Car Accident Attorney in Pasadena, CA
With the help of an experienced car accident attorney, you can be assured your rights will be protected. Our honest and aggressive lawyers will seek legal compensation for your serious injuries and losses following a car accident. Regarded as one of the best law firms in the Pasadena area, the personal injury attorneys in our practice have recovered millions for victims of car accidents and other auto accidents.
Work with a top, award-winning Pasadena car accident attorney who has earned dozens of accolades and awards. For more information about our team, call Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor, A Professional Corporation, today at 626-208-9906.
How Can A Personal Injury Law Firm Help With My Car Accident Case?
For more than three decades, the Pasadena car accident lawyers with the law firm of Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor, A Professional Corporation, have represented the injured victims of automobile accidents in southern California. If you’ve been injured in a traffic accident or car crash because of another driver’s negligence, take your personal injury claim immediately to an experienced Pasadena personal injury attorney.
Pasadena car accident statistics reveal a concerning number of serious crashes each year, many resulting in injuries or fatalities due to reckless driving, speeding, or distracted motorists. These numbers highlight just how important it is to seek strong legal representation after a collision.
We hold negligent drivers – and the insurance company – accountable. If defective auto parts or poor road conditions were a factor in your car accident, those responsible may also be pursued for damages. Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor, A Professional Corporation, is ready to help you fight for the compensation you need and the justice you deserve. If you’ve been injured in a southern California traffic accident, contact our car accident attorneys; don’t wait another day. Our car accident lawyers In Pasadena will fight tirelessly to get you the best compensation possible for your car accident claim.
Notable Car Accident Verdicts & Settlements
$30,774,365.63 Rear-End Freeway Collision – Largest personal injury jury verdict in the 50-year history of the West Covina Superior Court. Client suffered severe burns in a rear-end crash caused by a drunk driver.
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$7,250,000 Rivera v. San Fernando Valley Automotive – This settlement was obtained by Tom Beck and Greg Vanni for three clients who were injured in a collision with a pick-up truck in a heavily disputed case.
$3.5 million Confidential Client v. Confidential Defendant – This settlement was obtained by Greg Vanni for the mother of a 34-year old unmarried woman who was killed in a passenger vehicle versus big rig truck crash.
$1,538,100.00 Summerfield v. State Farm – Greg Vanni recovered a total amount of $1,538,100 for a client who suffered a back injury and required surgery as a result of an automobile accident. A settlement was first achieved with the negligent motorist’s insurance company for $100,000, and then an underinsured motorist claim was filed with the client’s insurance company, State Farm. State Farm offered only $20,000, so the case proceeded to binding arbitration, resulting in an additional $1,438,100 award.
It should be noted that while past case outcomes do not guarantee future case results, you can be confident in our proven track record of success that we understand what it takes to secure the compensation you deserve.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident In Pasadena?
Getting into a car accident is a very frightening experience. If you feel overwhelmed or distressed, you may not have the right frame of mind to get the information you need. Taking the proper steps now will help protect your health and safety, plus get you the compensation you deserve.
Seek medical attention immediately if you are injured in an auto accident. If possible, try to have photographs taken of your injuries, the accident scene, and the license plates of the vehicles involved. Get the name, address, and insurance information of the other driver(s), as well as the names and contact information of any witnesses.
Keep and make copies of any paperwork – such as medical bills and accident reports – pertaining to the car accident and injury. These records are very important and will be very useful for your car accident case. Your car accident lawyer will need every available bit of evidence. The most devastating injuries for accident victims in car accidents – lost limbs and brain or spinal cord injuries – require substantial compensation.
Let an experienced Pasadena car accident lawyer handle your personal injury claim and suggest your best legal options. You may receive compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages and earning capacity, pain, suffering, and other injury-related expenses.
Understanding California’s Pure Comparative Negligence Rule
California follows the theory of pure comparative negligence regarding the assignment of fault following a car accident. According to this theory, accident victims can seek compensation for their injuries even if they are partially to blame for their accidents.
Unlike modified comparative negligence states, which only allow accident victims to recover damages if they were 50% at fault or less, California allows anyone less than 100% to blame for their crashes to seek compensation. The final settlement amount will, however, be decreased commensurate with the amount of fault you are assigned.
If, for example, you were going to receive a $100,000 car accident settlement, but you were determined to be 50% at fault for causing it, your settlement amount will be reduced by 50%, and you’ll receive only $50,000 from the other liable driver.
What Are the Most Common Types of Traffic Accidents?
Car accidents happen in a variety of ways and between various parties. Any kind of car accident has the potential to cause injuries, no matter who is at fault.
The most common kinds of traffic accidents in California include:
Head-On Accidents
Head-on accidents occur when the front ends of two vehicles collide. They often happen near stop signs, traffic lights, and freeways. Head-on collisions typically occur when one driver fails to yield or obey road signs.
Intersection Accidents
Accidents at intersections often happen when one driver behaves recklessly or fails to obey a road sign. For instance, if one vehicle fails to stop at a four-way stop, it could collide with another car or a pedestrian.
Rear-End Accidents
Rear-end accidents are especially common in heavily trafficked areas. These kinds of accidents happen when one car collides with the rear of another car. In most cases, the front driver sustains severe injuries.
Side Impact Accidents
When the front end of a vehicle hits the left or right side of another vehicle, it’s called a side impact. These kinds of collisions often happen at an intersection when one car fails to stop or yield properly.
T-Bone Accidents
T-bone accidents happen when the front end of one car collides with the side of another car, making a “T” shape. These kinds of accidents are often severe and can even be fatal.
Pedestrian and Bike Accidents
Motor vehicle drivers aren’t the only ones who can sustain injuries in a car accident. Pedestrians and bicyclists on the road can be severely injured when hit by a car. If you were walking or cycling and got hit, contact an attorney on our team right away.
What Are the Most Common Injuries Sustained in a Car Accident?
Every kind of car accident can cause injuries with lasting symptoms. Some injuries are noticeable right away, while others take a few days (or even weeks) to develop fully. It is important to seek medical attention right away, as you could have underlying injuries that aren’t immediately obvious.
There are many kinds of injuries you could sustain after a car accident, including:
Cuts and Bruises
Minor injuries like these can happen from broken glass and other fragments from the car. Although they may seem minor at first, cuts and lacerations can become infected if not treated properly.
Burn Injuries
Hot metal parts and explosions can lead to burns. Some burns require extensive medical care, resulting in thousands of dollars in medical expenses.
Tissue Damage
Tissue and ligament damage is typically not immediately apparent. A doctor must diagnose and treat your tissue damage after a car accident.
Internal Injuries
The force from a car accident has the potential to damage or even rupture your internal organs. Symptoms of internal injuries include nausea, difficulty breathing, vomiting, and lightheadedness. Most internal injuries require surgery.
Broken Bones
Fractured arms and legs are incredibly common after a car accident. Severe fractures can require extensive treatment and may take months to heal completely.
Back and Spine Injuries
Back and spinal cord injuries can lead to severe complications. Depending on the severity of the crash and your injuries, these types of wounds can lead to temporary or permanent paralysis.
Head and Brain Injuries
Brain injury victims can suffer from symptoms like slurred speech, dizziness, confusion, and memory problems. These symptoms sometimes go away on their own, but many can cause long-lasting issues.
Loss of a Limb
Severe damage to the hands, feet, arms, and legs could require amputation. Losing a limb changes the way you complete daily tasks forever, leading to long recovery times.
Death
Severe car crashes can cause fatal injuries. Injury victims may pass away due to the extent of the trauma they have endured. If you have lost a loved one because of a car accident, talk to our attorneys today about filing a wrongful death claim.
What Damages Can You Seek After a Car Accident in Pasadena, CA?
If you’ve suffered any kind of financial losses after a car accident, you can claim those as damages. Generally, any expenses you’ve had to pay because of your injuries can be claimed. Car accident claims vary from person to person, so it’s important to talk to our personal injury attorneys about your case.
Many car accident victims claim the following:
- Medical bills, both present and future
- Lost wages
- Lost future income
- Property damage repair
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability
If you were hit by a drunk driver, you could also be awarded punitive damages. These additional damages are awarded by the court and are meant to punish an individual who behaved recklessly or dangerously. Punitive damages in car accident cases can amount to thousands of dollars. To learn more, contact our experienced car accident attorneys today.
What Are Some Common Mistakes to Avoid After a Car Accident?
Filing a car accident claim can be a stressful experience. Unfortunately, making mistakes at any point could elongate your timeline or even lead to a claim denial.
As you pursue compensation, be sure you’re avoiding the following mistakes:
Not Seeking Medical Attention
Getting medical attention is not only important for your health, but it creates a paper trail of your injuries. If you don’t seek medical care immediately after the accident, you may not be able to claim damages for your injuries.
Posting on Social Media
Anything you post online can be used as evidence against you. If you post about the car accident or your injuries, there’s a chance those posts could be taken out of context and used by opposing parties. Don’t post about your accident on social media to avoid this unnecessary evidence.
Talking to Other Parties
At-fault parties may reach out to you under false pretenses. No matter how kind they are being or what they’re offering, don’t engage in conversations with anyone you are filing a claim against. Those conversations can be used to deny you compensation.
Not Being Honest With Your Lawyers
Our team of car accident attorneys is here to help you. If you’re dishonest with us, we can’t use our experience and our knowledge to get you the compensation you deserve. Always tell us the truth, even if you think it might hurt you or your case.
Specific Rules Regarding Rideshare Accident Liability Insurance
Rideshare accidents are common in Pasadena, as people often use services like Lyft and Uber around Old Pasadena and the Rose Bowl. These companies have comprehensive liability insurance policies that cover their drivers, but coverage varies depending on whether drivers are using their apps, waiting for passengers, have passengers in the car, or are off the clock.
Both Uber and Lyft have $1 million of coverage for drivers who have passengers in their cars. However, these coverage limits are decreased to $50,000 per person or $100,000 per accident if drivers are online but waiting for riders. When drivers are offline, any accidents they get into will be handled by their personal insurance policies.
Third-Party Liability and Government Claims
In some cases, it’s not the drivers who cause accidents but other third parties. Third-party liability can be assigned to:
- Car manufacturers. If a design defect was to blame for your accident, the automotive manufacturer may be to blame. This is still the case even if a recall was put out for the design flaw.
- Parts manufacturers. If a part failed, causing a crash, the manufacturer of the part itself could hold some liability. Mechanics who install faulty parts can also be to blame for motor vehicle crashes.
- Municipal authorities. If poorly maintained roads, obscured signage, or malfunctioning traffic lights caused your accident, the Pasadena Department of Public Works could be to blame. There is a strict six-month deadline for filing claims against government entities, so you should let your lawyer know right away if you believe this to be the case.
In some cases, third parties share liability for a crash with the drivers themselves. These cases can become complicated and require the help of a skilled Pasadena car accident attorney to resolve.
What Does a Pasadena Car Accident Lawyer Do?
The physical pain from your injuries is only one aspect of a car crash. After an accident, you’re probably dealing with medical bills, lost income, emotional distress, and more. An attorney on our team will step in to walk you through your claim from beginning to end so you can focus on yourself.
As your legal team, we will take the following steps:
Investigating Your Case
Specific pieces of evidence can bolster your claim and increase your chances of success. We’ll examine photos, videos, witness statements, medical records, accident reports, and more. Using these documents, we can build a solid case that will give you the maximum amount of money possible.
Calculating Your Losses
Immediate costs like ambulance rides and medical bills are obvious. But you may have other damages that are just as important. Pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress are real damages that you can claim to increase your settlement. We will help you calculate these damages and incorporate them into your accident claim.
Negotiating With Insurance Companies
Your insurance company may try to offer a small settlement that doesn’t cover all of your expenses. We understand that talking to insurance agents can be difficult, especially when you’re recovering from injuries. We’ll talk to your insurance company on your behalf to negotiate for a higher settlement amount.
Pursuing Your Case in Court
Sometimes, the best way to get the compensation you are owed is by taking your case to trial. If that happens, we will build a solid case in your favor, presenting all your evidence before a judge. We won’t stop fighting until you get the outcome you deserve in your Pasadena car accident case.
Reasons to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer
In 2023, there were 978 people killed or injured in car accidents in Pasadena. Out of those crashes that caused deaths or injuries, 65 involved alcohol, another 125 were speed-related, and many others were caused by various other forms of driver negligence.
If you’ve been injured in a car wreck, you can hire a car accident lawyer to help you with every aspect of your case. Hiring a lawyer is the most effective way to improve your odds of receiving just compensation. It’s also a good way to take some of the stress off yourself during a difficult time when you should be focused on healing from your injuries.
FAQs
How Do You Show Nerve Damage From a Car Accident?
You can show nerve damage from a car accident in Pasadena by providing a copy of your medical record. Having objective medical documentation of the injury can help, such as electromyography, nerve conduction studies, and MRIs. However, the result of the medical exam immediately following your accident will be the most helpful. Doctors check for signs of numbness, tingling, and weakness during basic post-accident medical evaluations.
What Happens to Your Spine After a Car Accident in Pasadena?
What happens to your spine after a car accident in Pasadena depends on what kinds of injuries you sustained during the crash. The sudden, high-impact forces associated with car wrecks can bend or twist the spine beyond its usual range of motion, which can lead to a variety of injuries. Those injuries can include whiplash, herniated discs, or spinal fractures. Signs of spinal injuries include radiating pain, tingling, numbness, and limited mobility.
Why Should You Avoid Apologizing for a Car Accident in California?
You should avoid apologizing for a car accident in California because it implies that you are admitting fault, even if your intention was to be polite. Insurance companies can use this admission against you, reducing the amount of fault their clients are assigned or even arguing that you were entirely to blame for the crash, potentially eliminating your eligibility to receive compensation from the other driver.
How Long Can You Wait to Call a Lawyer After a Car Accident in Pasadena?
You can wait up to two years to call a lawyer after a car accident in Pasadena, as that’s the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in California. However, you should keep in mind that lawyers need time to build their cases, and it’s better to reach out as soon as possible after the crash rather than to wait until the deadline to file is approaching. Filing earlier also means the accident will still be clear in your mind.
If You’ve Been Injured in a Car Crash, Contact a Car Accident Law Firm
Insurance companies routinely try to pay victims as little as possible—sometimes nothing at all. We make insurers play by the rules and pay you the full compensation you deserve. We’ve handled personal injury claims for car accident victims in Southern California for over thirty years.
We’ve established a record of success for clients and a reputation for honesty, tenacity, and excellence. Get the trustworthy legal advice and representation you need from an experienced Pasadena car accident attorney; if you’ve been injured in southern California because of another driver’s negligence, call Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor, A Professional Corporation, today at 626-208-9906 or contact us online right now to schedule a free initial consultation with a car accident lawyer.
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