In a bustling city like Beverly Hills, every road and interstate is filled with drivers making their way to work, school, or just running to the grocery store. The more cars on the road, the greater the risk of serious car accidents. While safe driving habits can protect you, sometimes things happen outside your control. Filing a claim after an accident can feel confusing, and you need dependable legal representation to make sure you get the compensation you deserve. When you need a car accident attorney in Beverly Hills, Compass Law Group, LLP is ready to join the fight. We’ll treat your case with the compassion and respect you deserve, and we’ll advocate for your rights.
Why Choose Compass Law Group for Your Car Accident Case?
You want your legal team to be the best of the best. The right team can be the difference between maximum compensation and lowball offers. When you work with Compass Law Group, LLP, you can expect:
- Experienced Beverly Hills Car Accident Attorneys: Our team has years of experience working on car accident cases in the Beverly Hills area, and we’ll use our expertise to fight for your case.
- Extensive Track Record of Success: We’ve worked cases like this before, and we have a record of winning high-value settlements for our clients.
- Client-First Approach: You’re more than just another case, and our personalized approach will make sure you’re taken care of throughout the entire process.
- No Fees Unless We Win: Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay us a thing unless we win your case.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills is known for housing some of the biggest names in Hollywood, but it’s also known for its traffic. The more traffic on the roads, the greater the risk of getting into an accident. Some of the most common driving conditions that lead to a vehicle accident in Beverly Hills include:
- Distracted Driving
- Drunk Driving
- Speeding
- Reckless Driving
- Running a Red Light
- Poor Road Conditions
- Traffic Congestion
- Accidents Involving Pedestrians or Bicyclists
What to Do After a Car Accident in Beverly Hills
Getting into a car accident is scary, and you may not know what to do at first. Keeping yourself safe should be your top priority, so take a moment to collect yourself before you get to work. Follow these basic steps to keep yourself safe while checking all the boxes to build a strong claim:
- Protect Yourself: If you can, get yourself safely out of the way of traffic. Check if you have any serious injuries that need immediate medical attention.
- Contact the Authorities: Call 911 and report the accident. They’ll send the police and emergency medical services to your location.
- Seek Medical Attention: No matter how minor your injuries, get checked out by a medical provider. Not only can they make sure you’re not in any danger, but you can also get a copy of the medical records for later.
- Document the Scene: Take photos of the scene, get a copy of the police report, and gather any witness statements you can. Our team will use this evidence to build your case.
- Contact a Car Accident Attorney in Beverly Hills: The sooner you gather your legal team, the sooner you can leave this incident behind you and move forward with the compensation you deserve.
Proving Negligence in a Car Accident Case
To earn the compensation you deserve, your legal team needs to prove that the other party is responsible for the accident. Part of this includes proving that their negligent behavior led to the incident. Our team will use any evidence and expert witnesses available to support the claim and build a strong case. To prove negligence, our team will do the following:
- Establish a Duty of Care: The other party has a responsibility to abide by traffic laws and drive carefully to keep themselves and others safe.
- Demonstrate How They Breached This Duty: Whether it was reckless driving or failure to abide by traffic laws, negligent behavior from the other party breached this duty of care.
- Prove Causation and Damages: Our team will prove how this negligence directly led to your injuries and other damages.
Injuries Common in Beverly Hills Car Accidents
Car accidents in Beverly Hills can range in severity from a minor fender bender to a multi-car pileup. The more serious the accident, the more severe the injuries. These injuries can vary depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, but the most common injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Internal Injuries Such as Organ Damage
- Bone Fractures
- Dislocated Joints
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Neck and Shoulder Injuries
- Partial or Total Paralysis
Compensation Available for Car Accident Victims
Compensation after a car accident is meant to cover the expenses that come from the damages. Whether it’s property damage or physical injuries, your compensation covers the bills so you don’t have to worry about the financial burden. The damages from a car accident are broken down into 3 groups:
- Economic Damages: These damages include anything with a measurable price tag, such as emergency medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and long-term medical care.
- Non-Economic Damages: These are damages that don’t have a set financial amount, such as pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, and emotional distress.
- Punitive Damages: In cases where severe negligence led to the accident, punitive damages are additional fees added to your compensation meant to punish the at-fault party for their behaviors.
How Insurance Companies Try to Limit Payouts
Insurance companies don’t have your best interests at heart. They don’t want to lose money due to a car accident claim, so they will try every trick imaginable to reduce your compensation or deny it entirely. Whether it’s pressuring you into settling for a lowball offer or denying fault for the accident, they won’t hesitate to play dirty to save money.
When filing a claim, never accept the first offer you receive. Insurance companies will always lowball the first offer to try and get you to settle quickly. Having a certified legal team like Compass Law Group, LLP, in your corner will help you see through the trick. Our attorneys know how insurance companies try to limit payouts and will help you get the maximum compensation you deserve.
Understanding California’s Comparative Negligence Law
What does comparative negligence mean? In short, it means you can still earn partial compensation if you’re found partially at fault for the accident. Your percentage of fault is deducted from your potential compensation. For example, if an individual is found 20% at fault for the accident, they can still earn up to 80% of their compensation.
The right legal team can make sure the right party is held accountable for their actions. We’ll help to build a strong case that ensures the fault falls on the guilty party—that way, you still earn your compensation.
The Car Accident Claims Process in Beverly Hills
- Free Consultation: Our team will take a look at your case and see what you’re working with. It’s completely free, and we’ll walk you through whether or not you’ve got a solid case on your hands.
- Case Investigation: When we take on your case, our team will start collecting evidence and gathering expert witnesses to build a strong and well-rounded claim.
- Filing a Demand Letter: The demand letter we send to the insurance companies summarizes the claim and lays out the compensation you’re asking for.
- Settlement Negotiations: Once the other parties have time to review the claim and build their side of the case, our team will begin negotiating your settlement amount.
- Mediation: If the negotiations aren’t going well, we can bring in a third-party mediator to help get things moving.
- Filing a Lawsuit (If Necessary): In the event negotiations with a mediator aren’t working, the last resort is to take your case to court. This extensive process can make sure you earn your rightful compensation, but we’ll always try to settle before filing a lawsuit.
Statute of Limitations in California
California has a 2-year time limit to file a claim after a car accident. You have 2 years from the date of the incident to file your claim. Otherwise, the court can dismiss your case, and you won’t be able to earn any compensation. The sooner you act, the better the odds of earning the maximum compensation.
There are a couple of exceptions to this 2-year rule. If you’re filing a claim for a minor, the 2-year countdown starts when the individual turns 18. In a similar sense, accidents involving a government vehicle have a different filing process and, therefore, a different deadline.
Client Testimonials
“I was in an accident with my children where we were hit twice from the back. I reached out to Compass Law Group and they took care of everything. They spoke to the insurance company for me and reassured me that I wouldn’t have to do anything. They sent us to a chiropractor to alleviate the back pain, paid the deductible for my insurance, and had my car repaired immediately. Everyone was so helpful and kind. I appreciated the updates and the follow-ups. Overall it was an amazing experience and I would 100% recommend them. Thank you Compass Law Group for taking care of my family and myself.” – Myisha R.
“This is a very professional attorney’s office. The attorneys and the people who work for them answer your questions right away, reply fast, and always tell you what you need to know. They got me a very good settlement. I would definitely refer people to them.” – Sarah E.
“They are very attentive, professional, and ensure they do all of the heavy lifting for their clients. It was a pleasure to have won my case with such optimized results. I strongly recommend them if you are looking to get the best results for your personal injury case.” – Gavin T.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth hiring a Beverly Hills car accident attorney?
In short, yes! Navigating the California legal system on your own can feel like walking through a maze with no compass to point you north. Our team of legal attorneys knows the ins and outs of the system and how to work it in your favor.
How much does hiring a lawyer cost?
The cost to hire a lawyer varies depending on where you live and the specifics of your case. Attorneys who work on a contingency fee basis take a cut from your final compensation, so the price fluctuates depending on how much you earn.
What if I was partially at fault?
California is a comparative negligence state, meaning you can still earn partial compensation even if you’re partially at fault for the accident.
How long does a car accident case take?
The timeline to settle a case depends on the severity of the accident and the cooperation of all parties involved. Settlements can take as long as a couple of months to over a year.
What if the at-fault driver is uninsured?
If you’re dealing with an uninsured or underinsured driver, you have options for how to proceed. Victims who have an uninsured or underinsured driver policy with their insurance provider can file through that.
Get Your Free Consultation with a Beverly Hills Car Accident Attorney Today
Whether you’ve been in a fender bender or a multi-car collision, our team at Compass Law Group, LLP is ready to help. We’ll jump into action to protect your rights and make sure you see justice. We’re more than just your lawyers—we’re your advocates. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.