Comprehensive Client Service from Our Long Beach Car Accident Lawyer
Car accidents can happen to even the safest of drivers, and when they do, the impact can be severe. In addition to causing potentially severe and life-threatening injuries, you may be unable to work, or even engage in hobbies and activities you once enjoyed.
At Fisher & Talwar, our Long Beach car accident lawyers understand how car accidents and injuries can impact every area of your life. We provide the comprehensive client service and aggressive legal representation you need in these types of cases, to hold responsible drivers accountable so that you can get the compensation you need to recover.
California Car Accident Statistics
The latest statistics from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) indicate that more than 3,000 drivers and passengers each year are killed as the result of car accidents in our state, while over 200,000 others suffer serious and potentially disabling injuries. Based on CHP traffic reports, the most common types of crashes and collisions responsible for injuries and fatalities in California include the following, which are listed in order of occurrence:
- Rear end collisions;
- Driver broadside accidents;
- Hitting inanimate objects;
- Sideswiping other drivers;
- Head on collisions.
There are some circumstances under which car accidents occur that can be attributed to roadway construction, traffic flow issues, and adverse weather conditions. Any of these factors can cause drivers to have difficulties in maintaining control over their vehicles, making car accidents and injuries more likely. At the same time, statistics show that the overwhelming majority of accidents that occur in California and throughout the U.S. are the result of reckless and negligent conduct on the part of other drivers.
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If you have been injured, contact us for a free review of your case and learn about your legal options.
$6 million – Auto Fatality
$1.5 million – Truck Fatality
$1.25 million – Drug Litigation
$3 million – Construction Defect
$4 million – Defective Tire
Common Causes of Car Accidents
According to traffic safety fact sheets from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over six million car accidents occur throughout the U.S. each year. Despite the efforts of law enforcement and increased public awareness, the majority of accidents that occur can be attributed to driver error and reckless, dangerous driving behaviors. The following are among the most common causes for car accidents, injuries, and fatalities, as listed by the NHTSA:
- Going over posted speed limits or driving too fast for conditions;
- Aggressive driving, such as tailgating, improper passing, and failing to yield;
- Disregarding traffic signals, such as running red lights or failing to stop at stop signs;
- Distracted driving, which can include the use of cellphones and texting, as well as changing GPS settings, eating, or even talking with other passengers;
- Drowsy driving, which involves both driving while excessively fatigued and falling asleep behind the wheel;
- Driving under the influence of intoxicating substances, including alcohol and illegal ‘street’ drugs, as well as prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications.
Injuries Resulting From Car Accidents
Even seemingly minor car accidents and fender benders can result in injuries that are severe, potentially debilitating, and even life threatening. NHTSA statistics indicate that common types of injuries that occur in these accidents include:
- Muscle and tendon strains, sprains, and tears;
- Broken bones and multiple fractures;
- Severe cuts, bruises, and lacerations;
- Back and neck injuries, such as herniated disks and fractured vertebrae;
- Spinal cord injuries;
- Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries.
Any of the above conditions may have symptoms that can take days or even weeks to appear, so it is vitally important to seek medical care immediately. While getting the care and treatment you need can help to minimize the damages and personal discomfort you suffer, failing to get help for the above conditions can result in serious and potentially fatal complications, as well as lasting impairments. During treatment, report any symptoms or adverse ill effects you experience to your doctor promptly, closely follow all of their instructions, and do not return to work or resume hobbies or other activities until any medical restrictions are lifted and you have your doctor’s permission to do so.
Drunk Driving In California
Despite increased public awareness and the efforts of law enforcement, alcohol continues to be a factor in as many as half of all car accidents and injuries that occur in California each year. CHP crash statistics for alcohol involvement indicate that drunk driving accidents injure more than 16,000 people each year, while proving fatal for over 1,000 drivers and passengers. Other sobering facts about driving under the influence in California that drivers should be aware of include the following:
- More than 1,300 people are injured each month in drunk driving accidents in the state, with the busiest months for these accidents being March and August.
- Los Angeles County leads the state by a large margin in the number of people injured in drunk driving accidents. With more than 4,000 residents injured each year, this more than doubles Orange County and San Diego, which rank second and third on the list.
- Men are at a greater risk of being involved in drunk driving accident than women, and people between the ages of 21 and 30 are more likely to drive drunk than their older counterparts.
- The greatest risk for being involved in a drunk driving accident is between the hours of six and ten p.m., and between 1:00 and 3:00a.m.
- While drunk drivers themselves are the ones most likely to be injured or killed in drunk driving accidents, they put their passengers, other drivers and vehicle occupants, and pedestrians at significant risk.
While the blood alcohol limit is 0.08 percent, even having one of two drinks and then getting behind the wheel is enough to impair your judgment and reflexes. Drunk drivers who cause accidents resulting in injuries to others face legal liability for any damages that result, in addition to fines, potential jail time, and the loss of their license.
Attorney Vibhu Talwar
What To Do In The Event of An Accident
Under the California Motor Vehicle Code, drivers involved in accidents resulting in property damages and injuries to other drivers or their passengers are required by law to do the following:
- Pull over immediately, while making the effort to avoid blocking traffic;
- Notify your local law enforcement or the state highway patrol;
- Provide aid to injured victims, such as calling an ambulance;
- Exchange contact information, driver’s license and vehicle registration numbers, and insurance information with the other drivers involved.
In addition to the above, you should get medical help for any victims, including yourself, and notify your insurance company of the accident as soon as possible. Unfortunately, when dealing with these companies and their representatives, it is important to be aware that have a financial motive in denying claims or offering less than what victims are entitled to in settlements, and that any statements you make can and will be used against you for these purposes. In addition, while the California Department of Motor Vehicles requires all drivers to have insurance coverage in the event of an accident, your accident may involve a driver who was either uninsured or underinsured.
Before making any statements, signing any documents, or accepting any settlement amounts, contact our experienced California car accident attorney first. We rely on our own extensive resources to investigate into your case, so that we can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, with the evidence needed to support your claim. In the event insurance does not cover your damages or a settlement cannot be reached, we may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf, seeking compensation for your medical expenses and lost wages, as well as for your pain and suffering.
How We Investigate Your Case
From the moment you contact our firm, we begin working on building your case. In addition to getting your side of the story and any of the details you can provide, our investigation includes the following:
- Visiting the accident scene;
- Contacting witnesses and collecting statements,
- Subpoenaing video evidence from traffic monitors and surveillance cameras in the area;
- Consulting with accident reconstruction experts;
- Gathering police reports;
- Obtaining medical records;
- Gathering statements from your doctor and other healthcare providers;
- Talking with family members and friends to uncover the impacts your accident has had on your personal life and social activities;
- Collecting statements regarding lost wages, and any impacts your injuries have had on your job or career.
Once these investigations are complete, we are in a better position to negotiate with the insurance company involved. It is important not only to get a thorough estimate of the damages you have currently suffered, but also to get a realistic picture of the difficulties you are likely to face in the months and years to come as the result of your injuries.
Getting the Total Compensation You Deserve
Even the most seemingly minor car accident injuries have a way of coming back to haunt you. A pulled muscle or dislocated shoulder may be vulnerable to being re-injured in the future, while broken bones, herniated disks, and head injuries can leave you with ongoing medical needs.
Maximum medical recovery is a term used to describe when you have healed as much as you are going to after an injury. It is important to consult with your doctor regarding your maximum level of medical recovery before settling your claim. Your injury may be one that will heal completely, with no lasting after effects, or it may be one that could potentially crop up again from time to time, causing discomfort, limiting your movement, and requiring medical care and treatment. In some cases, injuries can end up resulting in degenerative conditions that worsen over time, requiring increasing levels of care while preventing and having the potential to hasten disability or even death. It is important to be aware of any future ramifications you could suffer, as these could impact your ability to work and provide for yourself and your family, while having lasting effects on your home and personal life. When you face these types of issues in your future, it is important to address them in your personal injury claim. As your lawyer, that is all part of what we do. We protect your rights and offer you experienced legal guidance you can trust, while always keeping your best interests at heart.
Contact Us for Professional Representation
If you or someone you care about has been injured as the result of car accident, contact the law offices of Fisher & Talwar right away. Our Long Beach car accident attorneys provide the professional legal representation you need and can advise you on the best course of action in your particular case. Whether it involves fierce negotiations with insurance companies or presenting evidence in support of your claim in court, we make it our goal to assist you in getting the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. We serve Long Beach and the surrounding areas; call or contact our office online today to schedule a free case consultation.
Fisher & Talwar
801 S Grand Ave, 11th Fl,
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 891-0777
Mon-Fri: 9am-6pm
Sat-Sun: Closed
By appointment only.
Vibhu Talwar – vt@fishertalwar.com
From CA-110 southbound take exit towards 6th St/Wilshire Blvd. Continue on 6th St, turn right on S Grand Ave., arrive at 801 S Grand.From CA 110 northbound take the 6th St/9th St exit toward Downtown/ Convention Center/ Figueroa St. Merge onto W 9th St and follow until turning left on S Olive St. Turn left on W 8th St, then left again on S Grand Ave.
Our offices are located 9 minutes from Dodger Stadium, 3 minutes from Staples Center, 3 minutes from LA Live, 5 minutes from Los Angeles City Hall, 3 minutes from Walt Disney Concert Hall, 7 minutes from Union Station, 25 minutes from San Fernando Valley and 20 minutes from San Gabriel Valley.
From Union Station take either Metro Red or Purple line. Go past Civic Center and Pershing Square; get off at 7th Street/Metro Center. Head south on Flower St, or Hope St (depending on which side you come out). Turn left on 8th St.
Parking
We offer free parking to our clients. Park in the structure at 801 South Grand Avenue and ask us to validate your parking.
Some of the Cities We Service:
- Long Beach
- Anaheim
- Santa Ana
- Riverside
- Irvine
- San Bernardino
- Oxnard
- Moreno Valley
- Glendale
- Huntington Beach
- Santa Clarita
- Garden Grove
- Pasadena
- Palmdale
- Lancaster
- Pomona
Other Hollywood Practice Areas
Personal Injury | Auto Accidents | Bicycle Accidents | Pedestrian Accidents | Wrongful Death | Motorcycle Accidents | Truck Accidents | Bus Accidents | Defective Products | Dog Bites | Slip & Fall Accident