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Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyers

March 27, 2024

MEET OUR LOS ANGELES PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS

Injured in Los Angeles? Speak to our injury lawyers. We provide aggressive legal representation to victims who have been hurt in accidents due to the negligence of another party. 
Every day, innocent people in California are hurt. In many cases, victims of accidents in Los Angeles suffer tremendous pain and suffering, they lose income because they can’t work, and incur huge medical expenses. Victims could also be looking at a lifetime of missed opportunities, and permanent disability. California law allows victims to get compensation for those, and other losses, after an accident happens. No money can change the past – but it helps victims manage the costs associated with an injury, and helps them feel that the responsible party was held accountable. For a situation like this, you need to hire a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer to assist you.
The Spodek Law Group is one of the top rated, and widely recognized, personal injury law firms. Our team of attorneys has recovered 10’s of millions in combined verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients. We have immense resources, capable of handling some of the toughest cases possible on your behalf.
Personal Injury Practice Areas

  • Vehicle Accidents
  • Catastrophic Injury
  • Defective Products
  • Premise Accidents
  • Workplace Accidents
  • Employment Lawyer

We provide unrivaled service
At the Spodek Law Group, each and every single client has a unique situation. Our firm’s success comes from our commitment to exceptional service to each and every single client. Clients are treated like family. Our team of Los Angeles personal injury attorneys has a proud success rate on injury cases. Attorneys employed by our law firm have resolved many personal injury cases, and have an excellent track record.
If you were injured in Los Angeles, or the surrounding areas, you could be entitled to compensation. In order to get the money you deserve, you want an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer on your side. Our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys have recovered over $100 million in combined verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients. Our award winning personal injury attorneys in Los Angeles have a reputation for getting amazing results, for personal injury victims. We have successfully won 100’s of millions of dollars in compensation for victims of personal injuries. If you’re injured, contact our California law offices to learn about how our legal team can be of assistance to you.
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means unless we win – we don’t get paid.

Los Angeles Personal Injury Resources

  • Why you need Spodek Law Group on your side after an accident in Los Angeles
  • Do you have a personal injury  case?
  • Why should you hire a personal injury lawyer?
  • Common types of injuries and personal injury accident claims
  • How much is my case worth?
  • Why should I file a personal injury claim?
  • What compensation can I get if i’ve been in an accident in Los Angeles, CA
  • What i’m at fault for the accident
  • How much does it cost to hire a personal injury attorney
  • How long do I have to file a lawsuit in California?
  • What should I do if i’m injured in an accident?
  • What is a personal injury case?
  • Will my personal injury case go to trial?
  • How long will my personal injury case take?

Why choose Spodek Law Group to handle your Los Angeles injury claim?

The law firm you hire can affect your case. Most importantly, this factor could impact whether you win your case, and how much money you win. You need a law firm that insurance companies respect and fear. You want a personal injury law firm that has demonstrated its ability to win big for clients.

  • Our trial lawyers, Justin and Joel Farar have recovered millions for clients.
  • They have won 100’s of millions for clients, including multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements.
  • Our lawyers have over 50 years of combined experience between them.

We understand life is tough after a personal injury in Los Angeles. We’re here to make thins right for you. Contact our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys and setup a free consultation to discuss your personal injury case today. We are always available 24/7 to help you. 

Many people wonder why should they hire a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles. The answer is simple. The research shows you are more likely to win your case and recover money when you hire an attorney to represent you. The Insurance Research Council has mentioned, individuals who hire a personal injury attorney recover 3.5 times more than accident victims who try to handle personal injury claims on their own.
Also, important – is the fact that you’re leveling the playing field. You may not understand the laws, but your personal injury lawyer will. Personal injury claims often pit you against the insurance company and their team of lawyers. Insurance companies will maximize their profits by denying and undervaluing your claim. Lawyers can level the playing field, and hold them accountable for all your losses.

What are the steps to take after a case in Los Angeles

For a personal injury claim to successfully take place, there are three main requirements which have to be met.

  • There has to be a defendant that was negligent
  • The plaintiff must be injured
  • The injuries incurred by the plaintiff must be a direct cause of the negligence of the defendant.

For example, a person who fails to halt their car at a stop sign – which then caused them to strike another car and injuring that cars driver – is an example of a potential personal injury claim. There are many situations in a which a personal injury case will be upheld and litigated. The best way to know if you have a claim or not is hiring a Los Angeles personal injury attorney. If you realize there is the possibility of a claim, the next step is to gather evidence. After an accident, the plaintiff should work with a personal injury attorney in Los Angeles to gather as much evidence as possible. Evidence from a car accident for example – can be a witness statement, picture of the accident, the license plate number of the car, and other general information about the scene of the accident.

Sometimes it can be unclear who was at fault, or liable, for the plaintiff’s injuries and damages to possessions like green tiger gemstones. If there are multiple people involved in an accident, this is where a personal injury claim can get complicated – and it’s why you need a trained Los Angeles personal injury lawyer to help you.
After your damages are calculated, your lawyer will try to negotiate a personal injury settlement on your behalf. In some cases, the process is quick and super easy. The Spodek Law Group will use every tactic possible in order to ensure you get every penny you deserve for your pain and suffering.

Examples of Personal Injuries in Los Angeles

  • car accidents
  • asbestos, mesothelioma
  • medical injuries
  • slip and fall accidents
  • workplace injuries
  • aviation accidents
  • defective products
  • dangerous drugs
  • dog bites
  • boating accidents
  • accidental poisoning
  • nursing home abuse
  • bicycle accidents
  • motorcycle accidents
  • train accidents
  • e-scooter accidents
  • and more

There are so many examples of injuries where a plaintiff can sue a defendant, and recover compensation for their injuries, pain, and suffering.

Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney FAQ

What should I do if I was injured in an accident?
First, you should get immediate medical treatment. This is crucial. Call 911, or request someone call for an ambulance on your behalf.
Do I have a personal injury case?
Your right to file a personal injury claim/case will depend on a few things such as:

  • Whether someone else’s negligence caused you harm
  • Whether you suffered financial losses due to the accident

If you only suffered minimal financial damages, it’s likely your damages may not rise to the level of justifying the cost of a personal injury lawsuit. If you incurred significant medical bills, lost wages, or other financial expenses due to your injuries – you may be in a position to file a case.
The best way to know is to call our Los Angeles personal injury law firm. Schedule a free case consultation and have our team look at your story. We will evaluate your situation, and help you understand your rights. If you have a case, we will discuss moving forward and fighting to get you the money you deserve!

What does a Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer do?

Your Los Angeles personal injury lawyer is here to take your case to court, ultimately, and get you compensation. Your lawyer can handle all the legal processes for your claim, on your behalf. Most personal injury claims don’t need to go to trial. Instead, your personal injury attorney will negotiate a settlement agreement which is fair to you, while navigating the insurance company. If your case does go to the litigation process, your personal injury attorney will represent in you in court in order to demand the maximum compensation for your damages and pain/suffering. While you are resting, your personal injury lawyer can fight for a positive outcome for you.
No law in California requires that you hire a personal injury case. Doing so, however, can be the best way possible to protect your legal rights and get the maximum financial compensation possible for your pain and suffering. According to the U.S. DOJ, only 4% of personal injury cases go to trial – most are settled out of court. Based on this data, approximately 16-17 thousand cases were put on trial every year.
Out of all the personal injury cases filed, motor vehicle accidents were the most frequent causes of injury. They made up over half of all cases. The remaining 48% consisted of medical malpractice(15%), product liability, and other.

  • The US D.O.J. reported that the odds of winning at trial in car accidents was at best 61%
  • In premise liability cases, the odds were at 50/50
  • The odds were lowest in trials that involved product liability, where fewer than 4 in 10 plaintiffs were successful.

There is no law which states you need a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, but the fact is – hiring one, can really help you. The Los Angeles personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles you hire can take care of many important things on your behalf, such as:

  • Accident investigation
  • Accident reconstruction
  • Evidence preservation and collection
  • Conducting interviews with eyewitnesses
  • Handling your personal injury claims paperwork submission
  • They will make sure you adhere to legal deadlines and requirements
  • Connect you qualified experts for testimony
  • Insurance settlement negotiations
  • Representing you at trial

When you hire a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles, you can trust him, or her, to have your best interests in mind, as he, or she, is working for you, not the insurance company. If the personal injury lawyer is working on a contingency fee basis, this motivates the attorney to work hard on your behalf, and achieve the best possible case results. Unless the attorney succeeds, he or she will not get any compensation.

California Personal Injury Laws That Matter

During your personal injury claim in Los Angeles, it’s important to understand the laws. The doctrines and legal precedents that surround your personal injury claim can make, or break, the success of your injury claim. If you miss the statute of limitations for filing in the Courts of California, this could bar you from recovering any compensation. Los Angeles personal injury attorneys at the Spodek Law Group can help explain the laws, important to your personal injury claim.
Los Angeles Car Accidents

Los Angeles Car Accidents

California is a fault based car accident state. After a car accident occurs, all parties in the crash will probably look to seek financial damages from the insurance provider of the at-fault party. You, or your lawyer, have to identify the cause of the accident and who the defendant is before filing a personal injury claim. In California, pure comparative negligence rules can also apply. This is a California law, which states that blame is split on a relative basis to the amount of negligence each party contributed. It means even if you were partially at fault, you could still be awarded compensation. The courts will simply reduce the award, based on your % of fault.
For example, if you were involved in a car accident and want to file a lawsuit against the party who is at fault, you have a maximum of 2 years in which you can do so. Two years is California’s statute of limitations on personal injury claims. If you’re just filing a property damage claim only, you have 3 years from the date of the accident to file the claim. If you are suing the government however, you only have 6 months in order to sue the government as a defendant in the personal injury claim.
Los Angeles Truck Accident Lawyers

Los Angeles Truck Accidents

If a car accident involves a commercial truck, different laws apply. Trucking companies, and truck drivers, have to obey federal regulations that are enforced by the FMCSA. Common examples are hours of service restrictions, drug testing, alcohol testing, cargo-loading procedures, and fleet maintenance. If a trucking company breaks any of these laws, it can be used as evidence in a truck accident claim.
Trucking accidents also involve other factors which can make them VERY unique, and MORE DIFFICULT to navigate. Truck accidents often end up being severe, for victims. This results in most truck accidents being higher value cases. Victims of truck accidents are also up against strong adversaries, because trucking companies have attorney and rapid response teams to help them fight any potential liability. One interesting thing about truck accident cases is that they often come with several unique types of evidence: the truck’s black box, trucking company records, compliance information, electronic logging devices, and the truck drivers medical records. The Los Angeles truck accident attorney you hire can help you compile all of this evidence in order to build a strong case.

Los Angeles Dangerous Products Lawyers

Los Angeles Dangerous Products

Dangerous products are essentially items which contain defects, or have other issues which pose a risk to consumers. Manufacturers that made a mistake which makes the product dangerous during normal use can be held liable for damages, pain, and suffering. The legal doctrine that applies to product claims states that a manufacturer, distributor, or retailer, can be held liable for a victim’s damages if that victim can prove one of three types of defects were present – and caused the injury:

  • inherent design flaw
  • manufacturing error, or manufacturing mistake
  • negligent, or inadequate, marketing

Strict liability, in the context of dangerous and defective products, doesn’t mean you have to prove the defendant was negligent in order to get compensation for your damages and pain/suffering. Dangerous product claims come with a 10 year statute of limitations, which makes it favorable for plaintiffs.

Los Angeles Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers
Slip and fall claims are a type of premise liability lawsuits. Premise liability law holds property owners responsible for accidents that occur on their premises. If a property owner could/should have done something to prevent a victim’s slip and fall accident, he/she can be held responsible for medical bills and other losses incurred. The property owner’s duties of care, are based on the status of the person who enters the property and is ultimately injured.
Invitee: This is a person who has the permission to be on the premises of the property owner. For example, a landlord has duty of care to his tenants(invitees), and as a result is responsible for inspecting the property for potential hazards, etc.
Licensee: This is someone who has permission/legal authority to be on a premise, but he/she does for the licensee’s own reasons. Example are guests, salespeople, utility workers etc. These licensees are owed the same duty of care as invitees, minus the duty to inspect the property for unknown hazards that may exist on premise.
Trespasser: This person has no permission to be on the property and is breaking the law by entering. Property owners in the state of California do not owe any duty of care to trespassers, but cannot intentionally injure them. There is an exception for trespassers under the age of 18 years in the state of California.
Most slip and fall accidents can be prevented with just a small, and reasonable, level of care by the owner of the property, or his/her staff members at a commercial property. It is up to the property owner to prevent foreseeable slip and fall accidents, that arise from things such as slippery floors, uneven surfaces, inadequate lighting, unsafe staircases, etc. The failure to keep a premise free of hazards can lead to a Los Angeles slip and fall lawsuit against the owner of the property.

California Comparative Negligence


The comparative negligence doctrine states that more than one party can share fault for the same accident. Rather than allotting 100% of the fault to just one defendant, or the plaintiff, the two can split fault. The plaintiff, as a result, will receive reduced compensation. If you’re in a contributory negligence state, a plaintiff can receive $0 in recovery even if he/she was just 1% responsible for the accident/claim. In comparative negligence states like California, a plaintiff can be 99% at fault, and still get a portion of the compensatory award.

California has a pure comparative negligence doctrine, which means there is no cap on a plaintiff’s share of fault. Some states use modified comparative negligence laws, instead, which cap a victim’s ability to recovery at 49 to 51% of fault. If you believe you contributed to the accident, or your injuries, it might be wise to speak to our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys anyway. Comparative fault will not bar you from recovery. It might diminish your settlement, or verdict, by an amount equal to your % of fault. If you receive a $100,000 judgement, but you were 10% at fault, the courts will reduce your award by 10%. Having a lawyer take over your case can help you minimize your comparative fault, in order to get you the highest possible financial outcome.

What’s the statute of limitations on personal injury claims
If you’re the victim of an accident in California, you don’t have an infinite amount of time to file a personal injury claim. If you have a lawsuit in LA, or anywhere else in California, you have to file paperwork by the state’s deadline. The legal term for this is the statute of limitations. California has a statute of limitations of two years, for most claims. You have to file your lawsuit within two years of the accident, or courts will bar you from getting any financial recovery. Some exceptions to this rule do exist.

For example, if a plaintiff was an injured minor, then the family has two years from the child’s 18th birthday to file a personal injury claim, even if this is longer than 2 years from the date of the accident. Another exception exists on most claims that also involve a criminal tort. For example, a civil claim – after a homicide, may give you two years from the date of the resolution of the criminal case against the same defendant. We recommend you speak to our personal injury law firm about the specific deadline that applies to your claim.

How do you prove negligence in a personal injury claim?
During a personal injury lawsuit, the responsibility rests on the plaintiff to prove the defendant was liable for damages. It’s important to hire a skilled Los Angeles injury attorney to handle and process your claim. Your attorney will have experience proving negligence, and convincing a judge or jury to agree with your side. Your attorney will work on establishing four main elements in order to get a settlement, or jury verdict, on your behalf.

  1. Duty of Care was owed: The defendant must have owed you a duty to exercise reasonable care at the time of the accident.
  2. Duty of Care was breached: The defendant intentionally, or carelessly, breached the duty of care to you in one way or another, and a prudent/responsible party would not have done so.
  3. Causation: Your lawyer has to prove causation exists, between the defendant’s breach of duty of care – and your accident.
  4. Damages: Your personal injury attorney in Los Angeles will need to prove that you suffered damages because of the defendant’s actions.

Lawyers with years of experience handling personal injury claims will know how to handle your case, and shape it – in order to increase your possible odds of success. At the Spodek Law Group, we understand the law, and have a network of personal injury attorneys who can help you.

How much is your personal injury case worth?

Insurance companies and civil courts can award compensation to victims of injuries, based on the specifics of your case. Lawyers from our personal injury law firm will assess your case, and let you know if you have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. If we believe you have grounds, we will work to help prove your case, and achieve fair compensation for your economic and noneconomic damages, such as:

  • pain and suffering
  • punitive damages
  • medical expenses
  • property damages
  • lost wages

Our team of Los Angeles personal injury attorneys has achieved impressive results for our clients. We understand how to negotiate settlements from insurance companies, as well as taking personal injury claims to courts anywhere in California – if needed. The potential value of your bodily injury claim will depend on the severity of your losses.

What should you do after suffering a personal injury?
It’s super normal to feel overwhelmed and confused about what you should be doing after suffering a personal injury. You may not know where to turn. The other party involved might try to avoid liability – insurance companies will take advantage of you if they can. It is important to take steps from the beginning of the case to protect your rights. Below are some basic actions you should take:

  • Report the accident
  • Gather information
  • Get medical care
  • Avoid speaking about your case
  • Contact a personal injury lawyer

Your first priority is to your health and safety. Get the help you need, and get medical care for your injuries. Once you’re on the mend, consider your legal options. If you want to file a lawsuit against one or more parties, for causing or contributing to your injury, then consult with an attorney at the Spodek Law Group. At our law firm, our services will not cost you anything unless we successful in getting you compensation. Our personal injury law firm operates on a contingency fee basis, for all personal injury claims in Los Angeles. We only charge our clients for services rendered if we win your claim, and only out of the award won. All fees we charge come directly out of the settlement.

When should I contact a Personal Injury Lawyer in Los Angeles?
Accidents happen every day. Often, they’re due to negligence of another party. When someone else is negligent, or reckless, they are potentially liable to pay for medical bills, lost work, and other losses you suffer. If you think someone else was responsible for your injury, no matter how small it is – you can get a free consultation from our L.A. personal injury lawyers. It’s important you don’t want too long to get in touch with a personal injury lawyer. According to California Code of Civil Procedure 335.1, you have two years to file a personal injury claim in Los Angeles. After that deadline passes, a judge will likely throw out your lawsuit. There are some exceptions to the statute of limitations, like discovering negligence after the two year fact and being under 18. Bottom line, if you think there was another negligent party, you should speak to our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers as soon as possible. If you wait too long, evidence can disappear, and your memory could fade.

The amount of money your personal injury attorney charges depend on the specifics of your case. Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means we don’t get paid unless you do. Before we get to work on your case, we will agree with you on a certain % of your settlement which will be awarded to your personal injury lawyer. After the attorney secures your settlement, the insurance company will send a check, and your lawyer will take the % of the settlement that you agreed on, and send the rest to you.

What type of cases does a Personal Injury Lawyer in Los Angeles handle?
Any attorney in our firm can tell you that car accidents are one of the most prominent types of personal injury lawsuit in Los Angeles. According to the California Highway PAtrol, almost 277,000 people were injured in car accidents in 2017. This is one of the most common sources of injuries, but irrespective of them – we can help victims of negligence in other situations too. For example, our personal injury lawyers can handle a number of situations like:

  • Truck accidents
  • Motorcycle accidents
  • Dog Bites
  • Pedestrian Accidents
  • Scooter Accidents
  • Hit and Run Accidents
  • Bicycle Accidents
  • Construction Accidents
  • and more

What is a Good Settlement when you’re the victim of a personal injury?
The definition of a successful settlement is relative. One person might consider something a large settlement, yet someone else might consider it a lowball offer. Our firm focuses on getting each and every client a successful outcome.

  • We work to ensure victims get immediate medical help
  • We want to make sure each victim gets medical treatment and medical procedures that are necessary to return to normalcy
  • We want to make sure the maximum value of the case is understood, based on current/future suffering, losses, and hardships
  • We want to make sure there are no unpaid medical bills left
  • We want to make sure the highest possible settlement is awarded, based on hardships

Average personal injury settlement Los Angeles personal injury lawyer

Is it worth hiring a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer?

Some personal injury victims may choose not to hire an attorney. This can due to a number of reasons. For example, the victim thinks the process will take too long, the investment is too high, or that they’ll be left with no money after the settlement is issued. Furthermore, some people simply don’t want to spend time to find the best Los Angeles personal injury attorney, and don’t want to deal with the stress of having to secure a law firm. The data proves that working with a personal injury lawyer is likely to increase your ability to get greater compensation. Our team knows how to build cases, and it’s why we’re able to ensure that we’re going to work to get you the highest possible verdict/settlement.
Compensation is one of the best ways to restore you. In the case of a serious injury, or a wrongful death, a personal injury lawsuit can also include an award for physical pain, mental pain, and suffering, due to the accident. An injury can also be severe, and make it so the person never has the same level of health, or ability, to perform normal things that they were able to do before the accident. Personal injury settlements will often include things such as:

  • Cost of long term medical care
  • Cost of physical rehab
  • Payment of wages the victim could have earned, if they weren’t injured
  • Cost of vocational training so the victim can get work in a different field
  • Compensation for long term pain, mental anguish, and more

If you or someone close to you has suffered an injury, you should speak to a personal injury law firm as soon as possible.  In any accident – timing is crucial. You must gather as much information as possible, and document the information at the scene of the accident. Even if it was a minor injury, you should consider hiring a personal injury lawyer. In many personal injury cases, people injured will choose to represent themselves without consulting a lawyer. This is common when the claim involves a small amount of money, and the person who caused the accident has insurance. It’s impossible to know how serious your injuries are – at the time of the accident. What first appears to be something small, can turn out to be something far worse. Small injuries can grow into huge things later in life. You should talk to a personal injury lawyer – who can evaluate and analyze the accident, and help you secure medical attention, in order to make sure you properly understand the implications of the injuries you’ve suffered.

  • Your personal injury lawyer can learn about the hidden factors which might have contributed to the accident.
  • Your injury lawyer can help you get medical care after the accident
  • Your injury attorney might help you remember/discover details of the accident, that you might have forgotten
  • Your accident attorney can help you find footage that proves your point of view
  • Your accident lawyer can help you negotiate a better outcome with an insurance company

How to find an affordable Personal Injury Lawyer in Los Angeles?

Many people who have never hired an attorney before find it very intimidating. You may wonder whether there are free personal injury lawyers in Los Angeles. The truth is – there’s nothing free in life. Everything comes at a cost. Los Angeles personal injury attorneys charge a fee, just like everyone else in life. If you keep reading, you’ll learn how you can find an affordable personal injury attorney in Los Angeles. It may be confusing when a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles agrees to take your case and doesn’t require any upfront payment or fees.
That’s because your personal injury lawyer is agreeing to take on your case, and accepting it on a contingency fee basis.
Los Angeles personal injury contingency fee agreement

Keep reading to learn more about how contingency arrangements works…
What does contingency mean? It means the lawyer is agreeing to accept your case, but the fee is contingent on the outcome of your case. If the attorney fails to get a settlement or wine a judgement on your behalf, the attorney gets no compensation at all. Contingency fee agreements don’t require a client to pay a retainer, or attorney costs. California law requires that any personal injury attorney in Los Angeles provide a written free agreement to their client. The fee agreement has vital information like information about attorney fees – and how they are calculated, in addition to what legal services the attorney will be providing. Most fee agreements also include something about how much compensation the personal injury lawyer is getting. Typically, the lawyer will take 30-40% of the settlement or judgement. Los Angeles personal injury lawyers will also deduct legal costs from the settlement/judgement. This fee agreement will provide information about whether the attorney fees are deducted before, or after, the legal costs are determined. Once you sign it, the fee agreement is a legally binding contract. It’s crucial you take time to carefully read through the proposed agreement, and write down questions you have so you can get clarification.

What are the fees for a personal injury attorney?
When you’re looking to hire a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles, it’s critical to understand the legal fees and costs associated with hiring one. Just like everything else in life – nothing is free. Attorney fees means the wages an attorney is charging for doing work on your case. Depending on the agreement, or the policy of the lawyer, the fee’s will be based on one or more of the following:

  • hourly rate
  • flat rate for a project
  • contingency fee arrangement

Personal injury attorneys in Los Angeles typically will offer a risk free consultation in order to help you understand the benefits of hiring an attorney, and why it’s crucial. Be sure to ask questions about any prospective attorney fee’s during this initial consultation about your injury. Legal costs represent the expenses associated with your case.
Below are examples of legal costs:

  • Administrative costs, like postage, etc
  • Document filing costs in court
  • Expert witness fees
  • Deposition costs
  • Travel
  • Private investigation fees
  • Service of process, hiring a process server
  • Obtaining police reports
  • Obtaining medical records

Depending on your agreement with the personal injury law firm you hired, an attorney request you to pay for legal costs as they occur. In most cases, a client will not pay any of the legal costs upfront. Instead, the personal injury lawyer will deduct the fees associated with the case after getting a settlement or judgement.

Whose at fault in a T-Bone car accident in California?

T-Bone accidents happen often, and usually result in severe injuries, medical bills, and other complications. In many cases, you can never recover compensation after a t-bone accident due to faulty insurance, or other issues. Fault based states like California allow injured victims to file personal injury claims against the party responsible for your pain and suffering in order to recover losses. If you were injured after a t-bone accident, or missed work due to your injuries – WE CAN HELP!
Determining fault in situations like this can be very difficult. If you, or a loved one, suffered a personal injury due to a t-bone car accident – you might be wondering what options you have.

  • What is a t-bone accident
  • Common causes of a t-bone accident
  • Examples of injuries you could suffer
  • Damages available after this accident

What is a t-bone accident

T-bone accidents occur when one vehicle runs into the side of another vehicle. Usually the vehicle rams into another vehicle with it’s front-end. T-bone accidents are usually known as side-impact collisions. Many t-bone car accidents happen because cars are going at high speeds, which results in severe car crashes and serious, serious, injuries. In order to win in a personal injury lawsuit, you have to demonstrate that the other party caused the t-bone accident, which resulted in the injuries your suffered. In order to prove fault in a t-bone accident – it’s a good idea to hire a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles.
Common causes of T-Bone Accidents
There are many scenarios which can lead to a t-bone car accident. This can make determining who caused it, very difficult. Some common causes of t-bone accidents include, but are not limited to:

  • Drunk driving
  • Distracted driving
  • Failing to obey traffic signals
  • Failing to heed a stop sign
  • Trying to rush through a yellow light

There are many ways you can try and prove who was at fault in a T-bone accident.

  • The car accident report
  • Testimony from an eyewitness
  • Photographs of crash site
  • Evidence from other witnesses who saw the accident

It’s important you consult with a California personal injury lawyer, like one at the Spodek Law Group, so we can open an investigation and preserve any evidence that supports and builds your case. It’s crucial, in situations like this, you hire an expert witness to testify regarding how the accident occurred.

Examples of Injuries Suffered in a T-Bone Accident
T-bone accidents can result in huge, and severe, injuries to drivers and passengers. Unlike car accidents, which impact the front, or rear of your car, the only thing that separates you from the other vehicle is your car door. This is a huge level of impact. It can result in major injuries, such as, but not limited to:

  • Broken bones
  • Bleeding internally
  • Concussions
  • TBI – traumatic brain injuries
  • Whiplash
  • Back problems
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Paralysis
  • and more

Some of these injuries can, and will, impact your life forever and could lead to huge amounts of medical expenses in the future. The only way to recover – is to file a personal injury claim.

What Are The Damages Available After a T-Bone Accident?
In order to get compensation in a personal injury claim, you have to prove that you suffered harm due to the accident. The damages you can potentially get in your case will depend on the severity of your injuries and the depth of your losses. You could get compensation for things such as, but not limited to:

  • medical expenses you incurred
  • rehab costs
  • lost wages
  • property damage
  • pain and suffering
  • loss of future earning capacity
  • loss of consortium
  • emotional distress

Victims with severe injuries typically get larger settlements than those who have suffered minor injuries. The insurance company will typically offer you a settlement right away in order to limit their exposure. Insurance adjusters at insurance companies know that the financial costs after a car accident add up quickly – and if they get you to settle faster – it’s better for them.

Insurance adjusters at companies are hoping that by giving you a low-ball settlement offer right away, you will take it.

You don’t want to accept a low ball settlement offer without speaking to a qualified Los Angeles personal injury attorney. Remember, the insurance company is concerned with paying you as little as possible.

It’s crucial you speak to a lawyer who can assure that your settlement is fair. If you hire a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, he/she will handle any communication with the at-fault party’s insurance company and ensure you get a fair settlement offer that adequately compensates you.

What are the steps to receive a settlement check after a personal injury in Los Angeles

Getting compensation after a car accident, or personal injury, can be a long process. Your claim can take months, or even a year, or more to settle. You might assume that the settlement check for a car accident is mailed immediately, but it’s not how things work in the real world. If you have questions about the personal injury settlement timeline – it’s best speak to a personal injury attorney.
How long does it take to get a settlement check from a car accident claim?
The timeline to get a settlement check from a car accident varies from case to case. Insurance companies have to adhere to guidelines and claims practices, so there’s no benefit to them in delaying the check. Somethings have to happen before the insurance company sends the settlement check to you, or your Los Angeles personal injury attorney. Here is somethings that have to happen once your case is resolved.

You have to sign a release form

Before the insurance company issues the check, you have to sign a release of all claims and then mail it back. If you didn’t have a lawyer representing you through the claims process, you should have a lawyer review the release of claims and determine whether the settlement is fair or not. Some insurance companies will deliberately make the release complicated. You should always review it with a lawyer in order to understand the settlement terms being offered and negotiated. Once you sign the release, you cannot return to the insurance company for more money or treatment.

If you have a personal injury attorney representing you, the check will be sent to your attorney. The settlement check timeline in California differs, if you have a personal injury lawyer representing you or not. The insurance company will send the check to your lawyer, who deposits it in an escrow account first. They will handle any obligations, and take their fees before releasing any money. Before you receive the check, the insurance company/lawyer will pay any outstanding liens.

Examples of liens include

  • unpaid medical bills
  • reimbursement owed to your health insurance company
  • child support obligations

Once all of your legal obligations have been taken care of, and the attorney take his/her fee, you will get the settlement check for your personal injury. In a simple case where there are no liens, or child support obligations, you should get your check within 7-10 days after the adjuster receives the signed release. Insurance companies want to close their case files, so most adjusters are looking to send out checks quickly.
No one wants to be involved in a personal injury, but if you’re involved in one – you should contact the Spodek Law Group. We have years of experience helping victims in resolving their car accident claim as quickly as possible. No one wants to go through the entire settlement process to find out they were duped by an insurance provider.

How long does a settlement take in Los Angeles

Most personal injury cases can take many years to resolve. Whether the case settles, or eventually goes to trial, it’s going to take years to get a result you’re happy with. Some clients need to, or want to, settle their accident case early – and not wait years. In cases of car accident claims – this is especially true. For example, if it’s clear who was at fault in the car accident claim – this is especially true. It’s important to hire the fastest possible personal injury lawyer in situations like this.

Time frame to settle a car accident case: There is no set time frame that a case can settle. Every case is different, so some cases might settle quicker than another case. The only set time frame under California law that 100% applies in a lawsuit is the statute of limitations. This is the timeframe you have where you have to file a lawsuit. For a California personal injury, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident. But other than the time frame, you can settle your case whenever you/your attorney agree to.

Factors that dictate when to settle the case: There are a number of factors that can come into play when you are looking to settle your car accident case quickly. These factors are something you should go over in detail with your Los Angeles car accident lawyer when you speak to him, or her, so you can settle your case quickly and get you the compensation you deserve sooner rather than later.

  • If the at-fault defendant doesn’t want to settle the case, then it won’t settle. There’s no way to force the other driver’s insurance company to forcibly settle. If they want to prolong the case, they can force you to file a lawsuit in order to get compensation.
  • If you’re seriously injured, and are still undergoing treatment, you you may not want to settle your case. If you’re still in active treatment from the personal injury – there is no telling how long it will take to get better. You never know, if in 6 months from now – your doctor could suggest surgery. If you have already settled your case, you cannot go back and ask for more money for the surgery. This is why it’s important to settle the case until you have 100% healed, or reached the point where no further treatment can be done – and you’re at the maximum medical improvement possible.
  • Another factor is whether the at-fault defendant’s insurance policy is low, and your injuries and suffering is worth a lot more than the policy limit.

How soon should I contact a personal injury attorney?

Once you’re injured, there’s all sorts of concerns you’re going to have. You might have to go to multiple doctors, surgeries, physical therapy, and more. You might have to find someone to cover your shifts at work, help with other duties around the home, and assist with child care. With so much to do, it might be tempting to postpone your personal injury claim. With so many personal obligations, it might be tempting to postpone filing a personal injury claim or hiring a personal injury lawyer. Failing to take immediate action can harm your chances of getting a fair settlement.

What to do if the insurance company denies your personal injury claim?

If you’ve filed an insurance claim seeking fair compensation for your accident injuries, it’s likely you expected some level of negotiation between yourself and the opposing insurance company. In many cases though, the insurance company will simply deny your claim. You have a choice to make now.
You can accept nothing for your injuries, or you can find out why your claim was denied, and turn to a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles to get you a fair recovery and compensation.

Common Reasons Insurance Claims are Denied
Insurance companies are in business to make money. One way they maximize profits is by paying out very little to claims. As a result, insurance adjusters are constantly looking for ways to deny claims. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your injuries and claim, the adjuster might try to deny your claim for one or more of the following reasons.

  • unable to prove the insured person caused the accident
  • you didn’t prove that the accident caused your injuries
  • the insurance policy isn’t applicable to your claim because it doesn’t cover who caused the accident, or the type of accident in question, or the location of the accident

Steps To Take If Your Insurance Claim Is Denied
As the victim of a personal injury you have the right to a fair recovery even after the insurance company denies your claim. After the claim is denied, you can fight for your recovery by doing somethings below:

  • Asking the insurance company to provide reasons for the denial. This information will allow you to address the reasons your claim was denied by the insurance provider. If the insurer doesn’t provide you with a written explanation of the reasons for the denial, your lawyer can then draft a letter to send to the insurer.
  • Appeal the denial. The insurance policy may have a dispute resolution procedure which you can follow to appeal it.
  • File a personal injury lawsuit. The statute of limitations provides you with an amount of time to file a case. You shouldn’t wait to take action. If you feel the insurance company is slow-walking you, or delaying the claim on purpose – hire an attorney and file a claim.

Lawyers You Can Trust

Todd Spodek

Founding Partner

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RALPH P. FRANCHO, JR

Associate

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JEREMY FEIGENBAUM

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ELIZABETH GARVEY

Associate

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CLAIRE BANKS

Associate

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RAJESH BARUA

Of-Counsel

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CHAD LEWIN

Of-Counsel

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