Car Accident Lawyer Los Angeles | Auto Accident Claims

If you need a Los Angeles car accident lawyer, Mesriani Law Group is here to help. California has over 30,000 car accidents every year, and Los Angeles is one of the most dangerous cities in the state for drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians. When a collision happens due to someone else’s negligence, you have the right to pursue full compensation for your injuries, lost income, and property damage.

At Mesriani Law Group, our Los Angeles car accident attorneys have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for collision victims throughout California over 30 years. We handle every type of auto accident claim and represent you on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win.

Why You Need a Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer

Many people assume they can handle a car accident claim directly with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. This is one of the most costly mistakes you can make. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and they start working against your claim from the moment you call them.

A car accident lawyer in Los Angeles levels the playing field by:

• Investigating the accident scene, obtaining police reports, and preserving critical evidence before it disappears
• Handling all communications with insurance companies so you can’t inadvertently waive your rights
• Retaining accident reconstruction experts, medical specialists, and economic experts when needed
• Calculating the true value of your claim — including future medical costs, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering that insurers routinely undervalue
• Taking your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation

California Car Accident Laws You Need to Know

Common Types of Car Accidents in Los Angeles

The type of collision affects both the nature of injuries and the legal strategy for establishing fault. For a full overview, see our guide on common types of car accidents in California. Our attorneys handle all types of car accident claims:

• Rear-end collisions: The most common type of car accident in California, accounting for nearly 30% of all crashes. The trailing driver is typically at fault. Common causes include distracted driving, tailgating, and sudden stops on freeways. See our guide on average rear-end collision settlements in California.
• T-bone (side-impact) accidents: Occur at intersections when a driver runs a red light or fails to yield. These crashes cause severe injuries to the head, chest, and abdomen and frequently involve disputed fault.
• Head-on collisions: Among the most fatal types of crashes, often caused by wrong-way drivers, impairment, or crossing the center line. Even low-speed head-on impacts cause serious injury.
• Sideswipe accidents: Occur when a vehicle changes lanes without checking, often on multi-lane freeways. Can cause drivers to lose control and collide with other vehicles.
• Rollover accidents: More common in SUVs and trucks due to higher center of gravity. Often caused by sharp turns, tire blowouts, or collisions with other vehicles.
• Multi-vehicle pileups: Complex accidents involving three or more vehicles. Liability is often shared and requires thorough investigation to apportion fault correctly.
• Hit-and-run accidents: When the at-fault driver flees the scene. We help victims access uninsured motorist coverage and pursue all available compensation.
• Accidents involving trucks, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles: These involve additional legal frameworks including federal trucking regulations and employer vicarious liability.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Los Angeles

Establishing the cause of the accident is essential to proving fault. The most common causes we encounter include:

• Distracted driving: Texting, using apps, adjusting the stereo, or eating while driving. California Vehicle Code § 23123.5 prohibits handheld device use while driving.
• Speeding: Exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for road conditions dramatically increases both crash probability and injury severity.
• DUI: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a leading cause of serious and fatal accidents. DUI findings in criminal proceedings can strengthen civil claims.
• Running red lights and stop signs: A leading cause of T-bone accidents at intersections throughout Los Angeles.
• Failure to yield: Failure to yield to pedestrians, cyclists, or oncoming traffic at turns and intersections.
• Driver fatigue: Drowsy driving is as dangerous as drunk driving. Particularly common in early morning hours and among commercial drivers.
• Dangerous road conditions: Potholes, unmarked hazards, defective traffic signals, and poor lighting maintained by government agencies may create additional liability beyond the at-fault driver. Learn more about who is at fault for road hazard injuries.
• Defective vehicle parts: Brake failures, tire defects, steering malfunctions, or airbag failures may give rise to a products liability claim against the manufacturer.

Common Injuries in Los Angeles Car Accidents

Car accident injuries range from minor to catastrophic. Even low-speed collisions can cause injuries that take months or years to resolve:

• Whiplash and soft tissue injuries — the most common car accident injury, often underestimated by insurers
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions
• Spinal cord injuries and herniated discs
• Broken bones and fractures
• Internal organ injuries and internal bleeding
• Chest injuries from seatbelts and airbag deployment
• Lacerations and scarring from broken glass
• Knee and joint injuries
• Burn injuries from fires or chemical exposure
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychological trauma
• Wrongful death

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Car Accident in Los Angeles?

The full value of a car accident claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the impact on your life, and the degree of the other party’s fault. For context on settlement ranges, see our guide on average car accident settlements in California. Our Los Angeles car accident lawyers ensure the full value of your claim is captured. Recoverable damages include:

• Medical expenses: Emergency room treatment, hospitalization, surgery, specialist care, and all related medical costs
• Future medical care: Ongoing treatment, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and long-term care for permanent injuries
• Lost income: Wages lost during recovery and, for permanent injuries, reduced future earning capacity
• Property damage: Repair or fair market replacement value of your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the collision
• Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, PTSD, anxiety, and loss of enjoyment of life. California has no cap on non-economic damages in car accident cases.
• Loss of consortium: Compensation for the impact of serious injuries on marital and family relationships
• Wrongful death damages: If a loved one was killed in a car accident, surviving family members may recover funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship
• Punitive damages: In cases involving DUI, street racing, or other egregious conduct, courts may award punitive damages to punish the defendant

Note: If you were uninsured at the time of the accident, California law limits your ability to recover non-economic damages regardless of fault. Contact our attorneys to discuss your specific situation.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Los Angeles

1. Call 911 — report the accident and request police. A police report is the most important document in your claim.
2. Seek medical care immediately — even if you feel fine. Whiplash, concussions, and internal injuries may not present symptoms for hours or days. Medical records link your injuries to the accident.
3. Document the scene — photograph vehicle damage, the crash location, road conditions, traffic signals, and your injuries before anything is moved or cleaned up.
4. Exchange information — get the other driver’s name, address, phone number, license plate, driver’s license number, and insurance information.
5. Get witness information — names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the crash.
6. Do not admit fault — do not say “I’m sorry” or discuss the accident with the other driver’s insurance company. Anything you say can be used to reduce your claim.
7. Do not accept an early settlement — initial offers rarely account for future medical needs, lost earning capacity, or pain and suffering.
8. Get the police report — request a copy of the CHP 190 or LAPD traffic collision report as soon as it is available. Your attorney can help obtain this.
9. Contact Mesriani Law Group — our car accident lawyers in Los Angeles will begin building your case, preserving evidence, and handling all communications with insurers from day one. For a full overview of the process, see our guide on steps in filing a car accident claim in California.

Why Choose Mesriani as Your Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer?

With hundreds of car accident cases handled over 30+ years, Mesriani Law Group is one of the most experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyer teams in California. We bring:

• Over 30 years representing car accident victims throughout Los Angeles and California
• Hundreds of millions of dollars recovered for clients
• Experience taking complex cases to trial when insurers refuse to offer fair compensation
• Resources to retain accident reconstructionists, medical experts, and economic experts
• No Win, No Fee — you pay nothing unless we win your case
• Available 24/7 in English, Spanish, and Farsi