Torrance Car Accident Attorneys
According to LAPD data, there were more than 50,000 car accidents in Los Angeles County alone in 2019 and nearly 300 of those accidents resulted in a fatality. If you have been involved in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation to cover the costs of medical bills and damage to your car. Most people do not know what their rights are after they have been in a collision. Jafferson Accident Attorneys Group understands the ins-and-outs of these situations and will be able to effectively teach you what your rights are as well as any other questions you may have.
Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer for My Accident in Torrance?
You may not need an attorney for your particular car accident. If you were not injured in the collision and all you need is repairs to your vehicle, you will likely be able to take care of things on your own.
However, if you were injured in an accident, it is a good idea to consult with a personal injury attorney about your situation. If your injuries are severe and you are incurring large medical bills, you need to have an experienced attorney on your side. The insurance companies are tricky and may try to get out of giving you the compensation that you are entitled to. Jafferson Accident Attorneys Group knows how to handle the insurance companies and how to tell your story to make sure that they understand the severity of your situation.
Where Do Most Car Accidents in Torrance Occur?
Many of the car accidents in Torrance happen on Pacific Coast Highway 1, Highway 107, and Interstate 405, due to the fact that each of these are major arteries to nearby cities like Carson, Gardena, and Long Beach. But did you know that National statistics show that 50% of all accidents in America occur within 5 miles of your home? So while these roads are considered to be a high risk for car accidents in the area, you should always be alert while on the road.
What Should You Do Once You are in a Car Accident?
- First and foremost, do not drive away from the scene or even move the car. It is highly illegal to drive away from an accident and comes with severe consequences. If the car is moved before the police arrive, they cannot put together an accurate report and may not be able to determine who is at fault. This could leave you without a case, even if you suffer injuries.
- If you are able to get out of the vehicle, dial 911 and take pictures of the scene with your phone. These can be used to prove fault as well as show the insurance company the extent of the damage.
- If you are injured, do not try to get out of the car.
- Exchange insurance information while you are waiting for the police to arrive. Once the police arrive, give them a detailed report of exactly what happened. It is important to make sure that they get an accurate record of how the incident occurred. Give them as much information as you can so the record correctly reflects your perspective.
- Seek medical attention. Adrenaline may cause your body to not register an injury right away. You should always have a medical professional check you out to make sure that a possible injury doesn’t go unnoticed.
What Should You Avoid Saying at the Scene of a Car Accident?
- Something that we are trained to do from a very young age is to apologize. It is vital that you do not apologize to the other driver as that is considered an acceptance of fault and could leave you without a claim.
- If anyone asks you if you were at fault, do not reply. Even if a police officer or witness asks you this, move on to another question. Just like apologizing, this is an acceptance of guilt and will have the same result.
- It is important not to lie at the scene. If you come across a question, like mentioned above, that may be self-incriminating, simply do not answer. When you are explaining the situation to the police officer, tell him or her the facts and do not bend the truth.
How Long do You Have to File Suit?
What is called the “Statute of Limitations” is a restriction on how much time can pass before you file suit against the other party. In the State of California, you have Two Years from the date of the accident to file. This does not mean that you have to be finished with treatment for your injuries, it simply means that you have 2 years to decide if you are going to sue and to file the paperwork with the court. Unfortunately, even one day past the Statute of Limitations is too late so it is very important to make sure that you or your attorney takes care of this with enough time.
What Are My Rights at the Scene of the Accident?
If a police officer or any other party on the scene requests to search your vehicle, you have the right to say no. If the officer has probable cause, such as you smell like alcohol or your eyes look like you may be on drugs, he or she may legally search the car. If there is no probable cause, no warrant, and you tell them that they cannot search your vehicle, they are legally not allowed to disregard your statement.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of a car accident, call Jafferson Accident Attorneys Group for a free consultation. We will do whatever we can to help you, even if it means telling you that you don’t need an attorney.