Car Accidents

Car accidents are an unfortunate, but common everyday occurrence. Even highly skilled drivers, with no prior car accidents on record, are vulnerable to any situational occurrence. On the road, there are never any guarantees. We take this risk every time we make the decision to get behind the wheel; danger can unexpectedly emerge from any intersection or regular street, propelled by the actions of other negligent drivers. Negligent and reckless drivers often disregard the rules, running the red lights and frequently texting, which can be highly distracting, disorienting, and worst cases, fatal on the road.

Unequivocally, there are several other factors that may result in increased risk for car collisions including drunk driving, unsecured personal items falling off pickup trucks in the middle of the busy freeway, bicycle mount failures, which prompt bikes to fly off their respective cars and dangerously land in the immediate proximity of the following driver. Even a random person’s decision to run across the road recklessly and blindly, without heeding to oncoming traffic, may result in the occurrence a catastrophic collision and event. Being involved in a vehicle collision is never a great experience.

If you are involved in a car accident and you require immediate legal assistance, do not hesitate to contact our law office at Amerberg Law Group.

We have the best car accident attorneys in California who will closely review the details of your accident and provide you with immediate, professional legal help and expertise. We will help you determine which party is at fault in the case of your accident. The full compensation will be pursued on your behalf in the most concise and efficient manner.

Choose to win. Choose Amerberg Law Group. 

What is an accident?

A traffic accident is defined as an event that occurs during the movement of a vehicle on a road, in which people are injured or killed as a result of the vehicle’s participation. Additionally, an accident is defined as the movement of a vehicle whose participation and movement has caused the material damage of other vehicles, structures, and property.

Accident causes

Let’s investigate some of the most common accident causes:

• Speeding
• Driving under the influence
• Lane splitting
• Sudden stops
• Inexperienced drivers
• Left turn accidents
• Dangerous road conditions
• Vehicle defects
• Hazard on the road
• Weather conditions

Statistics

• Unfortunately, currently Los Angeles leads large cosmopolitan cities in sustaining the highest rate of traffic accidents resulting in injuries and fatal outcomes in the United States.
• In 2019 alone, according to the LAPD accident data, there were roughly 54,000 collisions reported, 236 reported deaths. This number is only slightly below accident data from 2018.
• Compared to the previous 5 years, traffic collision deaths have risen an alarming 32%, rendering pedestrian groups the most vulnerable accident victims
• LAPD has categorized over 25,300 crashes as hit-and-runs.
• Over the past few years, pedestrian fatalities rose dramatically by 69%
• It is important to understand that fleeing the collision scene renders the collision a felony even in the case it which the collision was not the driver’s fault.
• The main reasons for the dramatic increase in crash incidents were cited as resulting from DUIs and texting

What to do in a car accident?

When you get into a car accident, you might be subject to a variety of negative emotions, and frustrations, depending on the severity of the collision. It is important to urgently pull yourself together (if possible) and pursue the following course of action promptly:

1. Move to a safe area right away (if you can)

Move your vehicle / bicycle out of the way in order to avoid creating a scenario in which further harm or damage can be sustained. The road shoulder offers a safe space for you to relocate your vehicle. If your car or vehicle is difficult or impossible to move, due to the circumstances of the collision, it is imperative that you turn on your emergency lights to let other drivers know that you are likely going to be stationed at the site of your collision for an extended period.

2. Stop your car and get out of it

Ensure that your car has come to a complete stop and is no longer moving. This can be done by turning the car off and putting it into park mode or using the hand break if you’re driving a manual. Take a deep breath and look around to make sure your surroundings are safe prior to opening your door and exiting your vehicle. Flares and other safety items may also come in handy in this situation.

3. Check on other people

Walk over to the other parties involved (drivers, passengers, and pedestrians) to make sure they are not hurt. If someone is injured, it is imperative to call 911. A person may be severely injured even if showing no significant external signs o injury other than general dizziness and bruises. It is best to call emergency services to avoid a catastrophic outcome.

4. Report to the police

It is always best to have a police officer arrive to the scene, which will enable you to prove important details in the future when filing the collision claim with the insurance company. Be careful not to immediately admit fault or place the blame on the involved drivers at the scene. It is at the discretion and jurisdiction of the police officer to adequately judge the situation and conclude whose fault it really is. There are cases in which police are not required to arrive at the scene of the accident; this is normally the case when there are no injuries sustained by either party. If you experience this scenario, proceed to simply reporting the accident to your local DMV.

5. Information exchange

Try to gather as much information as possible according to the list below:

• Name of the driver and the passengers
• License plate number
• Insurance information
• All involved vehicles makes and models
• Accident location
• The police officer’s name or badge number

6. Documenting the scene

Most likely you have your smartphone with a camera, use it to take a few pictures of the accident. This will be a great addition to the other claim details.

7. File your insurance claim

All these steps will make the process much smoother and less stressful.