Best Car Accident Lawyers Los Angeles, CA
With millions of cars on the road and some of the worst traffic in the country, it may only be a matter of time before you’re involved in a car accident in the city of angels. Hopefully, you can avoid this unpleasant experience, but if you do need to find a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles, this article is a great place to start.
We’ve compared hundreds of LA area car accident attorneys you and have found the very best. This article also tells you how to find the right car accident lawyer for, whether it’s one of our picks or not.
Best Car Accident Attorneys in Los Angeles
- Kevin R. Boyle
- Bruce A. Broillet
- Jesse Creed
- Bijan Esfandiari
- Robert Glassman
- Ronald L. M. Goldman
- Philip Michels
- Norman Pine
- David M. Ring
- Edward Susolik
Car Insurance and Accident Laws in California
California is a “fault” state for car insurance. This means that when there’s an accident, the driver who caused the accident is liable for damages.This means that when someone is harmed in a car accident, they place a claim with the insurance company of the driver who is at fault, rather than with their own. They must prove the other driver was at fault.
Car Insurance Requirements in California
In most states, drivers are required to carry a minimum amount of car insurance in order to be able to register and drive a car. California is no exception.
It’s important to keep in mind that these are the minimum requirements for each type of coverage. Having less coverage than this prevents you from being able to register your car in California and could lead to being cited for being underinsured. However, just because your insurance will only pay for $5,000 in property damage doesn’t mean you can’t be held responsible if you cause more than that amount of property damage.
When you consider that most cars on the road are worth at least $5,000, it isn’t hard to imagine needing more than the minimum coverage if you’re ever in an accident.
You should also know that these are the requirements that the state imposes and that, if you’re leasing or financing a car, your lender will almost certainly require much more coverage.
Other California Driving Laws
California has some driving laws that you may not see in other states, so if you’re visiting or living in the golden state you should be sure to review all the laws that may be new to you.
For example, California does not allow using your phone while driving at all if you’re under 18—this includes hands-free systems. If you’re over 18, you can only use hands-free systems on your phone and are prohibited from using your phone with your hands while behind the wheel.
California also requires the use of car seats more than most states. Some form of car seat is required in California for any child under four feet, nine inches tall and under eight years of age. Failure to use a car seat can result in a fine of $100 for a first offense, too.
How to Find a Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer
Car accident lawyers fall into the category of personal injury attorneys, and Los Angeles has a lot of them with billboards and bus ads everywhere. Because there are so many options to choose from, you should systematically approach how you interview and choose a car accident lawyer.
Here are five things to consider when choosing a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles:
Ask Friends for Referrals
Because there are so many accidents each year, there is little doubt that someone in your network of friends, family and coworkers has had an accident and needed an attorney. Ask around to get referrals and don’t hesitate to ask what they liked and disliked about the attorney.
Remember that there are a lot of lawyers to choose from, and you don’t have to take just anyone. You want the right fit for you in your time of need.
Get Car Accident Experts
Because car accident attorneys are generally personal injury attorneys, they may cover more than just car accidents. Feel free to ask about their niche and what they specialize in to make sure that they have the background and resources to address your case properly.
If the lawyer does handle other personal injury cases, ask them what percentage of their caseload is In car accidents. Though you might find a great car accident lawyer who does lots of other kinds of law, your odds are better if you find someone who handles nothing but the kind of case you’re dealing with.
Find out About Fees
Most car accident lawyers will not charge you an hourly fee to retain them. They work on contingency, which is beneficial for you in most cases. What you want to be careful about here is the amount they charge.
Los Angeles car accident lawyers generally charge between 33% and 40% of your settlement or judgment. Red flags should pop up with lawyers that charge more. Rarely will this yield higher settlements for you that are worth the extra fees.
It’s also a good idea to make sure you understand exactly how the payment will work. There can be a significant difference in what your settlement looks like if, for example, fees and costs come out of the attorney’s percentage or from the total amount before any split is calculated.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the person backing up always at fault in a California car accident?
- How does insurance decide who is at fault in an accident?
- What is the average settlement for a car accident in California?
- How long does an insurance company have to settle a claim in California?
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