Woodland Hills Car Accident Lawyers Dedicated to Results
Victim of someone else’s crash? We can help you fight for compensation
Imagine if a motorist is stopped at a red light at an intersection in Woodland Hills, waiting to proceed. The driver approaching from behind is texting and driving, so they don’t see the light is red. Unsurprisingly, the distracted driver smashes straight into the stopped motorist, causing a devastating rear-end collision that results in severe injuries.
California is a “fault” state for car accidents, which means that the driver who is responsible for the accident is legally on the hook for paying for it. However, holding negligent drivers accountable for their actions is often tough without the help of an experienced Woodland Hills car accident attorney.
At Oaks Law Firm, we have an impressive record of success filing car accident claims in Woodland Hills and throughout California. Typically, we can reach an agreement with the other driver’s insurance company for compensation, which makes going to trial unnecessary.
But if the insurance company won’t make you a fair offer, we are prepared to litigate. If you were injured in a car accident, contact Oaks Law Firm in Woodland Hills 24/7 for a free case evaluation. A member of our reliable legal team will listen to the details of what happened, explain your potential options, and answer questions.
What are common types of car accidents in Woodland Hills?
Car accidents leave victims in severe pain, and many cannot leave the house for weeks. These accidents cause serious disruption in the lives of victims and their families. Oftentimes, negligence is to blame for serious accidents. Under California law, when negligence contributes to injury, the at-fault party is liable for damages. Examples of negligence in a car accident include:
Distracted driving
With dense traffic and frequent stops, distraction can lead to rear-end accidents or pedestrian collisions in Woodland Hills - especially along busy streets such as Ventura Boulevard.
Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
The 101 Freeway, which runs through Woodland Hills, is a hotspot for speed-related accidents, particularly when drivers don't adjust their speed during rush hours or in the often foggy early morning.
Following too closely
The congested traffic in Woodland Hills requires maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle ahead to prevent crashes, especially during high traffic times.
Failing to yield
At intersections like those along Topanga Canyon Boulevard, failing to yield can result in serious T-bone accidents due to the volume of vehicles merging and crossing over.
Illegal turns
Making illegal turns on major thoroughfares or ignoring no-turn signals can cause sideswipe or direct collisions in intersections, a common issue in a grid-like road layout.
Unsafe passing
Unsafe passing on narrower roads or when entering/exiting the 101 can lead to sideswipe accidents or force other cars into different lanes unexpectedly.
Fatigued driving
On long stretches of road or after leaving one of the local businesses or shopping areas late at night, drivers may become fatigued, impairing their ability to respond to road conditions.
Drunk and impaired driving
Given the lively nightlife and numerous dining establishments in Woodland Hills, accidents involving drunk and impaired drivers can be a concern, particularly on weekend nights, leading to more severe and potentially fatal accidents.
Do I need a lawyer after a car accident in Woodland Hills?
After being injured in a crash in Woodland Hills, you might be convinced you can handle your own insurance claim, given that negligence is often clear-cut in many accidents. However, confronting negligent drivers and their insurance companies can be an overwhelmingly complex and challenging endeavor. These entities are adept at minimizing payouts and can make the claims process incredibly taxing for individuals who are already dealing with the stress and pain of recovery. Engaging a car accident lawyer with a proven track record of success not only alleviates the burden of navigating these tricky negotiations on your own but also significantly enhances your chances of obtaining maximum compensation.
What are the most serious car accident injuries?
Any type of collision in Woodland Hills can cause traumatic injuries. Someone involved in a rear-end collision could be thrown violently forward, potentially straining their neck muscles and slamming their head into the steering wheel.
Someone involved in a T-bone wreck could be twisted around, smashing into other occupants in the vehicle and spraining their back. Oaks Law Firm has extensive experience successfully negotiating claims for injuries that include, but are not limited to:
- Head Injuries, Including Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): These injuries can result from a blow to the head, causing symptoms like headaches, dizziness, memory loss, and cognitive impairment.
- Whiplash: Common in rear-end collisions, this injury involves the neck being forced forward and backward, leading to pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion.
- Burns: Occur from vehicle fires or contact with hot fluids, ranging from minor to severe and potentially causing significant scarring, disfigurement, and nerve damage.
- Compressed Nerves: This can occur due to pressure on nerves, leading to pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in the affected area.
- Fractures, Including Cracked Ribs and Vertebral Fractures: Result from the force of the collision, often requiring immobilization, surgery, and rehabilitation.
- Cuts and Abrasions: Caused by sharp objects, broken glass, or metal debris, ranging from superficial to deep, with potential for significant blood loss, infection, and scarring.
- Amputation: In severe accidents, traumatic amputations or surgical amputations may be necessary, requiring extensive medical care and rehabilitation.
- Crush Injuries: Result from being trapped between objects, causing damage to muscles, nerves, and bones, potentially leading to complications like compartment syndrome.
- Spinal Column Injury: Can range from minor to severe, causing pain, limited mobility, and, in severe cases, full or partial paralysis.
- Blindness: Caused by trauma to the head or face, potentially leading to partial or complete loss of vision and affecting daily life and mental well-being.
- Facial Injuries: Include fractures, lacerations, and dental damage, often requiring cosmetic or reconstructive surgery, with potential psychological impact.
- Full or Partial Paralysis: Resulting from severe spinal cord injuries, this life-changing condition may require comprehensive medical care and long-term support.
As experienced Woodland Hills car accident attorneys, we possess the skills and knowledge to manage your claim effectively. Our firm can aggressively fight on your behalf, ensuring that you can focus on resting and healing, confident in the knowledge that your case is in the hands of a professional.
Who pays medical bills after a car crash in Woodland Hills?
Typically, the at-fault driver's insurance company is liable for the medical expenses of the injured parties. California is an "at-fault" state, meaning that the driver who caused the accident is responsible for compensating the injured parties.
However, it is important to understand that insurance settlements or court judgments can take time to finalize, and immediate medical costs often need to be paid upfront. In such cases, injured parties may need to use their health insurance, MedPay coverage, or personal funds to cover initial expenses. If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, the injured party's own insurance policy may provide coverage under uninsured/underinsured motorist protection.
What is covered in an injury settlement?
Every case is different, and the circumstances of each incident will dictate the compensation sought. However, there are general types of damages typically pursued in Woodland Hills injury claims and lawsuits. Our Woodland Hills car accident lawyers can fight for compensation for your accident-related:
- Bills for medical care, including future medical treatment
- Lost income or wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Disability
Once we understand the value of your claim, we can demand fair compensation from the insurance company. Often, we reach a fair agreement. But when that’s impossible, your Woodland Hills car accident lawyer will file a lawsuit before the expiration of the statute of limitations, which is two years from the day of your accident.
Contact Oaks Law Firm in Woodland Hills for a free case evaluation
Few firms can match the experience at Oaks Law Firm. Our founder, attorney Matthew Nezhad, has 20 years of experience and is eager to put his skills to work for you. And remember: Oaks Law Firm has a strict no fee guarantee unless we win policy. If you were injured in a Woodland Hills accident, contact us today to schedule a confidential, free case evaluation. We are here to help!