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Compassionate And Effective Car Accident Attorneys Serving The Los Angeles Area And Beyond

Los Angeles has over 12 million residents and over 25,000 miles of roadways. Altogether, people in the Los Angeles area drive approximately 270 million miles every day. As a result, motorists and passengers inevitably become involved in automobile accidents from time to time. It does not matter how safe you are; the risk is ever-present for anyone on the road. When a car accident happens, you need the experience, guidance and legal knowledge that only a personal injury attorney can provide.

KRA Legal, PC, can supply you with the personal injury counsel you need to obtain a potential settlement. We are personal attorneys with a great deal of experience in and out of the courtroom, and we know how to negotiate with insurance companies.

Filing Personal Injury Claims

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim. Accident victims may be entitled to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, mental anguish, car repairs, and pain and suffering. Unfortunately, the associated insurance company will often attempt to undervalue or deny your car accident claim. Insurance companies have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters working to find any reason not to pay car accident victims for their insurance claims and deny them the compensation they deserve.

If you have been injured in a car accident, do not leave your future to chance by settling for a personal injury lawyer who lacks the knowledge and experience necessary to obtain a resolution that is fully favorable to you and your specific needs. There are personal injury attorneys who may be able to promise you that they will recover financial compensation for you but do not have the skills necessary to stand up to the team of lawyers that insurance companies have working for them.

Our First Step For You: A Thorough Investigation

We pride ourselves on being a valuable resource for our clients. Our team is ready to proceed with an investigation into your car accident case as soon as possible. Initial consultations are free. If we represent you, you will not owe attorney’s fees until you receive a payout through a settlement or verdict.

You need a car accident lawyer who is not afraid to stand up to the insurance company and its lawyers. Contact the law office of KRA Legal, PC, of Torrance, California, to schedule a free consultation to discuss your car accident case.

Some Facts About Auto Accidents In California

Car accidents result in the death of over 700 people from Los Angeles each year and more than 80,000 reported injuries. Two-car accidents are the most commonly reported type of crash in California.

The No. 1 type of vehicle accident is the rear-end collision. Broadside crashes, such as T-bone accidents, are the second most common type of accident, followed by collisions that result from a driver making an improper left-hand turn. Improper turning may involve failure to look before turning across oncoming traffic, failure to signal a turn properly, and attempting to make a turn where it is illegal to do so.

Many other scenarios involve the following types of accidents in traffic which cause numerous injuries and fatalities in Los Angeles every year:

  • Multiple-vehicle accidents
  • Trucking accidents and other commercial vehicle accidents
  • Motorcycle accidents and other crashes involving small, motorized vehicles, such as golf carts and scooters
  • Bus and train accidents
  • Pedestrian and bicycle accidents

Other factors that contribute to car accidents and resulting severe injuries are the following:

  • Speeding and impaired driving: In California, a majority of car crash cases are caused by the at-fault driver being impaired. Speeding significantly reduces a driver’s reaction time and can cause disastrous consequences for car accident victims.
  • Distracted driving: Texting and other distractions to drivers cause many accidents in our state. Other types of distracted driving in California involve talking, eating, grooming and manipulating GPS devices.
  • Impaired driving: Operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol can have devastating consequences for all of the parties involved and potentially cause severe injury and even death.

No matter what led to your accident, a personal injury lawyer can discover ways to recover maximum compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

What Are Common Injuries Sustained In Motor Vehicle Accidents?

Most of us think nothing of getting in our vehicle and going about our daily routine of driving to and from work or running errands. We do not even contemplate the idea of potentially being involved in a devastating car crash. Unfortunately, however, car accident cases are responsible for a majority of serious injuries sustained by Californians each year.

Some of the most common injuries that citizens of our state experience are as follows:

  • Head injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) result when a significant impact occurs on the vehicle that the victim is traveling in. The brain slams against the skull wall, causing concussions, contusions and other forms of TBIs. The effects of a traumatic brain injury can last anywhere from a few days to weeks, months or a lifetime.
  • Broken bones: Car crash victims frequently suffer fractures to their arms, legs, ribs, joints, and other essential areas of the body, such as their knees and wrists. As adults grow older, broken bones take a longer period of time to heal. Depending on the extent of the injuries and their age, some car crash victims may never regain total function in the areas damaged by the auto accident.
  • Injuries to the neck, back and spine: Often associated with whiplash injuries, these types of traumas are usually caused by rear-end collisions. Even with low speeds, the neck and spine can sustain serious injuries if flung forward and backward in a quick motion. Whiplash injuries are extremely painful and difficult to treat. Herniated discs are extremely painful and require costly surgeries to attempt to repair. Catastrophic spinal cord injuries often cause paralysis in the form of paraplegia or quadriplegia.
  • Organ damage: The liver and the kidneys are the most frequently damaged internal organs affected in auto accidents. A ruptured spleen is also a common internal injury.
  • Nerve damage: A pinched nerve caused by reactions of soft tissues and muscles to the severe trauma experienced in a crash. A pinched nerve can lead to painful nerve damage if the effectiveness of the nerve is disrupted.

What If An Accident Involves A Ride-Sharing Vehicle?

With the increasing popularity of ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft, there are more vehicles on the road than ever before. However, ride-sharing drivers are typically not professionally trained, often resulting in motor vehicle accidents and serious injuries. Below are some considerations that people injured in Uber and Lyft accidents should keep in mind.

Steps To Take If You Are A Passenger

If you are a passenger in an Uber or Lyft and involved in a vehicle accident, you should take the following steps immediately after the collision:

  • Make sure that you and everyone else involved in the motor vehicle accident is safe and out of the way of oncoming traffic. Also, be certain to check yourself and others for potential injuries.
  • Contact law enforcement authorities by calling 911 as soon as possible. When the authorities arrive, insist on being given a copy of the police report. This may prove to be invaluable at a later date.
  • Seek medical treatment. Even if you do not feel that you are seriously injured, you still need to be examined by a medical professional. Many accident victims do not realize the extent of their injuries right away.
  • Gather evidence, if possible, while still at the accident scene. Collect the names, phone numbers and addresses of any bystanders who witnessed the car accident. In addition, photograph your injuries, visible damage to the vehicles and the place where the accident occurred.
  • Talk with an experienced auto accident lawyer. As an accident victim, you need to understand your rights and legal options as you are facing medical bills and other costs often associated with an accident.

For more ideas about what types of evidence to bring to your initial consultation with an attorney, contact KRA Legal, PC.

If Your Car Is Struck By An Uber Or Lyft Vehicle

You may have been injured when your car or truck was struck by an Uber or Lyft vehicle. This may affect your claim for compensation because the majority of Uber or Lyft drivers use their own personal vehicles to carry passengers to and from their destinations. It often turns out that a driver only has a personal insurance policy, not a commercial policy.

Insurance complications were a problem in quite many accidents involving ride-sharing drivers in the early days of these services. Fortunately, presently rideshare companies now provide insurance for their drivers designed to bridge the gap between the drivers’ private insurance and the demands of injury claims against Lyft and Uber drivers. The amount of compensation available may vary, depending on where the driver was in the process of getting and providing rides at the time of a crash.

The following can help you understand which insurance company may be responsible for paying your claim if you have been involved in an accident with a rideshare operator:

  • If at the time of the incident, the rideshare operator was not logged into their app, then the driver is considered to be just like any other motorist who has been in an accident. Therefore, your claim will be against the driver’s regular auto insurance policy.
  • When the rideshare operator is logged into their app and is “available” to pick up passengers, and an accident occurs, then an insurance claim can be made against either Uber or Lyft’s insurance company, as the driver is considered to be “on duty” at the time of the incident. Under state provisions, rideshare companies must have insurance policies that carry the following minimum requirements for this type of situation. The driver is insured for $50,000 per person, $100,000 per collision in bodily injury liability insurance and $25,000 per collision in property damage insurance.
  • If a rideshare operator has “accepted” a ride and is on the way to pick up passengers when the accident occurs, Uber or Lyft is required to have $1 million in insurance coverage per state law.

If you have been injured either as a passenger or were in another vehicle and struck by an Uber or Lyft vehicle, it may be confusing to know exactly whose insurance company is responsible for your claim. Frequently, there is often confusion amongst insurers themselves as to who is actually responsible for paying a claim when an Uber or Lyft driver is involved. For this reason, an accident victim may find themselves hitting a brick wall if the driver’s insurer refuses to pay a claim because the crash occurred when the driver was operating for Lyft or Uber.

For the best results in getting through the overly complicated claims processes after a rideshare-related accident in the Los Angeles area, work with attorney Kenechi R. Agu, who is highly skilled in the areas of technology and analysis. He has a proven track record of providing outstanding legal representation to his clients. Additionally, his in-depth knowledge of the most efficient and effective legal pathways for relief for the injured can be a valuable asset in your case.

You need the help of an experienced car accident attorney who can review your case and identify which insurer will be responsible for your claim.

What Types Of Damages Can You Recover If You Have Been Injured In A Car Accident?

When you have been injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to receive financial compensation for your injuries. However, most insurers do not have your best interests in mind when processing your claim. The insurance claims adjuster assigned to your case may look for every possible loophole to avoid paying what your claim is actually worth. You need the help of an experienced car accident lawyer who will have your future and well-being in mind.

You may be entitled to both economic and noneconomic damages depending on the circumstances of your particular case. Economic damages, also known as special damages in California, are meant to reimburse accident victims for the out-of-pocket expenses they experience due to their injuries. They also include financial losses that may have occurred or will potentially occur due to the victim not being able to work.

Some of the most common economic damages that California residents are typically compensated for include the following:

Economic Damages

Among the most common types of economic damages that are recovered in car accident cases are medical costs and other bills that an individual may have to pay due to the car wreck. Some examples of medical expenses include:

  • Medical bills
  • Hospitalization costs
  • Consultations with specialists
  • Surgeries
  • Ambulance fees
  • Physical therapy
  • Medical accessories or other physical aids
  • In-home services
  • Long-term care

Other economic damages may include:

  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future earning capacity
  • Property damage

The input of experts may be necessary to tally up an accurate accounting of economic losses.

Noneconomic Damages

Noneconomic damages are more subjective in nature and are awarded to compensate a victim for pain and suffering, including emotional trauma. Some of the most common noneconomic damages that California residents are able to recover include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Permanent disabilities
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of consortium
  • Scarring or disfigurement

Noneconomic damages are usually decided by a jury in court. Therefore, it is imperative that you choose a personal injury law firm that has an experienced car accident lawyer who can provide you with the legal representation you need to be successful in winning your claim.

Can You File A Wrongful Death Claim For A Loved One Who Was Killed In An Auto Accident?

In California, family members do have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit if they believe that an auto accident caused the death of their loved one and that another person is liable for the accident. In order to successfully recover financial compensation for the loss of your loved one, your attorney must be able to prove the following:

  • The deceased died as a direct result of the injuries they sustained in the accident.
  • The driver’s negligent actions or inaction caused the accident to occur and the subsequent death.
  • Upon your loved one passing away, your family has incurred considerable costs and damages due to the injuries and death of the deceased.
  • There is a clear executor or representative of the estate that filed the wrongful death lawsuit.

It should be understood that only certain members of the victim’s family are permitted under California state law to file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of their loved one. This includes the surviving spouse, domestic partner or children. If none of these family relationships exist, then extended family members may be eligible to file a claim on behalf of their loved ones.

California also has a strict statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim. The family has two years from the date of death in which they may file a claim.

If you would like more information about filing a wrongful death claim in the Torrance, California, area, contact KRA Legal, PC, and ask to schedule a free consultation.

What Is The Comparative Negligence Rule In California?

California is a comparative fault state. In easy-to-understand terms, this means that even the at-fault party can still recover some portion of damages that stem from a car accident. For example, a driver who is determined to be 25% at fault for causing the collision will only be legally obligated to pay 25% of the damages.

In cases that involve personal injury, a jury will make the final determination on how the driver’s negligence played a role in causing the accident. Based on their conclusions, they will assign a percentage of blame to the at-fault party. The award for damages will then be reduced by this amount.

How Our Law Firm Can Help You After A Car Accident

When you have been involved in a car accident, there are so many different things to think about. You most likely are concerned about the medical bills and other expenses that you have to deal with on a daily basis. Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may also be fearful of your missed time at work and the potential loss of future wages. In many cases, the only option is to file a lawsuit in order to recoup lost wages and other damages.

We are car accident lawyers with a vast amount of experience in cases that involve motor vehicle crashes, including hit-and-run accidents. We also have enjoyed a high success rate in handling uninsured and underinsured motorist cases.

After a car accident, you need time to heal from injuries and the distress you have experienced. At KRA Legal, PC, of Torrance, California, our main priority is the well-being of our clients. We are committed to obtaining a car accident settlement or verdict that will not only pay the damages that you have suffered but also give you and your family future peace of mind.

After a car accident, you may find yourself immediately receiving phone calls from an insurance adjuster who works for the other party’s insurer. Depending on the facts of your accident case, they may try to offer you a settlement that may seem tempting at first.

However, you should never accept an insurance settlement offer without consulting with legal counsel beforehand. At first glance, the offer may seem fair, but insurance companies do not have your best interests at heart. They make payouts based on the good of their company. Always speak with a personal injury lawyer before you agree to any type of settlement to ensure that it is beneficial to you in the long run.

Schedule A Free Consultation

From our offices in Torrance, KRA Legal, PC, can provide help as you sort out your car accident personal injury case. We are skilled attorneys who focus on automobile accident cases. We work hard to obtain ample compensation for our clients.

When you realize you need an experienced auto accident attorney, please contact us at 310-774-4260 or through our online intake form.