Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyers

Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyers

Fighting for the rights of clients injured in traffic accidents throughout California

There are over 27 million licensed drivers in the state of California – more than any other state. Moreover, Los Angeles, known as a “driving city,” regularly tops lists of the world’s most congested cities. With so many drivers on the road and distracted driving on the rise with the use of smartphones to talk and text, it’s no wonder the number of injury-causing and fatal car accidents continues to increase in Los Angeles.

At McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP, we have helped countless clients who have been injured in a car accident caused by someone else's negligence. Our Los Angeles car accident lawyers have the skills required to hold those responsible for your injuries and losses accountable. We offer a free consultation and we take cases on contingency, so you never pay attorney fees until we have recovered compensation for you.

Quick questions

How dangerous are car accidents on California’s roads?

People get injured and die in traffic crashes on California roadways far too often. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety:

  • 3,606 people died in traffic accidents in 2019
  • More than 1,000 of these fatalities were due to alcohol-impaired driving
  • Of the drivers who were tested for drugs in fatal California accidents in 2019, 50% tested positive for legal and illegal drugs
  • 620 of the people who died were not wearing a restraint

Regardless of how much technology is added to vehicles to warn the driver when there is a possible collision up ahead and to monitor blind spots, fatalities, injuries, and property damage continue to happen when drivers aren’t paying attention.

$ million
Three minor children lost both parents in a car accident.
$ million
26-year-old suffered brain injury as the passenger of a single-vehicle accident.
$ million
Two working mothers struck by corporate van.
$ million
Represented family of victim who was killed in a motor vehicle accident.
$ million
Plaintiff suffered a head injury when another driver ran a red light and T-boned the plaintiff’s car.
$ million
on behalf of victims injured when a man drove his car onto the Venice boardwalk, hitting more than a dozen pedestrians and killing one woman.
$ million
on behalf of a driver and passenger who were rear-ended by a Newflyer GETD bus during a four-car collision
$ million
Settlement for father of a 9-year-old boy ejected and killed in a motor vehicle accident while not wearing a seatbelt.

What should I do immediately following a car accident?

Being involved in a car accident can be a shocking experience. Your heart may be racing, and you may feel a rush of adrenaline after such a surprising event. Here are a few tips for you to keep in mind immediately following a motor vehicle crash:

  • If you are involved in a car accident, remain at the scene. Under California law, you are obligated to stop and make sure that the other people involved in the accident are safe.
  • If you or someone else has been injured, call 911 immediately.
  • Call the police. Depending on where you are and the severity of the crash, a police car may not show up, but you must notify law enforcement immediately.
  • Get the names, contact information, and insurance information of the other people involved in the crash.
  • Get the license plate and VIN numbers for the other vehicles involved in the crash, and ask the drivers for their driver's license numbers.
  • Get the names and contact information of any witnesses.
  • Take pictures of the property damage, the accident scene, and the immediate surroundings.
  • If you are involved in a crash with a parked car, leave a note with your contact information so the vehicle's owner can contact you.
  • Call your insurance company and notify them of the incident.
  • If there are injuries or property damage exceeding $750, you are required to report the accident to the DMV within 10 days.

You should call a Los Angeles car accident lawyer as soon as possible. McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP has the experience and resources to represent you in your car accident injury claim. We’ll answer all your questions, explain your rights, and guide you through the claims process.

Practice Areas

Our Successes

$300,000,000
Class action settlement on behalf of consumers against Epson America, Inc. for installation of a “smart chip” in its printers that shut down when there was still a substantial amount of ink left on the cartridge.

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Why do car accidents happen in Los Angeles?

There are many different types of car accidents, including head-on crashes, broadsides, rear-end collisions, intersections accidents, merging accidents, multiple-vehicle accidents, and single-vehicle accidents.

Most of these accidents are caused by driver negligence. The following are examples of the common factors that contribute to car accidents:

What are the common types of car crash injuries?

While each car accident injury is different, some forms of injuries are common:

  • Head and neck injuries, such as skull fractures, slipped, ruptured or herniated discs can cause chronic pain, muscle spasms, and other disabling conditions.
  • Whiplash is a soft tissue car crash injury that can cause serious pain and limited range of motion.
  • Traumatic brain injury (or TBI) occurs when the head strikes a dashboard, another car occupant, or due to other types of force or sudden movements. A TBI can cause long-term catastrophic injury resulting in disability.
  • Spinal cord injury can lead to complete or partial paralysis, depending on the location and severity of the injury on the spinal cord. A spinal cord injury can cause permanent disability and cause other related health conditions.
  • Traumatic amputation from crushing injuries can occur. Car or truck accidents are a leading causes of traumatic limb loss, which can also lead to infection.
  • Internal organ damage after a car accident might include a ruptured liver, spleen, kidney damage, a punctured or collapsed lung, or injury to other internal organs from the trauma of a motor vehicle crash.
  • Burn injuries can occur from fiery explosions after a car crash, exposure to steam, or the deployment of an airbag.
  • Bone fractures might include crush injuries, broken ribs, arms, pelvis, knee, foot, ankle, spine, or skull given the tremendous forces in a car crash.
  • Cuts and lacerations can occur from broken glass, sharp metal, and road debris.

The nature and severity of your injuries and the type of medical treatment required form the basis of your compensation claim. If any of your injuries are catastrophic or will require ongoing medical care, this can increase the amount of compensation we will pursue on your behalf.

In the most tragic cases, a loved one dies in a car accident. We file wrongful death claims on behalf of the family members of the loved one.

Who is responsible for a car accident in Los Angeles?

Many different people may be liable for your car accident. Our Los Angeles car accident lawyers file claims against all responsible parties including:

  • The driver of another vehicle
  • The owners of the vehicle driven by a negligent driver
  • A driver’s employer
  • Trucking companies involved in a shipment if a truck struck your car
  • The California Department of Transportation, the city of Los Angeles, or other governmental agencies/entities
  • The manufacturers of defective car parts
  • Other defendants, depending on how the accident happened

How much time do I have to file my Los Angeles car accident claim?

Generally, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a car accident claim. Some shorter time limits may apply, such as when you have a claim against a governmental agency/entity. It’s always best to contact our Los Angeles car accident lawyers as soon as possible so we can investigate the accident, speak with witnesses, and review the severity of your injuries.

How much does it cost to hire a Los Angeles car accident lawyer?

Because we take car accident injury cases on contingency, you never need to worry about paying for our services upfront. We advance the cost of pursuing your case and you do not pay attorney fees until we have recovered compensation for you. Our contingency fee is a percentage of the total settlement or verdict, which we explain in detail at our initial consultation.

How much is my car accident injury case worth?

It is not uncommon for new clients to want to know how much they might be able to recover in a car accident injury claim. However, it is not possible to immediately provide an accurate number because there are so many variables to consider. Until your injuries have resolved and your doctor is able to determine if there is any residual disability that will affect your ability to work, or if there is any disfigurement or other medical conditions that will require ongoing care, it’s difficult to gauge an exact amount.

We can promise that our Los Angeles car accident attorneys at McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP will be dedicated to ensuring you recover the maximum compensation available. We have secured millions of dollars for our car accident clients and their families.

If you can prove the liability of the person who caused the car accident in which you were injured, we demand the following damages:

  • Medical costs for past, current, and future medical care related to the accident injury
  • Lost income from the time you missed at work while recuperating from your injury
  • Disability
  • Diminished earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • The damage to your car
  • Other losses

McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP is a Los Angeles-based plaintiff's law firm founded by a family of attorneys spanning three generations – John McNicholas and his two sons, Patrick and Matthew. In our more than 30 years of practice, we have built a reputation as a leading law firm in California. A winning combination of experience, teamwork, and professionalism has allowed us to achieve precedent-setting and record-breaking verdicts and settlements for our clients.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, turn to the experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyers at McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP to fight for the compensation you need.

Do you have a car accident lawyer near me?

We meet personal injury clients at our Los Angeles office located at 10866 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1400.

Our car accident lawyers also meet clients at their homes or a hospital when necessary. We also conduct online video conversations.

We’ll work with you, your family, and your doctors during this difficult time.

Contact our Los Angeles car accident lawyers for help

At McNicholas & McNicholas in Los Angeles, our focus is on you, the injured client. Our family-owned and operated law firm is a seasoned legal team with the resources and tenacity required to protect your interests when you have been injured in a car crash as a result of someone else’s negligence. Call our Westwood office today or complete our contact form to learn more about what we can do for you.

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