Vehicle Accidents
The Los Angeles-based Law Offices of Steven L. Martin represent people throughout Southern California who have suffered a serious personal injury in an automobile accident involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other motor vehicles, because of the negligence or reckless driving of another or a defective product.
Serious Injuries and Wrongful Death
Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of serious injuries and wrongful death. Front-end and rear-end collisions can cause an injury to the spinal cord or traumatic brain injury (TBI) from a violent shaking of the head in a sudden stop, commonly known as whiplash. SUVs and other vehicles may rollover, causing a roof crush which creates a serious risk of TBI or death.
Accidents involving trucks or motorcycles are potentially much more serious or deadly. Due to their immense size and weight, even a relatively low impact collision with a truck can be devastating to the smaller vehicle. Truck driver fatigue and aggressive driving are common causes of trucking accidents, but automobiles must also be aware of the blind spots and increased stopping distance and reaction time of truck drivers, and must drive with reasonable care in the vicinity of trucks.
The size and weight differential of trucks to automobiles is similar to that of cars and motorcycles. Bikers are much more exposed and vulnerable to serious personal injury from a crash. Particularly in California, where lane splitting is legal, drivers and cyclists alike must be conscious of each other and share the road with reasonable care and caution for each other.
Negligence and Products Liability
Some lawyers only focus on the negligence of the other driver, on pinning the blame on the other driver while defending against claims of contributory negligence on the part of their client. Our experience covers the spectrum of motor vehicle accidents and other forms of personal injury and negligence, including dangerous products. We understand that a defective automotive component, from tires to brakes to seat belts and airbags, may have played a role in causing the accident or contributing to the severity of the injuries. Some cars are simply defectively designed and will roll over too easily or explode on impact, causing traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury or severe burns.
Looking Out For Your Interests
California law requires all drivers to carry liability insurance in the event they injure another person in an automobile accident. Yet despite the low amounts required by law ($15,000 for personal injury to one person), as many as 20% of drivers on the road in Southern California at any given time are not carrying any insurance at all. If you have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, then your insurance company is liable to compensate you for your injuries and expenses, up to the amounts of UM coverage you have.
One thing to keep in mind, whether dealing with the other driver’s insurance company or your own, is that the interest of the insurance company is to pay as little as possible. Only an attorney that you hire to represent you will truly have your best interests at heart, and only your best interests. If you have been injured in a vehicle accident, contact the Law Offices of Steven L. Martin for a free consultation.