Long Beach Car Accident
Lawyers
We’ll tell you if you have a case or not, call (888) 488-1391 — We’re here 24 hours a day.
Long Beach Car Accident Lawyers Providing Responsive Guidance After An Injury
Call (888) 488-1391
Car accidents cause the loss of loved ones, medical bills, and even decreased mobility or other physical limitations. After an accident, Long Beach car accident lawyers can assist you in pursuing compensation for your losses. Call us at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation.
An experienced Long Beach accident lawyer can help if you or a loved one suffered injuries in a motor vehicle accident. Our personal injury law firm can help you seek compensation, which can help you pay for your medical bills and additional costs related to the accident. Pursuing compensation, if successful, can also support you while you’re injured and can’t work.
Talk to our legal team to discuss your legal options. We offer a free, no-obligation case review.
Incorporated in 1897, Long Beach is a city of over 462,000 located in coastal Southern California. It is home to the Aquarium of the Pacific, the El Dorado Nature Center, the Long Beach Museum of Art, and the Queen Mary. About 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, Long Beach completely surrounds the city of Signal Hill. Residents here enjoy mild to warm winters, hot summers, and some rainfall in the winter.
Until the 1950s, Long Beach was the only major retail hub between Los Angeles and Santa Ana. Nowadays, Long Beach offers many retail shopping options, including the Los Altos Center.
The Long Beach Unified School District is the largest employer here, with 12,808 employees as of 2017. Other significant employers include the city itself, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, California State University, Long Beach City College, and Boeing.
The Port of Long Beach is one of the world’s largest shipping ports and is the second busiest container port in the United States. Long Beach is also known for its water recreation and cultural arts.
Long Beach has a dense city infrastructure. High-risk driving areas are found along I-710, between Artesia Boulevard and Sepulveda Boulevard in the eastern end of Carson. Traffic signals around the Long Beach Airport and Signal Hill carry a greater possibility of collisions, as do areas in the vicinity of Palm Beach near the intersection of Ocean Boulevard and Shoreline Drive.
Our client was driving with his wife and son on a two-lane highway when a drunk driver crossed the double yellow lines, causing a head-on collision that claimed the life of a loving wife and mother.– ARASH KHORSANDI
California Car Accident Statistics
- Studies show that drivers in Long Beach are nearly 16% more likely to be involved in a car accident compared to the national average.
- In 2016 and 2017, there were a combined 61 fatal car crashes on Long Beach roads, resulting in 63 deaths.
- California road fatalities are on the rise, with 3,651 vehicle deaths in 2018.
- An average of 6 million car accidents occurs every year across the U.S.
- More than 3 million people suffer car accident injuries every year nationwide.
- In 2011, there were 2,374 fatal car collisions and 203,822 non-fatal car accidents statewide, according to the California Highway Patrol.
- Of those, 26 fatal collisions and 1,829 injury collisions occurred in Long Beach.
- More than half of the vehicle occupants killed in Long Beach accidents were not using seat belts or other safety equipment.
- Slightly over 20% of Long Beach auto accident fatalities involved drunken driving, as did 162 of the injury-only accidents.
Long Beach Car Accidents Continue To Rise
According to NHTSA, there were 3,602 traffic fatalities in 2017. This number represents a decrease from 3,837 in 2016. California’s rate of 9.11 fatalities per 100,000 population in 2017 was less than the national average of 11.40.
However, in August 2013, a report from Allstate Insurance Company ranked Long Beach among the cities with the most traffic collisions in the entire U.S. Long Beach drivers were 15.8 percent more likely to get in a crash compared to the national average. Furthermore, the Los Alamitos Traffic Circle was identified as the most accident-prone intersection in the city, according to its Traffic Engineering Division.
Dangerous Driving Times For Californians
Any time you get into a vehicle, whether as a driver or passenger, there is an inherent risk that you might be involved in an auto accident. According to the California Highway Patrol, the most dangerous time of day to drive is during the afternoon rush hours of 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Meanwhile, drunk drivers are often on the road between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m.
July is also considered a dangerous month for car accidents in California. The weather is warm and clear, and the kids are out of school. Accidents are more common around certain holidays as well. More crashes happen on Thanksgiving, Labor Day, Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and New Year’s Eve than on any other holiday throughout the year.
What Causes Car Accidents In Long Beach?
Driving in Southern California can be stressful. When you hire our Long Beach accident lawyers, they can examine the factors and circumstances that might have led up to your accident. The specifics of these details assist our team in establishing the foundation of your legal strategy. Knowing what causes car accidents in Long Beach can help with accident prevention and safe driving skills.
What Types Of Accidents Require An Injury Lawyer?
Many types of accidents can leave a person with debilitating injuries that permanently affect daily life. When someone else’s negligence leaves you with pain and suffering, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries. Here are the common types of accidents that our California personal injury attorneys handle:
Common driver-related causes of traffic accidents include:
- Distraction
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Drowsiness
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Drivers can also cause accidents by:
- Making unsafe lane changes
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Tailgating
- Doing improper turns
- Being inexperienced
Other factors that can contribute to car accidents include:
- Road conditions, such as cracks and potholes.
- Weather conditions such as ice, snow, rain, fog, and high winds.
- Vehicle issues, for example, loose objects in the car, vehicle design defects, and tire blowouts.
How Can Our Long Beach Car Accident Attorney Help You?
You might be wondering how an accident attorney in Long Beach, CA, can help you. When you hire us, you have someone who can advocate for your rights. Our Long Beach injury firm helps clients who have suffered injuries in many different types of accidents, such as those involving:
- Commercial trucks
- Product defects
- Vehicle recalls
- Pedestrian collisions
- Poor roadway planning or maintenance
- Defective vehicles or their parts
- Improper mechanical work
Seek Medical Care After Your Accident
It is crucial to your injury claim that you seek medical care soon after a car accident. Any delays in medical care can be construed by the other party’s insurance company to mean that you did not suffer serious injuries. They will argue that if you had sustained injuries, EMTs would have transported you via ambulance from the scene of the accident to the hospital, or you would have sought medical care yourself.
The insurance company may undervalue your claim if there are any inconsistencies in the process of receiving your medical care. Issues related to medical care could include any lengthy gaps between medical appointments and no-shows for appointments.
Get Appropriate Medical Care
When you hire a Long Beach accident attorney from our firm, we can help you get your injuries assessed, treated, and documented by medical care professionals. In fact, not only can we facilitate your medical attention right away, but we can also refer you to providers willing to treat you on a lien basis.
If you don’t have insurance, a medical lien can help you get treatment without paying up front. Instead, they will be paid through a potential settlement or other coverage. Medical liens can alleviate a lot of stress when it comes to getting your bills paid after an accident.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries. Some can be fatal, while others are minor and will heal within a short time. The extent of injuries in a car accident can depend on many different factors, such as how severe the accident was and what kinds of vehicles were involved.
Common injuries include:
- Head and Face Injuries — Bruises, lacerations, fractures, and broken bones, TMJ, and dental injuries.
- Brain Injuries — Loss of consciousness, concussion, closed head injury, post-concussion syndrome, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- Neck Injuries — Strain, whiplash, fractures, cervical radiculopathy, and disc injury.
- Back Injuries — Sprain, strain, fracture, disc injury, spinal cord injury, and annular tear.
- Chest Injuries — Bruised and broken ribs may take weeks to heal and possibly puncture a lung or damage other internal organs, resulting in life-threatening and sometimes fatal injuries.
- Shoulder, Arm, and Wrist Injuries — Strain, sprain, fracture, dislocation, rotator cuff tear, carpal tunnel syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome.
- Foot, Knee, and Leg Injury — Laceration, fracture, sprain, dislocation, hip injury.
- Knee Injury — ACL tear, PCL tear, meniscus tear, MCL tear.
Some car accidents may also cause depression, fear of driving, nightmares, flashbacks, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In severe cases, some injuries may result in permanent and life-altering disabilities or even wrongful death. Serious injuries could require multiple surgeries, mechanical devices to assist with mobility, or even caregiving, all of which can cost enormous amounts of money.
If you have any of the following injuries, you will likely incur significant medical expenses:
- Back and neck injuries that cause lasting paralysis and limited mobility.
- Amputations can leave you with lingering pain and require a mobility-assisting device.
- Fractured bones can prevent you from returning to work and leave you with intense pain.
- Traumatic brain injuries can permanently alter brain function.
- Severe burns can leave you permanently disfigured or disabled.
Whether you sustained minor to moderate injuries, severe injuries, or lost a loved one, our Long Beach car accident injury lawyer can help you seek damages. We can guide you through the process of pursuing compensation for your losses.
Filing A Claim For Compensation After A Long Beach Car Accident
An injury claim or lawsuit seeks compensation for any losses caused by your accident. Some of your damages can be either financial or non-monetary. California law allows you to pursue both kinds of damages.
Economic damages can include:
- Past and future medical bills.
- Mental health treatment.
- Physical or occupational therapy.
- Lost wages.
- Impaired future earning capacity.
- Property damage or destruction.
- A decrease in vehicle value.
- Rental car or loss of use of your vehicle.
- Incidental expenses that you would not have incurred but for the accident, such as a home health aide, driver, housekeeper, childcare, and gardener.
Non-economic damage may include the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of affection or companionship
- Mental anguish
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Reduced quality of life
California’s Statute Of Limitations
California law limits the time you can pursue a personal injury case. Generally, you have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. While two years might seem like plenty of time, it can go by quickly when you are also trying to heal from your injuries and juggle your bills.
For claims regarding property damage, you have three years from the date the damage was incurred to file a lawsuit. Claims against the government or its employees have a stricter deadline of only six months from the date of the accident. Other exceptions, which may adjust the time limit, can also apply if the victim was a minor or if the injuries were discovered late.
Documenting Personal Injuries And Suffering
You have to prove your injuries and substantiate your damages. An auto accident lawyer in Long Beach can take on these tasks for you. However, there are several steps you can take to help in this process. For example, keep a claim file for all of your documentation and be sure to save and include:
- Your medical bills.
- Receipts for prescriptions, medical devices, glasses, and other related medical costs for which you did not get a statement.
- Photographs and video footage of the car accident scene or your injuries.
- Information for any potential witnesses to the accident.
- Copies of any applicable insurance policies.
- Your written description of the accident.
- Keeping an injury journal that details your pain and suffering, impacts on your daily life, and any significant events or activities you have missed out on due to your injuries.
California Car Insurance Laws
All states, including California, require drivers to carry a specific amount and type of auto insurance coverage. This requirement helps protect all motorists and anyone who shares the road with them. In the event of an accident, at-fault drivers with this insurance coverage will be more protected financially. California drivers must carry liability insurance coverage for at least:
- $30,000 personal injury for one person.
- $60,000 personal injury to more than one person.
- $15,000 property damage.
These are the amounts that the driver’s insurance company will pay up to in the event that their covered driver caused an auto accident. If the injured party’s claims exceed this amount, the at-fault party will be held liable for any amounts remaining after their insurance coverage has paid based on their policy.
Long Beach’s Dangerous Intersections And Roads
Some of Long Beach’s dangerous intersections include:
- Seventh and MLK
- Long Beach Blvd. and Wardlow Rd.
- South St. and Paramount Blvd.
- Pacific Coast Highway and Cherry Ave.
- Broadway and Cherry
Long Beach also has many dangerous roads, such as:
- The I-405 and I-710 freeways are both known to have high rates of car accidents.
- Anaheim St has the highest rate of fatal car accidents in Long Beach.
- The Signal Hill area also poses serious collision dangers to those on the road.
Long Beach Car Accident Liability
Your Long Beach car accident lawyer can help determine who is liable for your injuries. Sometimes, multiple parties can be liable. In civil cases, people who acted negligently to cause an accident are the ones liable. It is the liable parties or their insurance companies who owe you compensation for your injuries. Our personal injury law firm knows that it can be difficult to establish liability in certain car accidents. However, our skilled Long Beach car accident attorneys will work to build a well-supported case on your behalf by examining evidence and determining fault.
How Insurance Companies Handle Claims
Whether you are dealing with your own insurance company or that of another driver, remember that their job involves verifying claims. As such, they may find reasons to dispute or deny certain claims.
They may try to contact you after the accident. With this call, some statements are crucial and may impact your claim. Consider telling them that you can’t make any statement without your attorney present.
The insurance adjuster could offer a claim that doesn’t fully address your losses. It’s important to consult your attorney about assessing the settlement offer before agreeing to it.
Avoid speaking to the insurance company. Instead, call a car accident lawyer near me. Your car accident attorney in Long Beach can speak to the insurance adjuster for you and work on settlement negotiations.
Long Beach Car Accident Liability
Choosing the right Long Beach accident lawyer is a critical decision in your case. There are several qualifications you should look for in an accident attorney near Long Beach, CA.
The attorney you select should have practice experience in California personal injury law and car accidents. They need to be licensed to practice in the state and familiar with the relevant legal jurisdictions. Other factors you can consider when hiring a car accident attorney include:
- Professionalism — Does the Long Beach car accident lawyer have good professional ratings and have had successful settlements in the past? Is there a record of state bar complaints against them? This can give you better insight into their practice history.
- Fee Structure — Know when and how your car accident lawyer in Long Beach will need to be paid. Most personal injury lawyers take cases on a contingency fee basis. This means they do not charge any upfront legal fees. Once they obtain a settlement or win your case at trial, that’s when they will be paid.
However, this may not include other case-related costs. Some charges may also apply regardless of the outcome. Be sure you clearly understand how their fee structure works before hiring them. At Arash Law, we answer your questions about our fee structures before you sign an agreement. - Litigation Abilities — The majority of car accident cases will settle outside of court. This will likely happen in your case, but consider choosing a Long Beach car accident attorney who has litigation experience. If the insurance company does not meet reasonable demands and refuses to offer you a fair settlement, you may consider taking your case to court if it is an appropriate option.
- Available Resources — Look for an auto accident lawyer in Long Beach who has a robust network of modern legal resources. Does their firm have case management, investigations, and expert witness networks from which to draw? In many cases, working with skilled attorneys can help you manage your case.
Crucial Steps To Take After A Car Accident In Long Beach
When you are in a car accident, it is common to be confused and shocked. When you have been caught by surprise, it can be challenging to think clearly and be sure you follow every essential step. Knowing them in advance can help you do everything you need to do. If you do not take specific actions, it could hurt your injury claim.
Get Medical Attention
Your health and safety should be paramount to anything else. If you have sustained moderate to severe injuries in a crash, do not feel right, or are experiencing severe pain or immobility, consider taking an ambulance to the hospital. If your injuries appear to be minor and your pain is mild, you can wait and go to an urgent care or make an appointment with your doctor.
Your injuries and medical care should be documented soon after the incident so that there is a record of them. If you do not seek immediate medical care, it may affect your case.
Keep in mind that some injuries do not show up right away or can become more severe as time goes on. Even if you are not sure that you are injured or feel that your injuries are minor, it is advisable to be examined by a doctor after a car accident.
Do Not Admit Fault
Even if you think you are to blame for the accident, do not admit fault. If you get out of your vehicle and apologize or say something like “I just didn’t see you coming” or “I guess I should have stopped,” you may jeopardize your chances of pursuing a case. Your statements may be used against you.
Collect Evidence
Evidence in a car accident case is essential to pursuing compensation for your losses. If you can do so, take pictures or videos with your smartphone at the scene. If you are unable to do so, you may ask a bystander to do so. Whether you remain at the scene or go to the hospital, take pictures of your injuries. Be sure the lighting is good and consider taking pictures of evidence from different angles.
Don’t interfere with the police investigation while you are collecting evidence. Try not to rely on the police to collect evidence for you. The purpose of their investigation is different and separate from your collection of evidence. While their accident reports can be helpful for an injury claim, having your own evidence to support it is essential as well.
Whenever possible, get the names and contact information from any witnesses. Your Long Beach car accident attorney will need this to get other people’s accounts of the accident.
Your vehicle is also a piece of evidence. Whether you drive it away from the scene or it is towed somewhere, speak to your lawyer about the next steps regarding your vehicle. Be sure you take pictures and videos of any damage it sustained, both inside and out. Your attorney might want you to take specific actions to help preserve it as evidence before it is fixed or dealt with by your insurance company.
Hire A Long Beach Car Accident Lawyer
After a car accident, speak to a car accident lawyer in Long Beach promptly. The sooner you speak to one, the earlier they can gather and preserve evidence for your case. Your attorney can handle the communications with the insurance company and your adjuster.
When a claimant hires a lawyer, the insurance company knows that they are serious about pursuing compensation. An attorney understands how to value a claim and can represent your interests in settlement negotiations.
Why Hire Our Long Beach Attorneys to Handle Your Car Accident Claim?
Arash Law is an experienced Long Beach car accident and injury law firm dedicated to helping you seek damages for your losses. Here are some of the reasons to consider our Long Beach attorneys to handle your car accident claims:
- We are well-versed in car accident and injury cases.
- We have years of experience handling cases just like yours.
- Our aim is to advocate for your rights and help you pursue compensation.
- We use the law to help you seek accountability from the responsible party.
- You can reach us 24/7 to discuss your case.
- Our lawyers are the ones handling your case.
- If needed, our Long Beach injury attorneys can agree to meet at a place convenient for you.
How Our Firm Can Help
After an injury accident, there are many details to attend to. Many of them can seem overwhelming and might be urgent. You may find yourself searching for the “best car accident attorneys in Long Beach.” While no lawyers can make such claims, we have the experience and resources to help you pursue compensation for your injuries and losses. We also take care of some of the other details. For example, we can help you:
- Retrieve your vehicle from the tow company.
- Seek reimbursement for your out-of-pocket expenses.
- Pursue reimbursement for vehicle repairs and replacement value.
- Get medical care from qualified medical professionals or facilities.
- Arrange medical liens, if necessary.
- File a claim for lost income and wages.
- Negotiate with insurers and bill collectors on your behalf.
- Handle documentation and paperwork.
- Estimate how much your potential damages are.
- Pursue monetary restitution that reflects your losses.
If you have questions about your legal options following an accident, we can provide a confidential consultation.
Contact Our Long Beach Car Accident Attorneys
If you need to hire Long Beach car accident attorneys, Arash Law is ready to represent you. We are a Long Beach personal injury law firm with a history of handling car accidents resulting in severe injury or wrongful death.
With our contingency fee structure, we aim to help you get legal representation with no upfront legal costs. You do not pay us anything unless we obtain compensation for your case. While case-related costs may apply regardless of outcome, this fee structure allows you to get legal support and representation without worrying about upfront attorney fees.
Our Long Beach car accident attorneys help injured clients in Long Beach and neighboring communities, including Lakewood, Bellflower, Compton, Los Alamitos, Paramount, Cerritos, Norwalk, Downey, Lynwood, Torrance, Seal Beach, Signal Hill, Rossmoor, Belmont Heights, Belmont Shore, and Naples.
Whether you were involved in the fender bender or sustained catastrophic injuries, our legal team is ready to help. Call our Long Beach injury firm at (888) 488-1391 or complete our online form to book your free initial car accident consultation.
