DTLA Law - Car Accidents

08/15/2022

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05/22/2019

We’ve all been in scary moments behind the wheel – we were forced to slam on our brakes when a car stopped short or we had to swerve out of the way when someone sped into an intersection without looking. We often think, “What would I do if I did get in an accident?” Of course, the worst time to think that is right after a car accident does happen.

Don’t let yourself be potentially paralyzed with inaction after a car crash. Learn what you should do afterward to stay safe and prepared for any future actions.

1. Call the Paramedics

Some car accidents are serious enough that you will need to call the paramedics. An ambulance can come to the scene of the accident and you can be treated there. Some injuries do not require a lot of help, but others may require you to go to the hospital. If you need surgery, stitches, X-rays or other kinds of treatments, the ambulance can transport you to the hospital.

2. Collect Photo and Video Evidence

You might get seriously injured in a car accident and your vehicle might be totaled. You should be sure to take pictures of the damages you suffered and the impact of the accident. You can also take pictures of your injuries.
As for photos, there may be surveillance cameras nearby, or there may be dashboard cameras that were recording the entire trip. Videos are generally preferable for showing causes of accidents as opposed to results, since they capture moments in real time.

3. Write Down Contact Information

All too often, we want to simply leave the scene of the accident to get home and relax. You should not leave until you have everything you need, though, and one of the most important pieces of information to get is the other driver’s details. You can ask him for his full name and phone number, as well as any other way to contact him. You should also write down his license plate number and insurance details. You might want to file an insurance claim in the future, and you’ll need that information to proceed.

4. Interview Witnesses

Searching for witnesses after a car accident is very important. It helps you process the event and provides you with good support. You can look to other drivers, eyewitnesses, bystanders, patrons, workers, and anyone else who may have seen the accident. They can provide you with their statements or testimonies as to what happened.

5. Get a Copy of the Police Report

The police usually show up at the scene of the accident to conduct an investigation, direct traffic, and potentially arrest anyone who has broken the law. After you’re checked out by the paramedics, you should speak with the police to give a statement. You’ll also be able to get more information about and request a police report, but you may need to phone the request in to the station once it has been finalized.

With this knowledge, you won’t be likely to make errors like other drivers do. They may flee the scene, refuse medical help, and fail to report any accidents to their insurance agencies. These simple mistakes can be costly in the future.

Remember, the most important step is to stay safe!

05/22/2019

The 5 Most Common Types of Car Crashes
Car accidents are the leading cause of personal injuries.
In fact, car accidents are the leading reason behind personal injury claims. Car accidents can happen at any time – practically at any time that drivers get behind the wheel.
In general, car accidents can be classified into separate categories. Consider the following 10 most common types of car crashes.
1. Intersection crashes: as you might assume, intersection crashes are car accidents that occur in intersections. According to statistics, approximately 40% of all car accidents occur in intersections.
2. Rear-end collisions: rear-end car accidents usually occur when vehicles are stopped or coming to a stop and the drivers behind them fail to notice and adjust their speeds.
3. Side-impact crashes (T-bone): these types of crashes are common in intersections, when drivers enter the intersection when it is unsafe to do so.
4. Head-on crash: head-on crashes occur when a vehicle is suddenly directly in front of another vehicle, leaving no one with time to react to avoid the collision.
5. Rollover crashes: there are a number of vehicles that are likely to rollover after an impact. These vehicles usually have a higher center of gravity when compared to other vehicles.

05/21/2019

The Most Common Causes of Car Accidents

Car accidents, by far, are the most common types of personal injury accidents. This is due to the number of drivers on the road at any time. Even safe drivers could find themselves involved in a car accident through no fault of their own. It is important to understand that drivers can find themselves involved in a car accident whenever they get into a vehicle and start driving. Car accidents are almost always caused by negligence or recklessness – usually of drivers.

Negligence consists of four elements: a duty of care, a breach of duty, cause, and harm. All drivers have a duty of care to all other drivers on the road. They must exercise a reasonable level of care while behind the wheel to ensure that they do not cause any accidents. In general, exercising a duty of care consists of following traffic laws and being cautious while behind the wheel to ensure that accidents do not occur. When drivers breach their duty of care and drive recklessly or with a disregard for other drivers’ safety, they are creating the risk of causing an accident. Subsequently, a breach of duty while behind the wheel could lead to an accident that could severely harm an innocent driver – a driver who was likely doing everything within his or her reach to remain safe on the road.

Car accidents don’t just randomly happen. Car accidents happen after drivers make poor decisions and exercise risky behavior that puts themselves and others at risk of being involved in accidents and suffering injuries.

By far, the most common causes of car accidents (all of which can be attributed to negligence and recklessness) include the following:

• Distractions. Drivers are often distracted while they are behind the wheel. Drivers are often distracted by cell phones and other mobile devices. Some of the most common distractions include sending text messages, being on social media, answering phone calls, and even taking photos/videos while they are driving.
• Speeding. Drivers often speed while they are driving. Whether they are rushing to get to their destination or simply accustomed to driving above the speed limit, they are making the conscious choice to disregard the speed limit. In general, drivers that are speeding have less time to react accordingly to traffic conditions and are less predictable to other drivers.
• Drugs and Alcohol. Many drivers irresponsibly get behind the wheel while they are under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Drugs and alcohol significantly impair drivers’ abilities to drive safely. Their vision, judgment, and ability to react while behind the wheel are all severely compromised while driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol.
• General Reckless Driving. Many drivers simply have dangerous habits. Every time they get behind the wheel of a vehicle, they exercise reckless behavior. Some of this reckless behavior often includes weaving in and out of traffic, tailgating, and switching lanes without checking blind spots or signaling, for instance. Many drivers intentionally participate in street racing, which is one of the most dangerous things that drivers can do on public roads.
• Disregarding Signals. Traffic signals are there for a reason – to ensure that traffic flows safely and efficiently. Many drivers often disregard traffic signals like red lights and stop signs; they also ignore signals that prohibit turns, for example. Any time that drivers disregard traffic signals, they are putting themselves and others at risk of being involved in a car accident.
• Fatigue. Many drivers get behind the wheel while they are sleepy. Drivers that are drowsy or fatigued suddenly lose consciousness and fall asleep behind the wheel. Even falling asleep for a few seconds could result in dangerous situations.

In general, the causes of car accidents are directly related to negligence. Drivers fail to exercise their duty of care to drive safely to prevent dangerous accidents that could result in injury or death.

05/21/2019

8 Recommended Steps for Passengers Involved in Uber or Lyft Accidents

Rideshare services provide passengers with convenient and reliable transportation; however, passengers are always at risk of being involved in an accident. After being involved in a car accident as an Uber or Lyft passenger, there are a few things that you should do. Consider the following recommendations:

1. Your health should be your priority. If you suffered severe injuries that could be life-threatening, you must seek emergency care as soon as possible. If you suffered minor/moderate injuries that do not pose a direct threat to your life, you can seek medical attention after handling other details at the scene of the accident.
2. You will need to take photos of your injuries, the scene of the accident, and the damage caused to vehicles. This will help paint a clear picture of the accident.
3. You should gather the name (and license number/license plate numbers) of all drivers/vehicles involved, especially your rideshare driver.
4. You should gather insurance information from all parties involved in the accident. Your Uber or Lyft driver should also provide you with rideshare insurance details.
5. You should file a police report with the local authorities.
6. You should take a screenshot of your Uber or Lyft ride.
7. You should gather witness information (name and number), if any witnesses were present.
8. You should report the accident with the rideshare company. You should provide them with information regarding the accident including the date/time it occurred and the name of your driver.

As a passenger of Uber or Lyft, the damages you suffer are almost always guaranteed to be covered by the rideshare company. However, you cannot take any chances. Following the recommendations above ensures that you are rightfully compensated after an Uber or Lyft accident.

05/21/2019

Although there are over 6 million auto accidents every year in the country, there are some periods of time that yield much more danger than others do. Why are some days more dangerous than others are? Why are there more fatalities on holidays than on normal days?

According to recent statistics, the holidays that are the most dangerous for drivers and result in the most fatalities are:

7. Christmas Day (December 25): With over 230 fatal accidents every year, Christmas is at the bottom of the list. It is likely because many individuals tend to stay home with families, businesses are closed, roads may be difficult to travel on, and everyone is off work or traveling.

6. New Year's Eve (December 31): New Year's Eve has about 240 fatal accidents per year. Despite being one of the most well-known holidays during which individuals consume excessive amounts of alcohol and flit to diferent parties, it is 6th on the list. This decrease may be due to the prevalence of Uber, Lyft and other rideshare services making it easy and cheap to go to parties, especially because there is no worry about a designated driver. Marketing campaigns have also kicked up to prevent drunk driving on New Year's Eve.

5. Thanksgiving Weekend (4th Thursday in November): Thanksgiving weekend results in over 250 deadly crashes each year; many use Thanksgiving as a holiday to visit close family as opposed to taking long, extended trips. This is partially because of the closeness to the other winter holidays, but it is also due to less time off overall.

4. Easter Weekend (March or April): There are roughly 280 fatal accidents per year on Easter weekend. This is a number that can change, though; there are times when Easter weekend is the same year as some universities are on Spring break.

3. Independence Day Weekend (4th of July): The 4th of July usually features numerous fireworks shows, barbecues, and celebrations. It is no surprise that over 300 deadly accidents happen each year on this weekend, given that many families wind up driving at night time in high traffic conditions or after a long day of drinking.

2. Labor Day Weekend (First Monday in September): Labor day weekend is often thee weekend when many people go out for one last bit of travel. It is also a popuar time for barbecues and trips to the beach (which makes sense given that the majority of fatal accidents, of which there are over 308 per year...many of which happen in Los Angeles). With these trips comes the raised chance of accidents - everyone wants to go out and squeeze a few more hours out of summer, so students and workers alike will leave their homes.

1. Memorial Day Weekend (Last Monday of May): Memorial Day Weekend culminates in about 312 fatal crashes per year. The amount of individuals who travel to the park or to friends' houses to grill, barbecue, drink, and celebrate is very high. It is a common day for drunk driving, and also features many people on the road because it is a Federal holiday; generally, almost every business is closed. There are also more pedestrians out on this weekend, often because of the weather.

6. New Year's Eve (December 31): New Year's Eve has about 240 fatal accidents per year. Despite being one of the most well-known holidays during which individuals consume excessive amounts of alcohol and flit to different parties, it is 6th on the list. This decrease may be due to the prevalence of Uber, Lyft and other rideshare services making it easy and cheap to go to parties, especially because there is no worry about a designated driver. Marketing campaigns have also kicked up to prevent drunk driving on New Year's Eve.

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