Car accidents occur every day in Los Angeles, CA. All accidents are caused by something, and often the fault lies with one of the involved drivers. You may be unsure what to do after an accident, especially if you believe you caused it.
Learning about what happens if you are at fault in a car accident in Los Angeles, CA, can help you stay out in front of things. Go over your legal options following a car accident with the professionals at the Simmrin Law Group. Allow our car accident lawyers in Los Angeles to support you.
You Must Remain on the Scene if You’re at Fault for a Car Accident
First of all, you should not leave the scene of a car accident if you are at fault for the collision. If you leave after a wreck in California, you can be accused of committing a hit and run. Hit and run charges can lead to serious legal penalties, so stay at the site of your accident.
If your accident only involved property damage, you can exchange insurance information and contact details with the other driver. Note that if you hit a parked car, you do not have to wait for the other driver to come back. You are allowed to leave if you write down your information and leave it for the driver.
Accidents involving injuries are handled more seriously in Los Angeles. Law enforcement officers will likely need to be called. You should cooperate with officers. However, you should be careful about what you say regarding the accident. Contact a lawyer quickly to get advice about how you should speak about your collision.
For a free legal consultation, call (310) 896-2723
Your Insurance May Handle Your Case if You’re at Fault in a Car Accident
In accidents involving minor property damage, your insurance company may take over the resolution of your case. Insurance agents can contact the other driver and handle the disbursement of compensation.
Your insurance rates will likely increase following an accident if you were responsible for the collision. Note that your insurance representatives may take steps to show that you were not totally responsible for the accident. This reduces the amount they must pay to others involved in the accident and likely limits the increase to your monthly premium.
You Can Get Legal Help if You Are Blamed for an Accident in Los Angeles
You do not have to simply accept fault for a car accident in Los Angeles. Even if you are partially to blame for the collision, other drivers could share some responsibility for the wreck. California is a comparative negligence state. Because of this, blame can be split among multiple individuals.
You will not have to pay as much compensation if another driver is partially at fault for the collision. A lawyer in Los Angeles can investigate your case to see if someone else was partially to blame for the wreck. For example, you may only bear a portion of the responsibility if the other driver:
- Was swerving erratically between lanes
- Ran a red light or a stop sign
- Was tailgating you at the time of the collision
- Was distracted by electronic devices
Get help going over the facts of your case right now by contacting the Simmrin Law Group. It is easy to reach us.
You May End Up in Court if You Were at Fault in a Car Accident
You should be aware that sometimes car accident cases end up in court in Los Angeles. Another driver could decide to sue you if you are at fault for a collision, especially if they sustained serious injuries.
Note that the court may order you to compensate another driver for their:
- Medical treatment
- Lost wages at work
- Diminished earning capacity
- Vehicle repairs
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Permanent disability
- Loss of companionship
The experts recommend getting legal help quickly if you face a lawsuit after a car accident in Los Angeles. The Simmrin Law Group can help you go over your options in this situation. We can also work to protect you in and out of the courtroom if you are at fault for a car accident in Los Angeles.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Can You Face Criminal Charges for a Car Accident?
If you are determined to be at fault for an accident, there is the potential that the consequences could go beyond the financial. Depending on the actions you took that made you responsible for the collision, you could be facing jail time.
If the police discover that you were driving under the influence, or charge you with another crime like reckless driving, you could be looking at serious incarceration time. The charges you face could increase greatly if someone was seriously injured or killed as a result of your actions.
How Long After an Accident Can the Other Party File a Lawsuit?
If some time has passed since your accident and the injured party has still not filed a claim against your insurance or a lawsuit against your person, you may be wondering how long they have to do so. Under California law, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of the accident.
Until the two-year mark has been reached, there is still the potential that the other party could file a lawsuit and attempt to recover compensation from you. Once those two years have passed without any legal action being taken, however, you are no longer liable to cover the damages of the other party.
Get Legal Help if You’re at Fault in a Car Accident in Los Angeles, CA
You have legal options if you believe you’re at fault in a car accident in Los Angeles. The other driver may have a portion of responsibility for the accident. You can get help from a legal professional at the Simmrin Law Group.
We are ready to begin discussing your case right now with a free initial case evaluation. We will review your case, answer any questions you may have, and advise you on how to proceed. There is no obligation to hire us after your consultation, so feel free to get in touch today.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form