How Attorneys Handle Accident Cases in Los Angeles

Accidents can happen anywhere - oftentimes, when we least expect it. Some accidents are caused intentionally; others happen due to negligence. In some cases, accidents end up with tragic consequences.

Regardless of the type, accidents result in either an injury or damage to property. Hence, the factual circumstances that cause an accident often determine what legal treatment the case deserves. A car accident, for instance, is handled differently than a plane accident because the conditions and applicable laws differ from each other.

Generally, accident cases are covered by the personal injury law and torts law. An accident may fall under any of the following types:

• Vehicle accident - includes all accidents involving car, trucks, buses, bicycles and motorcycles

• Premise liability - which include slip and fall accidents, recreation and amusement park accidents

• Product liability - these include accidents arising from the use of defective products

• Medical malpractice

• Aviation/ plane accidents

• Boat and water accidents

• Fire/ Burn Accidents

• Animal attacks

• Construction liability

Accidents often result in injuries and harm that range from minor, serious or catastrophic injuries to fatal injuries and death. Minor injuries may include cuts, bruises and wounds while serious injuries may result in spinal cord injury, brain and head injuries that could end up in life-altering conditions such as paralysis and disability, or worse - death.

An injured victim may recover damages for injuries incurred in accidents. Under the law, a victim may file a claim for economic and non-economic damages that may arise out of one's injuries in an accident.

Among the economic damages that may be pursued include hospital and medical expenses, loss of earnings or wage, and damage to property, while non-economic damages may include compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium, among others. In some cases, punitive damages may also be brought up against the liable party to prevent occurrence of similar incident in the future.

Generally, personal injury lawsuits fall under the jurisdiction of state courts in the county where the accident occurred. For instance, if you are involved in a car accident in Los Angeles, you may file the lawsuit in the Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County.

Negligence or carelessness is the common basis of many personal injury cases.
Based on negligence, the basic rule in accident liability is -- the less careful or negligent person must pay a portion of the damages suffered by the more careful one.

Thus, liability is determined by this rule and by some of the following considerations:

• The duty to be careful toward the injured person must be present

• If the injured person was also careless, compensation may be reduced. This is known as comparative negligence.

• If a negligent person causes an accident while working for someone else, the employer may also be held responsible for the accident

• If an accident is caused on property that is dangerous because it is poorly built or maintained, the owner of the property is liable for being careless in maintaining the property, regardless of whether he actually created the dangerous condition.

• If an accident is caused by a defective product, the manufacturer and seller of the product are both liable for the injuries caused.

Finding fault and determining the liability in any type of accident may not be that easy. Each type of accident is pursued differently, depending on the circumstances of the case and the laws that govern it. To recover claims for injuries incurred in any specific accidents in Los Angeles, for instance, a victim must seek the assistance of an experienced Los Angeles accident attorney.


To help you pursue car accident claims, consult with our expert Los Angeles accident attorneys. Visit our website and avail of our free case analysis.