Rear-end collisions are all too common, especially in cities like Los Angeles that are known for bad traffic. Rear-end collisions can take place at both high and low speeds. These accidents may cause property damage, injuries, and fatalities.
Low speed rear-end collisions occur frequently. While many people walk away from these accidents unscathed, others do not. Even a low-speed collision can cause head and upper neck injuries such as whiplash.
High speed rear-end collisions also cause injuries and deaths. Many rear-end collisions result from drivers who are speeding and fail to stop in time. Data from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) show that roughly 35% of speeding crashes causing serious injuries and fatalities in 2016 were rear-end collisions.
If you were injured or lost a loved one in a rear-end collision, you might be entitled to damages. A Los Angeles rear-end collision lawyer from Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices may be able to help you seek financial compensation after the accident. Call our office today at (888) 522-6291 to speak with a member of our team.
What to Do After a Rear-End Collision
After a rear-end collision, you should notify the police as soon as possible. California Vehicle Code (VEH) §2000-2008 requires a driver involved in an accident that causes serious injuries or death to report the accident to the police.
Not only is reporting the accident legally required, but it may help you if you decide to seek damages later. The police investigation and report may help you demonstrate that the other driver was at fault and caused your injuries, property damage, or the death of your loved one.
You may also wish to gather evidence from the scene of the accident or work with a personal injury lawyer who can collect evidence for you. A Los Angeles rear-end collision lawyer can collect evidence such as:
- Photographs from the scene of the accident
- Video footage of the accident, if available
- Police reports
- Eyewitness statements
Some of this evidence may be time-sensitive and should be gathered as quickly as possible.
If you need legal assistance after a rear-end collision in Los Angeles, call Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices at (888) 522-6291. Our team may be able to help you claim damages caused by the accident.
Determining Negligence and Liability After a Rear-End Collision
To make a claim for damages, you must demonstrate that the other driver was negligent in his driving and is liable for the accident. In most cases, the driver who rear-ends another car is liable for the accident. The driver may have been negligent by driving too fast or not leaving enough space between cars.
A lawyer can help you demonstrate how the driver who hit you was liable for the rear-end collision. Your lawyer can collect police reports and evidence from the scene of the accident to show that the other driver’s negligence caused the accident, that you are not at fault, and that you suffered damages.
Determining the Value of Your Damages from a Rear-End Collision
A lawyer from Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices can help you demonstrate the value of your damages so that you can request fair compensation. You might be entitled to compensation for damage to your vehicle, medical expenses for the injuries you have suffered, or medical bills and funeral expenses if you lost a loved one. Here are some of the expenses that may be covered:
- Vehicle repair bills
- Towing bills
- Bills for emergency medical treatment, x-rays, doctors’ visits, surgeries, rehabilitation services, over-the-counter medications, and prescriptions
- Lost wages while you are out of work from the accident
- Future lost wages if you cannot continue in your current line of work
Your lawyer can collect evidence to substantiate your claim. This evidence may include photographs of your damaged vehicle, auto body and mechanic bills, towing bills, photographs of your injuries, medical records, receipts for medical treatment and medications, and more. Your lawyer can submit a claim on your behalf once you have determined an appropriate value for the damages you have suffered.
How a Lawyer from Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices Can Help You
A lawyer from Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices can assist you by handling all communication with the other driver’s insurance company and handling all legal aspects of your case. We can document your property damage and injuries, collect evidence to support your claims, file a claim for you, and negotiate a settlement on your behalf.
If we cannot agree on a settlement, we can file a lawsuit on your behalf and represent you in court.
The Statute of Limitations in California
You only have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit after a rear-end collision in California. California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) §335.1 sets the general statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits at two years. That means you may have just two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for damages. If you lost a loved one, you have two years from the date of their death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. If you wait too long, you may forfeit your right to pursue a claim.
Call Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices After Your Rear-End Collision
If you have suffered property damage, injuries, or the death of a loved one after a rear-end collision, call Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices at (888) 522-6291. A member of our client intake team can provide you with more details about working with a Los Angeles rear-end collision lawyer on your case. The sooner you call, the sooner we can get started on your case.
Call or text 866-559-7223 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
