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Over $200,000,000 recovered in personal injury claims. Contact our injury lawyers for a free consultation.
Dordulian Law Group is the Los Angeles-area’s elite team of car accident lawyers with over 75 years of combined experience helping motor vehicle collision victims secure maximum compensation through cash settlements and trial verdicts.
If you’ve been injured in a Los Angles car accident, you’re surely dealing with a number of issues ranging from pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and countless questions regarding what steps to take to get the justice you deserve.
Keep reading to learn everything there is to know about car accidents and how our car crash lawyers will fight to help you recover a maximum cash settlement for your injuries. Our car accident lawyers will answer questions like:
Car accidents, also known as “traffic collisions” or “motor vehicle accidents” occur when a car collides with another car or vehicle, a stationary object, a pedestrian, or an animal. Some result in property damages, injury, and death. Someone who is at fault for a car accident may be liable for damages caused by the accident. Car accidents can be extremely traumatizing and have a great impact on you physically, emotionally, psychologically, and financially. The attorneys at DLG understand the amount of stress and pain and suffering you may be enduring from a car accident.
In a car accident, the driver at fault is liable for the injuries or damages of the other passengers or drivers. Fault is determined by who was negligent in causing the accident. However, not all car accidents are caused by a driver’s negligence. Other causes may include:
Our car accident injury lawyers are equipped with the tenacity and passion required to ensure you receive the largest possible settlement for your injuries. DLG’s team of dedicated and caring attorneys are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for a free consultation to discuss your unique accident situation, answer any questions you have. You will not be responsible for any legal fees if we do not secure compensation on your behalf. Our lawyer will put your mind at ease knowing we will serve as a fierce ally on your behalf.
Car Accident Statistics for California Drivers
Every year, over 80,000 people are injured or killed in auto collisions in Los Angeles County alone. In 2016, the number of traffic accidents in Los Angeles soared by nearly 20 percent from the previous year to 55,350. Additionally, 2017 saw a 22% increase in crash fatalities from the same period in 2016, where over 40,000 fatalities were reported within the city limits (with pedestrians comprising nearly half of those fatalities). As of 2018, Los Angeles had the highest rate of injury-causing and fatal traffic accidents in the nation.
Such accidents are often the result of recklessness or negligence on the part of another party. But while speeding is perhaps the most well known cause behind traffic accidents, other commonly cited causes can include:
Living in the Los Angeles area means you are at a greater risk of experiencing an auto accident, regardless of whether or not you are a safe and cautious driver.
One of the most common questions we receive is, “How many people die in car accidents throughout the United States of America each year?” Below we’ll identify some key car accident statistics for the U.S. as well as abroad.
Number of Fatal Car Accidents in the U.S.
- In 2019, the United States experienced 38,800 car accident fatalities. That was a 2% reduction from 2018, when 39,404 people were killed in American auto collisions. Year-by-year, 40,327 people were killed in 2017 motor vehicle collisions, and 34,439 police-reported fatal car accidents occurred in 2016 (representing a 5.8% increase from 2015).
- In 2019, fatal car crashes led to 37,461 total fatalities, including 25,096 vehicle occupants, 5,286 motorcyclists, and 7,079 pedestrians (or non-occupants).
- 58% of police-reported fatal car accidents were single-vehicle collisions.
- In 2016, the deadliest three-hour period for drivers was between midnight to 3 a.m. on Saturdays. The next deadliest time window was between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. (also on Saturdays).
- 38% of all fatal car accidents were induced by a collision with another motor vehicle. The most common collision occurred when a vehicle was traveling at an angle.
- 40% of all fatal car accidents occur due to either a collision with a fixed object (such as a tree or street sign) or a non-collision (such as a rollover accident).
- In 2016, the most fatal car accidents happened in the summer months of June through September. Fatal motor vehicle accidents peaked in the month of October, with 3,249 car crashes.
- Most fatal car accidents that year occurred on Saturdays, with 6,104 total reported.
The following worldwide car accident statistics have been confirmed:
For additional information on global car accident statistics, visit our blog.
That spike in Los Angeles traffic fatalities represents a:
While 2021 was one of the deadliest years for Los Angeles-area drivers, 2022 proved to be even more lethal.
In a car accident case, fault is based on negligence. In California, in order to prove negligence you must be able to prove that:
Duty of care in California refers to a legal obligation to practice a reasonable amount of care in order to prevent harm to others.
A duty of care may be created by:
Some examples of duty of care include: teachers owe their students a duty of care, airlines owe passengers a duty of care, and doctors own their patients a duty of care. Furthermore, even if there is no specific law present enforcing a duty of care, individuals are expected to practice a standard duty of care that keeps themselves, their property, and others and their property free from harm.
Drivers owe other drivers a duty of care when operating their vehicle. It is expected that drivers:
If a driver fails to use a duty of care and causes an accident, they are liable for damages. Let our expert lawyers at DLG build the strongest case for you so that you can receive the maximum amount of compensation.
If a party is proven to be negligent in an accident, then they are liable. But most car accident cases are not always black and white. California enforces the “comparative fault” law which means that even if multiple parties are partially at fault for the accident, you may still be able to collect compensation. The amount in which you may be able to receive will be based on the amount of fault that is attributed to you.
For example, if you are found to be 40% at fault in an accident and the other driver to be at 60%, then your damages will be reduced by 40%. In order to receive the most for your damages, it is best to seek legal representation from DLG. This way, your case will be handled by a highly experienced car accident attorney.
Not all car accidents are caused by other drivers. For example, if you were in an accident due to hazardous road conditions, state or local agencies may be liable for damages. If a road has not been maintained well, it becomes potentially dangerous. Some examples of ways in which road may be hazardous are:
State and local governments are responsible for keepings the road in a safe condition. If the accident occurred on private property, the property owner may be liable for damages. Property owners owe a duty of care to visitors on the property.
Car accidents may also be caused by faulty vehicle parts or mechanical malfunctions. Manufacturers who have released defective parts or mechanics who performed inadequate repair jobs may be liable in this case.
For many accident victims, their first instinct is to contact an insurance company, and quickly accept whatever compensation may be offered. Depending on your circumstances, this can be a mistake on multiple levels. Firstly, you must realize that the insurance companies do not act on behalf of you or have your best interests in mind. As such, their initial compensation offer can frequently be disproportionate to the full amount of damages to which you are entitled. In other words, their offer can be unfair and inadequate, often leaving you with unpaid bills in addition to the cost of lasting emotional and psychological trauma. Insurance companies are interested in one thing: protecting themselves. They are not concerned with you, the victim. This is why your first step after enduring an accident should be to contact an experienced and qualified car accident attorney.
Other steps you should take after being in a car accident are:
It is important to collect as much information as you can at the scene. This means obtaining a copy of the police report, saving photographs, videos, or audio recordings of the scene, saving all information of witnesses and others involved, and keeping all medical bills and records. The more you have, the easier it will be for a DLG lawyer to get a bigger, more complete picture of what happened.
Car accident attorneys, such as the team at DLG, are experts at negotiating the highest possible settlement commensurate with your injuries. We present abstract factors such as pain and suffering and changes to your quality of life when representing you in court, which can significantly affect the amount of your settlement. Our goal is to ensure that you are not left with outstanding bills for medical expenses or lost wages and that you receive appropriate compensation on top of those damages.
Damages recovered in a car accident case will vary depending on the injury and losses suffered. If you have been in a car accident, you may be able to receive both economic and non-economic compensatory damages. Some examples of financial recovery in a car accident case are:
There is no limit in California for how much you can receive in economic damages and non-economic damages. Non-economic damages can be more difficult to value since they do not automatically have a set price on them. This is why receiving help from a DLG lawyer will be imperative to the outcome of your case. In certain cases, you may be able to also seek punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded when a driver was especially reckless or purposely inflicted harm.
If you are uninsured, California does not allow for collecting non-economic damages even if you are completely not at fault. The exception to this rule is if the other driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol and is convicted of a DUI.
If you have been in an accident with someone that does not have insurance, then there are still ways in which you can recover damages. California law requires insurance companies to offer uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. If you have UI/UIM then your insurance will be able to compensate for your damages up to the liability limit.
The severity of the damages will have an impact on how much compensation you may receive. Some cases that may be worth more than others might involve serious injuries such as:
In September of 2020, Los Angeles city agreed to a $23 million settlement involving a man who lost both of his legs in a crash three years prior. The victim sued the city, the city worker who hit him, and Mercedes-Benz. The man had stopped to get out of his car when his engine had abruptly turned off and was struck by a negligent city worker in a truck. This is an example of a couple different parties that can be liable in a car accident suit.
The statute of limitations in California to file a car accident claim is two years from the date of the accident. After two years, your claim will no longer be valid. There are a few exceptions to this rule. If someone has died from a car accident, the statute of limitations begins from the day of the death of the individual, which may be different than the day of the accident. If a victim is under the age of 18, then the two years does not begin until their 18th birthday. So any minor has until their 20th birthday to file a car accident claim. If only property damages occurred in an accident, then you have three years from the date of the accident to file a claim.
Finally, in some cases, an injury may take weeks to show symptoms. If the accident-related injuries were not detected until after the accident, you have two years from the date of discovering the injury to file your claim. The downside of this, is that it may be harder to prove that the injury was a direct result of the accident. This is why it’s best to get help from a car accident lawyer at DLG who has dealt with many cases like this before.
DLG has decades of experience navigating insurance and liability law. We have successfully secured settlements in excess of $100 million for our clients. Given our proven track record, we are confident that our knowledge and dedication will lead to you receiving the compensation you truly deserve, rather than the compensation the insurance company feels you deserve. A car accident can be a harrowing experience, which is why you need an advocate to take on the burden of filing your claim, negotiating the cost of your medical expenses (an area of expertise that is often overlooked when one is considering hiring a car accident attorney), and securing a significant settlement.
Contact us now for a free consultation, and remember: if we don’t recover compensation for you, you pay no fees.
We’ve put together a list of the Top 10 Most Dangerous Intersections in L.A.
We’ll review some of the most common causes of car crashes, including distracted driving (texting and driving), speeding, drunk driving, drowsy driving, inexperienced driving, and more. We’ll also look at all types of car accidents, including hit-and-runs, rollover crashes, T-bone accidents, multi-car collisions, low-impact collisions, red light accidents, and more.
Sadly, serious and even catastrophic cat accidents leading to major injuries are on the rise – particularly here in Los Angeles County. But we’ll review important car accident statistics for 2024 and also include safety tips to help keep you from becoming a victim.
Car accidents occur more frequently at certain times of the day and even certain periods throughout the calendar year. Our dedicated Glendale car accident lawyers are experts at helping injured victims secure much-needed justice after an injury.
California has certain rules on when you need to report a car accident to the police, the DMV, and your insurance carrier. The police must always be called when an injury or death occurs as a result of a car crash. In fact, it’s recommended that you always call the police even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured after a motor vehicle collision. But after making that call to law enforcement, the next most important call you can make is to the Los Angeles car accident lawyers at Dordulian Law Group for a free, confidential, and no-obligation consultation at 866-GO-SEE-SAM.
Client Review
“Thanks for everything that you did with my no insurance car accident. Anthony right away got me the medical treatment I needed , Anthony and Rafi made this whole process a pleasure to work with believe it or not! I appreciate the promptness, professionalism and stellar customer service thank you for your commitment. If someone needs an accident lawyer I would definitely recommend Dordulian Law Group is the best!!!”
Mariana P.
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