Los Angeles is home to many dangerous intersections due to the size of its surface streets. Getting into an accident anywhere can be stressful, but knowing what to do after an accident at L.A.’s deadliest intersection can make it easier to stay on track after the crash and take all the steps necessary to protect your safety and your eventual legal claim.
Where Is L.A.’s Deadliest Intersection?
L.A.’s deadliest intersection can be found at South Figueroa Street and Slauson Avenue in South Los Angeles. This intersection has seen dozens of serious collisions, including multiple fatalities, over the course of the past several years. Other dangerous intersections include:
- Sepulveda/Roscoe
- Figueroa/Manchester
- Roscoe/Van Nuys
- Western/Slauson
- Broadway/Manchester
While these intersections see more serious collisions than others in the City of Angels, you could get into a crash at any intersection. The following advice could help you no matter where your accident takes place.
Your First Steps
Whether your accident caused fatalities and serious injuries or just more minor injuries, you need to take several steps while you’re at the scene of the crash to make sure everyone is safe and to prepare to file a claim against the liable driver or drivers. You should:
- Get everyone to safety. You and anyone else involved in the crash should start by getting out of the way of traffic. Help anyone who needs assistance to move to the sidewalk, but don’t try to move anyone with a suspected neck or back injury, as this can worsen their condition.
- Call for help. Once everyone is safe, call 911 to report the accident and request emergency medical services. You should note, however, that the Los Angeles Police Department may not send an officer out unless someone was seriously injured or killed, or a crime was committed.
- Gather evidence. Whether the police send an officer to investigate the incident or not, you should take the time to gather your own evidence if you are physically able and it’s safe to do so. Take photographs of all the vehicles involved in the crash, the surrounding road conditions, and any nearby street signs or skid marks on the pavement. They can be helpful in reconstructing the accident.
- Exchange information. You and the other driver or drivers should exchange contact and insurance information before leaving the scene of the accident. You should also speak with any witnesses to the crash and get contact information for them. Your lawyer may want to interview them later.Following proper guidance on what to do after a car accident in Los Angeles will help protect your claim.
Seek Medical Care Immediately
Whether you think you’ve been injured or not, your next step is the same. You should seek medical care at a local hospital. Major hospitals in Los Angeles include:
- Dignity Health – California Hospital Medical Center
- Los Angeles General Medical Center
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Kindred Hospital Los Angeles
- Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
There are two reasons it’s essential that you be evaluated by a doctor following your crash. The first is that some serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries and internal bleeding, don’t show immediate symptoms but do require emergency medical care. Your doctor can identify these and other issues that may not be immediately apparent.
The second reason it’s important to be thoroughly evaluated is that it could help your legal claim. You want to be able to show that your injuries were caused by the crash, not another intervening incident.
Report the Accident
If the police didn’t send an officer to the scene, you need to report the accident. In addition to reporting it to the police, you should also call your insurance company to file a car accident claim.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer
Traffic fatalities often exceed homicides in Los Angeles, and more than 300 people are killed annually. Serious injuries also occur in intersection accidents. Working with an attorney who understands car accident laws is the most effective way to handle the legal aftermath of a car accident.
You should contact a lawyer even if you were partially at fault for the accident, as California’s pure comparative fault rules allow accident victims to recover compensation even if they were partially or mostly to blame for their crashes.
FAQs
Q: What Is the Three-Second Rule in California?
A: The three-second rule in California is a defensive driving technique recommended by the DMV to prevent rear-end collisions. The rule requires maintaining a minimum distance of three seconds of travel time behind a vehicle to give you time to react and brake safely if the person in the car ahead of you suddenly stops.
Q: What Should You Not Tell Your Insurance Company?
A: There are several things you should not tell your insurance company after a car accident. You should not admit fault for the accident, nor should you downplay your injuries. Ideally, you should not give any kind of official statement to an insurance adjuster without speaking with a Los Angeles car accident attorney first.
Q: What Are the Top Causes of Accidents at Intersections?
A: The top causes of accidents at intersections are failing to monitor surroundings or check blind spots, not yielding the right-of-way, and disobeying traffic signals. However, other forms of driver negligence and error, such as speeding, distracted driving, and trying to beat yellow lights, can all increase your accident risk, as well.
Q: Does Insurance Forgive Your First Accident in California?
A: Insurance does not forgive your first accident in California. Proposition 103 prohibits insurance companies from waiving premium increases for at-fault accidents or charging customers for optional accident forgiveness perks. If you’re more than 50% at fault for an accident, your insurance company should add a surcharge to your premium at your next renewal that lasts three years.
Hire a Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you’ve been in a serious accident and have already taken the steps described above, it’s time to hire a car accident lawyer.
The team here at Easton & Easton is here for you. Our family-owned firm has a reputation for obtaining high-value settlements for clients who have suffered severe injuries in car crashes and other accidents. Reviewing Los Angeles car accident statistics highlights the ongoing risks drivers face on local roadways.
Over our years in practice, we’ve obtained more than $2 billion in settlements for our clients. However, past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits. Let us help you get what you are owed. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation regarding your car accident claim today.
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