getting behind the wheel.

Top 3 Causes of Car Accidents

Automobile accidents are a serious epidemic in the United States, and unfortunately, the easier cars get to drive, the easier it is for drivers to engage in unsafe driving practices. According to theNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2011 alone there was an estimated 5,338,000 police-reported motor vehicle crashes in which 2,217,000 people were injured. According to the Centers for Disease Control, motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death in the United States with the economic impact costing $70 billion in 2005.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving involves any activity that can divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. While all distractions can endanger the driver, passenger or pedestrians, the most alarming form of driver distraction is texting while driving. In 2011, 3,331 people were killed by a distracted driver and in 2010, 387,000 people were injured in distracted driving crashes.

Drunk Driving

Drivers are considered to be alcohol-impaired when their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) registers at .08% or higher. In 2011, there were 9,878 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities representing an average of one alcohol-related fatality every 53 minutes and accounting for 31% of the total traffic fatalities.

Speeding

The NHTSA considers a crash to be speed-related whenever a driver is charged with a speed-related offense or when an officer indicates that racing, driving too fast for conditions, or exceeding the posted speed limit was a contributing factor to an accident. Speeding remains one of the prevalent factors in traffic accidents. In 2011, speeding was a contributing factor in 30% of all fatal crashes and 9,944 (31%) lives were lost in speeding-related collisions.

Contact a Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer Today!

Are you looking for a lawyer for personal injury in Los Angeles? If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident, you are urged to contact a Los Angeles car accident attorney from the Ghozland Law Firm right away. To better assist our clients, our firm offers free case evaluations and we take cases on a contingency fee basis. This means there is no fee unless we win your case! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by contacting our firm, so give us a call!

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With over 40 years of experience, we have handled many slip and fall cases. I can provide you with the caliber of legal services that is normally available only to large companies, due to my experience in large-scale litigation that has resulted in awards of millions of dollars on many occasions. In 2014, Michael Ghozland was named “Street Fighter of the Year” by Consumer Attorneys of California in 2014. Because of my outstanding trial record, winning your case will probably mean obtaining a private settlement, with no need to ever step into a courtroom. Insurance companies know my reputation, and most of them would rather settle than face me in a slip and fall lawsuit.