Los Angeles Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer: Helping Injury Victims Reclaim Their Lives After Serious Motor Vehicle Accidents

Motor Vehicle Accidents Come in Many Forms

When people hear the phrase "motor vehicle accident," they often think of two passenger vehicles colliding. In reality, California roads are shared by many different types of vehicles and road users.

Insider Accident Lawyers represents victims injured in:

• Car accidents
• Truck accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Bus accidents
• Commercial vehicle crashes
• Delivery vehicle crashes
• Scooter accidents
• Uber and Lyft crashes
• Pedestrian accidents
• Hit-and-run accidents

Every accident presents unique legal and factual issues. A motorcycle crash may involve lane-splitting laws. Federal trucking regulations may influence a trucking accident. A pedestrian accident may hinge on right-of-way rules. Understanding these differences is one reason hiring an experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer can make a significant difference to the outcome of your claim.

California Roads Present Unique Risks

Los Angeles has some of the busiest roads in the country. Congested freeways, heavy commercial traffic, tourism, public transportation, cyclists, pedestrians, and rapidly growing micromobility options all increase the likelihood of collisions.

Unlike many other states, California also allows lane splitting for motorcycles and has embraced electric scooters and e-bikes as transportation alternatives. While these options improve mobility, they also create more opportunities for serious accidents when motorists fail to pay attention.

Some of the most common causes of California motor vehicle accidents include:

• Distracted driving
• Texting while driving
• Speeding
• Driving under the influence
• Fatigued driving
• Running red lights
• Unsafe lane changes
• Failure to yield
• Tailgating
• Aggressive driving

In many cases, multiple factors contribute to a collision. Determining exactly who was responsible requires a thorough investigation.

Common Injuries After a Motor Vehicle Accident

The force generated during a motor vehicle accident can cause injuries ranging from relatively minor to permanently disabling.

Victims frequently suffer:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Concussions
• Spinal cord injuries
• Herniated discs
• Neck injuries
• Whiplash
• Broken bones
• Internal bleeding
• Organ damage
• Amputations
• Psychological trauma

Some injuries do not become obvious immediately after a collision. Adrenaline can temporarily mask pain, which is why seeking prompt medical evaluation is so important.

Medical records also create important evidence linking your injuries to the crash.

Motor Vehicle Accidents Affect Every Type of Road User

While car accidents are the most prominent type of traffic collision in the public perception, other types of vehicles, and even pedestrians, are all at risk on the roads.

Pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and those using smaller vehicles such as scooters or e-bikes are all vulnerable on the roads. This is due to the fact that they lack the protection provided by the body of a larger vehicle in a collision, meaning that in most cases their bodies take more of the impact and thus risk more severe injuries.

What California Law Says About Motor Vehicle Accidents

California follows a fault-based insurance system. This means that the person responsible for causing the collision is generally responsible for paying damages suffered by injured victims.

To recover compensation, you must typically establish four elements:

• The defendant owed you a duty of care.
• They breached that duty through negligent conduct.
• Their negligence caused the accident.
• You suffered damages as a result.

Evidence may include:

• Police reports
• Witness statements
• Surveillance footage
• Dashcam video
• Medical records
• Cell phone records
• Vehicle damage
• Accident reconstruction analysis
• Expert testimony

The stronger the evidence, the stronger your negotiating position with insurance companies will be.

California's Comparative Negligence Rule

One important feature of California law is its pure comparative negligence system.

Even if you were partially responsible for an accident, you may still recover compensation. However, your damages are reduced according to your percentage of fault.

For example, if a jury determines your damages equal $500,000 but finds you were 20% responsible, you could still recover $400,000.

Insurance companies frequently argue injured victims share more fault than they actually do. An experienced Los Angeles motor vehicle accident lawyer works to challenge unsupported allegations and protect your right to fair compensation.

How Long Do You Have to File a Motor Vehicle Accident Lawsuit?

California generally gives injured victims two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.

However, important exceptions may apply.

For example, if a government agency or public employee played a role in causing the collision, a shorter deadline of six months may apply under the California Government Claims Act.¹

Missing these deadlines can permanently prevent you from recovering compensation, making it important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after your accident.

Compensation After a Motor Vehicle Accident

Every case is unique, but accident victims may recover compensation for both economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages often include:

• Medical and rehabilitation expenses
• Future medical treatment
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Property damage

Non-economic damages may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent disability
• Disfigurement

In cases involving particularly reckless conduct, punitive damages may also be available under California law.

Insurance Tactics to Minimize Claims

After an accident, you may expect the at-fault driver's insurance company to pay your losses fairly. Unfortunately, insurance companies are businesses focused on protecting their bottom line. As Insider Accident Lawyers' President, Shawn Rokni Esq., puts it: "[An insurance adjuster's] job, and their first priority in every instance, is to protect the insurance company's bottom line."

Some common tactics include:

• Asking for recorded statements that may later be used against you
• Offering a quick settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries
• Arguing your injuries were pre-existing
• Claiming you were partially or entirely at fault
• Delaying investigations in the hopes that financial pressure will force you to settle
• Disputing the necessity of your medical treatment

An experienced Los Angeles motor vehicle accident lawyer understands these tactics and can communicate with insurance adjusters on your behalf. Having legal representation often levels the playing field and allows you to focus on your recovery instead of negotiating with insurers.

Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics

Motor vehicle accidents remain one of the leading causes of death in the United States, and California consistently reports some of the highest numbers due to its large population and extensive road network.

How many motor vehicle accidents happen per day?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), police reported 6.17 million traffic collisions across the US in 2024, which translates to roughly 16,858 motor vehicle accidents each day.² These crashes range from minor property damage to accidents involving serious injuries and fatalities.

How many motor vehicle accident deaths are there per day?

The NHSTA estimates that an average of more than 110 people die every day in motor vehicle accidents nationwide.³ That amounts to more than 40,000 traffic fatalities each year, making roadway safety a continuing public health concern.

How many motor vehicle accidents are there per day in California?

The California Highway Patrol reported 143,476 crashes in which someone was injured in 2020,⁴ which translates to roughly 392 accidents per day.

While statistics cannot predict when an accident will happen, they demonstrate the importance of safe driving and obtaining experienced legal representation when negligence causes injuries.

What to Do After a Motor Vehicle Accident

The moments following a collision can be overwhelming, but the steps you take may significantly affect both your health and your legal claim.

If possible:

• Call 911 and report the accident
• Seek immediate medical attention, even if you feel fine
• Exchange insurance and contact information
• Photograph vehicle damage, the roadway, and your injuries
• Speak with witnesses, if they are willing
• Avoid admitting fault or speculating on what happened
• Notify your insurance company
• Contact an experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer before accepting any settlement offer

Why Choose Insider Accident Lawyers?

Recovering after a motor vehicle accident is about more than repairing a vehicle. It is about rebuilding your life.

At Insider Accident Lawyers, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll serious accidents can take. Whether you were injured in a truck collision on the freeway, struck while crossing the street, hit by a distracted driver while riding your bicycle, or involved in a motorcycle crash, our team is prepared to advocate for your best interests.

Our goal is simple: to pursue the maximum compensation available under California law while providing compassionate guidance throughout the legal process.