California Motoring Laws
California’s complex car accident laws are hard to grasp as a survivor. This is why you must contact a top car accident lawyer immediately. We can confidentially discuss information about your accident. We help clients appraise their cases during a free initial consultation at our California law offices.
Not wearing your safety belt during a road accident can wipe out your pain and suffering damages. All passengers 16 years of age must wear a safety belt.
Auto Accident Reporting Rules
Although police aren’t always obligated to create police reports for every crash, you have a legal duty to report your collision. After colliding, you must stop, render aid, and provide papers, including their insurance information and driver’s license numbers, when road conditions are safe for validation purposes.
Reporting Car Accident Injuries To The DMV
You must file cases of death, injuries, or damage worth over a sum certain within ten days according to California Vehicle Code (CVC) §16000. The best lawyers will handle these items for clients with injuries.
- Accident Report to Law Enforcement?
CVC §20008 requires vehicle operators in crashes, including hit and run accidents, to make a written police report about the crash to the Highway Patrol or local precinct if the police car fails to appear and document the other driver’s negligence. Any injuries or fatalities must be reported within 24 hours of the crash. Our firm offers this service free of charge to new clients.
General Road Rules
Distracted driving and driver fatigue are major causes of severe injuries and wrongful death auto accident cases. LA, CA remains the road rage capital of the United States, seeing many hit and crash cases and pedestrian accidents.
- All drivers must be licensed, minimally insured, operate a registered vehicle, and obey all posted speed limits.
- During darkness or bad weather, you must drive safely for the conditions present.
- You must yield to oncoming vehicles because the law preempts people from disrupting traffic flow.
- Drivers must not hit the rear end of vehicles by following too closely.
- Sudden stops by the lead vehicle will require an auto behind them to maintain a safer space cushion.
- You must stay away from handheld devices or distractions while behind the wheel.
- Running red lights or traffic signals is a no-no.
Statute of limitations For Car Accidents
Your bodily injury deadline requires you and survivors to sue someone within two years from the crash date. Exceptions may apply to shorten or lengthen this two-year time.
Car wreck survivors have three years to file a lawsuit for damaged property. But unfortunately, suing the government shortens the period. (usually six months). You can trust our auto accident lawyer to determine everything on your behalf.
Common Injuries In Car Accidents
Our Woodland Hills area car accident attorneys have the legal expertise to help crash victims with motor vehicle fatalities and common car accident injuries, including:
- Open fracture femur breaks, broken ankles, skull or pelvis cracks
- Mild and major post-traumatic stress disorder (‘PTSD’)
- Wrongful death
- Missing digit: nose, ear, fingertip, or foot amputation
- Deflation injury/collapsed lung
- Open cuts, scars, and wounds
- Facet Joint Syndrome
- Edema swelling joints
- Hairline fractures
- Whiplash/cervical lordosis
- Migraines
- Friction Burns
- Scrapes or cuts
- Cracked ribs
- Aching Joints
- Slipped disk
- Bruising
- Scratches
- Bleeding
- Head Injuries, including traumatic brain injuries.
Important Auto Insurance Laws
California’s insurance law system is tort-based, meaning if you cause a road accident and the insurer refuses liability on your behalf, a lawsuit can be lodged against you.
- It is not in your best interest to give anyone a recorded statement or admit distracted driving, etc.
- All you have to do is provide personal information at the crash site.
The adjuster isn’t concerned about how the accident happened and looking for a way to blame you. If you did not buy enough insurance protection, you must pay out of pocket.
Our experienced Woodland Hills car accident attorney will hold those responsible legally liable for their portion of the fault.
Mandatory law requires that vehicle operators have $15,000 for one victim and $30,000 for bodily injury or death to more than one victim. California requires $5,000 minimum property damage coverage. (Your vehicle damage won’t be covered).
A negligent party like Uber, Lyft, or FedEx must cover hired common carriers by buying a higher commercial insurance policy. Our aggressive legal team will trace these coverages to maximize your amount of compensation.
Uninsured And Underinsured Motorist
The insurance code law requires the insurance company to present customers the option to buy or reject/waive uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage at the time of purchase.
When the at-fault driver fails to carry insurance, your UM coverage kicks in. UIM motorist coverage helps cover the difference between the driver’s more minor policy and the actual damages of car accident survivors. Another smart option is Underinsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD). UMPD covers your items when a person with low coverage strikes your car up to your policy limits. (This collision insurance may cover dents, etc.)
When an unidentified driver flees the crash scene illegally, UM, UIM, UMPD can be tendered as our Woodland Hills auto accident attorney argues with your provider.
- Purchasing Other Forms of Car Insurance. California state insurance laws represent a floor when it comes to buying coverage.
You can amend your policy to secure medical payments coverage (Med-Pay), liability insurance, comprehensive coverage (Comp), and to add theft protection. Our firm’s Woodland Hills auto accident attorney can help negotiate a fair and reasonable victim’s recovery after suffering serious injuries.
Negligence Requirements
California is an at-fault state. Negligence laws require the survivor to prove the other driver is liable. State rules of pure comparative negligence reduce the plaintiff’s financial recovery by their partial percentage of fault. Luckily, if the survivor caused 98% of the vehicle crash, they could still collect 2% of the award.
An attorney from our Woodland Hills firm can help you stave off comparative negligence defenses. (poor road conditions or defective red light) Public agencies and officials are liable to pay fair compensation for your government claim. Multiple defendants could end up embroiled in court proceedings.
Claims for Permanent Injuries
- You Must Seek Medical Attention
Never self-diagnose your injuries, even if you think you received only minor, common car accident injuries like whiplash caused by your car crash. Talk to our best car accident lawyers in Woodland Hills, CA. Our team will stress the importance of you receiving medical treatment right away for all car accidents.
Now you’ll have medical bills and documentary evidence of the crash. You will never recover maximum compensation when you wait multiple weeks before visiting a physician or medical professional for symptom treatment. Proving your whiplash injuries that arose during the car accident will be significantly hindered without incurring medical expenses.
Additionally, whiplash can cause severe spine injuries, nerve damage, internal organ damage, or paralysis. It’s in your best interest to hire car accident lawyers to help you every step of the way.
Car Crash Medical Expenses
Your doctor’s orders may be to visit another physician and other medical professionals. We represent injured clients seeking reimbursement from the other driver or at-fault party.
Our superior advocates fight for reasonable care and damages covering your doctor’s appointments, using their financial resources and legal system to your advantage.
We help clients obtain money for medical bills and expenses like:
- Prescription drugs
- Surgery, hospitals
- Rehab, mental health
- Chiropractors
- Massage therapy
- Physical therapy, or
- Valuable items like neck braces, walkers, crutches, or wheelchairs are prescribed by a medical professional.
