Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyers

Los Angeles is one of the most traffic-congested cities in the United States, ranking as the city with the highest car ownership in the country with over 2 million registered vehicles. With so many vehicles on the road, car accidents are more likely to occur throughout the city and suburbs of Los Angeles.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident, the Los Angeles car accident attorneys at The Barnes Firm are here to help you. With over 100 years of combined experience, our team of trusted attorneys will work hard to help you get the best result possible. If you are injured and need help, call (800) 800-0000 today for a FREE case evaluation.

Why Should I Hire a Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer?

The time following a car accident can be stressful. At a time when you should be focused solely on recovering from your injuries, it’s more than likely that you will be spending most of your time dealing with insurance companies. Insurance companies will do everything they can to undervalue your claim and close your settlement quickly and will often neglect details surrounding your accident and injury. Calling the Los Angeles car accident lawyers at The Barnes Firm after an accident could be the best call you make. When you partner with our firm, our team of attorneys will:

  • Evaluate your case for FREE and help answer any questions you have
  • Review and investigate your accident, what led up to it, and the circumstances surrounding it
  • Hold all negligent parties responsible
  • Negotiate with the insurance company so you can focus on recovering from your injuries
  • If necessary, take your case to trial

Our experienced team of Los Angeles car accident lawyers will guide you on how to make your car accident claim and work hard to help you get the best result possible. Call The Barnes Firm today for a FREE case evaluation.

Car Accident Cases We Handle

No matter the type of accident, our experienced lawyers work on all types of car crash cases, helping clients get the best result possible. Accident cases may include:

  • Rear-end collisions
  • T-bone accidents
  • Hit & run crashes
  • Sideswipe collisions
  • Head-on crashes
  • Rollover accidents
  • Left-turn accidents
  • Multi-vehicle accidents

If you were injured in a car crash, you will want an experienced car accident attorney at The Barnes Firm on your side to help you get the best result possible for your case. We will handle your legal needs so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.

Why Do Los Angeles Car Accidents Happen?

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, there are over 50,000 car crashes each year in Los Angeles. The main causes of car accidents in Los Angeles include:

  • Speeding
  • Reckless driving
  • Distracted driving
  • DUI
  • Tailgating
  • Ignoring traffic laws
  • Roadway defects
  • Fatigued driving

If you were injured by a negligent driver, you are entitled to receive financial compensation. The Barnes Firm is here to help you do that. We will be there to guide you every step of the way and help you get the best result possible for your accident claim.

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California Car Accident Laws

California car accident laws can be confusing. Our team of experienced car accident lawyers at The Barnes Firm will help you understand and navigate these laws. In Los Angeles, and throughout the state of California, you have two years from the date of accident, or injury discovery, to file a personal injury claim.

California is an at-fault state. This means you can file a claim against the responsible party if you can prove liability. All drivers in California must carry vehicle insurance that covers $5,000 for property damage, $15,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, and $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident. Responsibility for a car accident can be shared among multiple people. You can receive compensation for your accident even if you are found to be partially at fault. For example, if you are found 20% liable for your accident, you can still recover 80% of the damages.

Given the complexity of California car accident laws, it is in your best interest to work with a skilled personal injury attorney after being injured in a car accident. Our team of trusted car accident attorneys will support you every step of the way to help you get the best result possible for your accident case.

What to do After a Car Accident

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, The Barnes Firm recommends you take the following steps:

  1. Get to safety. After a car accident, try not to panic. If you can, move yourself and your vehicle off the roadway and out of the way of oncoming traffic
  2. Call the police. Call 911 to report the accident and request medical services
  3. Gather information on the accident scene. Gather all information you can from the accident scene. This includes
    1. Photos of your vehicle damage and the accident scene as a whole
    2. Contact and insurance information from other driver(s)
    3. Any witnesses contact information
    4. Police accident report
  4. Seek medical attention. It is extremely important to seek medical attention, even if you do not think you are hurt. A medical professional can help identify any injuries you may have received in the accident.
  5. Call the trusted car accident attorneys at The Barnes Firm. With over $2 billion recovered for our clients, the Los Angeles car accident attorneys at The Barnes Firm are ready to work hard to help you get the best result possible for your case.

Common Injuries Resulting from Car Accidents

Injuries resulting from a car accident will depend on the factors surrounding the crash. No matter how minor or severe your injuries are, you should always seek medical attention after a car accident. Injuries may take days or weeks to show up, and consulting with a medical professional can help you diagnose any injuries, even if you are not showing symptoms. Our team of Los Angeles car accident lawyers have helped thousands of car accident victims with one, or several, of the injures listed below:

If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident in, or near, Los Angeles, call The Barnes Firm today. We will help you obtain the compensation you deserve during the difficult time following a car accident.

What Damages Can I Collect from a Car Accident Claim?

Following a car accident, speaking with our team of Los Angeles car accident attorneys can help you recover all damages you are entitled to. This may include:

  • Lost wages
  • Medical bills
  • Pain and suffering
  • Property damage
  • Lost future earnings
  • Physical therapy & rehabilitation
  • Emotional distress, and more

If you were injured by the negligence of another person, you are entitled to financial compensation. The Barnes Firm is here to help you recover all damages you deserve.

Contact A Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer Today

As one of America’s largest personal injury law firms, The Barnes Firm has helped thousands of clients injured in car accidents get the best result possible for their accident case. From the initial phone conversation through to the final settlement, our team of Los Angeles car accident attorneys will support you every step of the way.

Call (800) 800-0000 for a FREE case evaluation – it could be the best call you make.

Our team of experienced car accident attorneys at The Barnes Firm proudly serve Los Angeles and surrounding areas: Alhambra, Anaheim, Arcadia, Azusa, Bakersfield, Baldwin Park, Bellflower, Boron, Burbank, Buttonwillow, Carson, Compton, Culver City, Delano, Diamond Bar, Downey Edison, El Monte, Frazier Park, Glendale, Hawthorne, Huntington Park, Inglewood, Irvine, Lakewood, Lancaster, Long Beach, Ontario, Orange County, Oxnard, Norwalk, Palmdale, Pasadena, Pomona, Rancho Cucamonga, Ridgecrest, Rosemond, San Bernardino, Santa Ana, Santa Clarita, Santa Monica, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Torrance, Wasco, West Covina, and more…

Los Angeles Office Location

633 West 5th Street
Suite #1750
Los Angeles, CA 90071

five star reviews

“Thanks to my Attorney Yoon Kim and his assistant Jackeline, really helped me out. He thoroughly explained everything, was nice, very easy to talk to, flexible and understanding.”

Nick S.

five star reviews

“I will recommend the Barnes Firm to anyone who is in need of a lawyer. Mr. Sheehan and his staff was awesome and his paralegal Lorena Flores was very helpful with my case. I can’t say anything negative about the Barnes Firm good customer service. Thanks again”

Tajh S.

five star reviews

“Professional. Efficient. Personable. The team at the Barnes Firm understand their clients and are very insightful and experts in their field. Highly recommend their services.”

Behtash A.

Questions For A Car Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles

Car Accident Questions

It’s crucial to seek medical care as soon as possible after your car accident. Waiting longer than 72 hours proves to insurance companies that you did not seek medical attention in a reasonable amount of time following the accident. That could hurt your chances of receiving compensation and gives the insurance companies reason to believe that the car accident didn’t cause your injuries.

If you’ve been hurt in a car accident that resulted in lost wages or disability, call on The Barnes Firm today. You shouldn’t have to pay for any expenses or lost wages stemming from an accident that you didn’t cause.

The Barnes Firm is an accomplished personal injury firm in Los Angeles with experienced car accident lawyers who’ve been helping accident victims for decades. With many verdicts and settlements resulting in $1 million or more for past clients, you can trust The Barnes Firm to get the results that you deserve. Call today for your free consultation to get started on your claim.

The Barnes Firm (800) 800-0000

Technically, no, California is not a no-fault state.

While an injured driver can still file a claim to the other driver’s insurance and that claim will have to be paid, it doesn’t end there. Drivers in California do still retain their right to sue for additional damages, according to Los Angeles car accident attorneys.

Click here to read the full article.

Under California Code of Civil Procedure 335.1, an individual who sustains personal injuries because of another’s negligent conduct has two years from the date the injuries were sustained to file a lawsuit in court. Click here to read our full article on the California Statute of Limitations.

After two years you won’t be able to claim car accident injuries in California.

Click here to read our full article exploring common injuries from car accidents, what to do if you’ve been in a car accident, and how long you have to file a claim or seek compensation from the other party.

Yes, it’s possible, but it depends on the case. The sooner you retain an experienced car accident lawyer, the more likely you are to win the compensation you deserve for your injuries, medical bills, and pain and suffering. Even if you’re not injured, an attorney can help walk you through the insurance process, explain your rights, and determine whether you’re entitled to compensation. Click here to read our full article on minor car accidents.

Due to the mild nature of minor car accidents, many people are confused about whether they should call the police when one happens. In many instances, calling the police is the best course of action. Click here to discover why.

Questions About Whiplash

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries from a car accident, and doctors have proven it’s a result of some types of car accidents. According to The Mayo Clinic, whiplash is a “neck injury due to forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, like the cracking of a whip.”  Rear-end accidents are the biggest proponent of whiplash injuries. However, it can occur in any type of car accident. Symptoms of whiplash include:

  • Neck pain
  • Neck stiffness
  • Inability to move your neck
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Tingling sensations

If you’re suffering from a whiplash injury as the result of a car accident, you should talk to a top car accident lawyer in Los Angeles who can help you recover compensation for your medical bills.

One of the primary indicators used to prove you have whiplash as the result of a car accident is how quickly you sought medical treatment. If you waited multiple weeks before visiting a doctor or medical professional to get treated for your symptoms, it’s more difficult to prove that your whiplash injury was caused by the car accident. That’s why if you suspect there was an injury following your accident, even if you only have a few symptoms, it’s in your best interest to seek medical attention right away.

When you visit a doctor for your whiplash symptoms, they’ll likely conduct a variety of tests to identify the extent of your injury. Serious whiplash injuries are visible on imaging tests such as x-rays and MRIs. A car accident lawyer in LA says reported medical evidence is extremely beneficial for proving a whiplash claim, especially if the images were taken directly after or near the time of the accident.

If you’ve suffered from whiplash or whiplash symptoms in the past, it might be more difficult to prove your accident claim. Insurers and those granting your claim will want to be certain that what you’re experiencing is new or different from what you went through in the past. It’s also beneficial to provide detailed information about your aches and pains to medical professionals at the scene of the accident and those you see after the accident.

To claim that you’re suffering from whiplash, it’s important to follow the doctor’s orders to alleviate your symptoms and heal your injury. If the doctor prescribes medical treatment, you should follow all the instructions accordingly. Not participating in medical treatment is a sign to the other party that your symptoms may not be as bad as you claim.

If you’re suffering from whiplash, you should also consult a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles about filing for a settlement to cover the cost of your medical bills. With the right representation, you might also be able to win compensation for your pain and suffering.  The Barnes Firm is a preferred option for many victims of car accidents in LA. Call today or contact the legal team online to schedule a free consultation.

If you’ve been in a car accident, you know how scary the experience can be. You’re shaken from the entire episode and may be in severe pain, particularly if the crash caused an injury. A car accident lawyer in Los Angeles says whiplash is the most common injury following a car accident, and it’s not an injury to be taken lightly. It’s caused by the forceful motion of your head knocking forward and back when your car is crashed into. This violent movement of your head causes damage to your neck, spine, and shoulders if left untreated.

Many accident victims may be wondering, Should You Go to the Hospital for Whiplash? All of the best car accident lawyers in Los Angeles say it’s always a good idea to visit a hospital and have a medical specialist look over your injuries to find out whether your condition is serious or not.

The best thing to do after a car accident is to take your whiplash injury seriously and seek out professional medical care. Many times, victims in a car accident don’t initially feel pain after a crash. That’s because in response to the shock of the collision, your body releases a spike of adrenaline and cortisol hormones that mask the pain and help you think clearly. Once the hormones wear off and your body starts to relax, that’s when the pain sets in.

Whiplash disturbs the delicate tissues, ligaments, and muscles around your spine. Waiting for your back, neck, and shoulders to become painfully stiff and sore from day-to-day irritants can worsen the extent of your injuries. That’s why it’s always a good idea to go to the hospital and get examined, even if you initially feel fine. This will establish a record of medical treatment that may support a future car accident claim.

Going to an urgent care center or the hospital will allow a doctor to examine you and run telling tests and scans to get insight on the severity of your injury. Because other injuries can stem from whiplash, known as whiplash associated disorder (WAD), receiving care early on from a medical professional will tell you whether you might be facing further complications.

Because whiplash is an injury to the tissues, muscles, and ligaments, rather than the bones, an X-ray would not be helpful for your prognosis. Your doctor will likely have you lie down and ask for your feedback on your level of pain when gently moving your neck, back, and shoulders. In some cases, images from a sophisticated MRI scan can predict whether you might experience chronic pain in the future.

Based on your doctor’s evaluation, they’ll recommend a treatment plan to help your whiplash heal. Possible recommendations include:

  • Strengthening exercises and stretches
  • Physical therapy
  • Chiropractic care
  • Massage therapy
  • A neck brace to be worn
  • Pain medication
  • Injections to block pain, like an epidural, so tissues heal faster

The severity of your pain and injury will dictate the treatment options that your doctor suggests. Never attempt to self-diagnose your treatment plan, as the wrong adjustments can make your pain worse.

After visiting the hospital and receiving a treatment plan by a doctor, be sure to follow these  instructions carefully. General practices for self-care include:

  • Icing the sore area to help swelling for the 24 hours following your accident
  • Taking over-the-counter medication for pain and swelling
  • Avoiding physical work or labor that will irritate your injury

Ask your doctor about the best way to lie in bed at night, so you don’t further your injuries while sleeping. You may also be advised to stretch or strengthen specific muscles with at-home exercises. The key is not to overexert yourself and to listen to your body when doing these activities.

Knowing what to do, both medically and legally, about your whiplash injury following an accident is extremely important. Seek out the treatment you need right away. After treatment, you’ll want to at least explore your legal options. In many cases, there are avenues to make sure you’re compensated for any and all medical procedures, loss of wages, and other costs associated with an accident. You shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket to treat injuries that you didn’t cause.

The Barnes Firm has helped victims of car accidents for years across the state of California. With decades of experience fighting for victims’ personal injury claims, our best car accident lawyer in Los Angeles could recover the compensation that you deserve. Call or request a consultation online for your free case evaluation.

The Barnes Firm (800) 800-0000

There’s no predetermined amount a person can receive for whiplash, but any time you’re injured in an accident due to another person’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation.

One of the most common reasons people seek compensation following car accidents is whiplash injuries. By filing a lawsuit against the negligent party, a whiplash victim improves their chances of winning a financial settlement. If you’re suffering from whiplash as the result of an auto accident, hiring a trusted attorney is your best course of action.

Whiplash is a common injury sustained in car accidents. The major impact experienced during an accident can cause a sudden jerking movement of the driver or the passenger’s head – much like a whip. Such movement is a recipe for immediate pain and long-term damage.

Whiplash victims experience a variety of symptoms from their injury, including but not limited to:

  • Severe neck pain
  • Stiff neck
  • Headaches
  • Loss of range of motion in the neck
  • Shoulder pain
  • Upper arm pain
  • Overall body discomfort

A car accident lawyer in Los Angeles says the symptoms associated with whiplash are known to increase over time. Just because you’re not in pain immediately following a car accident doesn’t mean you didn’t sustain an injury. It’s in your best interest to be evaluated by a medical doctor as soon as possible. If a whiplash injury doesn’t get addressed with the appropriate medical treatment, you’re at risk of life-long pain and suffering.

Pain and suffering is a term that’s used to describe the emotional distress that the long-term physical pain from an accident-related injury causes. Examples of pain and suffering include:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Physical limitations caused by an injury
  • Memory loss
  • Insomnia
  • Loss of relationships due to injury
  • PTSD
  • Change of lifestyle due to injury

When you hire a car accident attorney in Los Angeles to represent you in a personal injury case, they will gather information and evidence to prove that the pain and suffering you’re enduring is grounds for financial compensation.

Treatments for whiplash injuries are decided by medical doctors and determined based upon the severity of your injury. Oftentimes, doctors will prescribe intense physical therapy treatment before they explore medical alternatives such as surgery. Treatment for whiplash and similar injuries can be expensive.

In addition to medical bills and the cost of ongoing therapy, people who suffer from whiplash also experience:

  • Lost wages due to time off of work
  • Loss of future wages due to long-term pain
  • Medical equipment costs
  • Pain and suffering

If you’re suffering from whiplash, the first thing you should do is contact and be seen by a medical professional. It’s also in your best interest to contact an experienced personal injury attorney to assist you with your claim. Likewise, documenting your injuries and all of the costs associated with them will prove favorable when you file a lawsuit against the negligent party.

Most whiplash personal injury claims are settled before they go to court. The average payout for a whiplash lawsuit ranges between $1,000-$100,000, depending on the nature of the accident and injury.

The Los Angeles car accident attorneys at The Barnes Firm are a trustworthy source of legal representation for your personal injury claim. If you’ve recently sustained a whiplash injury from a car accident, there’s no better time to give them a call than right now. The personal injury attorneys at The Barnes Firm are committed to getting the best possible result for your case and will walk you through the entire legal process from beginning to end.

To schedule a free consultation, call our office or contact us online today.

The Barnes Firm (800)-800-0000

Questions About Employment After A Car Accident

For more severe accidents causing significant injuries, victims will usually have to take time to heal and recover before getting back to their jobs or school. Even for those who can return to work within a reasonable time, there might be doctor’s appointments and physical therapy that cut into the workday.

For some people, this time taken off from work can be an added stress if their job or boss doesn’t fully understand the situation. Keep in mind, however, that your health is the most important thing and getting treatment is paramount to avoid complications later down the road.

The most severe injuries following a car accident can leave victims temporarily or permanently disabled. Depending on the employer’s sick leave policy, some victims might lose their jobs after requesting to take off for an extended period to recover from their injuries. Losing income can have disastrous outcomes for a family’s finances.

If you’re unable to return to work or are permanently disabled from a car accident, a personal injury suit can earn back the compensation that was lost. An experienced personal injury attorney will analyze your circumstances and determine a favorable amount of payment to cover your lost wages for the time taken off work. If you can’t return at all because of permanent injuries, it’s possible to receive compensation to make up for the wages that you would have expected from that job. That’s why consulting with a professional and experienced lawyer is crucial when it comes to personal injury claims for compensation.

Every injury is different for each person after experiencing a car accident. There isn’t a set amount of time that you should take off, except however long your doctor advises. Most doctors are very conservative with their recommendations for time to take off from work. Listen to your doctor’s advice overall, but also consider how long you can financially afford to take off from work, and if filing a personal injury claim can help. A personal injury claim for compensation can help compensate you for lost wages, medical bills, damage to your vehicle, pain and suffering, and much more.

The severity of your injury will ultimately dictate how much time you’ll need to take off for your recovery. Never try to cut short the doctor’s recommended time. Doing so can result in further injuries that will have you out of commission for an even longer time period.

Unemployment benefits were created to help individuals make ends meet when they’re unable to work. But to receive these benefits, the following stipulations must apply:

  • You must be willing and able to work
  • You must be actively searching for work

For example, if you’ve been laid off from your job through no error of your own and are actively searching for other employment options, then you’re entitled to claim unemployment for that period in-between jobs. A car accident lawyer in Los Angeles says without meeting both conditions, it’s unlikely that unemployment benefits will be granted.

Trying to navigate the steps you need to take following the accident can feel overwhelming. Questions like who was at fault and whose insurance policy should cover your expenses all need to be answered. That’s why it’s essential to have expert legal counsel to guide you through this experience so you can get back to normalcy.

You might wonder what financial benefits you’re entitled to and whether you can file for unemployment. While you can’t claim unemployment in some situations, there are other options that could be available to you. A car accident lawyer in Los Angeles can help you explore those options.

In situations involving a car accident that prevent you from returning to work, it depends on the reasons why you can’t work. If you sustained injuries that left you unable to perform your job functions, then you truly are unable to work. In that situation, a Los Angeles car accident lawyer says you won’t be able to claim unemployment because you don’t meet the criteria for those benefits.

If you’re attempting to claim unemployment after an accident because you lost your job for reasons unrelated to your injury, then you might be entitled to those benefits. Let’s say you sustain minor injuries after an accident. They don’t prevent you from doing your job, but you get laid off anyway. In that situation, a car accident lawyer in LA says you might still have a case for claiming unemployment, since you meet both criteria points where you’re able to work and are looking for work.

If your injuries from a car accident prevent you from returning to work, you won’t be able to claim unemployment because you’re not able to work. However, you can seek other payments.

Filing a personal injury claim could help you pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses related to your injury in the form of a personal injury settlement. If your injuries prevent you from returning to work for an unforeseeable amount of time, then you most likely need to consider claiming payments for disability.

Having an experienced car accident attorney in Los Angeles will help you navigate the answers to these questions and help you receive the maximum benefit for your injuries.

At The Barnes Firm, our car accident attorneys in Los Angeles have decades of combined experience helping car accident victims move forward with their lives. We’re serious about helping our clients, and we understand what you’re going through. Our experienced attorneys will do everything possible to help you get the compensation that you deserve. We are available 24/7 to offer car accident victims a free consultation. If your car accident injuries prevent you from visiting us, then we will come to you. Fill out our contact form online or call us today.

The Barnes Firm (800) 800-0000