Why Los Angeles Accident Victims Need to Know Their Accident Type

The circumstances of a vehicle accident affect which laws, insurance policies, responsible parties, and filing deadlines may apply. Identifying the type of claim can help an injured person preserve relevant evidence and avoid missing a deadline.

 

Car Accidents (Collisions Between Passenger Vehicles)

Rear-end, side-impact, head-on, and rollover collisions can cause injuries ranging from whiplash to brain, spinal, and internal trauma. California is an at-fault state and follows pure comparative negligence: injured people can recover compensation even if partly responsible, but their compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault.

 

Truck and Big Rig Accidents

Truck claims may involve federal safety rules and several responsible parties, including the driver, trucking company, maintenance provider, or cargo loader. Driver logs and electronic records may show speeding, braking, hours of service, or other violations, so victims should act quickly to preserve this evidence.

 

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists often face disputes over speeding, lane position, or other alleged fault. Lane-splitting is legal in California and does not establish negligence by itself, although helmet use may affect damages claimed for a head injury. Riders should preserve photographs of the scene, motorcycle, and protective gear.

 

Rideshare Accidents (Uber and Lyft)

Rideshare coverage depends on whether the driver’s app was off, the driver was waiting for a request, or a ride had been accepted or was in progress. Trip logs establish which stage and policy applied, so victims should confirm that information before accepting a settlement.

 

Bicycle Accidents

Cyclists generally have the right to use California roads, and drivers must yield when traffic laws require it. A driver’s safety-law violation may support a negligence claim, while alleged cyclist fault can reduce compensation under California’s comparative-fault rule. 

 

Pedestrian Accidents

Drivers owe pedestrians a duty of care, but disputes may arise over signals, crosswalks, or whether someone entered traffic suddenly. Because serious injuries may not be immediately apparent, victims should obtain prompt medical care.

 

Bus Accidents

Claims involving Metro, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, or another government operator generally require an administrative claim within six months. A two-year limitation period generally applies to personal injury claims against private bus operators, although shorter deadlines or other exceptions may apply. Identify the bus owner and operator immediately because that determines the applicable deadline.

 

Drunk Driving Accidents

Evidence that a driver was impaired may support a civil negligence claim, but a criminal prosecution and the injured person’s civil case proceed separately. Punitive damages may be available when the evidence meets California’s legal standard for malice or conscious disregard of others’ safety. Victims should not wait for the criminal case to end before preserving evidence or pursuing a civil claim.

 

Distracted Driving Accidents

California Vehicle Code § 23123.5 generally prohibits a driver from holding and operating a phone or similar device while driving. Evidence of a violation may support a negligence claim. Distraction can also involve a GPS, food, or passengers. Phone records, traffic-camera video, and witness observations may establish what the driver was doing, so this evidence should be preserved promptly.

 

Hit and Run Accidents

When the responsible driver cannot be found, uninsured motorist coverage may provide compensation. Underinsured motorist coverage may apply when an identified driver has insurance but lacks enough coverage, and MedPay may cover medical bills subject to the policy terms. Report the crash to police, photograph the scene and damage, record any vehicle details, and obtain witness information.

 

Wrongful Death Crashes

Surviving relatives and other people with standing under California law may pursue a wrongful death claim for losses such as funeral expenses, lost financial support, and loss of care or companionship. California generally allows two years from the date of death to file, so families should protect the deadline even while other decisions remain unresolved.

 

What to Do After Any Vehicle Accident in Los Angeles

1. Call emergency services. Check for injuries and report the crash.

2. Document the scene. Photograph vehicles, injuries, road conditions, signals, and visible damage.

3. Exchange information. Collect driver, insurance, vehicle, witness, and police-report details.

4. Get medical care. Seek prompt evaluation and keep related records and receipts.

5. Protect your claim. Avoid recorded statements or signed settlements until you understand your rights and losses.

How Hakakian Law Group Handles Vehicle Accident Cases

Hakakian Law Group evaluates the type of accident, available insurance, potentially responsible parties, evidence, and filing deadlines. Shawn Hakakian handles cases personally, so clients work with one attorney familiar with the facts throughout the matter. If you have questions about a Los Angeles vehicle accident, you can contact Hakakian Law Group to discuss the circumstances and possible next steps.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file?

California generally allows two years to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, although exceptions can change that period. A claim involving a government agency or vehicle generally requires an administrative claim within six months, and Hakakian Law can assess which deadline applies. Confirming the deadline early helps protect the right to pursue compensation.

What if I was partly at fault?

California uses pure comparative negligence, which permits recovery even when an injured person shares fault. Hakakian Law can review the evidence used to assign each party’s percentage of responsibility. A careful fault analysis can help prevent an insurer from attributing more responsibility to you than the evidence supports.

Should I accept an insurance settlement?

An insurance settlement resolves the covered claim in exchange for payment and usually requires a release. Hakakian Law can review whether an offer accounts for medical care, lost income, pain and suffering, and reasonably anticipated future losses. Reviewing those terms before signing helps you understand which rights the release will end.

What if the other driver had no insurance or fled?

Uninsured motorist coverage may apply when the responsible driver has no insurance or cannot be identified, while underinsured motorist coverage may apply when an identified driver lacks enough coverage. Hakakian Law can review the policy and whether MedPay or other available coverage applies. Identifying each source of coverage can help address medical bills and other covered losses.

What if a government vehicle hit me?

A collision involving a government vehicle may require an administrative claim before a lawsuit can proceed. Hakakian Law can identify the responsible public entity and assess whether the six-month claim deadline applies. Early identification of the agency helps preserve the claim and directs the required notice to the correct entity.

 

 

Disclaimer: This post is considered attorney advertising and is for informational purposes only. It does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.