Alhambra Car Accident Lawyer

Experienced Car Accident Attorney in Alhambra, CA

Car accidents can significantly impact you and your family’s future, especially if you sustained bodily harm. Medical bills, missed work, and property damage can make life difficult. If you or a loved one was harmed in a collision, don’t hesitate to speak to an experienced and skilled Alhambra car accident lawyer.

About Gallegos Law Firm

At the Gallegos Law Firm—a personal injury law practice based in Monterey Park—we are committed to providing convenient and friendly legal support to the local neighborhoods. Our founding attorney, George A. Gallegos, earned his undergraduate and law degrees at UCLA before beginning his career at one of the largest firms in Orange County.

With more than 20 years of legal experience, Georgia is well-equipped and determined to offer each client’s case the personal attention, time, and care it deserves.

Understanding Car Accident Laws in California

In California, if you were harmed in a traffic accident that was not your fault, you are able to take legal action under the state’s personal injury laws. If successful, you can recover damages brought to you as a result of the accident.

This can include economic losses, such as medical costs, lost wages, and property damage. Compensation may also cover noneconomic damages, such as physical pain, emotional distress, and a diminished quality of life.

Compensation typically varies depending on the severity and scope of injuries caused or worsened in the car accident. Common types of physical injuries seen in traffic collisions include:

• Traumatic brain injuries, from mild concussions to severe damage
• Spinal cord injuries, including partial or total paralysis
• Burns
• Lacerations, bruising, and abrasions
• Internal bleeding and organ damage
• Fractured and broken bones
• Loss of limbs or amputation
• Facial disfigurement and scarring
• Soft tissue injuries, including damage to muscles, tendons, and ligaments
• Crush injuries

How Is Fault Proven in a Car Accident Case?

To be compensated after a car accident, it must be established that the other party is at fault. In order for fault to be proven, evidence must show that the four elements of negligence were present. These elements are:

• Duty of care. It must be established that the other driver owed you a duty of care. All drivers have a duty to avoid putting others on the road at risk and to operate their vehicles safely according to traffic laws.
• Breach of duty. Evidence must demonstrate that this duty of care was violated. Acts of negligence such as texting while driving or operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs are examples of breaching this duty.
• Causation. It must also be shown that the driver’s negligent act is what directly caused the traffic accident.
• Damages. Evidence must establish that as a result of the crash, the victim sustained injuries and other measurable losses.

Various forms of evidence may be used in a car accident injury claim. This can include cell phone records, law enforcement reports, dashcam or surveillance footage, photographs, eyewitness statements, medical records, work absence records, bills, and more.

After reviewing the details of the situation, your attorney can help you collect evidence as well as further investigate the case to build a compelling argument.

In most car accidents, fault falls on the drivers or the owner of the vehicle driven by a negligent driver. However, it may be possible that other parties may be liable as well, depending on the circumstances.

Other liable parties can include the employer of a driver on the job, trucking companies, manufacturers of defective vehicle parts, the Department of Transportation, the city government, and other defendants.

Why Do Car Crashes Usually Happen in CA?

Traffic accidents can happen for a number of different reasons, such as:

• Drivers failing to follow traffic signals, including red lights and stop signs
• Fatigued drivers
• Reckless or aggressive driving
• Rear-end collisions
• Losing control of the vehicle
• Drivers distracted by conversation, devices, or other sources of attention
• Drivers under the influence of alcohol or other substances

In 2023, there were approximately 4,061 traffic fatalities reported. Of those fatalities, 1,355 involved alcohol-impaired driving. In 2021, half of all tested drivers killed in a vehicle crash tested positive for drugs.

What to Do After a Car Crash in California

Immediately following a car crash, you should prioritize getting to a safe location and checking for injuries. Your next step should be to contact law enforcement so they can arrive at the scene and document the event. You should also exchange information with the other driver or drivers involved, including names, contact information, and insurance details.

It is also a good idea for you to gather any statements from nearby witnesses of the accident and photos of the scene, vehicle damage, and injuries. It is strongly recommended that you seek medical attention, even if you don’t notice any injuries or think the physical harm is minor.

This not only creates a record of your physical state following the accident but also verifies whether you may have internal damage that is not immediately apparent.

Finally, you should reach out to a personal injury lawyer with experience representing car accident victims. Insurance claims can be difficult to navigate on your own, especially when you are not familiar with the local procedures and expectations.

Additionally, handling a legal case while recovering from physical injuries is challenging. While you focus on healing and moving forward, your attorney can build your case and negotiate on your behalf.

Can I Be Compensated if I’m at Fault in CA?

Yes, it is still possible for you to receive compensation after a car accident in California, even if you are partially at fault. According to the state’s pure comparative negligence doctrine, you can recover your losses at a reduced percentage based on your share of the fault.

For example, if you are determined to be 20 percent at fault for the car accident, you can still pursue up to 80 percent of your damages.

Furthermore, under pure comparative negligence, there is no cutoff for how at fault you can be and still recover your losses. This means that even if you are 50 percent liable or even 99 percent at fault, you can still pursue damages at a reduced percentage.

Even if you believe you could be found mostly at fault for the accident, it is still advised that you consult an attorney to help you pursue compensation.

Why You Should Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

You should hire a car accident lawyer so you can increase your chances of reaching a successful outcome. Not only does a skilled Alhambra car accident attorney know how to build a strong case for why you should be compensated for unnecessary damages, but a lawyer also understands how to effectively protect your rights. When you consult an injury attorney, you receive guidance as the case progresses and can rely on a professional to advocate on your behalf.

How Long Does a Crash Injury Claim Take in California?

It’s difficult to know how long a crash injury claim may take to settle in California without reviewing the specific details of the case. Generally, a car accident case may take anywhere from a few months to a year or longer, depending on the circumstances.

The timeline of an injury claim varies depending on the severity of injuries, how clear or disputed liability is, and other details. Relatively minor or straightforward cases may only need a couple of months to resolve, whereas highly litigated cases involving catastrophic or complex injuries could take years.

After assessing your case, your injury law attorney can provide a timeline estimate for your case. The greatest influencing factor for how much time is needed to resolve an injury claim is how long it takes you to reach maximum medical improvement following your injuries. For this reason, it is important to understand the full extent of your injuries.

How Long Do I Have to File an Injury Claim?

In the state of California, there is typically a deadline of two years to file a personal injury claim, including car accident cases. However, claims of property damage generally have a deadline of three years.

While this may sound like a long time, it is important to take action as quickly as possible. Not only do insurance companies usually require you to report the accident right away, but it is ideal to begin your case quickly so there is ample time to collect evidence and build an argument.

Where Are Car Accident Claims Handled in CA?

The courthouse that may oversee a car accident injury claim depends on where the incident occurred, among other important case details. A car accident claim near Alhambra is most likely to go through the Los Angeles County Superior Court system, specifically the Alhambra Courthouse. This venue is located at 150 W. Commonwealth Ave., Alhambra, CA 91801.

Since details can change depending on the circumstances, be sure to confirm any addresses or important information with your car accident attorney.

FAQs

How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost in California?

In California, it’s difficult to know how much a car accident lawyer may cost in your case without assessing the circumstances. Most injury law attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means that they only collect legal fees if the case is won.

If your lawyer is successful in securing compensation for you, their fees come from a percentage of the compensatory award. Compensation and this percentage vary based on the severity of the case and other factors.

What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident in California?

There is no average settlement for a car accident injury claim in the state of California because every case is different. The amount of the compensatory settlement varies depending on the severity of your injuries, the degree of financial loss, the circumstances of the accident itself, and where fault lies, among other case factors.

Typically, compensation is a combination of economic and non-economic damages. Economic losses include medical bills and lost wages. Non-economic damages are pain and suffering.

Who Is Liable for a Car Accident in California?

In the state of California, the party or parties at fault for the accident are liable and must provide compensation accordingly. In a car accident between two drivers, it is possible for one or both parties to be found at fault. If it is not clear whether fault completely falls onto one party, each side can dispute where fault lies. Depending on the evidence and comparative negligence laws, the court decides how liable both parties are.

Is It Worth Filing a Car Accident Injury Claim?

Yes, it can certainly be worth filing a car accident injury claim in California. Whether your damages are seemingly minimal or you believe you may be partially or primarily at fault, you can still benefit from pursuing compensation. Filing an accident injury claim can help you cover the costs of medical bills, replacing damaged property, and wages lost while recovering from injury.

Do I Need to Work With a Car Accident Lawyer in CA?

While there’s no law in California requiring you to work with a car accident lawyer, it’s strongly recommended. It can be intimidating to negotiate with insurance companies or know whether you are receiving what you deserve.

While you heal from injuries and try to return to normalcy, your attorney can oversee the legal side of your case and help you understand the process. Your lawyer is also there to provide counsel, guidance, and represent you in all meetings or hearings.

Speak to a Skilled Car Accident Attorney

You can feel confident moving forward when you entrust your car accident injury case to the Gallegos Law Firm. Reach out to us today to schedule an initial meeting with an understanding and capable car accident injury attorney. We are ready to go over your legal options after listening to your experience and answering any questions you may have.