Car Accident Lawyer
If you’re involved in a car accident, you could find yourself with a long list of problems. Between medical bills and car repairs, you have a lot to deal with. But there is help available. When you work with a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles, you can seek fair compensation for your accident.
Here at Bauman Law APLC, we spend time to learn about you and your case. We want to advise you on the best course of action. If you need legal representation, we want to be there for you. To learn more about working with us, contact our office today.
How Can You Get Compensation for a Car Accident?
After your car accident, you are likely to have medical expenses and car repair bills. In Los Angeles, the median household income is about $51,000. This doesn’t leave much extra money for your accident expenses.
But you shouldn’t be responsible for paying all the bills. If the other driver was negligent or reckless, they are responsible for the accident and for some of your expenses.
Typically, the other driver’s insurance company is the one who must pay for the accident. If the other driver is at-fault, their insurance company should give you money for accident-related expenses. This includes money for any missed wages.
Unfortunately, the insurance company isn’t always helpful. You might need to negotiate a fair settlement. In this situation, you could benefit from working with a lawyer. They can work with the insurance company in an attempt to get you enough money to cover your expenses.
If the negotiations don’t get a positive outcome, then you might be able to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you get a successful outcome from the lawsuit, you could receive damages for your bills and pain and suffering.
What is a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
A personal injury lawsuit is a civil lawsuit you can file against a negligent party. For your accident to result in a successful lawsuit, it needs to meet certain criteria. There needs to be injury to yourself or a loved one, and there must be proof that the other party acted in a negligent manner.
If you question whether or not you could file a personal injury lawsuit, you should contact a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles. They can explain more about the requirements and advise you on your next steps.
If you decide to file the lawsuit, there are a few things you should know. It is possible that the other party will offer up a settlement. But if that settlement is unfair or the other party does not offer one, your case goes to court. It’s your lawyer’s job to prove to the court that you were a victim of negligence. With a successful verdict, you could receive money for your damages.
Wrongful Death Lawsuits
It’s a sad fact that some car accidents end in fatalities. If a loved one died in a car accident, you could seek compensation for your loss. Although it might not help you deal with the grief, compensation can help you cope with the financial hit of your loss.
A wrongful death claim is the way to obtain compensation for a death of a loved one. Much like a personal injury claim, wrongful death requires there to be evidence of negligence on the other driver’s behalf. For example, a fatality that was caused by a drunk driver could result in a wrongful death claim.
In Los Angeles, the number of cyclist, pedestrian, and driver fatalities increased greatly in 2016. Many people lost their lives to negligent and reckless behavior. However, they are entitled to justice. A lawyer can file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for you and justice for your loved one.
Common california Car Accident Causes
After only a short drive in Los Angeles, it’s easy to see why people consider the city a dangerous place for driving. The city has a high volume of cars on the road, and that makes for challenging driving conditions. But busy roads aren’t what cause accidents. All of the following incidents can cause accidents:
1. Distracted Driving
Driving requires your full attention. When a driver takes their eyes off the road, they could cause an accident. With so many drivers on cell phones, distracted driving is more common now than ever before.
Texting and driving isn’t the only type of distracted driving. Sometimes, people just try to multitask. They might be putting on their make-up or talking to a passenger. No matter what the distraction might be, the driver is acting in a negligent manner.
2. Drunk Driving
Although there are many campaigns dedicated to stopping drinking and driving, people still do it. Often, the result is a serious accident. Every year, drunk drivers take the lives of over 10,000 people. They also cause accidents that result in serious and life-changing injuries.
3. Road Hazards
In certain situations, the person responsible for your accident is not another driver. The county, district, or road crews could be responsible.
When road hazards like loose gravel or obstructed traffic signs cause your accident, the fault is not your own. You could take legal action against the responsible party by filing a lawsuit against them.
4. Driving While Drowsy
Most people don’t realize that driving while drowsy is as hazardous as driving while drunk. When someone is exhausted, they could fall asleep at the wheel. They also have slower reflexes, which makes them more likely to get into a car accident.
5. Construction
Construction zones are common sites for car accidents. At times, the road markings are unclear and signage is lacking. You could find yourself in a car accident, but you are not to blame. By not having clear signage or goof road conditions, the construction company could be liable for your accident.