A car accident can leave you dealing with painful injuries, unexpected medical bills, vehicle repairs, and time away from work. When another driver causes the crash, California law may allow you to seek compensation for these and other losses.
If you were injured in a car accident in Hawthorne, California, J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers can help you understand your legal options and pursue a claim against the responsible party. Contact us at (323) 284-2834 to schedule a free consultation with a Hawthorne car accident lawyer.
How Can J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers Help After a Car Accident in Hawthorne, CA?
Insurance companies may dispute fault, question the severity of your injuries, or offer less compensation than your claim is worth. Having an attorney handle your case can allow you to focus on your recovery while your legal claim moves forward.
At J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers, our Hawthorne personal injury lawyers can:
- Investigate how your car accident occurred
- Obtain police reports and other available records
- Gather photographs, videos, and witness statements
- Review medical records and documentation of your injuries
- Identify all potentially responsible parties
- Calculate your financial and personal losses
- Handle communications with insurance companies
- Respond to attempts to shift blame onto you
- Negotiate for a settlement that reflects your losses
- Take your case to court when necessary
With two decades of combined experience and tens of millions of dollars recovered for injured clients, our legal team is prepared to handle car accident claims from start to finish. Contact us today for a free case review with a Hawthorne car accident attorney.
What Causes Car Accidents in Hawthorne?
Car accidents can happen anywhere in Hawthorne, from busy intersections to major routes such as the I-105 and I-405. Many collisions occur because a driver fails to use reasonable care behind the wheel.
Common causes of Hawthorne car accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Following too closely
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Unsafe lane changes
- Failure to yield
- Impaired driving
- Drowsy driving
- Aggressive driving
- Inexperienced driving
- Poor vehicle maintenance
Weather, road hazards, and defective vehicle components can also contribute to crashes. Determining the cause can help identify who may be legally and financially responsible.
Who May Be Liable for a Hawthorne Car Accident?
The driver who caused the collision is often the one held legally responsible for damages, but other parties may share liability.
Potentially responsible parties may include:
- A negligent driver
- The driver’s employer, if the driver was working at the time
- A vehicle owner, in certain circumstances
- A manufacturer of a defective vehicle or component
- A government entity responsible for a dangerous road condition
- Another person or company whose negligence contributed to the crash
Some accidents involve multiple responsible parties. Identifying everyone who contributed to the collision can be important when determining what insurance coverage and other sources of compensation may be available.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Hawthorne Car Accident?
If another party caused your accident, you may be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic losses.
Depending on your circumstances, damages may include:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
The value of your car accident claim depends on factors such as the severity of your injuries, the medical treatment you need, your time away from work, whether you have lasting limitations, available insurance coverage, and the strength of the evidence supporting your claim.
What if I Am Partly Responsible for a Hawthorne Car Accident?
You may still recover compensation even if you share responsibility for a car accident. California follows a pure comparative negligence rule.
Under this system, your compensation is usually reduced according to your percentage of fault. For example, if you have $100,000 in damages but are found 20% responsible for the accident, you could generally recover $80,000.
Unlike states that bar recovery once an injured person reaches a certain percentage of fault, California typically allows recovery even when the injured person bears most of the responsibility. Because insurers may attempt to assign you a greater share of fault, evidence showing how the collision happened can be especially important.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in California?
In most cases, California gives you two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is established by California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1.
However, different and often much shorter deadlines can apply in some situations. For example, claims against a California government entity may require an administrative claim to be presented within six months for personal injury or property damage claims.
Waiting can also make evidence harder to obtain. Photographs, surveillance footage, witness information, vehicle evidence, and other records may become unavailable over time. Acting promptly can help protect your ability to pursue a claim.
You should consult a Hawthorne personal injury attorney as soon as possible after an accident to ensure you meet all applicable deadlines.
Contact J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers After a Car Accident in Hawthorne
A car accident can leave you facing medical expenses, lost income, pain, and uncertainty about what to do next. If another person’s negligence caused your injuries, you may have the right to pursue compensation under California law.
Contact J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation with a Hawthorne car accident attorney.