Best Car Accident Lawyers in Los Angeles: With millions of cars on the road and some of the worst traffic in the country, it may only be a matter of time before you are involved in a car accident in the city of Los Angeles.
Hopefully, you can avoid this unpleasant experience, but if you need to find a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles, this article is a great place to start.
We have compared hundreds of traffic accident lawyers in Los Angeles and found the best one. This article also tells you how to find the right traffic accident lawyer for you, whether it is among our options or not.
10 Best Car Accident Lawyers in Los Angeles
Justin B. Farar
- California Bar Status: Active
- Year of Admission to the California Bar: 2000
- Law School Attended: University of Southern California Gould School of Law
Why are they on our list?
Justin B. Farar primarily litigates automobile accident cases. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California School of Law. His courtroom accomplishments include obtaining a million-dollar settlement for a client who was seriously injured in a car accident and obtaining $1.2 million for another client who suffered a serious shoulder injury in a bicycle accident.
Notable facts and recognitions:
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- # Admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States
- # Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- # Member of the American Association for Justice
- # Fluency in Spanish
Practice areas:
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- # Car and traffic accidents
- # Personal injuries
Ilan Heimanson
- California Bar Status: Active
- Year of Admission to the California Bar: 1998
- Law School Attended: Boston University School of Law
Why are they on our list?
Ilan Heimanson specializes in complex injury claims. He primarily represents individuals who have suffered catastrophic injuries or wrongful death due to bad faith practices, abuse, or negligence by various entities. He has obtained multiple verdicts and multimillion-dollar settlements for his clients. Ilan is an avid cyclist and frequently advocates for cycling safety in Los Angeles. He and his firm settled a freeway collision that resulted in a traumatic brain injury for $6 million.
Notable facts and recognitions:
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- # Member of the Los Angeles Consumer Lawyers Association
- # Member of the American Association for Justice
- # Included in Top 100 Jury Verdicts, Motorcycle Accidents
- # Speaks Russian and Hebrew fluently
Practice areas:
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- # Traffic accidents and car accidents
- # Personal injuries
- # Bicycle accidents
- # Unjust death
Tae Yoon Kim
- California Bar Status: Active
- Year of Admission to the California Bar: 2000
- Law School Attended: University of Minnesota Law School
Why are they on our list?
Tae-Yoon Kim focuses on achieving substantial settlements for his clients without the need for a trial. He has recovered millions in damages for his clients. He obtained compensation of $500,000 in a traffic accident case. He works with Vikasitha Ministries, an orphanage and support center for widows in India.
Notable facts and recognitions:
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- # Member of the Los Angeles Consumer Lawyers Association
- # Member of California Consumer Lawyers
Practice areas:
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- # Car and motor vehicle accidents
- # Personal injuries
- # Unjust death
David R. Lira
- California Bar Status: Active
- Year of Admission to the California Bar: 1988
- Law School Attended: Boston College Law School
Why are they on our list?
David R. Lira has more than three decades of experience and a long history of litigation against major automobile manufacturers. He has recovered more than $500 million for his clients. Lira secured a unanimous decision from the U.S. Supreme Court in a precedent-setting case that revised the preemption doctrine in seat belt defect lawsuits. He was named Consumer Trial Lawyer of the Year by California Consumer Lawyers and one of California’s Best Plaintiff Lawyers by The Daily Journal.
Notable facts and recognitions:
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- # Member of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers
- # Member of the American Board of Trial Lawyers
- # Recognized as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Southern California by Los Angeles Magazine
- # Listed among The National Law Journal’s Top 100 Verdicts of 2003
Practice areas:
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- # Traffic accidents
- # Catastrophic personal injuries
- # Product liability
- # Unjust death
Keith Lovendosky
- California Bar Status: Active
- Year of Admission to the California Bar: 1980
- Law School Attended: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law
Why are they on our list?
Keith Lovendosky seeks settlements but is also willing to take cases to trial. He recently achieved a $4.5 million settlement for a client who suffered a traumatic brain injury. In addition to automobile accidents, Lovendosky and his firm handle aviation accidents.
Notable facts and recognitions:
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- # Admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States
Practice areas:
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- # Car and motor vehicle accidents
- # Personal injuries
- # Product liability
- # Unjust death
Philip Michels
- California Bar Status: Active
- Year of Admission to the California Bar: 1973
- Law School Attended: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law
Why are they on our list?
Philip Michels has represented clients in catastrophic personal injury cases for almost 50 years. In that time, he has secured tens of millions of dollars for his clients. Additionally, he has been active for decades writing and speaking on legal issues and serving in a variety of leadership roles in the legal community.
Notable facts and recognitions:
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- # Certified specialist in medical malpractice law by the State Bar of California
- # Former President of the Los Angeles Consumer Lawyers Association
- # Served on the Board of Governors of Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Charities
Practice areas:
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- # Personal injuries
- # Unjust death
- # Medical negligence
Juan Nojima
- California Bar Status: Active
- Year of Admission to the California Bar: 1992
- Law School Attended: Pepperdine University School of Law
Why are they on our list?
Juan Nojima worked for five years at a large insurance defense firm after graduating from law school. He then founded his law firm to represent injured people rather than insurance companies. Nojima has represented thousands of people in a variety of accident cases, including automobile, motorcycle, and MTA incidents. He has obtained approximately $30 to $40 million in verdicts and settlements for his clients.
Notable facts and recognitions:
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- # Listed in America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Lawyers
- # Woody Hayes, NCAA Division II Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Practice areas:
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- # Car and motor vehicle accidents
- # Uninsured driver claims
- # Construction accidents
- # Facility liability
Dylan Pollard
- California Bar Status: Active
- Year of Admission to the California Bar: 1995
- Law School Attended: Pepperdine University School of Law
Why are they on our list?
For nearly 30 years, Dylan Pollard has represented victims in a wide range of personal injury cases, including car accidents. He specifically handles cases involving catastrophic injuries or fatalities. Pollard has experience in litigation against individuals, Fortune 500 companies, and government entities. He also served as judge pro tempore of the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Notable facts and recognitions:
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- # Admitted to practice in California, Nevada, and Georgia
- # Member of the Los Angeles and California Consumer Lawyers Association
- # Member of the American Association for Justice
Practice areas:
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- # Car and motor vehicle accidents
- # Catastrophic personal injuries
- # Unjust death
Laura Frank Sedrish
- California Bar Status: Active
- Year of Admission to the California Bar: 1995
- Law School Attended: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law
Why are they on our list?
Laura F. Sedrish represents national and international clients. With almost thirty years of experience in personal injury law, she has achieved millions in compensation for her clients. Two of her victories include litigating automobile accident cases, which resulted in awards of $4.55 million and $1.10 million to plaintiffs. She serves on the board of directors of Consumer Attorneys of California and is included in the Daily Journal’s Top 100 Lawyers list.
Notable facts and recognitions:
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- # Admitted to practice in California and Nevada
- # Member of the Board of Governors of the Los Angeles Consumer Lawyers Association
- # Included in the list of the 10 best lawyers according to Attorney and Practice Magazine
- # Founding Board Chairman and General Counsel of Greenway Arts Alliance, Inc.
Practice areas:
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- # Car and traffic accidents
- # Personal injuries
- # Unjust death
Robert J. Stoll, Jr.
- California Bar Status: Active
- Year of Admission to the California Bar: 1970
- Law School Attended: University of Southern California Gould School of Law
Why are they on our list?
Robert J. Stoll, Jr. has more than five decades of experience. His practice focuses on complex injury cases, bad-faith insurance claims, and commercial litigation. He has obtained more than 500 judgments and verdicts of more than $100,000, totaling several million dollars. His accomplishments include victories such as a $20 million award in a car accident case and another $20 million in a wrongful death lawsuit. He was listed as one of Southern California’s Top Lawyers by Los Angeles Magazine and was named one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in America.
Notable facts and recognitions:
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- # Member of the American Board of Trial Lawyers
- # Member of the California Consumer Lawyers
- # Member of the Los Angeles Consumer Attorneys
Practice areas:
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- # Car and motor vehicle accidents
- # Catastrophic injury cases
- # Unjust death
Read More: 10 Best Car Accident Lawyers in Irvine
Car Insurance and Accident Laws in Los Angeles, California
California is a state in which “fault” is applied in traffic accidents. This means that when there is an accident, the driver who caused it is responsible for the damages. This means that when someone is injured in a traffic accident, you file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company instead of your own. You must prove that the other driver was at fault.
Below is an overview of some Additional Car Accident Laws in California that you should know.
Other Driving Laws in California
California has some driving laws that you may not see in other states, so if you are visiting or live in the Golden State you should be sure to review any laws that may be new to you.
For example, California does not allow the use of a phone while driving if you are under 18 years of age, which includes hands-free systems. If you are over 18 years of age, you can only use hands-free systems on your phone and are prohibited from using your phone with your hands while driving.
California also mandates the use of car seats more than most states. In California, some type of car seat is required for any child who is less than 1.45 m tall and under 8 years old. Failure to use a car seat can also result in a $100 fine for a first offense.
How to Find a Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer
Car accident lawyers fall into the category of personal injury lawyers, and Los Angeles has plenty of them, with billboards and bus ads everywhere. Because there are so many options, you must systematically approach the way you interview and choose a traffic accident lawyer.
Here are five things to keep in mind when choosing a Los Angeles car accident lawyer:
Ask your friends for referrals
With so many accidents occurring every year, there is no doubt that someone in your network of friends, family, and co-workers has been in an accident and needed an attorney. Ask people you know for recommendations and don’t hesitate to ask what they liked and didn’t like about the lawyer.
Remember that there are many attorneys to choose from and you don’t have to choose just anyone. You must find the right lawyer for you at the time you need it.
Get Car Accident Experts
Because car accident lawyers are typically personal injury lawyers, they may cover more than just car accidents. Don’t hesitate to ask about their niche and what they specialize in to ensure they have the background and resources necessary to appropriately address your case.
If the attorney handles other personal injury cases, ask him or her what percentage of his or her caseload is car accidents. Although you can find a great car accident lawyer who handles many other types of law, your chances are better if you find someone who handles only the type of case you are dealing with.
Find out about rates
Most car accident attorneys will not charge you an hourly rate to hire them. They work on commission, which is beneficial for you in most cases. What you need to keep in mind here is the amount they charge.
Lawyers specialized in traffic accidents in Los Angeles typically collect between 33% and 40% of your compensation or judgment. There should be red flags with lawyers who charge more. This is unlikely to allow you to obtain higher awards that justify the additional fees.
It’s also a good idea to make sure you understand exactly how the payment will work. There can be a significant difference in the appearance of the agreement if, for example, fees and costs are deducted from the attorney’s percentage or from the total amount before any division is calculated.
Research their previous litigation experience
Only about 5% of car accident cases go to trial. This is a small percentage, which means that litigation experience is not always an important factor. However, if you were involved in a serious accident with significant injuries, you will want an attorney who can go the distance. In serious cases, you may be seeking lost wages and substantial damages for pain and suffering. Not all car accident attorneys have the court experience necessary to handle important cases.
Set clear expectations for communication
Many lawyers are good at selling their services but lack typical communication skills when they are in the middle of a case. Because a car accident case can last a while, especially if your injuries are persistent, it is wise to know what to expect from communication with your attorney.
Ask how often they send updates and how they do it. Some attorneys will communicate primarily via email. You may prefer someone to answer the phone. Find an attorney who communicates the way you prefer.
Why Do I Need a Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer?
Hiring car accident attorneys, whether based in Los Angeles or elsewhere in California, may seem like an unnecessary expense after a car accident. The temptation to forego any legal representation is probably especially strong in situations where you feel that the other party is guilty. However, it is often a costly mistake to refrain from legal representation.
Gathering the evidence and documentation you need to prepare a lawsuit that adequately compensates you can require a considerable amount of time and energy. In some cases, you may even have to turn to the court system to obtain evidence. Your attorney can do it much faster than you and can do it while you focus on other matters.
Los Angeles car accident attorneys are also better prepared than most people to know what compensation is possible in any car accident claim. This knowledge and perspective can help you resolve your claim more quickly and for a fairer amount than if you tried to do it on your own.
If you do not have an attorney’s help in negotiating and evaluating settlement offers, you could inadvertently reject a reasonable offer and risk receiving less money if you go to trial unnecessarily. Or you could accept a settlement offer that does not adequately compensate you for all the damages you have suffered.
Beyond these benefits of legal representation, your attorney acts as your advocate and spokesperson to insurance companies, law enforcement officials, and other parties.
Without an attorney representing you, you would be responsible for fielding phone calls and inquiries from these people and having to formulate responses that do not jeopardize your legal rights. The more complex your accident and resulting injuries are, the more you will benefit from the assistance of a Los Angeles car accident lawyer.
What to do if someone sues you for a car accident in California
If you are involved in an accident and someone believes that you are wholly or partially to blame, you may find yourself facing a lawsuit. This can be disconcerting, especially if you were injured in that same accident.
As upset as you may be, you should immediately consult with one or more car accident attorneys. Los Angeles accident victims who fail to do so may find themselves having to pay for someone else’s injuries and losses.
One of the first things Los Angeles car accident attorneys do in this situation is file an answer to the complaint. This legal document opposes the other party’s claim that you owe them damages and allows you and your attorney the opportunity to investigate the facts further.
If you do not file an answer quickly, a default judgment could be entered against you. This means that the other person gets a judgment against you for the amount they requested in your case and you lose the ability to challenge it.
California is a state where the driver is at fault in the event of an accident, so determining who was responsible for the accident and to what extent each person was responsible is essential. Your attorney will review the available evidence to see to what extent you were at fault for the accident and to what extent the other party was at fault.
With this knowledge, your attorney can help you settle your claim or challenge it in court. If you bear any liability for the accident, settling for the smallest amount possible may be beneficial.
Conversely, if a reasonable settlement cannot be reached or you were not responsible for the accident, Los Angeles car accident attorneys may recommend litigating your case in court.
