Santa Monica Car Accident Attorneys
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Our Santa Monica Car Accident Attorneys Help You Navigate Recovery And Rights
All automobile accidents are unique, and no two incidents are the same. Some car accidents are minor and do not cause serious bodily injury or death; other car accidents may cause temporary or permanent disability. If you or someone you know has been injured in a car crash, our Santa Monica car accident attorneys at Arash Law offer legal representation. We can help you seek financial compensation for your injuries. You can reach us at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation.
Known throughout the country for its distinctive pier and stunning beaches, Santa Monica is one of the most unique cities in Los Angeles County. The city of Santa Monica lies on Santa Monica Bay. It is situated between five other communities in Los Angeles: Venice, Mar Vista, West Los Angeles, Brentwood, and Pacific Palisades. Approximately 89,000 people live in the city of Santa Monica.
Between 1900 and 1950, Santa Monica evolved into a notorious getaway for celebrities. Many stunning homes on the Pacific Coast Highway were constructed during this time. Santa Monica has grown into a more diverse city since the latter half of the twentieth century.
Economic development, a thriving tourism industry, and real estate construction in downtown Santa Monica have brought many benefits to the city. Visitors to Southern California enjoy spending time at Palisades Park and Pacific Park on the world-famous Santa Monica Pier. These attractions make Santa Monica one of the most visited cities in the greater Los Angeles area.
Individuals who prepare for a trip to Santa Monica may never imagine that they will be involved in an automobile accident. However, Santa Monica is a popular area, and traffic congestion is a part of daily life in the greater Los Angeles area. The freeways in Southern California can be dangerous for both long-term residents and visitors.
Statewide data shows that California experiences thousands of traffic fatalities and hundreds of thousands of injuries every year. The emotional, physical, and financial problems caused by these injuries can be staggering. Many injured victims do not understand where to turn after suffering personal injuries during an automobile accident.
It is possible to suffer injuries during an automobile accident without being a driver or a passenger. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists are struck by automobiles. A driver may also cause extensive damage to an individual’s personal property by veering toward a residence or a commercial building. It is often the negligent or reckless conduct of a driver that causes an automobile accident.
Even if you survived an automobile accident, you may experience the effects of personal injuries for decades. Also, you may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder after an accident in which you did not suffer serious bodily injuries. Losing a loved one or family member during an automobile accident is one of the most significant losses a person can experience. The surviving family members often deal with shock, grief, and anger regarding the accident.
Dealing with the aftermath of an automobile accident can be emotionally draining. You likely have extensive medical bills. Additionally, you may be unable to return to work for an extended period. The lost income you could have earned may cause you to experience financial insecurity. Your personal relationships may become strained due to the anxiety and depression you experience after an automobile accident.
During this time, you may want to speak to an insurance company representative about settling your case. However, consider speaking first with an experienced Santa Monica car accident attorney before contacting anyone from the insurance company. Most initial settlement offers may not fully reflect the extent of your damages. Consulting an accident attorney can help you better understand your options and make informed decisions.
A qualified Santa Monica car accident attorney can collect medical records, traffic collision reports, and witness statements to support your case. These documents can support the development of a thorough case strategy to pursue compensation for your injuries.
Is It Necessary That I Retain Santa Monica Car Accident Attorneys?
Suffering personal injuries during a car accident can be a traumatizing event. Having a car accident attorney can help you understand the complicated aspects of your case. A skilled car accident attorney can handle the legal aspects of your personal injury case while you recover from your injuries.
You may be able to seek financial compensation for the pain and suffering you experienced due to the car accident. Also, you can pursue damages for property damage, lost earnings, and medical bills.
The Benefits Of Retaining Qualified Santa Monica Car Accident Attorneys
Experienced Santa Monica car accident attorneys can help you develop a well-supported case strategy tailored to your situation. This process includes preparing a demand letter, filing a formal complaint, or navigating other key steps in the legal process. A car accident attorney can provide guidance at each phase of your case, helping you make informed decisions. By approaching the process strategically and using available resources effectively, you may strengthen your position in seeking a reasonable settlement.
Shared Responsibility In A Car Accident Case
Negligent drivers in California can be held liable for personal injuries and other damages suffered by accident victims. Comparative negligence is applicable in California. An injured victim who contributed to the accident will have any damages reduced by their degree of negligence. A court will assess what percentage should be assigned to each party.
A driver may be awarded $100,000 but have their financial award reduced by 10 percent because the driver is found to be 10 percent responsible for the accident. Therefore, the total amount recovered by the driver will be $90,000. A negligent driver may be only 1 percent contributorily negligent, and the driver will have their financial award reduced by 1 percent.
The following are activities for which a driver may be found negligent:
- Texting while driving.
- Reckless driving.
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Fatigued driving.
- Driving too slowly.
- Driving at an excessive rate of speed.
- Not following traffic laws.
- Not paying attention to the road.
Liability Is Critical
Determining the parties that are liable for your injuries and their degree of liability is critical to your car accident case. The evidence that you collect early on in your case can help support your claim.
Santa Monica car accident attorneys can help you gather documents that are relevant to your car accident case. Having a car accident attorney can help you navigate settlement negotiations more effectively. The process can be time-consuming, and legal representation often provides additional support when communicating with insurance companies. Communicating your intent to pursue your legal rights can help clarify your position to the insurance company during the claims process.
Establishing Liability In A Car Accident Case In Santa Monica
California adopts the doctrine of “comparative fault,” meaning that an individual who suffers injuries during a car accident may still seek financial compensation even if they are partly responsible for the accident. The total financial award is reduced according to the percentage of fault assigned to the injured victim.
If you suffered personal injuries in a car accident, you may have the right to pursue legal claims for damages. Distinct legal claims can be filed that will help you seek financial compensation for your injuries. Santa Monica car accident attorneys can provide you with the assistance you need. A civil lawsuit can be instituted if the insurance company denies your claim or presents you with a low settlement offer.
Navigating the insurance process can be difficult, especially if your claim is disputed. Legal representation can help you assert your rights and pursue the compensation available under the law.
The Statute Of Limitations For Car Accident Claims
The statute of limitations sets a deadline for filing legal claims related to injuries sustained in car accidents. In California, the standard time limit for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the injury. If you miss filing within this period, you may forfeit your right to pursue your claim. However, some exceptions do apply in specific circumstances.
Dedicated Santa Monica car accident attorneys can help you determine if any exceptions to the statute of limitations period apply in your case. Sometimes you may not notice any symptoms associated with a car accident until weeks or months after the date of the injury. If so, you need to seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Some injuries may not produce noticeable symptoms until weeks or months after the date of injury.
Common Causes Of Automobile Accidents In Santa Monica
It does not matter if you are an extremely safe driver; it is possible for you to suffer injuries during a car accident. Automobile accidents frequently occur in Santa Monica. Pedestrian accidents are common in the city, so it is possible that you can suffer injuries without driving an automobile. Some of the most common causes of automobile accidents in Santa Monica include the following:
- Vehicle Malfunctions — These malfunctions include faulty brakes and damaged tires.
- Drivers Without Extensive Experience Driving on Freeways — Inexperienced drivers are more likely to make poor decisions on the road.
- Decreased Visibility — Drivers must look for dangerous weather conditions such as fog, rain, and wind. Changing weather conditions can cause automobile accidents.
- Inclement Weather — You can be driving at any time of day when suddenly poor weather conditions become apparent. Rain, ice, and fog can make it more likely that an accident will occur.
- Driving While Intoxicated — Drivers who drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs are more likely to cause automobile accidents. This conduct also causes many fatal car accidents.
- Reckless Driving — Drivers who react violently while driving are more likely to cause automobile accidents. Many of these drivers lose control of their automobiles.
- Driving at an Excessive Rate of Speed — Driving at an excessive rate of speed is dangerous because it only takes a few seconds to lose control of an automobile. All traffic signs and speed limits exist to reduce the number of automobile accidents.
- Distracted Driving — Distracted driving includes texting or eating while driving. Many drivers who engage in different forms of distracted driving do not realize they are putting themselves and others in danger of serious bodily injury or death.
Other factors can contribute to automobile accidents. These include potholes, fallen tree limbs, and blown-out tires. Understanding the common causes of automobile accidents can help you become a more alert and conscientious driver.
The Different Types Of Automobile Accident Cases
Automobile accidents are not all the same, and many of these accidents will be different depending on the types of automobiles involved in the accidents. The vast majority of automobile accidents that cause serious bodily injuries are caused by negligent conduct.
The following are some of the most common types of automobile cases our Santa Monica car accident attorneys handle:
- Accidents involving serious bodily injury.
- Collisions that take place on the Pacific Coast Highway.
- Wrongful death.
- Unlicensed driver accidents.
- Uninsured motorist accidents.
- Uber accidents.
- Speeding accidents.
- Multiple vehicle collisions.
- Driving in the opposite direction on a one-way street.
- Frontal collisions.
- Rollover accidents.
- Side-impact collisions.
- Rear collisions.
- Hit-and-run accidents.
- Elderly driver accidents.
- Drunk driving accidents.
- Distracted driving.
Common Automobile Accident Injuries
What follows are injuries commonly associated with automobile accidents in Santa Monica:
- Internal Organ Injuries — Damage to organs such as the lungs, liver, kidneys, or spleen can occur due to blunt force trauma.
- Fractured Bones & Injured Joints — Ribs, wrists, shoulders, knees, arms, and legs are more likely to be injured during an automobile accident.
- Spinal Cord Injuries — Automobile accidents are one of the most common causes of spinal cord injuries.
- Severe Burns — Drivers and passengers may suffer burns during an automobile accident.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries — Memory loss, impaired cognition, and emotional dysregulation are common symptoms of traumatic brain injuries.
- Back & Neck Injuries — Whiplash and other injuries are likely to occur during an automobile accident.
Regardless of the type or severity of your injuries, our Santa Monica car accident attorneys can help document your medical condition, gather supporting evidence, and work to establish a clear connection between your injuries and the accident. This process is critical to presenting a well-supported claim for compensation.
Actions To Take After An Automobile Accident
A car accident can be a sudden and disorienting experience, sometimes resulting in physical injuries and emotional distress. Taking certain steps immediately after the accident can help protect your health and support any legal claims you may pursue.
The following actions are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice, but they may help you understand what to consider after an automobile accident:
- Check for Injuries and Prioritize Safety – If you’re able, assess whether you or anyone else is injured. Move to a safe area if possible and wait for emergency responders.
- Contacting Emergency Services — Call 911 to report the accident. Emergency responders can provide medical attention, and law enforcement can document the scene in an official traffic collision report.
- Photographing the Accident Scene and Your Physical Injuries — These photographs can be used as evidence to help you establish that the other party is liable for your injuries.
- Collecting Insurance Information and Contact Information — You should collect the information from the other driver involved in the automobile accident.
You can inform the car accident attorneys in Santa Monica of the steps you took after the automobile accident. This information can help them evaluate your case and begin gathering the necessary documentation to support your claim.
Financial Compensation And Automobile Accidents
You may be entitled to seek financial damages for your injuries if you were involved in an automobile accident. Consulting with Santa Monica car accident attorneys can help you better understand your options and evaluate which types of damages may apply to your case.
Common types of damages in car accident claims include:
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Rental car costs
- Automobile repair costs
- Loss of financial support
- Lost earnings
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills
The damages you seek in your automobile accident case will depend on the facts and circumstances of the collision in which you were involved.
Assessing Negligence In An Automobile Accident Case
Automobile accident cases typically involve a negligent party and an innocent party. A negligent driver may cause serious bodily injuries to many other drivers and passengers. The negligent party is typically liable for the injuries suffered by the injured victims.
To establish negligence, four elements must be proven:
- Duty of Care — The defendant had a legal obligation to act with reasonable care.
- Breach of Duty — That duty was violated through action or inaction.
- Causation — The breach directly caused the injury (including both actual and proximate cause).
- Damages — The injured party suffered measurable losses as a result.
In many cases, multiple factors may contribute to an accident. Assessing how these factors interact is key to determining liability.
Negligence is a subsection of tort law. Speaking with knowledgeable Santa Monica car accident lawyers can help you better understand how this legal principle applies to your case. An attorney can review the facts, identify potentially liable parties, and explain your legal options under the state law. Having informed legal guidance may also help you feel confident as you pursue compensation for your injuries.
Seeking Damages After An Automobile Accident
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to seek damages by filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider. However, insurance companies often prioritize minimizing payouts, which can result in delayed responses or settlement offers that do not fully reflect the extent of your losses.
Insurance adjusters may contact injured parties early in the process and encourage them to settle quickly, sometimes before the full impact of the injuries is known. These early offers may be lower than the claim’s actual value.
Working with experienced Santa Monica car accident attorneys can help you respond to these tactics effectively. Your attorney can communicate with the insurance company on your behalf, gather evidence to support your claim, and help pursue a settlement that reflects your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
While the insurance company’s goal may be to resolve claims for as little as possible, you have the right to seek compensation that accounts for the full scope of your injuries and financial losses.
Frequently Asked Questions About Santa Monica Car Accidents
What If I Was A Passenger In An Automobile Accident?
If you were a passenger in a car accident, you may have the grounds to seek financial compensation for your injuries. Depending on the circumstances, this may involve filing a claim against the driver of the other vehicle, the driver of the vehicle you were in, or both.
Liability in passenger injury cases can be complex. Multiple factors, including the cause of the accident, the drivers’ actions, and road conditions, may influence who is legally responsible. In some cases, attorneys may collaborate with accident reconstruction experts or investigators to gain a clearer understanding of how the crash occurred and identify potential liable parties.
A car accident attorney can help identify the appropriate sources of compensation and guide you through the claims process.
What If The Traffic Collision Report States That The Automobile Accident Was My Fault?
A traffic collision report can influence how an insurance company evaluates your claim, but it is not the final word on fault. These reports may contain the responding officer’s opinions based on what they observed at the scene or statements from drivers and witnesses. However, if the officer did not personally witness the accident, their conclusions may carry less weight.
Most of the relevant facts in a car accident case are discovered through depositions and interrogatories, requests for production, and requests for admission. A Santa Monica car accident attorney can help you learn more about the discovery phase of a car accident case.
What Will It Cost To Retain A Car Accident Attorney?
The cost of hiring a car accident attorney depends on the law firm’s fee structure. Some attorneys work under an hourly rate, while others charge a flat fee for specific services. Several factors may also affect the overall cost, including:
- The complexity of the case.
- The attorney’s experience and background.
- The amount of time required to investigate and prepare the claim.
- Whether expert witnesses or additional consultants are needed.
- Litigation-related expenses if the case proceeds to court.
- Administrative or filing fees associated with the claim.
Many car accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay attorney’s fees upfront. Instead, the attorney receives a percentage of the compensation recovered through a settlement or judgment. However, certain case-related costs may still apply regardless of the outcome, and these details are typically explained before you sign any agreement.
What If The Other Driver Does Not Have Automobile Liability Insurance?
Most insured individuals have uninsured motorist coverage as part of their automobile liability policy, which provides some financial support, depending on the amount of uninsured motorist coverage attached to their insurance policy. A car accident attorney can investigate to help you determine which parties may be liable for your injuries.
Is It Necessary For Me To Retain A Car Accident Attorney?
If you suffered any personal injuries during an automobile accident, speaking with a Santa Monica car accident attorney can be an important step toward understanding your legal options. The insurance claim adjuster’s role is to evaluate claims on behalf of the insurance company. Their objective is to settle claims in accordance with the company’s policies and procedures, which may not always align with your desired outcome.
Retaining a car accident attorney from Santa Monica will help you reduce the amount of confusion you will face during the car accident claim process. It can be beneficial to have a knowledgeable person explain the different stages of a car accident case to you. You can attend rehabilitation meetings and physical therapy appointments while your car accident attorney focuses on your legal case. Having this reassurance can help you focus on healing from your injuries.
If You Suffered Injuries During A Car Accident, You Need Support & Guidance
A Santa Monica car accident attorney can provide you with the support and guidance as you seek financial compensation for your injuries. You do not have to deal with negotiations with insurance companies and their representatives. While you recover from your injuries and heal, a car accident attorney can work on your behalf to gather the evidence necessary to present your case to the insurance company. If your case goes to trial, a car accident attorney will work diligently throughout the trial process to pursue a positive resolution for your case.
Contact Our Santa Monica Car Accident Attorneys
Arash Law, founded by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., assists injured victims in seeking financial compensation for their injuries. We have decades of experience representing clients in personal injury cases. We focus on your case and can handle communications with insurance companies while advocating for your rights.
Contact Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free initial consultation. Our Santa Monica car accident attorneys serve the surrounding areas, including Culver City, Beverly Hills, El Segundo, Inglewood, West Hollywood, Lennox, Manhattan Beach, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Lawndale, Westmont, Calabasas, West Athens, Alondra Park, and Redondo Beach.
