Car Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles
Hurt in a car accident in Los Angeles? Talk to our Los Angeles car accident lawyers for a free, confidential case review. We'll explain your rights, handle the insurance companies, and help you get the medical care you need.
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Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer: What You Need to Know
Los Angeles has some of the most congested roads in the country. Between the I-10, the 110, the 101, and the 405, plus hundreds of miles of busy surface streets like Wilshire, Figueroa, and Western, drivers here spend hours every week in stop-and-go traffic. That congestion causes rear-end collisions, unsafe lane changes, red-light crashes, and freeway pileups every single day.
If you were hurt in a car accident anywhere in Los Angeles, the days after the crash matter. Insurance adjusters start calling fast. Medical bills and missed paychecks add up. And California's deadlines keep running whether you're ready or not. The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani has helped injured people across Los Angeles since 1996, and our team is ready to take your call right now, day or night, in English or Spanish.
Where Car Accidents Happen in Los Angeles
Knowing the local roads matters. These are some of the places our Los Angeles car accident lawyer team hears about most.
The East LA Interchange
Where the 5, 10, 60, and 101 meet east of downtown is one of the busiest freeway interchanges in the world. Drivers cut across several lanes in a short distance to make their connector, which leads to sideswipes and chain-reaction rear-end crashes.
The 101/110 Four Level and the 10/110
Downtown's stacked interchanges force fast merges on short ramps. Crashes here often involve more than two vehicles and more than one insurance company, so fault gets disputed fast.
The 405 near LAX and through the Sepulveda Pass
Traffic on the 405 can go from 65 mph to a dead stop in seconds. Distracted drivers and tailgaters cause heavy rear-end impacts that lead to neck, back, and head injuries.
Wilshire Blvd through Koreatown & Mid-City
Dense traffic, bus lanes, left turns across multiple lanes, and heavy foot traffic make Wilshire a frequent site of intersection and turning crashes.
Vermont, Western & Figueroa in South LA
These long, wide corridors carry fast traffic through dense neighborhoods. Several of them are on the City's Vision Zero High Injury Network because of their serious crash history.
Sunset Blvd & Hollywood at night
Nightlife, rideshare pickups, tourists, and impaired drivers make late-night crashes common between Hollywood and the Sunset Strip.
Car Accident Cases We Handle in Los Angeles
Whatever happened, a Los Angeles car accident attorney on our team can review it for free. We handle cases like these:
Rear-end collisions
Stop-and-go freeway traffic and distracted drivers cause whiplash, back, and neck injuries.
T-bone & intersection crashes
Red-light runners and drivers who fail to yield at busy intersections.
Freeway & multi-car pileups
High-speed crashes involving several vehicles and multiple insurance companies.
Unsafe lane changes & sideswipes
Drivers who merge without looking or cut across lanes to make an exit.
Drunk & distracted drivers
Drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs, or looking at their phones.
Uninsured & underinsured drivers
When the at-fault driver has little or no insurance, your own policy may help.
Hit-and-run accidents
The driver fled the scene. You may still have options.
Uber, Lyft & commercial vehicles
Rideshare cars, delivery vans, and company vehicles that carry additional insurance.
Hurt in a car accident in Los Angeles?
The insurance company is already building its case. Start building yours with a free call.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Los Angeles
The steps you take in the first few days can protect your health and your claim.
Get to safety and call 911
Move out of traffic if you can. Call 911 to report injuries and get officers to the scene. Depending on location, responding agencies include: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD); California Highway Patrol (CHP) on freeways; Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in unincorporated areas and contract cities.
Get medical care right away
Go to the ER or urgent care even if you feel okay. Area hospitals include LAC+USC Medical Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Adrenaline can hide injuries for hours or days.
Document everything
Take photos of every vehicle, plate, the scene, traffic signals, skid marks, and your injuries. Get the other driver's license, insurance, and plate, plus witness names and phone numbers.
Don't give a recorded statement
Don't admit fault, and don't give the other side's insurance company a recorded statement before you talk to a car accident lawyer.
File your SR-1 with the DMV
If anyone was hurt or damage is over $1,000, California requires each driver involved to file an SR-1 report with the DMV within 10 days.
Call a Los Angeles car accident lawyer
Call (213) 474-7463 for a free car accident case review. We'll handle the insurance company and help protect your deadlines.
After a Car Accident, Insurers Move Fast. So Do We.
After a car accident, the insurance company on the other side is a business. Its adjuster's job is to close your claim for as little as possible. Common tactics include:
Getting you to downplay your injuries
Adjusters ask how you're feeling in the first days after the crash, before the full extent of an injury is known, and use your answer later.
Recorded statements
A friendly-sounding call can be recorded and used to shift blame onto you. You are not required to give the other driver's insurer a recorded statement.
Quick, low settlement offers
An early check can look tempting, but once you sign a release, you usually can't reopen the claim if your injuries turn out to be worse.
Delays & blame-shifting
Slow responses, requests for endless records, and arguments that you were partly at fault are all designed to wear you down.
Your Los Angeles Car Accident: Police Report & Medical Care
After an auto accident in Los Angeles, two things matter right away: the police report and your medical care. Here's how to handle both, and how a Los Angeles auto accident lawyer can help.
Getting your police report
Most crashes on city streets are handled by the LAPD, and the collision report is requested through LAPD's Records and Identification Division. Freeway crashes are handled by the CHP area office that covers that stretch of road, such as Central LA, West LA, or South LA, and reports are requested from that office. Reports often take a week or more to become available. When you call Call Jacob, we request the report for you and review it for mistakes, like the wrong direction of travel or a missing witness, that could hurt your Los Angeles car accident claim.
Getting medical care
If you were hurt, get evaluated even if you feel fine. LAC+USC Medical Center, Cedars-Sinai, and Ronald Reagan UCLA are major trauma centers, and there are urgent care clinics in almost every LA neighborhood. If you don't have health insurance or a doctor, tell our team. We can help you find care, and treatment records are some of the most important evidence in your case.
California Car Accident Laws You Should Know
Key rules that affect car accident claims in Los Angeles and across California.
Two years to file
Most California car accident injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the crash (Code of Civil Procedure §335.1). Property damage claims generally have three years.
Six months for government claims
If a city, county, or transit agency vehicle or a dangerous road was involved, a written claim is generally due within six months (Government Code §911.2).
Partly at fault? You may still recover
California follows pure comparative fault. If you were 20% at fault, you may still recover 80% of your damages.
Minimum insurance is low
Since January 1, 2025, California's minimum liability coverage is $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage. Serious injuries can exceed it fast.
Report to the DMV in 10 days
If anyone was injured or property damage exceeds $1,000, each driver must file an SR-1 report with the DMV within 10 days, even if police made a report.
Uninsured motorist coverage
If the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy may pay the difference.
Compensation After a Los Angeles Car Accident
Every car accident case is different. Depending on your injuries and the facts, a claim may include:
Medical bills
Ambulance, emergency room, hospital stays, surgery, imaging, and doctor visits.
Future medical care
Physical therapy, chiropractic care, pain management, and future procedures.
Lost wages
Income you lost while you were hurt, in treatment, or unable to work.
Reduced earning ability
Lost future income if your injuries limit the work you can do.
Pain & suffering
Physical pain, discomfort, and reduced quality of life.
Emotional distress
Anxiety, sleep problems, and fear of driving after a crash.
Property damage
Repair or replacement of your vehicle, bike, or belongings, plus rental costs while your vehicle is out of service.
Out-of-pocket costs
Prescriptions, medical equipment, travel to appointments, and household help.
We can't promise any result, and no one honestly can. After a free review of your facts, we'll explain what your claim may include.
How Our Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyers Handle Your Case
Here's what happens when you hire our Los Angeles car accident lawyers, from your first call to the end of your case.
Call us 24/7
Call (213) 474-7463. A member of our intake team answers, listens to what happened in your car accident, and gathers the basic facts in English or Spanish.
Free case review
We review your car accident, explain your rights and deadlines, and answer your questions. There's no cost and no obligation.
We take over
We investigate the car accident, deal with the insurance companies, gather the police report, photos, and medical records, and help you get the care you need.
We pursue your claim
We build your car accident claim and negotiate with the insurers. If a fair resolution isn't offered, we're prepared to take your case to court in Los Angeles.
Why Choose Call Jacob as Your Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer
Choosing a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles is a big decision. Here's what you get when you call Jacob.
Since 1996
Nearly three decades helping people injured in car accidents across Southern California.
556 five-star reviews
Real reviews from clients on Google and Yelp.
Available 24/7
Car Accidents don't happen on a schedule. Our intake team answers day and night.
Hablamos Español
A Spanish-speaking team that can walk you through every step in your language.
No Upfront Fees
You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
We know Los Angeles
Local roads, police agencies, hospitals, and courts. We know how car accidents in Los Angeles are investigated and handled.
What Our Clients Say
Reviews from real clients on Google and Yelp.
“After my auto accident, the law offices of Jacob [Emrani] made a stressful situation so much easier. They were professional, responsive, and genuinely cared about my case.”Ari D.Google review
“I decided to call Jacob Emrani not knowing what to expect because I've never been in a car accident before. His staff was friendly, help me through the process…”Carlos Y.Google review
“After my car accident I turned to Jacob Emrani for my legal representation. I received the medical attention I needed right away.”Dale S.Google review
“Whenever I had questions they were right on it with a quick response! Thank you all! I will be referring you to family and friends…”Ashley B.Google review
“It was Sally who answered the phone and who walked me through starting the process… She was so kind and helpful. So far, I am glad I called the office of Jacob Emrani.”Cathy K.Google review
556 Five-Star Client Reviews on Google & Yelp
Don't let the insurance company decide what your case is worth
Deadlines keep running. Call a Los Angeles car accident lawyer today for a free, no-obligation case review.
Car Accident Lawyers Serving All of Los Angeles
We help people hurt in car accidents on the freeways, boulevards, and neighborhood streets throughout Los Angeles.
Neighborhoods & nearby cities
- Downtown LA
- Koreatown
- Hollywood
- Mid-City
- South LA
- Boyle Heights
- East LA
- Echo Park
- Silver Lake
- Westlake
- Westwood
- Venice
- Highland Park
- Inglewood
- Huntington Park
- Compton
- Culver City
- West Hollywood
- Lincoln Heights
- San Pedro
Freeways & highways
- I-10 (Santa Monica & San Bernardino Fwys)
- I-110 (Harbor Fwy)
- US-101 (Hollywood Fwy)
- I-5 (Golden State Fwy)
- I-405 (San Diego Fwy)
- I-105 (Glenn Anderson Fwy)
- SR-60 (Pomona Fwy)
Busy corridors
- Wilshire Blvd
- Sunset Blvd
- Figueroa St
- Western Ave
- Vermont Ave
- Olympic Blvd
- Crenshaw Blvd
- La Brea Ave
Who takes the report
- Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)
- California Highway Patrol (CHP) on freeways
- Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in unincorporated areas and contract cities
Area hospitals
- LAC+USC Medical Center
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
- California Hospital Medical Center
Local court
- Los Angeles County Superior Court, where most civil injury cases are filed at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse downtown
Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer FAQs
Straight answers to the questions people ask us most after a car accident in Los Angeles. Don't see yours? Call (213) 474-7463.
Where is my Los Angeles car accident case filed if it goes to court?
Most injury lawsuits from crashes in the City of Los Angeles are filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, with many civil cases heard at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse downtown. Most cases resolve without a trial, but we prepare every case as if it could go to court.
How do I get my police report after an LA car accident?
If LAPD responded, you can request a traffic collision report from LAPD. If the crash happened on a freeway, the CHP office that covers that stretch of freeway handles the report. We can request the report for you as part of your free case review.
Do I need a Los Angeles car accident lawyer if the crash seemed minor?
Not every fender bender needs a lawyer. But if you were hurt, needed medical care, missed work, or the other driver's insurer is disputing fault, a free call can tell you whether you have a claim worth pursuing. Many injuries from "minor" crashes, like whiplash and concussions, show up days later.
What if the other driver in LA had no insurance?
Uninsured driving is common in Los Angeles County. If you carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, it may pay for your injuries. A household family member's policy may also apply. We review every policy that might help.
Can I still recover if the crash happened on a freeway and I don't know who caused it?
Yes, you may. Freeway crashes often involve several vehicles. The CHP report, dash cam and traffic camera footage, vehicle damage, and witness statements help show who caused the crash. We gather that evidence for you.
How much does it cost to hire a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles?
The first consultation is free. We handle car accident cases on a contingency fee, which means you don't pay attorney fees upfront; our fee comes from a recovery in your case. Your written fee agreement explains the percentage and how case costs are handled before you sign anything.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in California?
Most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the crash. Property damage claims generally have three years. If a government vehicle, public transit, or a dangerous public road was involved, a written claim is usually due within six months. Some exceptions apply, so call us to confirm the deadline for your car accident case.
What if I was partly at fault for the car accident?
You may still recover. California uses pure comparative fault, so your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, not eliminated. Don't admit fault to anyone; let the evidence decide.
Should I talk to the insurance company after a car accident?
You should report the crash to your own insurer as your policy requires, but you are not required to give the other side's insurer a recorded statement. Talk to a car accident lawyer before you do.
I haven't seen a doctor since the car accident. Is that a problem?
Get checked out as soon as possible. Some injuries, like concussions and soft-tissue injuries, don't show symptoms right away. A gap between the crash and your first treatment is something insurers often use to question your injuries. We can help you find care.
Will my car accident case go to court?
Most car accident claims resolve through negotiation without a trial. If the insurance company won't make a fair offer, filing a lawsuit may be the right move, and we're prepared to take your case to court.
How long does a car accident case take?
It depends on your injuries, how long treatment lasts, and how the insurer responds. Many claims take several months; cases that go to litigation can take longer. We'll give you an honest picture after reviewing your facts.
Does your Los Angeles car accident lawyer team speak Spanish?
Yes. Hablamos español. Our Spanish-speaking team can handle your call and your car accident case in Spanish from start to finish.
Talk to a Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer Today
One call is all it takes to get answers about your car accident claim. Our intake team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in English and Spanish.
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