Car Accident Attorney in Los Angeles Near Me

Because of the hassle that often comes with filing insurance claims, people often accept the initial offer that insurance companies provide. When you work with a Los Angeles car accident lawyer from NOVIK LAW GROUP, you can make sure that your best interests are at the forefront, and your legal needs are taken care of. This leaves more time for recovery and rehabilitation, and less time filling in paperwork and dealing with insurance companies.

When we work with car accident victims, we only charge a fee if the case is settled and we successfully obtain compensation.

Car crashes can be devastating and traumatic events that affect everyone involved. You may feel anxious, confused, or worried about what happened and how to move forward. We want to help you feel less alone and become informed about your rights and options. If you have recently been injured in a collision or accident, contact our top-rated Los Angeles car accident attorneys now for a free consultation to discuss your case.

Not all car accidents in Los Angeles will require a lawyer, although if you are suffering injuries or have sustained damage to your vehicle, contact us now for a free consultation to answer any questions you may have. An established auto accident law firm in Los Angeles can help you navigate how to begin the process of filing a claim and obtaining compensation for any injuries obtained from a car crash.

This can be done by consulting with an experienced auto accident attorney in Los Angeles who can explain the various steps that must be taken to file a claim and receive the financial compensation that you deserve. An experienced Los Angeles car accident attorney can also explain what steps must be taken to ensure that you do not end up with any negative consequences following the accident, such as with a car insurance company that may be reluctant to cover you because of the accident.

It is best to contact an experienced Los Angeles car accident attorney near you as soon as possible after a collision or crash. As more time passes, it will become more difficult to remember specific details about the accident, so document as much as you can once the accident occurs. The sooner you contact our car accident attorneys in Los Angeles, the faster the process of filing a claim can begin.

If you have been in a car accident that was caused by another party, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. Doing so as soon as possible will help everyone involved with the process. An attorney can review your case and determine whether you have a case against the at-fault party. An attorney can help you navigate the legal process, and can represent you in court if necessary.

General questions to ask your car accident attorney include:

What should I do after a car accident?
What information will you need about my accident?
How long do I have to file a claim?
How long does it take to settle a car accident claim?
Will I have to appear in court?

Even though a minor car accident may seem trivial when damage is not severe, you may be entitled to compensation you are unaware of. Minor accidents may also cause damage to the neck or spine that could require treatment or recovery days or weeks after the accident occurs. Contact the top rated Los Angeles car accident lawyers at NOVIK LAW GROUP today for a free consultation to discuss the details of your auto accident in Los Angeles.

Car accident settlements are calculated based on a number of considerations including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and property damage. Additionally, the insurance coverage available to both parties involved can also play a role in determining the final settlement amount. 

In 2020, the national average for accident settlements that claimed bodily injury after a collision was approximately $20,235. Property damage claims averaged around $4,711.

In the state of California, if you are looking to seek compensation after a collision for personal injuries, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident. If you are suing for property damage to your vehicle, the State allows up to two years from the accident date to file a claim [courts.ca.gov].

If you’re looking to file a claim for bodily injury and/or property damage in small claims court, then the maximum amount that you can file as an individual is $10,000 [dca.ca.gov]. You can also file more than one lawsuit in small claims court, however, you are only allowed to file two lawsuits over $2,500 in small claims court in a single year [courts.ca.gov].

If you’re seeking legal representation to file a lawsuit after a car accident, then there is no limit to that you can sue in Los Angeles and the state of California. With help from a personal injury attorney, you are entitled to sue the responsible parties for the full extent of the damages. 

If you seek compensation for bodily injury, property damage to your vehicle, or wrongful death, we strongly advise you to hire legal representation. In addition, for claims greater than the $10,000 maximum amount allowed by California small claims courts, legal representation is highly recommended. 

Even if your claim is less than $10,000, you may still want to consider consulting with a lawyer before filing a claim in small claims court. A lawyer may be able to inform you about the compensation you were unaware that you were entitled to as well as help you win your case. Often, individuals go into small claims court unprepared and come out receiving less than what they asked for or nothing at all. While lawyers may cost money, think of them as an investment. Lawyers can help you win a bigger settlement while ensuring justice is served.

If you are in a car accident in Los Angeles, you will want to stop, remain calm, and take the following steps. 

1. Call 911 for emergencies or call the police for non-emergencies. 
2. Take down the names, addresses, phone numbers, and driver’s license numbers of everyone involved.
3. Write down the license plate and VIN number of all vehicles involved.
4. Ask to see the vehicle registration to make sure the vehicle is registered to the driver.
5. If there are any witnesses, go ahead and collect all of their contact information as well.
6. Take cell phone photos of the damage and the accident scene as well. 
7. Notify your insurance company of the accident immediately. 
8. If anyone is injured or the damage on the vehicle will most likely exceed $750, then you must report the accident to the DMV within 10 days.

When it comes to determining fault in an auto accident in Los Angeles, law enforcement has the largest influence. The responding officers will speak with witnesses, review the position of the vehicles after the accident, and issue citations if there are any citable offenses that contributed to the accident. All of this information will be gathered and put into a police report. After the police report has been filed, then insurance adjusters and lawyers may review the report to help argue their interpretation about who may be at fault.

No, the state of California is not what is considered a “no-fault” state. California is actually considered a comparative negligence state where more than one person can be held at fault for a car accident.

Yes, California is considered a comparative negligence state, therefore, you can recover some compensation if anyone else involved in the accident is even partially to blame. Basically, the amount of compensation that you may be entitled to is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are 100% at fault, then you may not receive anything, but if you are 90% at fault, then you may receive some compensation.

Although it may not be wise to do so, you can settle a car accident privately by exchanging personal information, staying in constant communication, and having an auto body shop complete an estimate for the damages. If all parties can come to an arrangement, then you can settle everything privately. This would only be wise for minor vehicle damage. Any accident that involves bodily injury should never be settled privately.

And, if for some reason your private arrangement becomes complicated, then matters may need to be settled in court. Always keep a paper trail.

After a car accident, there are several things you should avoid saying to your insurance company. Phrases like “it was my fault” or apologizing about the accident are never a good idea. Also, never give more information other than the facts and never admit to them that you do not have an attorney. Insurance companies are almost always never on your side. Oftentimes they dig for minor details and use them as a way to deny your claim or grant you less than what you’re entitled to.

California state law dictates that insurance companies have 85 days to settle a claim after the filing date.

California state law dictates that insurance companies have 40 days to investigate claims to determine whether they are accepted or rejected [Cal. Ins. Code § 2695.7(b)]. Insurance companies do have the right to file for an extension, however, they must have a valid reason for the extension.

Hiring an attorney can be costly, which is often why individuals avoid it. That is until they find out that hiring an attorney can cost zero until they win. At Novik Law Group, our team of specialized car accident attorneys proudly serves the greater Los Angeles area. With experienced attorneys in all kinds of car accident cases, Novik is recognized as a top Los Angeles Law Firm. Novik will fight to make it right while delivering above and beyond service to every client. Our recent Los Angeles car accident ase results from January 2021 to July 2022 are as follows:

• Rear-end collision with commercial vehicles: $1,610,000
• Collision with minor property damage: $1,225,000
• Lane change accident on freeway: $875,000

Our Los Angeles car accident lawyers help victims injured in automobile collisions in Los Angeles. Contact us for a free consultation today.