Were you involved and got injured in a car accident?
Reach out to our Big Ben Car Accident lawyer and get a FREE consultation
Our Big Ben car accident lawyers have the necessary experience to handle any size of personal injury claims.
Our experience has seen us win compensation for our clients in million-dollar amounts. You can see just how much we have won for our clients in our clients’ testimonials.
One very big decision after you or your loved one is injured in a car wreck is choosing the best California car accident, lawyer.
The lawyers at Big Ben Lawyers have earned fame and recognition as some of the best car accident lawyers in the entire country. Since early 2010. We have established a reputation of professionalism and excellence in handling car accident cases for all those persons involved in a car accident.
You can, therefore, rest assured that the moment you choose to hire us then your car accident claim is in safe hands.
The car accident lawyers at Big Ben Lawyers appreciate the difficulty of dealing with insurance companies especially when you are on your own. It is therefore in your best interests to hire a car accident attorney who has years of experience handling such car accident cases and can help you seek the compensation that you are justly entitled to.
Our auto accident attorneys and our staff shall not rest until you get the compensation that you deserve.
Call our law firm today at 818-423-4878 or chat with us online and schedule a free consultation
Is Hiring a California Car Accident Attorney worth it after being in a car accident?
The experience of having been in a car accident is traumatizing enough. What adds to the stress is having to deal with paying your medical bills (for medical treatments underwent after the car accident) and spending a significant amount of your savings to cover the income lost during the period of injury.
Therefore, if you find yourself having to handle legal matters such as negotiating with the insurance companies for insurance settlements, signing any legal documents, and lodging a car accident lawsuit in court, the best decision that you can make is first to consult a seasoned California car accident lawyer.
An experienced car accident attorney is just whom you need in order to assist you in a number of ways including:
Engaging in Negotiations with the Insurance Company
Right after your car accident, the insurance company will send its insurance adjusters to your front door to get you to either admit that you were to blame for the accident or offer you as little insurance settlement as possible.
It is best that you do not sign anything or accept their settlement offer before first consulting an experienced California car accident lawyer. Our car accident attorneys will ensure that any settlement offered by the insurance company can cover all the medical bills, lost income, future income lost, lost earning capacity, and others.
Negotiating with the insurance company directly on your own is a bad idea because such negotiations are what the insurance companies do on daily basis. They have come up with ways to ensure that you end up getting a very little amount of settlement very quickly.
That is why you need seasoned attorneys whose experience has taught them all the dirty tricks used by the insurance companies to trick you into accepting as little compensation as possible.
Our car crash attorneys can help you negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf and will only accept settlement offers that you are justly entitled to.
Computing all Your Expenses in California Car Accident Cases
In order to know just how much compensation you deserve after your car accident, there is a need to consider not only the expenses that you have incurred in the past but also those you will incur in the future.
Take for instance where your injuries were so severe that recovery will take quite a long time, then the expenses that you will incur for long-term medical care, as well as lost income during such a period, will definitely need to be factored in calculating the compensation that you deserve.
Therefore, if you accept the insurance company’s offer to cover your medical bills, for now, you might fail to consider just how much debt you are going to accumulate in the future for all those expenses that you will incur in the future due to your injuries.
Upon consulting our California car accident attorneys at Big Ben Lawyers, you can then be able to get an appreciation of just how much compensation you should be expecting versus how much the insurance company is offering you. You will discover that a lot of zeros are missing from the dollar amount that the insurance company is offering you.
Providing You Legal Representation in Court in California
After negotiating with the insurance company and knowing how much compensation you deserve, the insurance company may not be willing to pay such a dollar amount. The next step would be for you to file a personal injury lawsuit in court.
This is another part where you require the best trial attorney who knows how to present your case in court and convince the jury and the judge that you deserve the compensation that you are claiming in your personal injury claim.
Our California car accident attorneys at Big Ben Lawyers have accumulated decades’ worth of experience fighting for compensation (in and out of the courtroom) for our clients who were injured in car accidents.
Our car crash attorneys are not afraid of going after big transportation companies and big insurance companies in the pursuit of compensation for our injured clients.
What You Should Do After A Car Accident in California?
After being in a car accident you are bound to have a lot of questions running through your head. For instance, you might wonder who should pay for your skyrocketing medical expenses, if you should talk with the insurance company for the at-fault party, whether you should speak to a personal injury attorney, which lawyer to talk to, whether to file a personal injury lawsuit in court against the at-fault party and other questions.
The best place to find answers to these questions would be to speak with an experienced car crash lawyer.
Nevertheless, here are a few things that you should do after a car accident in order to safeguard your interests:
- Ask to be provided with the accident report –after a car accident, the first people to take an action would be the police. The police will prepare a report of the accident. In the report, the police will state their opinion as to who is to blame for the car crash. It is on this report that the insurance companies will also base their liability.
- Speak to your insurers- it is always wise that you inform your insurance company that you have been involved in an auto accident regardless of whether someone else is at-fault for the accident.
- Keep track and record all expresses incurred due to the car accident-
You should keep a diary and records of all your expenses from your own pocket relating to your accident. You should also record the number of days in which you were unable to work and the expenses spent on repairing or replacing damaged property.
- Stick to your scheduled medical visits – you should also ensure that whenever you have booked an appointment with a doctor then you should always appear for treatment. This helps to give you an indication of how long your treatment might last. The doctor’s notes during those visits will be used as evidence in proving your car accident claims.
- Speak to our California car accident lawyers before accepting any offers for settlement from the insurance company or the defendant –
You should know that the initial offer for settlement that the insurance company proposes to you is a mere indication of the lowest amount that the insurer can go. It would be against your interests to accept such an offer without first having to talk to our attorneys at Big Ben Lawyers.
Is California a comparative fault Jurisdiction and how does this affect your personal injury claim?
In answer to the first question, California is a purely comparative law jurisdiction. This means that a driver has to prove that the other party was at fault in order to recover compensation. The same applies to a pedestrian or a passenger who was injured in a car accident.
The liability and amount of compensation that can be recovered from the at-fault party depend on the percentage of the blame of each party.
Let us take the example of Bobby and Jane who are driving along the road. Jane is driving ahead of Bobby. However, Jane keeps checking her phone so she fails to notice a car crossing the road. Upon looking up she notices the cat. Being startled, she engages the brakes quickly. Bobby in turn tries to engage his brakes too. However, he does not have enough time to stop and he ends up ramming into Jane’s car from behind. Who is to blame for the accident? While Jane was distracted while on her phone, Bobby was driving too close to Jane’s car and not according to the 3 seconds rule. So they are both to blame for the accident. If Bobby decides to sue Jane and claim compensation, he can only recover damages/compensation equal to the percentage of his fault in the accident. The jury could find him 50% liable in which case he can only claim half of the damages awarded.
What are the usual car accident causes in Glendale CA?
The statistics from the NHTSA indicate that over 35,000 people die from car accidents annually while hundreds of thousands suffer from non-fatal injuries.
At some point in someone’s life, there is a great possibility of being involved in a car crash – as minor as it might be.
There are several causes and types of car accidents. Human error happens to be the common cause of car accidents. The following are some of the common causes of car accidents:
Driving while Distracted
Distracted driving happens to be the top cause of car accidents in the United States. Statistics indicate that fatal car crashes keep increasing with 3,142 accident cases resulting in fatalities annually.
There are many instances when a driver is distracted while driving including failing to keep eyes on the road (being distracted visually), taking hands off the steering wheel (manual distraction), or driving while absent-minded (cognitive distraction).
Other distractions include texting while driving, switching radio stations in the car, blinding bright billboards, etc.
Driving while sleepy
Driving while tired severely impairs the ability to drive and keep sound judgment.
There is a similarity between driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and driving while sleepy because in both cases drugs/alcohol or fatigue impairs the judgment and alertness of the driver.
Drivers whose job requires them to continuously drive for over 18 hours without sleep are therefore the same as drunk drivers with over blood alcohol concentration of 0.05%. Therefore, commercial truckers, ridesharing drivers, and others whose job requires that they stay awake for over 18 hours are at risk of getting into car accidents due to drowsy driving.
Driving while Drunk
Statistics indicate that drunk driving is responsible for an average of a third of all car accident-related fatalities which translates to over 10,000 deaths annually.
Traffic laws in the U.S make it illegal to drive while having blood alcohol concentrations of 0.08% and above.
Driving while having an alcohol concentration above this limit impairs cognitive and visual functions as well as speed and object perception which are necessary in order for the driver to be in full control of the motor vehicle.
Every minute there are 52 car accident fatalities due to drunk driving which are preventable
Driving aggressively and speeding
Another major cause of car accidents often with fatalities is speeding and driving aggressively.
Speeding is responsible for a third of fatalities from car accidents. Speeding makes it harder for the driver to avoid colliding with other motor vehicles and pedestrians hence posing danger to motorists, pedestrians, and passengers.
Aggressive driving includes driving erratically, zigzagging on the road, illegal passing, and others.
Those who drive aggressively make the general condition of the road dangerous for everyone who uses the road.
Bad Weather Conditions
Poor conditions of the weather make it more likely for an auto accident to happen.
Weather conditions such as mist, fog, rain, and others make it difficult for the driver to exercise full control of the motor vehicle and can easily collide with other motor vehicles and pedestrians.
Such poor weather conditions call for drivers to drive more carefully than usual given the increased risk of getting into a car accident. However, some drivers still drive negligently in such bad weather conditions hence causing car accidents.
Examples of instances when the drivers drive negligently during bad weather conditions include failing to slow down, failing to turn on the headlights, and failing to ensure that the distances between motor vehicles are safe.
What to Expect in a Car Accident Settlement in California?
The effect of car accidents, especially where serious injuries are sustained by the accident victim, can significantly affect the car accident victim’s life.
The car accident victim experiences excruciating pain and suffering during and after the accident. The victim may also have to take days, months, or even years off work while still nursing their injuries.
The accident victim can therefore seek to recover compensation for pain and suffering and for all the expenses incurred relating to the auto accident.
However, while still nursing the wounds and still trying to recover, it can be overwhelming and stressful to have with the insurance company and all the legal stuff that comes with seeking compensation for your minor or serious injuries and losses.
This is when you can get in touch with our experienced car accident attorneys for assistance. Those victims who choose to hire an experienced car accident lawyer tend to get three times as much compensation as the ones who choose to pursue their personal injury claims on their own. It is therefore in your best interest to hire an experienced personal injury attorney.
You should know that insurance companies will always ensure that you get as little compensation as possible or nothing at all. This is because their profit depends on how little insurance settlement, they end up paying car accident victims and policyholders.
Therefore, in order to protect your interests, you must ensure that before accepting a settlement offer by the insurance company you should first consult an experienced car accident lawyer.
California car accident lawyers at Big Ben Lawyers will ensure that they represent your interests while negotiating with the insurance company and accept no less than you are entitled to.
Our law firm Big Ben Lawyersour personal injury attorney can help you in your personal injury case as you seek compensation for:
- Medical bills (past, present, and future)
- Rehab and physical therapy
- Long-term assistance
- Lost income as well as reduced capacity to earn income
We can also help you recover non-economic damages for the pain and suffering you endured after your auto accident. Non-economic damages being sought are for”
- mental suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of the usual daily activities
- loss of consortium and companionship (for surviving spouses of deceased auto accident victims)
- emotional anguish
If you lost your loved one due to a car accident, we can also help in pursuing a wrongful death claim against all the defendants so as you get justice for your deceased loved one and also provide you and the surviving family members financial security which the deceased loved one can no longer provide.
No Win -No Attorney’s Fee
At Big Ben Lawyers law firm, we firmly believe that you are entitled to justice despite of any financial difficulty. Unlike other law firms, we charge our fees on a contingency basis. This means that we don’t ask you for fees unless and until we win your case for you.
We, therefore, pay for all the fees necessary until you get your compensation or settlement, and if successful, we deduct a percentage of our fee depending on how much compensation/settlement you are awarded. We cannot, therefore, ask you for more than you were awarded.
Talk to our California car accident lawyers in California today
After a car accident, there are several questions that run through your head. Most of these questions can be answered by our team of experienced car accident attorneys. We can take care of all the legal stuff while you take care of your recovery.
Auto Accident Testimonials
We provide top-notch car accident legal services. Our clients who are car accident victims can attest to our satisfactory representation and services to them in their various testimonials.
FAQs on Car Accidents and Car Accident Law in California
Q: Is a Car Accident Lawyer Really Necessary?
A: Yes. As mentioned above, if you pursue your car accident case on your own you may end up getting only a third of your compensation. However, if you hire our law firm Big Ben Lawyers, our team of car accident attorneys will calculate how much compensation you are entitled to, negotiate with the insurance company, or take your case to court and ensure that you get the maximum compensation that you can get.
It is in your best interests, given the stacking medical expenses, to recover every penny that you can get, considering that you need not pay a penny if we don’t win.
Q: What is the going rate for hiring a car accident lawyer?
A: We charge our fee on a contingency basis. You need not pay us anything unless and until we win your case accident case for you.
Q: What injuries commonly result from a car accident?
There are several types of common car accident injuries, depending on the severity of the car accident, motor vehicle involved, whether the victim was wearing seat belts, etc. Some are serious injuries while others are minor. These injuries include TBIs, concussions, lacerations, bone fractures, spinal injuries, burns, etc.
Q: Is it necessary to hire a car accident lawyer if the car accident was minor?
A: Regardless of the nature or severity of the car accident, it is always in your best interest to consult an experienced car accident lawyer.
The other driver can try to shift the blame on you while the insurance company denies your claim. All these legal issues are best dealt with by a seasoned personal injury attorney.
Do I Have A Personal Injury Claim?
If you have been involved in a car accident and you think that you have a car accident case against the other driver or pedestrian, call Big Ben Lawyers for a free case review at 818-423-4878 right away.
Big Ben Lawyers – Glendale
144 N Glendale Ave.
Suite 250
Glendale, CA 91206
Phone: (818) 423-4878 For a free legal consultation with lawyers service Glendale, call 818-423-4878
Client Testimonials
Ben is an excellent attorney and helped greatly with my personal injury case. Ben and his team were always there to answer any queries or concerns I had throughout the course of my case. I would recommend anyone in need of assistance to contact the firm.
Rating: 5/5
Joseph Lawlor
May 2022
My wife and I had a very bad car accident in LA. Ben and his whole team were so friendly and helpful. They walked us through everything and kept us informed every step of the way. The experience working with them has been amazing and we will definitely use them again in the future.
Rating: 5/5
Jon Romero
April 2022