Under California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1, you have two years from the date of a car crash in Los Angeles to file a personal injury claim. California is a fault state, so the at-fault driver's insurer pays for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Burg & Brock has handled auto accident cases across LA County since 1996 and works on contingency, meaning no fee unless you recover. Call (818) 873-9216 for a free case review.
The Law Offices of Burg & Brock has successfully handled thousands of auto accident cases on behalf of clients from all walks of life and throughout Southern California. A Car Accident Attorney Los Angeles knows that the experience of being in a serious collision can be shattering in many ways, typically including a great deal of both physical and emotional pain. Our goal is to handle each case with the sensitivity clients need, as well as the professionalism necessary for all types of legal work. Auto accident attorneys at our offices work to make sure that clients’ interests are seen to at all times.
First and foremost, make sure everyone involved in the accident is safe, and that definitely includes you. Call 911 right away if anyone injured in the accident requires any kind of medical attention. Equally important, make sure that no one is in active danger. Many fatal accidents happen after people get out of their cars on busy roadways following a less severe collision. If you initially assume you’re not hurt, but then start to think maybe you were, do not wait to seek medical attention.
First and foremost, make sure everyone involved in the accident is safe, and that definitely includes you. Call 911 right away if anyone injured in the accident requires any kind of medical attention. Equally important, make sure that no one is in active danger. Many fatal accidents happen after people get out of their cars on busy roadways following a less severe collision. If you initially assume you’re not hurt, but then start to think maybe you were, do not wait to seek medical attention.
Once you and your vehicle are in a safe place, do your best to take pictures of the accident scene and of damage to all vehicles involved. Of course, you and the other party must exchange insurance and contact information. If there any other people who witnessed the accident, also get their contact information along with their account of what happened. If you can, write it down in as much detail as possible or ask the person if you can record their voice on your cell phone. This is often crucial in avoiding a “he said/she said” situation if at fault parties refuse to acknowledge their responsibility.
As soon as all parties are safe, call an attorney. It’s always best to start protecting your legal interests as early as possible. California law allows for up to two years following an accident to file a claim, but it’s nearly always advantageous to start the process as soon as possible.
If you’ve been in a serious accident where another driver is responsible, having the services of a competent attorney on your side is beneficial in most cases. At-fault parties, their insurance companies, and their insurance companies’ lawyers are often determined to minimize the amounts they pay to injured parties. A car accident attorney Los Angeles accident victims and their families can trust is one who has the years of experience and in-depth knowledge it takes to protect an individual’s interests.
If you have recently suffered a serious traumatic injury, or if a loved one has been badly injured, then in all likelihood you are experiencing one of the most difficult chapters of your life. If someone close to you has been killed in an accident, then the emotional and psychological stress will be that much heavier. Moreover, there is a real risk for people in traumatic accidents of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), and the National Institute of Mental Health lists accidents as one of the most frequent causes of all this all too common and very serious disorder. The financial stress of medical bills, the temporary or permanent inability of the victim to earn income, and just the standard expenses that come with living in Southern California can create a serious financial bind. They certainly can make the idea of obtaining the help of an attorney seem completely out of reach. It’s not.
The important thing to realize is that legal help can be obtained without expensive legal fees. At the Law Offices of Burg & Brock, we’re here to make the help of a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles accessible to clients from all levels of income and walks of life. If your situation involves an accident that was caused by the negligence of another party, do not rule out obtaining legal assistance until you’ve spoken with a reputable auto accident attorney like one of the legal specialists here at the Law Offices of Burg & Brock.
However complex you might think it is for a victim to get a fair shake from responsible parties and their insurers, it’s probably even more complex than that. One important reality has to do with the assets of possible defendants and the amount of insurance they carry. People and businesses generally get only the legal minimum of insurance coverage or just enough to protect their assets. So, for example, a middle-aged homeowner is likely to carry more insurance than a college student. Drivers for ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft, for example, typically carry $1 million worth of insurance coverage. The help of a skilled attorney can make an important difference in ensuring that victims receive truly fair compensation.
Car-crash work overlaps with truck, motorcycle, rideshare, and pedestrian claims. The pages below cover the variants and Los Angeles-area communities where our team handles auto cases.
Talk to one of our attorneys: Cameron Yadidi Brock · Artin Fiterz, Esq. · Greg Diarian · Craig D. Rackohn · Lena G. Karaminassian · Isaac Radnia
Settlements vary by injury severity. Soft-tissue cases typically range from $10,000 to $25,000. Moderate cases with surgery or extended therapy run $75,000 to $250,000. Catastrophic cases involving traumatic brain injury or paralysis often exceed $1 million. Burg & Brock has recovered seven and eight-figure verdicts in severe injury cases.
California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1 gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Property damage only is three years under section 338(c). Claims against a government entity require a tort claim notice within six months under Government Code section 911.2.
If you have any injury, missed work, or expect more than $5,000 in medical bills, hire a lawyer. Insurance research shows represented claimants recover two to three times more on average. The consultation costs nothing, and contingency-fee representation means no upfront cost to you.
California follows pure comparative negligence. You can still recover damages even if you were 99% at fault, but your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. If your damages are $100,000 and you are 30% at fault, you recover $70,000.
File under your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. California Insurance Code section 11580.2 makes this coverage standard on every auto policy unless you signed a written waiver. UM/UIM also covers hit-and-run accidents.
Most cases settle within 6 to 18 months. Pre-litigation negotiation takes 60 to 90 days after treatment finishes. If the insurer refuses fair value and we file suit, litigation adds 12 to 24 months. We do not settle before you reach maximum medical improvement.
Burg & Brock works on contingency. You pay nothing upfront and nothing if we do not win. Standard contingency in California personal injury is 33 and 1/3 percent if the case settles pre-litigation and 40% if we file suit. Case costs come out of the settlement.
Compensatory damages cover medical bills (past and future), lost wages and earning capacity, property damage, and pain and suffering. In cases involving drunk driving or extreme negligence, punitive damages may apply under Civil Code section 3294.
No. The adjuster will use it to undercut your claim. Politely decline and refer them to your attorney. You are not legally required to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company.
Catastrophic injury cases need a different level of investigation. Average TBI settlements range from $250,000 to several million depending on long-term care needs. Get evaluated by a neurologist within 24 to 48 hours and document every symptom. Burg & Brock has handled multiple seven-figure brain injury cases.
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