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Should I hire a Glendale car accident lawyer? How can a Glendale car accident attorney help me? Who is at fault? Who will pay for auto repairs and medical bills? These are only a few questions you might ask yourself after a car accident.
We have the answers and the guidance to help you get through this situation. Read on to learn more about what to do after an accident, whether any special rules apply to this city, and if you should get help from a Glendale car accident lawyer.
Where Do Accidents Typically Happen in Glendale, CA?
Glendale is the fourth largest city in Los Angeles County. It's a great place to live and work, but as with all big cities, traffic can make it a more dangerous place to drive.
Some spots are prone to car crashes because they're arterial roads that most Glendale drivers use. Collisions are also more likely to happen at intersections due to a lack of visibility or other issues.
LA's infamous Highway 138, or "Death Road," runs north of Glendale. This highway is known for its often deadly crashes, but it's not the only dangerous spot in the area. I-210, Ventura Freeway, and the Arroyo Secco Parkway that connects LA to Pasadena are roads where you should watch out for unsafe drivers.
Within Glendale, there are spots that see the most car accidents, including Brand Boulevard, a major north-south axis. Several intersections are notoriously dangerous along this boulevard, like the intersections with Sanchez Drive, Goode Avenue, and Colorado Street.
Colorado Street is an east-west axis that can get busy. Watch out for the intersection with Verdugo Road near the Moyse Baseball Field, where crashes are common.
Other problematic areas include Honolulu Avenue and Lowell Avenue, where people get on and off the San Fernando Freeway and the corner of Glendale Avenue and East Broadway near the Glendale Civic Center.
Could Reduced Speed Limits Result in Fewer Crashes?
During COVID-19, California saw fewer drivers on the roads. Instead of making the driving conditions safer, empty streets encouraged people to speed, resulting in more crashes. In 2020, there were 3,980 motor vehicle deaths in California. This number exceeded 4,000 in 2021.
San Francisco representative Phil Ting and Glendale representative Laura Friedman proposed changing how cities determine speed limits with bill AB 43. Before AB 43, cities had to conduct speed surveys and adjust speed limits to match the average speed of 85% of drivers. This approach resulted in an overall increase in speed limits, contributing to the epidemic of speed-related traffic deaths.
AB 43 became law in October 2021, allowing cities to bypass the 85th percentile rule and designate corridors where a lower speed limit would make people safer.
Glendale representative Laura Friedman isn't stopping here. She is working on a new proposal to introduce a five-year speed camera pilot program to Glendale and other California cities.
Accident Statistics for Glendale, CA
Data from the California Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System shows there were a total of four fatal crashes in 2022 in Glendale. This number is consistent with previous years.
The total number of car crashes involving deaths and injuries reached 605 in 2022. This number is going back up compared to data from the pandemic, but it's still far from the 757 crashes registered in 2018.
Alcohol-related crashes seem to be more common. With alcohol playing a part in 54 collisions in 2022, there is a significant increase compared to pre-pandemic data.
However, Glendale residents seem more careful on the roads, with a decline in speed-related crashes. The adoption of AB 43 may be making a difference. Compared to 417 speed-related accidents recorded in 2018, there were only 272 crashes that involved speeding in 2022.
What to Do If You're in an Accident in Glendale, CA
Being in a car crash can be traumatic. Even if you're not injured, you might feel disoriented and confused. Knowing what to prioritize and which steps to take to protect your rights and health is essential. These steps will also enable your Glendale car accident lawyer to help your case best.
Here's what to do if you've been in a car accident:
Stop Immediately
A common mistake drivers make is to panic and keep going after hitting something. Under Section 20002 of the California Vehicle Code, you must stop if you hit a person, an animal, another vehicle, or property in any way.
You also must exchange your information with the other driver and assist if anyone is injured. If you hit a parked vehicle or damaged property, you should look for the owner and leave a note with your contact information if you can't find them.
Call 911
Was anyone injured in the crash? If yes, call 911 immediately and get out of the way while you wait for help. The dispatcher will take care of notifying the police and emergency responders.
It's best to call 911 even if your injuries look minor. To be safe, you should seek medical assistance since some symptoms might not appear directly after the accident. For instance, if you're experiencing whiplash or a concussion, you may not know that now. Getting prompt medical help will make sure your well-being is taken care of.
You're legally obligated to call the police to report a motor vehicle accident - in most cases. You can reach the Glendale Police Department at 818-548-4911 or the California Highway Patrol at 800-835-5247. Note that these two phone numbers are non-emergency lines. You should use them only if no one is seriously injured in the crash.
Regardless of what number you use to contact help, you must call the police in the following situations:
- Someone died in the accident.
- Someone was injured, even if the injury is minor.
- The accident caused more than $1,000 in property damage.
An officer will come to the scene and fill out a police report to document the accident. They'll also help clear the scene to limit traffic disruptions and keep other drivers safe.
You are not obligated to call the police if no one was injured and if property damage doesn't exceed $1,000. However, assessing the extent of the property damage can be challenging in an accident.
It is best to contact the Glendale Police Department or California Highway Patrol to get a police report and be safe. Your Glendale car accident lawyer can use the police report to support your case.
Gather Information
One of the most important things after a car crash is exchanging information with the other parties. Getting this information will make it easier for your Glendale car accident lawyer to help your case. Plus, gathering information will help establish what happened and who's liable.
Remember that the law requires you to share your contact and insurance information and that the other driver has to do the same. Here's what you should write down after the accident:
- Record the exact day and time of the accident. Drivers often feel disoriented after a crash, and these details might be hard to recall.
- Ask the other driver for their name, address, and phone number. If there are more than two drivers involved, get everyone's information. If a passenger was injured, get their information as well.
- Write down as many details as possible about the vehicles involved. Record the make, model, year, color, and license plate.
- Exchange your insurance information. Write down the name of the insurance company the other driver uses and their policy number. This information should be on their insurance card.
- Use your phone to take some photos. First responders will clean up the accident scene quickly. Photographs can help your Glendale car accident attorney establish what happened. Take pictures of all the vehicles involved from multiple angles. Ensure your photos show the damage caused during the accident and the entire scene.
- Get witness statements. Did anyone see the accident? If yes, approach them and ask for their name and contact information. Witnesses are essential if you go to court to establish who's responsible for the accident.
- Take note of local businesses. Are there any nearby? If yes, write down their names and addresses since they might've caught the crash on their security system.
- Get the officer’s name and content information. When the police arrive, write down the officer's name and ask for their card so you can contact them again if needed.
- Remember to get a copy of the police report. You should also ask for a copy of the police report.
Notify the DMV
California law requires you to notify the DMV of the accident within ten days. You can do so by filling out form SR 1.
This rule applies if the accident was fatal, caused an injury, or resulted in more than $1,000 in property damage. In other words, you don't need to notify the DMV if the accident only caused minor damages and didn't result in any injuries.
You don't need to complete form SR 1 by yourself, either. Your Glendale car accident lawyer can notify the DMV on your behalf.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Reach out to your insurance agent as soon as possible after a car accident. Your agent will walk you through the process of filing a claim. You'll have to provide some of the details listed above, and they'll ask you to make a written or recorded statement.
Tread carefully here. Insurance companies may close claims by giving the least amount of money possible. So, seek the guidance of your Glendale car accident attorney to ensure you're treated fairly.
Once you file a claim, the insurance company will investigate what happened. They'll likely schedule a car inspection to assess the extent of the damages. A claims adjuster will review the claim and determine who's liable and how much you can receive for your injuries or damages.
Get Additional Evidence
Your insurance company might request more evidence when processing your claim. If you received medical care after the accident, keep a copy of your medical bills and records. Local hospitals with emergency rooms include:
- Glendale Memorial Hospital
- USC Verdugo Hills
- Adventist Health
You can also obtain a copy of the accident report from the Glendale Police Department website. It is important to keep all documents related to the accident so that you have evidence supporting your claim.
Get Help From a Car Accident Attorney in Glendale, CA
Your Glendale car accident lawyer may suggest filing a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf, and they'll represent you during this process. Having a lawyer by your side may improve your chances of getting a settlement that covers all your medical bills and the damages to your vehicle since they can present a compelling case that shows who's liable for the accident.
Look Into Short-Term Disability Benefits
California is one of the states with a short-term disability benefits program. This program aims to provide a temporary wage replacement if you can't work because of a non-work-related illness or injury. You can claim benefits for up to 52 weeks and qualify if you miss work for eight days or more.
If you sustain injuries during the car accident and can't work, you may file a short-term disability benefits claim as soon as possible to compensate for any lost wages.
Special Rules for Glendale, CA Drivers
Under California law, drivers need to purchase the following coverage:
- $15,000 for injury or death of a person
- $30,000 for injury or death of more than one person
- $5,000 for property damage
If medical bills or damage exceed these amounts, the party liable for the accident can be sued in a personal injury lawsuit. Sometimes, the court will seize assets to cover damages and medical bills.
Some drivers have additional Uninsured Motorist Coverage or Underinsured Motorist Coverage. Insurance providers must offer this type of coverage and have you sign a waiver if you decide not to purchase it. If you choose to buy this type of coverage, your insurance provider may offer a larger settlement in case the other driver can't cover the damages they caused. Your Glendale car accident lawyer can help you understand the coverage you have.
Another important note to remember: California uses a pure comparative negligence system for car accidents. This system means that the parties' financial responsibility is based on the degree to which they're at fault. So, two or more drivers can share liability.
In some cases, the accident results from both parties engaging in unsafe behaviors on the road. You can also share fault if the accident involved a pedestrian or a bicyclist. Your level of responsibility will determine the amount of compensation you can receive.
For instance, if the claims adjuster determines that you're 30% at fault for the accident, you could get compensation for up to 70% of the damages. This model allows all parties to claim compensation regardless of their liability percentage. In other words, a party 99% responsible for the accident can still claim compensation for 1% of the damages or medical bills.
If you disagree with the fault percentage, you and your Glendale car accident attorney can file a lawsuit and have a judge or jury determine liability for the parties involved.
Get Help From a Glendale Car Accident Lawyer
While some claims can be settled without legal representation, it can be challenging to determine who's at fault for the accident and how the different parties share the responsibility.
Having a legal representative on your side is beneficial if you were involved in an accident where liability isn't easy to determine. A car accident attorney in Glendale, CA, or one near you, can help you gather all the evidence you need and negotiate with insurers on your behalf. If you can't settle with the insurance companies, your attorney can help you file a lawsuit and will represent you during this process.
Accident.com can help you find an attorney in Glendale, CA. All you have to do is fill out a form to tell us about your situation, and you will be put in touch with one of the lawyers from their network for a free initial consultation. Don't delay. Remember to report the accident and file a claim within strict deadlines.
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