Your Car Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles

Derek Pakiz at the Reeves Law Group is a trusted and very highly-rated Car Accident Lawyer located in Los Angeles.

Auto accidents often are very serious affairs and leave clients with a heavy burden as they deal with overwhelming medical expenses, loss of income, mental anguish and emotional damage.

The Reeves Law Group can be your trusted advocate in these difficult times, with over 30 years of experience in fiercely pursuing justice for our clients who’ve been victimized in motor vehicle accidents and car-related crashes such as rollovers, read-end and t-bone accidents and other tragic incidents.

In the midst of the pain and turmoil after a car accident you may ask: why hire our law firm?

The answer is easy: Derek is one of the top authorities in California on auto accident injury cases, thanks to his extensive hands-on and in-court experience and considering that he is only out out of than 250,000 attorneys in California to be certified in both Civil Trial and Truck Accident law. Derek and the Reeves law Group is local as well with our main office in Los Angeles, CA.

Also, feel free to browse the latest testimonials on our website from our thankful clients or research our firm’s reputation on Google.

For an Immediate Consultation
Call (213) 271-9318

At the Reeves Law Group, we have carved out a unique niche for ourselves in the realm of car crash injuries. For example, one tragic car accident case that our firm won was worth $12 million.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car wreck and need help, contact our Los Angeles car accident attorney at no cost by calling (213) 271-9318 for a free consultation / case review.

Get in touch with our experienced law firm right away and let us be your beacon of courage and strength! We will always treat you with courtesy, compassion, and respect.

An Award-Winning Law Firm that can help you

Featured in Newsweek’s Top 10 Trial Lawyers in the Country, The Reeves Law Group is an injury law firm that is well known and respected through a long record of success helping plaintiffs involved in auto collisions fight large insurance companies, well-financed corporate and individual defendants, and have recovered over $250 Million dollars for our clients. These abilities are due to our legal expertise, and financial resources.

Our firm is proud of its reputation as one of the leading law firms in the city of Angels and the state of California that advocates for injured victims of preventable automobile accidents. Call us for a free consultation.

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What Do our past clients Have to Say About us?

“A car hit me when I was crossing the street on my bike in Oxnard. I went to the ER and then got physical therapy at St. John’s Regional Medical Center. When the driver’s insurance company said it wasn’t their fault, I knew I needed to hire a personal injury attorney. I hired The Reeves Law Group because they specialize in Oxnard bicycle accident cases. Attorney Blaise Patzkowski persuaded the insurance company to accept full responsibility for the bike crash. Mr. Patzkowski truly cared about how I was feeling and how my foot was recovering. He would personally call me to check up on me and helped settle my case. I really appreciate his hard work and with the money I got I plan on buying a car so this will never happen again!”

Tammy Pham wrote this review on via Avvo

5 out of 5 stars
Review Rating: 5 / 5
Date Published: 03-02-2022

For an Immediate Consultation
Call (213) 271-9318

Legal Representation For a Serious traffic collision Claim

In Southern California, drivers depend on their cars to shuttle them through busy days. Each day, the area’s major freeways are swamped with vehicle traffic. Freeway I-5 recorded 21.4 billion miles driven in 2013. I-10 and I-110 are the 2nd and 3rd busiest freeways in the nation. I-405 has 379,000 automobiles traveling on it each day. With this many vehicles on our roads at all hours of the day, traffic collisions happen frequently.

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, there were a total of 39,708 injured and killed in motor vehicle accidents in LA County in 2015. road accidents are unexpected. One minute you are doing your regular daily activities. Then, suddenly, your world is turned upside down by an unforeseen bang! The consequences of one of these collisions can be severe, possibly altering your life, the lives of your family members, and loved ones, including unforeseen death. Plaintiff’s attorneys that focus on traffic and vehicular collisions can help you pick up the pieces of your life and get you back on track.

When an at-fault driver causes a crash, our legal system allows those who have been hurt to be compensated for their personal injuries and property damage. These claims become more complicated when fatalities are involved. This holds the at-fault party accountable and discourages similar car accidents in the future. But earning fair compensation from the right party is not always easy. That’s when a lawyer can really help.

Regardless of how serious the crash was, you should speak with a qualified law firm that has experience in this domain of law. And you should do this as soon as possible, including trucking and big rig accidents, and rideshare (Uber/Lyft) wrecks.

Often, your personal injury claim will depend on you taking quick action. If you have been injured and seek legal representation, contact us today for a free consultation!

Why Hire A Lawyer For your case

Many automotive mishaps are only minor fender benders that people think they can handle on their own. But even a common collision on the street or highway may require legal expertise to ensure that the accident victim is properly compensated. Insurance companies can be difficult to work with and may offer an amount that is much lower than what the injured party needs to fully recover.

Pursuing an insurance claim requires the energy, time, and knowledge that only the best lawyers can provide.

There are certain steps you can take when filing a claim that will help it to be processed quickly and correctly.

• Immediately speak with a licensed and trusted lawyer who has experience in this area–make sure to show them your insurance policy documents.
• Let your insurance representative know that you have been in a traffic collision and ask for a list of documents that they will need. Many times, they will want to see the documentation of all the losses you have suffered, like lost wages, costs of medical treatment, mechanic’s bills, and police reports.
• Ask your insurance agent for a timeline of when you need to submit any necessary paperwork.
• Always make sure to document every conversation you have with the insurance claims adjuster. Write down the name of the agent, their position, phone number, and office. Also, note what was discussed during the conversation.

How A Lawyer Would Recommend you chose

When choosing a lawyer, as lawyers, we’d consider these qualifications:

• Attorneys involved in automobile collisions know the relevant traffic law, civil law and criminal law and how it affects your case, so it is vital to find one with the knowledge and experience to handle your claim. Additionally, the right lawyer will understand your medical needs and the impact of the collision on your personal and work life.
• Your lawyer should have experience with cases similar to yours. This helps to ensure that the lawyer knows the right strategy for your lawsuit, especially when a death is involved.
• An experienced attorney who’s worked with motor vehicle claims and other road-related claims should be dedicated to their clients’ causes and will not rest until their clients receive all the compensation they are owed.
• A well-qualified lawyer will have experience with settlement discussions as well as taking cases to trial. Your lawyer should have the resources to investigate and prepare your case for a jury, should cover all costs of your trial, and should not ask you to pay a dime until winning money for you.

When accidents occur on the road, many victims look to their insurance carriers with the “friendly” office in LA right around the corner to help them put their lives back together. The problem is that they don’t always want to pay the full amount needed for the victim to totally recover! When a PI attorney represents crash victims, they will know how to deal with insurers so that they fulfill their obligations.

Has your wreck caused your catastrophic injuries and emotional distress? Speak with The Reeves Law Group who can evaluate your case during the initial consultation and map out a plan that details the medical bills, vehicle repairs, lost wages, and other monetary damages you are owed.

All too often, people learn about their mistakes only after they’ve been made, sometimes with devastating consequences. So, let us share with you some of the most common mistakes, so you’ll know to avoid them. First, regarding injuries and medical care. Not going to the doctor or the hospital right away and not following your doctor’s instructions. Also, trying to do too much, too soon after an injury, or even downplaying your injury.

Mistakes made on the legal side of your case include: hiring a lawyer who’s not a true specialist in personal injury. Once you’ve hired a lawyer, failing to keep them informed of important changes in your health or in your life and not telling your lawyer about past injuries or lawsuits you’ve had. Also, talking about the case with people other than your lawyer or posting details of your case or injuries on Facebook, Twitter, or other social media.

And the number one most commonly made mistake, talking to the wrongdoer’s insurance company. Avoiding these mistakes will maximize your chances for recovery, both from your injuries as well as from the wrongdoer.

What To Do After A collision or crash on the road

Since these incidents are completely unexpected, the impact can take us by surprise. In a moment, our lives can be turned upside down (as can your automobile in a rollover, which is extremely traumatic) and can take a huge toll financially, physically, and emotionally.

In the aftermath of the crash, there are specific actions that you can take that will help protect your legal rights while simultaneously positioning you to recover compensation.

The following tips will get victims on track to a speedy recovery:

Get Medical Help

You should always assess the physical state of yourself and any passenger involved in the crash and call emergency help if necessary. Make sure that you give emergency responders detailed information on the roadway while you’re sitting there on the sidewalk or median and any symptoms that you are experiencing. Be aware that many victims underestimate the severity of their injuries because they have an adrenaline rush caused by the incident. Always request a complete examination and follow all doctors’ orders for medical treatment. This will help you heal quickly and prevent other parties from claiming that you are partially responsible for your ailments because you did not listen to your doctor’s advice.

Call The Police

Immediately call the police to the scene and ask them to write up an accident report detailing the collision. They should be called even for a single-car incident, and most certainly for a hit-and-run car accident involving another motorist. Ask an officer for a copy of the report and keep this write-up for your records. Your lawyer will use this report in preparing your claim and fighting for your right to compensation.

Collect Evidence

The best time to figure out how the roadway incident happened is right after it occurred. Make sure that you write down thorough contact information for everyone involved. This includes names, addresses, driver’s license numbers, and insurance information.

Also, make sure that you snap photos of the accident scene. You can photograph the areas of the crash site that you think contributed to the wreck and the parts of your car/truck that were damaged. Make sure that you take wide shots of the entire scene as well as close-up shots that show detailed information. It’s also a good idea to keep vehicle parts that broke off in the crash.

Your attorney will examine these parts and may gather critical information on how the crash happened.

Don’t Admit Liability

It is important to watch what you say to the other parties involved in the crash, to bystanders, and to insurance agents. Admissions that you make can limit your ability to bring a claim in the future. Instead, allow your attorney to handle these communications.

Call An Experienced Plaintiff’s Attorney

Our plaintiff’s law firm has handled hundreds, if not thousands, of cases involving cars throughout the greater Los Angeles area, and has the expertise to quickly assess your case while simultaneously sending our investigators to the crash site to collect and analyze information. Retaining an experienced attorney with a proven track record is the best move you can make to recover compensation from those liable.

Take Detailed Notes

As mentioned earlier, the steps we take after a traffic collision greatly affect our ability to successfully bring a personal injury claim for financial compensation from liable parties. The issue usually comes down to information.

Does your legal team representing you have enough information to demonstrate in settlement discussions or to a jury that an at-fault party caused the crash and your losses?

Note-taking can be one of the best ways to gather critical bits of information that your attorney can use down the road. Answering the following questions can help you collect the right information at the time of the car accident and help jog your memory throughout the claim process.

• Where were you going when the accident happened? Who were you with and what were you talking about?
• What was the weather like? What were the road conditions like? For example, was the asphalt wet? Was there heavy traffic?
• What did you experience and feel when the accident happened and right afterward? Did anyone say anything about the crash that stood out to you?

In addition to these questions, it is important to keep a daily journal chronicling your injuries and recovery. Each day, evaluate your physical wounds, the pain they cause, and your mental state. Are you in lots of pain, having trouble sleeping, feeling nervous or depressed about the future, and worried about your inability to fully recover?

It’s a good idea to carry a journal with you at all times and write down any recollections you have about the event. This can relate to the crash itself, your injuries, losses like medical costs and lost wages you suffered because of the auto you were in getting hit, and conversations you had with others about the crash. Sometimes, returning to the scene of the crash will bring back memories that you didn’t remember right after the accident occurred.

What Can I Do About My Injuries as a victim?

Even low-impact and low-speed auto accidents can cause severe injuries to individuals. If you don’t require emergency transportation to the hospital after minor accidents, you should still see your regular physician and be examined for possible injuries. Even with common car-related injuries, people can suffer serious brain and spinal cord injuries from rear-ending and other types of contact

Rear-end incidents can cause whiplash, which is the rapid movement of your neck backward and forward. Whiplash can cause headaches and chronic pain often requiring lengthy rehabilitation and long-term medication.

Side-impact crashes can cause traumatic brain injuries when those inside the vehicle hit their heads on the car’s frame or window. A traumatic brain injury can cause permanent brain damage and greatly impact an individual’s future. Side-impact crashes can also cause lesser injuries like ligament and muscle strains and soft tissue damage.

Common Injuries received in cars

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Burn injuries
• Wrongful Death

Even with common injuries, it is important to always see a doctor soon after because the more time that goes by without you being treated, the more likely an insurance company will think that you didn’t suffer any injuries. Even if you go see a doctor a few days after the crash, they can argue that you had time to cause further injuries by doing something else. Going to a doctor immediately will create a paper trail of your injuries and your medical professional’s treatment of specific problems.

Who Is at Fault, from a legal perspective?

When someone is in their first wreck on the road, they may be unsure of how to recover compensation from the people who caused the wreck in the first place. Most collisions happen because of a bad decision on the road or distracted driving.

Usually, the individual who was hurt must show that the at-fault driver caused the crash through negligence. This requires proving four elements – Duty, Breach, Causation, and Damages.

• Duty: First, the injured individual must show that the other driver owed a duty of care to them. We require drivers to operate their vehicles with a certain amount of care and consideration for those around them.
• Breach: Drivers must behave like reasonably prudent people. The test for reasonableness is what an average person would do if they knew what the driver knew under the circumstances. If the average person had known that someone could have been hurt by acting as the driver did, then the driver would be considered to have acted negligently.
• Causation: The accident must show that the injuries and property damage were a direct result of the negligent driver’s actions.
• Damages: Finally, the accident victim must demonstrate how financial compensation can cover the losses. For instance, what medical bills and losses of income were accrued because of the accident.

Common Causes of road collisions

There are many ways that road traffic collisions happen. Most collisions occur as a result of distracted driving. A bad choice combined with a vehicle’s size and speed can be a recipe for disaster. The legal definition of a poor choice is “negligence.” This means that someone did not act with reasonable care, which resulted in someone else getting hurt.

Drinking and driving, distracted driving like talking on the phone, texting while driving, and being too tired to concentrate are common factors in accidents. A car crash can also be caused by a vehicle breaking down while traveling due to a product defect, poor weather, or bad road conditions.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration approximates that roughly 100,000 crashes reported by police every year are due to driver fatigue with car accident fatalities in the thousands and injuries in the tens of thousands.

Motorist accidents happen frequently to residents of the county, which means your best option is to seek qualified plaintiff’s attorneys to be on your side.

Types of Accidents drivers find themselves in Southern California

There are many types of accidents. Rear-end collisions, T-bone wrecks, vehicle rollovers, pedestrian accidents, and single-vehicle car accidents occur regularly. Numerous factors can be responsible for each crash. The following are a few of the most common causes of motor vehicle accidents.

Driver Negligence: In the majority of accidents, one driver is at fault. Usually, fault takes the form of one driver making a decision that is considered unreasonable or careless given the circumstances. Our legal system requires people to act reasonably in protecting others from harm. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding, running red lights, and taking unnecessary risks are examples of how drivers’ actions would be considered careless.

Defective Parts: Sometimes, the parties who designed, built, or sold a car or truck are liable for an accident. Under product liabilities law, companies can be held responsible for putting a product into the market that doesn’t work the way that it should. Faulty brakes, an airbag that doesn’t deploy, SUVs that roll over, or tires that blow out are all examples of vehicle parts that could cause the manufacturers to be held liable for an accident.

Poor Road Conditions: Government entities can be held responsible for an accident when roadways are not engineered, built, or maintained properly. Claims against a government agency can be complicated and require the expertise of a skilled lawyer.

Settlements in California from a legal perspective

Many times, people involved in accidents try to settle their own cases by filing a claim on their own. This can be difficult to do as accident victims do not have the knowledge and expertise to properly communicate with all of the different parties involved in automobile accident claims. Usually, it’s in your best interest to discuss the matter with an experienced lawyer who can properly manage your claim.

Here are a few issues that people regularly encounter when handling their cases without legal counsel.

• Siding with the insurance company: Many of us want to believe that insurance companies have our best interests in mind. But insurance agents often work to minimize the amount of money that they have to pay!!
• Settling for too little: Many accident victims take the first offer that an insurance company makes. The prospect of getting any compensation seems appealing. But an experienced lawyer knows the importance of understanding the accident’s overall impact on your life. For example, do doctors know all of the ways that a victim’s injuries will impact his or her life? It is imperative to have all of the medical documentation and a doctor’s written opinion of the victim’s short- and long-term medical needs. An established attorney will have medical experts who can examine this information and determine the dollar amount of these medical needs.
• Assuming the claim won’t go to trial: Many victims believe insurance agents when they are told that the claim will be settled out of court. This can lead a victim to not collect important evidence before it is lost. A skilled lawyer will use a team of investigators and evidence experts to preserve and inspect all evidence in the event that the claim does go before a jury.

Contact our Car Accident personal injury LAW FIRM

The Reeves Law Group has extensive experience and expertise in all types of car accidents and we have obtained substantial compensation for individuals that have been injured in auto wrecks in Los Angeles and across Southern California.

If you are a victim of a major car accident and would like to find out how much your case may be worth, contact us to speak with us and ask for and Derek Pakiz today! Call (213) 271-9318 or contact us for a free consultation / case review. We are available at all hours and all days of the week. Get in touch with our experienced motor vehicle collision law firm right away and let us be your beacon of courage and strength!

[Written by Derek Pakiz. Article updated on January 22, 2024]