Long Beach Car Accident Attorney

Car Accident Lawyer in Long Beach, CA

Car accidents can cause serious and disabling injuries that severely impact a victim’s physical, emotional, and financial health. After a car accident, life can feel like a constant battle, especially if you were seriously injured.

However, if you are looking to hold the negligent party responsible for your damages, you do not have to struggle on your own. A car accident attorney in Long Beach, CA, can help get your life back on track. We can guide you through the legal process and fight for your right to both justice and adequate compensation. We can also assist you with getting adequate medical care and financial help.

If you sustained serious injuries or a loved one died in an accident that occurred due to another’s negligence, do not wait to seek legal advice and help. The sooner you contact an attorney from our law firm, the sooner you could receive the compensation you need for your medical bills and other expenses. Contact our legal team now to set up a free consultation and find out whether you have a case. Call (888) 539-3154 or text (949) 309-0990.

Compensation You Could Recover After a Car Accident

Depending on the circumstances of your accident and the injuries you sustained, you could be entitled to a range of damages.

Medical Expenses

You could recover all your medical expenses in connection with a car accident injury, including but not limited to:

• Hospitalization and surgeries
• Rehabilitation therapies
• Prescription and over-the-counter medications
• Medical devices
• A home health aide
• Future medical costs

Loss of Wages

Car accident victims with serious injuries can face prolonged absences from work and considerable income losses. If you suffered a catastrophic or permanent injury in a car accident, you might not be able to return to your career at all. If someone else caused your accident and injuries, you could potentially recover lost income, future loss of income, and loss of future earning potential with a lawsuit.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages can be complex and challenging to calculate in dollar amounts and include, among others: pain and anguish, inconvenience, loss of life enjoyment, and permanent disability. If you suffered significant harm in an accident, non-economic damages could make up a considerable portion of your potential settlement. A Long Beach car accident attorney will be able to assess and calculate your non-economic damages accurately.

You could also recover additional damages, depending on your case, such as amounts for modifying your vehicle and home if you sustained a permanent disability.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

In some cases, car accidents can be caused by vehicle defects, a defective road, or bad weather conditions. However, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), most accidents are caused by driver error or negligence. Some common negligent driver behaviors can include:

• Speeding
• Driving intoxicated due to alcohol or drugs
• Texting and driving
• Drowsy driving
• Violating road laws
• Generally driving aggressively and recklessly

Even if another driver recklessly or negligently caused your accident and injuries, you could still struggle to get your due. While some accidents are clear-cut, others can be challenging to prove, for example, when multiple vehicles are involved or when there were no eyewitnesses to an accident.

Initiating a lawsuit, especially if you are still recovering from your injuries, can feel daunting and overwhelming. However, in some cases, legal action is the only way to recover what you deserve and need to put your life back together. If you were harmed due to the negligence of another driver, they should pay for your damages and financial losses and not you. A seasoned car accident attorney at Russell & Lazarus can help you navigate legal issues and fight for what you deserve. Contact us today for more information.

Car Accident Frequently Asked Questions

Many victims of car accidents have similar questions after their crash. Consider the following frequently asked questions of victims following their car accidents:

Do I Need an Attorney for My Car Accident Case?

Seeking legal advice and guidance can be a smart idea with most car accident claims, but especially when they involve:

• Serious injuries and steep medical bills
• Complicated accidents or multi-vehicle pileups
• Wrongful death
• An insurance company denying settlement

While you may not need an attorney for a minor car accident, getting legal advice can help to find out whether you have a case and could recover damages. Most car accident attorneys offer free consultations for victims of car accidents. A Long Beach, CA, car accident attorney can advise you comprehensively and explain your legal rights.

Should I Give a Recorded Statement to the At-Fault Party’s Insurance Company?

Insurance adjusters may approach you after your car accident, claiming they need a recorded statement to process your injury claim. However, giving a recorded statement can turn out to be a mistake. Adjusters may get you to say something that could later be used against you. It is important to note that you are not required, by law, to provide a recorded statement to an insurance company. Therefore, it will generally be in your best interest to refuse a recorded statement until you have considered consulting with a lawyer.

Do not let the at-fault party’s insurance rush you into anything you might regret later, such as a recorded statement or signing a quick settlement offer. This can work to your disadvantage and could minimize your settlement. Let a Long Beach, CA, car accident attorney protect your legal rights and handle all communication with the at-fault party’s insurance company. Your lawyer knows what your case is worth and can negotiate with insurance companies efficiently.

When Should I File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Long Beach, CA?

Determining the right timing for your car accident lawsuit can be challenging yet is essential for recovering full and fair compensation for your losses. If you suffered severe injuries, requiring a prolonged recovery period, filing too soon is generally not recommended. If you are in the middle of recovery, there may be no way of telling what your future medical treatments and bills will look like.

Additionally, the timeline for filing a suit will also depend on the circumstances of your accident.

If the accident is complicated or involves a variety of defendants, your attorney may need more time to gather the necessary evidence before filing a lawsuit. In some cases, this can involve consulting with expert witnesses and accident reconstruction professionals. All of this can slow down your case.

However, a car accident lawsuit should be filed within the timeline as per the California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. In Long Beach, CA, you generally have to file your lawsuit within two years of your accident and injury. Failing to file suit within two years could potentially leave you without legal recourse and unable to recover any damages from the liable party.

An experienced car accident attorney from Russell & Lazarus can help you determine the best timing for your potential lawsuit.

How Russell & Lazarus Can Help You After Your Car Accident

A seasoned car accident lawyer from our firm can help with your car accident lawsuit in a variety of ways, including but not limited to:

Proving Fault

Proving fault in a complex car accident can be challenging. However, your attorney can gather the necessary evidence and draw on expert witness knowledge to build your case against the at-fault party in your accident.

Proving Damages

Proving your damages will be essential in the fight for adequate compensation. In fact, without proof of your losses and injuries, you do not legally have a personal injury case. Your Long Beach, CA, car accident attorney can organize your paperwork and collect receipts and statements showing your expenses. Moreover, we can also act as a liaison with your medical providers to obtain medical reports and assess your future expected medical needs. Importantly, an experienced lawyer can calculate your future damages to ensure you fight for an adequate settlement that will not leave you out of pocket when it comes to paying for future medical treatments.

Fighting for a Fair Settlement

Negotiating directly with the at-fault insurance company can be full of pitfalls for an accident victim. Insurance companies generally do not have your best interests at heart and may try to trip you up in order to preserve their profits. Moreover, car accident victims may not know the real value of their claim and get tempted to accept a lowball settlement offer from the insurer. A car accident attorney can protect you from attempts by insurance companies or defendants to take advantage of you. Your lawyer will also know when negotiations are not going anywhere, and the time has come to take your case to court.

Peace of Mind

Having an experienced car accident lawyer in your corner will not only help to protect your rights and fight for a fair settlement, but it can also provide you with reassurance and comfort, knowing that someone is looking out for your best interests. Self-representation can be stressful and complicated.

Contact Our Experienced Legal Team at Russell & Lazarus Now for Help and Advice

Let us handle the legal aspects so you can concentrate on getting better. The tenacious attorneys at Russell & Lazarus leave no stone unturned in fighting for your due.

Contact our experienced legal team now to today to schedule a free evaluation of your car accident case. Call (888) 539-3154 or text (949) 309-0990.