Car Accident Lawyer Canoga Park CA Car Accident Lawyer Canoga Park CA

According to national statistics, almost ten people are killed, and more than 1,000 people are injured every single day in car accidents caused by distracted drivers. Distracted driving is one of the biggest threats to road safety. As a car accident lawyer in Canoga Park, California can attest, taking your eyes off the road for a few seconds to adjust your radio, talk to a passenger, or glance at your cell phone put everyone – including yourself – at peril.

Taking your attention off the road to peek at your phone to see who that text that just came in can be tempting, but it is important to your safety and those around you to ignore the urge to do so. At the law firm of Barry P. Goldberg, each Canoga Park, CA car accident lawyer has represented countless numbers of victims who were seriously injured because another driver could not ignore that urge.

The following are some tips that may help keep the focus on the road:

  • Whatever adjustments you need to make in your vehicle, do so before you put your vehicle in drive. Adjust your seat, adjust your radio, adjust your climate control, and set your GPS before you drive off. Making sure everything you need is in place, for both comfort and direction, will avoid those distractions while you are driving.
  • Do not use your cell phone when you are driving unless it is an emergency. Even using your phone hands-free means your attention is not fully on the road, where it needs to be. Turn your phone off, put in a place where you will not even see it, and this will help avoid any temptation to pick it up. If you do need to use your phone, pull over to a safe place before you dial or text.
  • If you are driving with children in the vehicle, make sure they are safely buckled up before you drive off. If your child needs something while you are driving, pull over to a safe place and then help them. Do not try to reach in the back seat as you are driving to help them. This can result in a serious crash.
  • Make sure that any loose items in your vehicle are secured, otherwise, this could take your focus off the road. If an item falls on the floor or begins rolling around and you attempt to secure it while you are driving, you could end up in a serious crash because your focus was in the car instead of the road.
  • When you are driving a vehicle, that is all you should be doing. Drivers should never apply makeup or other grooming activities, read directions, or even eat or drink while they are driving. Any one of these activities while driving can turn into a fatal crash.

Who Pays Medical Bills After an Accident?

Injury accidents occur every day. Roadways are overburdened with masses of people trying to make their way around the country, and unfortunately, crashes are bound to happen. If you get hurt as a result of someone else’s negligence, how do your medical bills get paid? Knowing the process mandated by your state can help you concentrate on getting better rather than worrying about how you will pay for your care. In general, a Canoga Park, CA car accident lawyer can explain this to you; however, to help you understand a general overview of how your bills can be paid for, consider the following.

Accidents in No-Fault States

Insurance companies and the way they deal with claims differ from state to state. As a Canoga Park, CA car accident lawyer might explain to you, some states operate under a no-fault law where accidents are handled through each driver’s carrier. In a no-fault state, residents are required to carry something called personal injury protection or PIP. It is in addition to their policy and is specifically designed to cover medical costs. If the limits of the PIP coverage are reached, the injured party may try to pursue the driver who caused the accident in civil court. Even in a no-fault state, if another person caused an accident that led to serious injuries, their insurance company may be responsible for medical care.

Dealing With Fault-Based Insurance Processes

The states that assign fault work differently that no-fault states. The insurance companies determine who is responsible for the accident and assign blame accordingly. There are a few things that become important in this situation:

  • Did one driver get all the blame?
  • Are both drivers partially responsible?
  • Do the laws differentiate comparative or contributory negligence?

If your state assigns partial blame to both drivers under a comparative negligence policy, then each person can claim damages, including injuries. For instance, if one driver gets 80% liability and the other 20%, then the more injured driver (probably 20%) can get reimbursed up to 80% of their medical bills. However, if your state is a contributory state, and you are found partially at fault, the other insurance company does not have to pay you anything. The right car accident lawyer in Canoga Park, CA can help to determine whether or not you were at fault for the accident.

The Medical Process

You may be surprised to find that you are receiving medical bills and responsible for payment, even in an accident that was not your fault. Unless you are dealing with PIP or Medpay, you are responsible for paying your initial treatment. As the insurance process moves forward, and a determination of fault is made in your favor, you should be reimbursed for what you put out. In some instances, the insurance company will pay for treatment going forward.

Concentrating on getting better after an accident may be complicated by the way the insurance claims process works. Get some help from a car accident lawyer in Canoga Park, CA if you have any questions about how it all works.

Common Car Accident Injuries

While every car accident is different, some elements are universal. Cars get damaged, and people get jostled, hurt, some seriously so. Some injuries are easy to spot while others may manifest slowly over time. It is a good idea to know what four of the most common car accident injuries are so you may be able to identify them quicker. Here are the most common injuries that a Canoga Park, CA car accident lawyer sees.

Whiplash

As a Canoga Park, CA car accident lawyer can attest, topping the list of most common auto accident injuries is whiplash. The force of a collision with another car, especially if you are rear-ended, causes that neck to snap backward and forward. The harder the hit, the more violent this movement is. Whiplash may onset immediately, or it may take time. The muscles in the neck may start to become tight and painful. It may feel hot, and your range of motion may be limited. Whiplash is helped with muscle relaxers, time and physical therapy. It is not detectable with diagnostic mechanisms.

Contusions

Bruises may form in various areas of the body after the accident. One of the most common places is the shoulder and chest area. You may notice an ache and then the eventual darkening of the skin where the seat belt locked across the chest. Other body parts that came into contact with items in the car may also bruise over the days following the accident. Ice packs may help ease the discomfort associated with bruising.

Back Pain

Any part of the back may also become damaged during a crash. Depending on the type of collision and severity, you may have twisted or moved side to side. The muscles in the back are large and strong, but if compromised, tears cause shooting pain up and down the spinal column. If the accident was severe, you might experience issues with vertebrae and the discs that separate them. Diagnostic testing can typically diagnose these injuries for treatment.

Head Injury

The brain is the body’s hub, and the spinal cord is the pathway through which the brain sends and receives nerve impulses. Brain injuries of varying degrees occur during accidents, and their effects are not always apparent. Signs of an injury include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Headaches that get more intense

If you experience any of these within a few days of the crash, you must get medical attention. Traumatic brain injury may cause permanent damage.

Recognizing that some aches and pains are common following a crash can help you decide how best to treat. If you have experienced an injury, a Canoga Park, CA car accident lawyer may aid in your recovery of expenses.

Contact a Canoga Park, CA Car Accident Lawyer

If you have been in a car accident, contact a car accident lawyer Canoga Park, CA victims recommend from the law offices of Barry P. Goldberg. Call our office to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation and find out how our legal team can help ensure your rights are protected and you get the financial compensation you deserve.

What a Pregnant Woman Should Do After a Car Accident

Pregnancy inspires a myriad of concerns. If you’re pregnant, you likely wonder whether you’re eating a proper diet. Do you get enough safe exercise? Did you remember to take your prenatal vitamin? If you’re involved in a car accident while pregnant, even more concerns will arise. Are you hurt? Has your ability to safely carry your pregnancy to term been compromised? Know that you don’t need to navigate these concerns alone. Once you’ve received necessary medical care, please consider connecting with an experienced Canoga Park, California car accident lawyer from Barry P. Goldberg, A Professional Law Corporation. Once you speak with an experienced Canoga Park, CA car accident lawyer, you’ll be able to make informed decisions concerning your legal situation and your legal options moving forward. 

Seek Medical Care

Even if you don’t feel anything concerning in the wake of your accident, it’s possible you have injuries. Seek medical care as quickly as you can to ensure that you and your pregnancy remain healthy. If your pregnancy isn’t obvious yet, be sure you let the medical personnel know you are pregnant before they perform any tests or give you any medications. If you were alone during your car accident, you’ll probably want someone you know and love to be there for support. You may need a ride to the hospital, a ride home or just someone by your side during this trying time. If you could benefit from support at this time, please seek that support. 

Write Down the Details

Before you forget anything that happened during your car accident, write down the details. For example:

  • Where were you headed?
  • Which direction did the other car come from?
  • What was going on with the traffic lights or signs?
  • Were there any pedestrians involved?
  • What did you see or not see?
  • What was the weather like?

You should also make a list of names and contact information for witnesses and any other individuals involved in the accident, if you have access to these details. If you’re unsure of any of this information, you can work with your Canoga Park, CA car accident lawyer to track it down. 

Contact the Police

Having a responding officer at the scene of your accident is one of the best moves you can make. A police officer has a non-biased view of what took place. He or she will interview you and the other drivers, as well as witnesses, to determine who is at fault. A police report is a good piece of evidence to have on your side. Calling 911 will get proper emergency personnel to the scene of your accident as well so you can begin to receive medical attention as soon as possible. Once you’ve alerted law enforcement to the accident, contact a Canoga Park, CA car accident lawyer to help advocate for your interests on scene and in the aftermath of the collision.