If you were hurt in a wreck because of another person’s negligence, the responsible parties must pay for your damages. The most serious injuries in Woodland Hills crashes occur on Topanga Canyon Blvd and Route 101. However, fender benders in parking lots can also lead to serious consequences.
No matter the extent of your injuries, a skilled personal injury attorney could help you file a civil lawsuit for compensation. Contact a Woodland Hills car accident attorney from Valero Law Group to get the payments you deserve.
Types of Injuries in Car Accident Cases
The majority of accidents on the road occur when someone is acting negligently. Some of the most common injuries in car collisions include:
- Head and Brain Trauma: Concussions, skull fractures, or TBIs (traumatic brain injuries) can occur even in moderate crashes. They often lead to long-term cognitive challenges.
- Neck and Back Injuries: Whiplash, herniated discs, and soft-tissue strains are frequent in rear-end collisions. These may require ongoing treatment.
- Broken Bones: All types of bones in the body can fracture on impact. In some cases, these fractures require surgery and extended rehabilitation.
- Internal Injuries: Damage to internal organs may not be immediately apparent. However, it can be life-threatening if untreated.
- Lacerations and Soft-Tissue Damage: Cuts and muscle tears often result from shattered glass and debris. Their extent can vary dramatically.
An experienced Woodland Hills car crash lawyer can help evaluate the extent of injuries and file a proper claim.
How to Determine Who Caused a Vehicle Collision
Under the state’s fault-based liability scheme, the driver who caused an accident must pay for an injured party’s losses. A negligence standard applies when determining who is at fault for a crash. In this context, negligence refers to a driver who failed to adhere to the appropriate standard of care, which caused another individual harm.
Drivers owe others reasonable care when operating their vehicles. Often, motorists fail to uphold a standard of care by:
- Failing to be attentive to pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, and others on the road
- Breaking a traffic law
- Driving recklessly
- Engaging in distractions while driving
- Deferring vehicle maintenance
- Driving too fast for road conditions
If law enforcement issued a motorist a citation, the ticket could establish negligence per se, meaning that the violation serves as sufficient evidence of reckless driving.
A seasoned attorney in Woodland Hills could investigate the details of a car crash to determine who is at fault for an accident victim’s injuries and losses.
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When Fault is Shared Between Multiple Parties
Negligent driving is common, and many accidents result from the combined carelessness of multiple parties. In such cases, each party is responsible for the results of their conduct but could still collect partial damages from the other parties.
Depending on the circumstances, other drivers, vehicle manufacturers, and local governments may also share liability for the crash. If a driver involved in a collision was working during a wreck, their employer might be responsible for ensuing damages. According to California Vehicle Code §14606 says, if a vehicle owner loaned their car to someone who was not competent to operate it, the owner could be liable for any losses.
The insurance companies for potentially liable parties could be involved in settlement negotiations. A lawyer in Woodland Hills could review a police report for proof of negligence and ensure that a crash victim gets fair compensation when insurance companies deny liability.
What Damages Can be Recovered After a Car Crash in Woodland Hills?
People who suffered injuries in car accidents are entitled to compensation for their losses from responsible parties’ insurers. If a negligent party has no insurance or if their policy limits cannot pay for an injured person’s losses, a reckless person could be held personally liable.
Damages reimburse an accident victim for injury-related losses and future costs, including medical treatment, incidental expenses, lost wages, and diminished future earnings. A reckless person could be held personally liable if a negligent party has no insurance or if their policy limits cannot pay for an injured person’s losses.
Negligent parties are responsible for making an injured person “whole,” which means restoring them to their condition before the crash that hurt them. However, if an injured individual bears some responsibility for a wreck, they cannot collect 100% of their damages and their recovery amount will be reduced by their percentage of fault.
A diligent attorney in Woodland Hills could help an injured person calculate and document their damages after a motor vehicle collision to get them a far compensation.
Statute of Limitations
In California, the injured person only has two years to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. It means that once two years have passed after the accident, the lawsuit is likely to be dismissed immediately. While rare, some exceptions exist:
- If the hurt person is a minor, the statute of limitations is tolled (delayed) until they turn 18. Accordingly, the injured person has until their 20th birthday to file a claim.
- If the defendant leaves the state before the injured person can file a lawsuit, the statute may be tolled until their return.
- If the victim is temporarily physically or mentally incapacitated due to the accident, the court may toll the statute until the person recovers.
For a person who is dealing with serious health issues after the accident, two years may seem like a long period. However, putting off legal action could affect the outcome of the case.
As time passes, it becomes harder for the attorney to collect evidence. Meanwhile, eyewitnesses may forget important details. The earlier a Woodland Hills car accident attorney can begin building a case, the more chances a person has to claim maximum compensation.
Negotiating with the Insurance Company
If the at-fault party had car insurance, the injured person and the legal team can file a claim with their insurance company. Once the insurance company checks the claim, it is likely to begin negotiations.
The goal of the insurance company is always to minimize the payout. The adjuster will conduct an investigation to try and find evidence that helps them reduce the payment. They will present this evidence and other arguments at the negotiations and try to convince the victim to settle for a low amount.
A person who is in a delicate emotional condition after the crash can easily be pressured into making a wrong decision. However, if the victim delegates negotiations to their attorney, the process can be different. A skilled car accident lawyer from Woodland Hills can leverage their knowledge and experience to fight for a fair amount. They can handle all negotiation steps while minimizing interactions between their client and the insurance adjuster.
Turn to a Woodland Hills Car Accident Attorney After a Wreck
Navigating the state’s complex liability rules for auto accidents is stressful. You should not try to manage your case without legal counsel, especially if you suffered severe injury. A Woodland Hills car accident lawyer could identify negligent parties, gather evidence, and communicate with insurance companies to help you obtain a reasonable settlement.
Do not delay reaching out to a hardworking legal professional. Instead, call today to schedule a case review.
Click to Call (800) 303-3444
