If you have been injured in a car accident in Northridge, you are not alone. In an area of the country known for its dangerous intersections, Northridge ranks in the top ten neighborhoods in Los Angeles for the number of traffic collisions—with nearly 1,000 accidents in 2019 alone. And while 2020 generally saw the number of collisions decrease, the number of fatalities increased, as less traffic led to increased vehicle speed.

In the aftermath of a car accident, anxiety over insurance and financial issues can complicate your recovery. The dedicated Northridge car accident attorneys at MAJK Law can help. We’ve successfully advocated for the rights of countless car accident victims throughout Northridge—let us navigate the legal issues so that you can focus on healing and moving on.

How MAJK Law Can Help

At MAJK Law, our injury attorneys have over 45 years of combined experience representing car crash victims in Northridge and throughout Los Angeles County. If you have been in an auto accident due to another’s negligence, we can help to ensure access to the maximum compensation to which you are entitled by:

• Investigating the incident and determining fault;
• Analyzing the police report;
• Communicating with insurance companies and other parties;
• Calculating damages, and
• Representing your interests at settlement and in court.

Following a car accident, the insurance company wants to save money and resolve your claim as quickly as possible. Other parties involved in the crash will be pursuing their own favorable outcomes by seeking to avoid fault or the owing of damages for the accident. Having a Northridge car accident lawyer by your side ensures that your interests are represented, too.

Car Accident Injuries

Car accident injuries range from minor bumps and bruises to devastating or disfiguring injuries or even death. Some injuries are particularly common to auto accidents, including:

• Whiplash
• Broken bones
• Back and neck injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Burns
• Internal injuries
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

It is essential to seek medical attention even if you believe your injuries are mild. Some particularly serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injury and damage to soft tissue, may have no immediate symptoms. If you have been in any kind of car accident in Northridge, it is imperative to seek a comprehensive medical evaluation immediately, and then contact a Northridge car accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Filing a Claim in Northridge, California

The statute of limitations for injury claims in California is typically two years from the date of the injury. In some cases, where injuries are not immediately apparent, the two-year period may have a later start date. Claims for property damage generally have three years from the date of the accident. Because it can be difficult to determine how long you have to file a claim, it is critical to consult with a Northridge car accident attorney as soon as possible after an accident.

It is typically the responsibility of the party filing the claim to prove who was at fault for the accident. In California, multiple parties can be at fault for an accident, and even if you are partly to blame, you may still recover damages. California fault law is complex, particularly where there are multiple parties involved. Our knowledgeable Northridge auto accident attorneys will examine the facts of your particular case to determine who was at fault, ensuring that you do not miss out on pursuing the compensation you deserve.

Who is responsible for my injuries?

In many cases, the other driver is solely responsible for your injuries, but there could be multiple at-fault parties, and you may even be partially responsible.

If, for example, a truck driver crashes into you after falling asleep at the wheel, it may seem at first glance that he is solely responsible for the accident. But if his employer encouraged him to work over the federally regulated maximum hours per day, the trucking company may also be responsible. And if an investigation into the accident reveals that defective brakes also contributed to the severity of the accident, the brake manufacturer may be on the hook. Your LA car accident lawyer can help you determine fault and calculate damages following a crash.

Do I need an attorney to file a car accident claim?

If you or a loved one was seriously injured in an auto accident, or a loved one was killed, it is critical to hire an experienced car crash lawyer immediately. Following this type of accident, the only thing you should be focused on is healing—physically and emotionally. Serious car accidents can take a major toll on your physical, emotional, and financial well-being.

A skilled Northridge car accident lawyer can review the details of your case, determine fault, gather evidence, calculate damages, and negotiate for the maximum settlement. And if a reasonable settlement isn’t offered, the tenacious injury team at MAJK Law will fight for you in court. Although we always strive to settle out of court, we are prepared to go to trial if it’s in your best interest.

Furthermore, car insurance companies are notorious for offering ridiculously low settlements to injury victims, especially those without legal representation. They have no problem taking advantage of your vulnerability after a serious auto accident. Don’t miss out on thousands, or tens of thousands of dollars because you tried to represent yourself. An experienced injury attorney can help you obtain the compensation you need to recover and get your life back on track. Contact MAJK Law today for a free and confidential consultation about your case.

California insurance company tactics to be aware of

If you have been injured in an auto accident, it is imperative that you avoid talking to the other driver’s insurance company until you’ve had a chance to speak with your lawyer.

It is the insurance adjuster’s job to pay as little as possible to claimants. As such, they employ various tactics to get injury victims to accept the lowest possible settlement.

Some of these tactics include:

• Contacting the victim immediately following the accident;
• Asking the victim for a recorded statement; and
• Asking the victim to sign a release form, permitting the insurance company to review the victim’s medical history.

Insurance adjusters do these things as a means of gathering ammunition against the victim if there is a resulting injury claim. If you are contacted by an insurance adjuster after an auto accident, simply explain that you are not speaking or signing anything until you’ve talked to your attorney.

Compensation for Northridge Car Accident Victims

As with any personal injury claim, the amount and type of compensation you may recover depends on the specific facts of your case and the quality of your legal team. Common types of compensation for car accidents in Northridge include:

• Medical bills, current and future;
• Lost wages and income, current and future;
• Costs of vehicle repair or replacement;
• Emotional pain and suffering;
• Alternate transportation costs;
• Disability; and
• Wrongful death.

Economic damages such as medical bills and vehicle repair costs are usually straightforward. However, the calculation of noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering, are more challenging to calculate—and yet can account for the more significant portion of the total settlement package you receive. Our skilled Northridge auto accident attorneys will examine your case and calculate the true financial impact of your injuries and losses to maximize your potential for recovery.

Contact a Northridge CA Car Accident Attorney Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, let the dedicated legal team at MAJK Law ensure that your interests are protected. Insurance companies will have lawyers working hard to protect them—let us advocate for you. We have been helping car accident victims in Northridge for decades, with a proven track record of success. Contact MAJK Law today for a free and confidential consultation about your case.