1. Drivers that are involved in a minor accident where the parties are not seriously injured should move cars to the side of the road, if possible, to avoid causing more accidents. If the cars are not movable, a tow truck should be called as quickly as possible.
2. If anyone is injured or if anyone feels the need for medical attention, call 911 for emergency assistance immediately.
3. Contact your local emergency dispatcher to report the accident and request assistance from law enforcement. You need an official report as evidence to pursue your claim against the at-fault driver. Sometimes the police will not come to the accident scene; this does not mean you don’t have a good case. It means you must be especially careful to document the damage to the vehicles, your injuries, the date, time and location of the accident and obtain the names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
4. If possible, take pictures of the accident scene or have someone take pictures for you including both vehicles, the surrounding area and any skid marks or other evidence pertinent to the accident.
5. Obtain the names and addresses of all drivers, passengers and any witnesses to the accident. If anyone makes a statement or comment about the accident, you need to note what was said including the time of the statement and to whom the comment was made.
6. Notify your insurance company as soon as possible following the accident and complete any paperwork or documentation necessary to ensure that the claim is filed with the insurance company and with law enforcement.
7. Never give a statement, recorded or not, to an insurance agent without first contacting a personal injury attorney Los Angeles. Anything you say can be used against you later at trial or during settlement. It is better to have an experienced personal injury attorney Los Angeles advise you before making any statement about the accident.

Automobile accidents are a burden to individuals in many ways – physically, emotionally and financially. Fortunately, there are experienced personal injury attorneys who can help you recover monetary damages for the injuries you have sustained. You do not need to handle an auto accident alone. Having a seasoned, experience personal injury attorney on your side to protect your rights is the number-one way to ensure that you will receive a fair and just settlement.

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Education – A personal injury attorney keeps up with the ever-changing laws that govern personal injury cases. You want a lawyer who can give you sound legal advice and guidance based on the most current laws in your state. An attorney who practices several types of law may not be up-to-date on the most current personal injury laws because they are trying to cover several areas of law rather than specializing in personal injury law.

Experience – An experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney knows the courts, judges and the system and uses this experience to your advantage. He also has experience dealing with difficult insurance companies and insurance adjusters to negotiate the best settlement for you. If he feels the insurance company is not dealing fairly, he has the experience necessary to take your case to trial and convince a jury that you deserve justice for the injuries you sustained as a result of the negligence of another.

Cost-efficiency – Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you do not pay the attorney unless and until he recovers a settlement for you. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by hiring a personal injury attorney to fight for your right to recover damages for your injuries.

A strong advocate – Having a personal injury attorney means that you will not need to deal with insurance companies, their attorneys or their adjusters. Insurance adjusters are not your friend. You are in an adversarial position with the insurance company because it wants to settle your claim for as little money as possible or avoid paying alltogether. Therefore, having a personal injury attorney to deal with insurance companies and their attorneys relieves you of the stress involved with settling your claim so that you can concentrate on the more important task of recovering from your injuries.

We understand the damage that one reckless or negligent act can cause for the injured person. Let us help you recover the damages that you deserve by contacting our office today and scheduling a free consultation to discuss your personal injury case.

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Typically, when you are injured in an automobile accident, you contact the best injury attorney Los Angeles to discover that you can sue the at-fault driver for monetary damages to compensate you for your injuries, lost wages and pain and suffering. However, what happens when the at-fault driver dies as a result of the accident. Let us assume that two friends are driving to the beach and the driver tries to make a telephone call but loses control of the vehicle and crashes. The driver is killed instantly but his passenger survives and sustains serious injuries. He is hospitalized for two weeks and then must receive physical therapy for the next three months before he can fully recover and return to work. The passenger was not at fault in this accident; however, he is the one that has sustained serious injuries, is incurring substantial medical costs and will incur lost wages because he cannot return to work for months. The passenger is devastated that his friend died in the wreck and he does not want to add more grief to his friend’s family by claiming damages from the accident yet he does not know what he will do because he does not have the money to pay these bills or pay his living expenses.

What the passenger should do is contact the best injury attorney Los Angeles immediately to discuss what his rights are under the law. He will likely discover that in the case of an automobile accident, the driver’s insurance company is liable for damages. In most cases, the compensation paid to an injured person comes from the driver’s insurance company and not directly from the driver. This is the case whether the driver survives the accident or dies as a result of injuries sustained from the accident. Sometimes, the responsible party either does not have auto insurance or does not have enough insurance to cover the medical expenses caused by the accident. Many accident victims do not realize that the uninsured/underinsured provision of their own auto policy may be available to assist them with medical bills or pay them entirely.

By consulting with a personal injury attorney, the passenger realizes that he can receive compensation for his injuries that will help pay for his medical expenses and living expense without the need to involve the driver’s family. While there may be some feelings of anguish or guilt associated with this, the passenger needs to understand that one of the reasons we have insurance is to cover circumstances just like this and there is no shame in receiving much needed compensation for his injuries.

If you have been injured in an automobile accident or as the result of another’s careless, reckless or negligent acts or conduct, contact our office today for a free consultation. We will help you receive the compensation you need to pay for your medical expenses and reimburse you for your pain and suffering.

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It is tragic that so many people are injured each day on our highways; however, this is the risk we take each time we drive our vehicles. Being prepared with an automobile accident emergency kit is one way that you can help yourself remain calm and act quickly in the event you are involved in an automobile accident. Below is a list of suggested items to include in your emergency kit. Depending on where you live, you may want to add other items that would be useful for your specific region or area.

• An emergency medical card that lists all allergies, medications and the name and number of the family physician and any specialists that treat you and your family members.
• A disposable camera to take pictures of the vehicles, the accident scene and any injuries sustained in the accident. Most people have cell phones; however, you cell phone could be damaged in the accident. Having a disposable camera may be your only chance to capture the accident scene immediately following the accident.
• Pen and paper to take notes including the names and addresses of the drivers, passengers and any witnesses; to make notes about the accident details that you may forget; to sketch the scene if a camera is not available; and, to note any comments made by drivers, passengers or witnesses.
• A list of direct contact numbers of law enforcement and emergency personnel should you not be able to reach an emergency dispatcher immediately.
• A copy of your insurance information including the insurance company, name and telephone number of your local agent and the policy number.
• Keep a flashlight, blanket, small pillow, flares, emergency cones and warning triangles in the trunk of your vehicle.
• The name and telephone number of an experienced auto accident lawyer Los Angeles to contact as soon as possible after the accident.
• An emergency medical card to reference in case medical attention is necessary before the medical personnel arrives.
• A checklist of steps that you should take immediately following an accident. Most automobile insurance providers have these lists available at their office or online.

Remaining calm after an accident may be difficult; however, having an emergency kit that you can immediately access will help you feel more in control of the situation and keep you focused on what needs to be done right then. After you have received medical treatment and the initial shock has dissipated, you should immediately contact a personal injury attorney to ensure that your rights are protected.

The Los Angeles personal injury attorney at Cutrone & Associates have prepared a very professional Auto Accident Emergency Guide that covers all the basics you need to remember should you be involved in an auto accident. There is even a place to pre-record your own insurance information to give to the other driver so you can leave an unpleasant accident scene as quickly as possible while still satisfying your legal information-exchange requirements. This handy Guide is meant to be kept in your vehicle’s glove box at all times. If you would like an Auto Accident Emergency guide mailed to you at no charge, simply call Cutrone & Associates. Feel free to leave your mailing information in their general mailbox and the firm will mail out your Accident Guides the next day, free of charge.

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Contacting and hiring a personal injury attorney is important for several reasons:

• Statute of limitations – California personal injury law requires that a lawsuit is filed within a specific period of time from the date of the injury. Therefore, contacting a personal injury attorney immediately after an accident is important to protect your rights.




• Larger settlements – When you hire a personal injury attorney, you can obtain a more favorable settlement and a larger amount for damages. An experienced personal injury attorney is well versed in personal injury laws and knows how to negotiate on your behalf for a larger settlement.




• Deal with insurance adjusters and companies- A personal injury attorney knows how to deal with insurance companies and he will make sure that you are protected. Insurance companies utilize defense attorneys to lower the amount of damages they must pay to claimants. You need an attorney
  working on your behalf to protect you.




• Preserving evidence- To prove your personal injury case, you will be required to present evidence. Attorneys know what type of evidence will be required in your case and how to preserve that evidence.




• Coordinating witnesses- Proving liability may depend on witnesses. A personal injury attorney will coordinate witnesses and hire expert witnesses when needed. Witnesses are very important in proving certain elements of a personal injury case and having a personal injury attorney who can
  coordinate all witnesses is essential when preparing to go to trial.




• Have an advocate- Hiring a personal injury attorney gives you an advocate that will fight for your rights. The insurance company, opposing counsel, the court and the other party are not on your side – – they are not invested in making sure that the outcome favors you. Hiring a personal injury attorney gives you an advocate that is dedicated to protecting your rights and getting you paid for the damages you have sustained.

California personal injury laws are complex and can be complicated for attorneys who have no experience litigating personal injury cases. Contacting a California personal injury attorney right after an injury ensures that your rights will be protected. It also gives you the best chance of recovering damages for your injury. Waiting to contact a personal injury attorney may weaken your case and decrease your chances of recovery. Have someone working on your behalf that is dedicated to making sure that you are compensated for the injury you have sustained.

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If you have been involved in a truck accident, you want to hire an experienced
attorney because:

• Truck accidents are not like car accidents. The evidence in a truck accident differs from evidence in an automobile accident. An experienced truck attorney knows what evidence must be preserved and knows what evidence to subpoena in a truck accident case. Records of the truck’s maintenance and inspections, the driver’s qualifications and the hours of service and logbooks must be requested and evaluated in a truck accident case. Having a personal injury attorney to deal with the trucking company to obtain these records is a benefit in a truck accident lawsuit
• Finding and preserving evidence from the accident scene. For a successful truck accident lawsuit, you must have evidence from the crime scene. Witness statements, statements from emergency responders and physical evidence from the accident scene must be gathered for use at a trial. California truck accident lawyers have experience in gathering and using this information to protect your rights and get you the money you are owed for damages from the truck accident.
• Obtain expert testimony. Because trucks are subject to state and federal laws, having an expert to review logs and records can help you win your accident case. Your attorney will enlist the assistance of experts in the trucking industry to assist with preparing and litigating your truck accident lawsuit.
• Dealing with insurance companies. Never give a statement to the trucking company’s insurance adjusters or insurance company before consulting with a truck accident attorney. You need an attorney to deal with the insurance company because the insurance company will try to convince you to take a quick settlement, which is not in your best interest. Even a minor truck accident can result in serious medical expenses and costs. Do not allow an insurance company to pressure you into accepting a quick settlement that releases the trucking company and the driver from further liability.

Consult with an experienced California truck accident attorney as soon as possible after a truck accident. The quicker you hire a truck accident attorney, the sooner he can begin working to protect your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.

The post The benefits of hiring a personal injury attorney to file a truck accident lawsuit appeared first on California Personal Injury Attorney in Sherman Oaks CA | Car Accident.

California law imposes a statute of limitations on medical malpractice claims. A statute of limitations requires that a claimant file suit against the doctor within a specified period of time or he loses the right to bring an action for damages. Under current California law, a patient that sustains an injury has up to one year after the discovery of the injury or three years from the date of the injury whichever occurs first. This is why it is so important for patients to contact a California medical malpractice attorney to begin the lawsuit process as soon as they discover an injury caused by a physician.

Physicians must provide a standard of care that corresponds with the accepted procedures and practices of all healthcare providers in that particular area of practice. When a physician breaches this standard of care while treating a patient and that breach results in an injury, the patient has a medical malpractice claim.

Proving that an injury was the result of a breach in care can be difficult. Furthermore, medical treatment includes all steps of the treatment process including prescribing medication and diagnosing an illness. A medical malpractice attorney can help a patient determine if a medical malpractice case exists.

If you do file a medical malpractice case in California, you should be aware of the damage caps. Several types of damages are allowed under California medical malpractice law.

• Actual or economic damages, also referred to as compensatory damages, are the actual costs that a patient incurs because of the medical malpractice. Costs include loss of wages, medical bills and transportation costs. There is no cap on actual damages.
• Non-economic damages compensates a patient for damages related to pain, suffering, physical impairment and disfigurement incurred because of the medical malpractice. Under California law, the most a court may award a claimant for non-economic damages is $250,000.
• The third type of damage that a court may award in a medical malpractice claim is punitive damages. Punitive damages are much harder to prove and are reserved for cases where the medical provider acted with malice or committed fraud. There is no cap for punitive damages under California law.

If you suspect that you are the victim of medical malpractice, it is very important that you contact a California medical malpractice attorney immediately. You must file your lawsuit within the specified time and you need an experienced malpractice attorney that knows what must be done in order to win a medical
malpractice claim.

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Immediately stop and assess the situation and call for assistance if necessary. Failing to stop at the scene of an accident or leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal offense in California. Even if the damage is only minor, you must report the accident to the police or to the California Highway Patrol. If you hit a parked vehicle, you must try to locate the owner or leave a note with your name, address and contact information so that the owner of the vehicle can contact you to report the accident. If you or someone else is seriously injured or needs medical attention, call for assistance immediately and follow any instructions provided by the dispatcher until help arrives.

California law requires that you maintain an acceptable form of financial responsibility to pay for damages or costs related to an automobile accident. You will be required to show proof of this financial responsibility to others involved in the accident and any police officer that responds to the scene of the accident. Failure to provide evidence of financial responsibility will result in a fine of up to
$500. The most common way to satisfy your financial responsibility is through automobile insurance. California insurance requirements state that you must have a minimum of $15,000 for injury or death to one person, $30,000 for injury or death to more than one person and $5,000 for property damage. Other acceptable forms of financial responsibility under California automobile law includes a $35,000 cash deposit with the CA DMV or a $35,000 surety bond with a licensed surety company. In addition to proof of your financial responsibility, you must also show your driver’s license and automobile registration card.

California auto accident law requires that any accidents that result in injury, death or property damage of $750 or more must be reported to the CA DMV within 10 days from the date of the accident. Failure to report an accident could result in the suspension of your driver’s license. You, your legal representative or your insurance agent must complete a Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California Form (a/k/a an SR 1). The report contains details of the accident such as the place and time of the accident, information about the drivers, insurance information and an explanation of any injuries and property damage that resulted from the accident.

Lastly, you must make sure that your vehicle is removed from the highway, street or road. If the vehicle is not drivable, it is your responsibility to contact a towing service to remove the vehicle as soon as possible to clear the road.

Auto accident law in California can be complicated. In order to protect yourself, you should contact a California auto accident attorney as soon as possible after the accident to protect your rights. California auto accident attorneys help protect you in the event you are involved in an automobile accident.

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Hearing about a truck accident on the news is not something new. A number of auto versus truck accidents happen on the road every single day. The number of victims of truck accidents continues to grow, and often, some of these victims find themselves left empty-handed. This is because many insurance companies are primarily concerned with minimizing payments to truck accident victims and look for ways to legally avoid financial responsibility. If you are a victim of a truck accident, it would be foolish not to retain the services of an experienced truck accident lawyers Los Angeles.

If you are the victim of a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation if the accident was caused totally or in part by the driver of the truck. Compensable damages for which you may be entitled are not limited to the damage to your vehicle or other property, it also includes your medical expenses both past and future, lost wages or income, both past and future as well as pain and suffering, emotional trauma and psychological injuries. Truck accident lawyers Los Angeles are experienced in presenting these kinds of claims and know how best to deal with insurance companies that often resist settling claims in fair and equitable manner.

Unlike car accidents, truck accidents can be more complicated because they usually involve not just a single truck driver but large trucking companies, corporations and other business entities with unlimited legal resources at their disposal. Generally, trucking companies and other business entities that transport goods have large insurance policies in place. While this is good for truck accident victims, it also means that those insurance companies will fight hard to prevent large recoveries by hiring the very best defense law firms available. Having a seasoned, talented and aggressive truck accident lawyers Los Angeles is essential to getting a good result. With so many variables, obstacles and pitfalls, getting fair compensation for a truck accident can be a very long and daunting.  However, with the help of professional truck accident lawyers Los Angeles  this task can be made much more manageable, leaving you to focus on your health, treatment and rehabilitation while your lawyer handles the legal issues.

The complexity and technicalities involved in settling truck accidents require for skills and expertise of truck accident lawyers Los Angeles.  Remember, the trucking company will have an insurance company hiring the very best defense attorneys to defend against your claim. You should have equally experienced truck accident lawyers Los Angeles on your side. Choose a truck accident lawyer Los Angeles that has a proven track record of success.

You should insist on aggressive representation from truck accident lawyers Los Angeles.   Insurance companies can and will do everything in their power to avoid large settlements and verdicts even when they are justified. The lawyers they hire are extremely talented at minimizing claims and defeating lawsuits. That’s why good truck accident lawyers Los Angeles are vitally important to protecting the rights of truck accident victims and their families

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An accident can happen to anyone at any time. When it does, the process that often follows can be filled with confusion and missteps. High medical bills, lost wages and future medical treatment can be financially devastating. If you reside in L.A., it makes sense to retain an injury attorney in Los Angeles to evaluate your circumstances and advise you whether you have a personal injury claim.

You will be happy to learn that the best injury attorney in Los Angeles will provide legal representation on a contingency fee basis. This means that the attorney charges a percentage of what is recovered in your case and usually does not charge the client unless he or she wins or settles the case. So in most instances, you can obtain the help of an injury attorney in Los Angeles even if you don’t have much money. Still, there are a number of issues you need to consider when choosing legal counsel.

Factors to Consider before choosing an injury attorney in Los Angeles

A reputable personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles will almost always provide you with a free, initial consultation.  Most personal injury lawyers will work on a contingent fee basis with no up front costs to the client. A qualified and competent   injury attorney in Los Angeles should be able to provide you with a track record of successes in the areas of law that most affect your claim. The internet is a good starting place to  find the best injury attorney in Los Angeles. However, it is important to meet with each personal injury attorney you are considering to ensure a good attorney-client fit.

Not every injury attorney in Los Angeles will work on a contingency fee basis.  If your attorney is charging you by the hour, you will want to know this as soon as possible. You don’t want to find yourself owing your lawyer fees even if your case is lost.  Making sure your Los Angeles

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