Even the most careful drivers can be seriously injured when someone else is negligent behind the wheel. Whether you were hit by a speeding driver, sideswiped in a lane change, or hurt in a distracted driving accident, the consequences can range from minor property damage to life-altering injuries.
No matter what type of accident caused your injuries, a Los Angeles car accident lawyer at Ellis Injury Law can help. We protect your rights, thoroughly investigate the accident, and determine which parties are at fault, fighting tenaciously so you receive the maximum compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.
Rear-End Collision
A rear-end collision occurs when one vehicle strikes the back of another. These crashes are among the most common on Los Angeles roads and can range from low-speed fender benders to high-impact crashes that cause serious, lasting injuries.
Who Is at Fault in a Rear-End Collision?
When a motorist rear-ends the vehicle in front of them, they are usually at fault. However, fault is not always clear-cut. The front driver may bear some or all responsibility if they cut off the rear driver, reverse unexpectedly, or have broken brake lights.
Common Injuries From Rear-End Crashes
Rear-end crashes often result in whiplash, formally known as cervical acceleration-deceleration (CAD) syndrome. The impact throws the victim’s head and neck back and forth rapidly, much like the lashing of a whip. Victims are typically seated in the front seat of the car that is rear-ended.
More serious injuries, including paralysis or multiple fractures, can also result from rear-end crashes. An experienced rear-end collision lawyer in Los Angeles understands how to assess a reasonable settlement based on the victim’s long-term prognosis and needs.
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Unsafe Lane Change
The Plaintiff was driving when the Defendant made an unsafe lane change, hitting the rear portion of the Plaintiff’s car.
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Plaintiff was rear-ended by defendant, who was driving for a restaurant at the time of the accident.
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Defendant, driving a County of San Bernardino vehicle, rear-ended plaintiffs in heavy traffic.
Read MoreHead-On Collisions
Head-on collisions occur when two vehicles hit each other from the front while traveling in opposite directions. This usually happens so quickly that neither driver has an opportunity to brake in time.
Why Head-On Crashes Are So Dangerous
Head-on collisions are particularly dangerous because if two vehicles are traveling at about the same speed when they collide, the force of the impact doubles. For instance, two cars traveling at 50 m.p.h. collide at the equivalent of 100 m.p.h. Results are generally devastating, and severe injuries and fatalities are common.
Proving Fault in a Head-On Accident
In a head-on collision, the driver crossing the centerline or going in the wrong direction is usually at fault. Sometimes, a head-on collision may involve two vehicles going in the same direction, but the impact forces one of them to hit a third vehicle head-on. Under these circumstances, the driver responsible for pushing the other car into a third vehicle is usually at fault.
Police reports, surveillance or dashcam footage, and eyewitness testimony can help prove fault. If a poorly maintained road or malfunctioning traffic signals contributed to the crash, the government entity in charge may bear liability. A head-on collision attorney in Los Angeles identifies all potential defendants.
T-Bone (Side-Impact) Accidents
Also known as broadside crashes, T-bone accidents occur when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another. Even when the collision happens at a relatively low speed, occupants of the impacted vehicle can suffer serious injuries. The sides of vehicles offer far less protection than the front, leaving little space to absorb the force of impact.
Common Causes of T-Bone Crashes in LA
Most T-bone crashes occur at intersections when a driver runs a stop sign or red light. Another frequent cause involves a driver making a right turn and striking a vehicle already in the intersection. Beyond those scenarios, T-bone accidents are commonly caused by aggressive or reckless driving, driving under the influence, distracted driving, failure to yield, speeding, and tailgating.
Who Pays After a T-Bone Collision?
Liability in a T-bone collision falls on the driver who violated traffic laws. Determining fault requires a thorough investigation of the evidence, including traffic camera footage, witness statements, and the police report.
California follows a pure comparative negligence standard, meaning you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the crash. Your recovery is reduced in proportion to your share of fault. So if you were found 20 percent responsible, you would recover 80 percent of your total damages.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
Drivers flee the scene for a range of reasons, including driving without a valid license or insurance, operating a stolen vehicle, panic after a collision, or fearing arrest for driving under the influence or on an outstanding warrant.
What to Do After a Hit-and-Run in California
After a hit-and-run accident, call 911 immediately and seek prompt medical attention, even if you believe you were not seriously injured. Document the scene as thoroughly as possible: write down whatever details you can recall about the fleeing vehicle, including the color, make, and model; photograph and video the damage; and collect the names and contact information of any eyewitnesses.
Your Legal Options When the Driver Flees
Many hit-and-run drivers in Los Angeles are never identified, and even those who are may carry no insurance or assets worth pursuing. That does not mean you are without recourse.
If you carry Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage, it can help pay your medical bills regardless of fault or whether the driver is ever found. Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is another critical resource; it allows you to file a claim with your own insurer when the at-fault driver is unidentified or uninsured.
For victims without adequate insurance coverage, the California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) provides a fund of last resort. Because California classifies hit-and-run as a crime under Vehicle Code section 20001, injured victims may be eligible for reimbursement of medical expenses, lost income, and mental health treatment, up to $70,000.
An attorney at Ellis Law can assess which options apply to your situation and pursue every available avenue for recovery.
Vehicle Rollover Accidents
Vehicle rollovers are among the most dangerous crashes on the road. When a vehicle flips onto its side or roof, or rolls over and lands upright, occupants face serious injury risks that other accident types rarely produce.
Rollover Risk Factors
While any motor vehicle can roll over, these accidents more commonly involve vehicles with a higher center of gravity. SUVs, with their narrow wheelbase and elevated profile, are particularly vulnerable, as are pickup trucks.
Defective Vehicles and Rollover Claims
Not every rollover is caused by another driver or inclement weather. Product defects are often the primary reason a rollover occurs. Defective tires can trigger a rollover if they blow out, and a faulty suspension system can cause a vehicle to go out of control.
In such cases, the injured party may file a product liability claim against the manufacturer. A vehicle rollover accident attorney can determine whether negligence, a defective product, or both contributed to the crash, and identify every party that may be held accountable.
Other Common Types of Car Accidents in Los Angeles
Rear-end collisions, head-on crashes, and T-bone accidents are among the most frequently seen on Los Angeles roads, but they are far from the only ones. From multi-vehicle pileups on the 405 to rideshare collisions in Hollywood, the circumstances surrounding a car accident can vary widely, and so can the legal challenges that follow:
Multi-Vehicle Pileups
Busy freeways mean that multi-vehicle pileups happen all too frequently in Los Angeles. When dozens of vehicles crash into each other, determining fault is complex. The more vehicles involved, the more likely insurers are to allege that various victims contributed to the pileup, making experienced legal representation essential.
Rideshare Accidents
Rideshare accidents can involve multiple insurers and liable parties, making them among the most legally complex crashes on the road. A Los Angeles Uber accident lawyer at Ellis Law has the expertise to navigate the unique circumstances surrounding rideshare collisions.
How a Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
Learn more about filing a car accident lawsuit in California by scheduling a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced Los Angeles car accident attorney at Ellis Law. Because we work on a contingency basis, you pay no fee unless you receive compensation. While most car accident lawsuits are settled, we will take your case to trial if the insurance company fails to agree to a fair settlement amount.
