Car Accident Lawyer In Los Angeles: Claims, Damages, Timeline

We specialize in car accidents throughout Los Angeles and the entire State of California—and if you were injured in a crash, The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus is ready to fight for maximum compensation. Call 818-784-8544 for a FREE consultation. Don’t wait. Waiting hurts your case. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can help you.

After a car accident in Los Angeles, you’re immediately dealing with pain, uncertainty, medical bills, car repairs, missed work, and insurance adjusters calling you like it’s their job—because it is. The insurance company’s goal is not to “take care of you.” Their goal is to close your claim for the least amount possible.

This guide is built for real crash victims across California—especially in Los Angeles—who need straight answers about:

• the LA car accident claims process,

• damages and compensation you can recover, and

• the real settlement timeline (and what speeds it up or slows it down).

Call RIGHT NOW and speak with a lawyer for FREE at 818-784-8544.
Our car accident attorneys are standing by. Don’t wait. Waiting hurts your case. The sooner you call, the sooner we can help you.

What does A Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyer Do?

A Los Angeles car accident lawyer investigates fault, preserves evidence, handles communications with insurance adjusters, documents injuries and damages, negotiates for maximum compensation, and—if the insurer refuses to pay fairly—files a lawsuit and prepares the case for trial. A lawyer can also help protect you from recorded-statement traps, comparative-fault blame games, and lowball settlement pressure.

Call 818-784-8544 for a FREE consultation with The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus. Don’t wait—waiting hurts your case.

We specialize in California car accident cases—here’s why that matters for your result

Specialization matters because Los Angeles car accident cases are not “simple claims.” They involve:

• dense traffic collisions on major freeways (I-405, I-10, US-101, I-5, I-110)

• rideshare and delivery drivers with layered insurance

• uninsured/underinsured drivers

• disputed liability with conflicting stories

• injuries that evolve over weeks (concussion, back/neck trauma, torn ligaments)

• adjusters trained to minimize payouts before your full diagnosis is clear

You do not win by being polite. You win by building proof early—liability proof, medical proof, and damages proof—so the insurer has no safe exit.

Call 818-784-8544 now. Don’t wait. Waiting hurts your case. The sooner you call, the sooner we can help you.

Immediate steps after a car accident in Los Angeles (do this NOW)

If the crash just happened—or you’re still in the early stages—these steps can protect your health and your claim value:

1. Get medical care immediately
   Even “minor” symptoms can become serious. Early records matter.

2. Report the crash
   Call 911 when appropriate and ensure a report is generated.

3. Photograph everything
   Vehicle damage, plates, intersection signs, skid marks, debris, injuries, weather/lighting.

4. Get witness information
   Names and numbers. Witnesses disappear fast in LA.

5. Do NOT give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer
   This is one of the fastest ways to damage your claim.

6. Do NOT sign medical authorizations
   Broad releases allow insurers to dig for excuses.

7. Call a car accident lawyer immediately
   Early action preserves evidence and prevents expensive mistakes.

Call RIGHT NOW at 818-784-8544 for a FREE consultation.
Don’t wait. Waiting hurts your case. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can help you.

Part 1: Claims — How Los Angeles car accident claims actually work

A “claim” is your request for compensation from an insurance company after someone else’s negligence caused your injuries. Most cases begin as an insurance claim, but insurance is not designed to be fair—it’s designed to be profitable.

The players involved

• the at-fault driver (and often their employer or company)

• one or more insurance carriers

• adjusters, supervisors, and sometimes corporate defense attorneys

• medical providers and billing entities

• sometimes experts (accident reconstruction, medical, vocational)

What the insurer is evaluating

Insurance companies essentially “score” your case based on:

1. How clear fault is (liability)

2. How serious your injuries are

3. How much treatment you needed (and will need)

4. Whether you missed work or lost earning capacity

5. Whether they can blame you (comparative fault)

6. Whether you will litigate (and win)

Your job is not to “be reasonable.” Your job is to protect yourself and prove the case.

Call 818-784-8544 for a FREE consultation. Don’t wait. Waiting hurts your case.

Step-by-step LA claims process (what usually happens)

Step 1: The crash + initial report

Police/CHP reports help establish basic facts and identify parties and witnesses. Even when reports are “neutral,” they can still be useful.

Step 2: Medical evaluation and diagnosis

Car crash injuries are often delayed. Concussions, disc injuries, and soft tissue trauma can worsen over days. The earlier you treat, the cleaner your medical timeline.

Step 3: Evidence collection (this is where cases are won)

This includes:

• scene photos and vehicle damage analysis

• witness interviews

• traffic camera or nearby business footage

• phone records or distracted-driving indicators (when relevant)

• repair estimates and medical documentation

Step 4: Insurance communications

This is where adjusters try to reduce value:

• recorded statements

• “friendly” conversations that become admissions

• pressure to accept early settlement offers

Step 5: Demand package and negotiation

When treatment stabilizes (or future needs are clear), a demand is submitted with:

• liability proof

• medical evidence and billing

• wage loss documentation

• pain/suffering impact proof

• a settlement demand

Step 6: Litigation if the insurer won’t pay fairly

If the insurer refuses to pay reasonable value, a lawsuit can be filed to force accountability through:

• discovery (documents, depositions)

• expert opinions

• mediation

• trial preparation

If you want maximum compensation, your case must be built like it will go to trial—even if it settles.

Call 818-784-8544. Don’t wait. Waiting hurts your case. The sooner you call, the sooner we can help you.

Part 2: Damages — What your car accident case may be worth in California

Your compensation (damages) is based on the harm you suffered, financially and personally.

1) Economic damages (hard numbers)

These include:

• ambulance and ER bills

• hospital and specialist care

• imaging (X-ray, CT, MRI)

• physical therapy, chiropractic, injections

• surgery and post-op rehab

• medications and medical devices

• future medical care

• lost wages

• reduced earning capacity

• property damage and rental costs

• out-of-pocket expenses tied to recovery

Why future care drives value

Insurers hate future care because it increases exposure. If you have:

• a surgical recommendation,

• long-term PT needs,

• chronic pain management, or

• ongoing neurologic symptoms,
  your case may be worth significantly more—but only if medically supported.

Call 818-784-8544 for a FREE case evaluation. Don’t wait.

2) Non-economic damages (pain and suffering)

This is often the largest part of a serious injury case.

Pain and suffering can include:

• physical pain and limitation

• emotional distress and anxiety

• PTSD symptoms and driving fear

• loss of enjoyment of life

• sleep issues and fatigue

• inability to do hobbies, exercise, parenting tasks

• relationship strain and loss of consortium

Insurers try to shrink this category by calling you “fine” if you:

• delay treatment,

• have gaps in care, or

• return to activities too soon.

That is why consistency matters.

Call 818-784-8544. Don’t wait. Waiting hurts your case.

3) Punitive damages (when applicable)

Punitive damages may apply in cases involving egregious conduct—most commonly DUI-related crashes. These are fact-specific and require proof of conduct beyond ordinary negligence.

If you suspect DUI, it is even more important to act quickly and preserve evidence.

Call 818-784-8544 now.

Injuries that typically increase car accident case value

While every case is unique, claim value tends to rise with:

• traumatic brain injury (TBI), concussion with persistent symptoms

• herniated discs with radiculopathy (nerve pain/numbness)

• fractures (wrist, ankle, ribs, hip, pelvis)

• torn ligaments (ACL/meniscus, rotator cuff)

• surgical injuries

• significant scarring/disfigurement

• long-term impairment or permanent restrictions

Insurance companies pay more when injury proof is objective and the impact is documented.

Call 818-784-8544 for a FREE consultation. Don’t wait.

Part 3: Timeline — How long a Los Angeles car accident case takes (and why)

There is no single “standard” timeline, but most cases follow a pattern.

Phase 1: Days 1–14 (the critical window)

This is where evidence is freshest and mistakes are most damaging.

What should happen:

• medical evaluation and follow-up plan

• photos, witness collection, report retrieval

• insurance claim setup

• protecting yourself from recorded statement traps

This is also when surveillance footage and witness memory are easiest to secure.

Don’t wait. Call 818-784-8544. The sooner you call, the sooner we can help you.

Phase 2: Weeks 2–12 (diagnosis and treatment development)

This phase includes:

• PT/chiro, specialist referrals

• imaging (MRI/CT)

• identifying the true injury picture

• documenting work restrictions and symptoms

Many cases shift in value here because injuries like disc herniations and concussions become clearer.

Phase 3: Months 3–9+ (settlement positioning)

Once treatment stabilizes (or future needs are documented), your case can be valued accurately and negotiated from strength.

If the insurer is reasonable, settlement can happen here. If not, litigation begins.

Phase 4: Litigation (when required)

Litigation can include:

• filing a lawsuit

• depositions and discovery

• expert evaluations

• mediation

• trial prep and trial

Many cases still resolve during litigation, but the timeline depends on severity and defense posture.

What speeds up your LA car accident case?

• clear fault (rear-end, red-light with video)

• prompt, consistent medical documentation

• complete wage loss proof

• organized demand package

• insurer willing to negotiate fairly

What slows it down?

• disputed liability (lane-change, intersection collisions)

• multiple parties and multi-vehicle accidents

• rideshare/delivery layered coverage disputes

• uninsured/underinsured issues

• severe injuries requiring surgery or long rehab

• missing evidence or delayed treatment

LA-specific claim issues: rideshare, delivery, and employer liability

Uber/Lyft accidents

Coverage changes depending on app status. Insurers often dispute that status. These cases require careful insurance-layer analysis.

Delivery drivers and “on the job” crashes

If the at-fault driver was working, employer liability and commercial insurance may apply, which can materially increase available coverage.

Call 818-784-8544 if your crash involved a rideshare or delivery driver. Don’t wait.

Insurance company tactics that destroy claim value (avoid these)

1) Recorded statements

Adjusters are trained to ask “innocent” questions designed to produce damaging soundbites.

2) Broad medical authorizations

This allows fishing for old injuries and unrelated conditions.

3) Early settlement offers

Early offers often ignore:

• future care

• long-term pain

• work limitations

• full injury scope

4) Comparative fault blame

Even a small percentage of fault alleged against you can reduce your recovery.

Don’t give them ammunition. Call 818-784-8544. Waiting hurts your case.

Frequently Asked Questions: Los Angeles Car Accident Claims

How much is my LA car accident case worth?

It depends on liability strength, injury severity, treatment, future needs, wage loss, and pain-and-suffering impact. A real evaluation requires review of your facts and records.

Call 818-784-8544 for a FREE consultation.

Do I need a lawyer if the other driver admits fault?

Admissions help, but insurers still underpay if injuries are serious or the adjuster believes you will settle cheap. Evidence and medical documentation still matter.

What if I was partly at fault?

You may still recover, but fault allocation can reduce your compensation. Strong evidence can minimize blame shifting.

What if the other driver has no insurance?

UM coverage may apply under your policy or household policies. Timing matters—do not delay.

Call 818-784-8544 now.

Why The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus — and why urgency matters

We specialize in car accident injury cases throughout Los Angeles and the entire State of California. That means we understand:

• how LA insurers evaluate claims,

• how liability disputes are fought,

• how medical evidence must be documented, and

• how to build leverage for maximum compensation.

But here is the bottom line: the case starts the day of the crash—not the day you decide to call.
Evidence disappears. Narratives get shaped. Injuries get questioned.

Don’t wait. Waiting hurts your case. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can help you.

Call Now: Free Consultation (818-784-8544)

If you were injured in a Los Angeles car accident—anywhere in LA County or anywhere in California—do not let the insurance company control your claim.

Call RIGHT NOW and speak with a lawyer for FREE at 818-784-8544. Our attorneys are standing by. Don’t wait. Waiting hurts your case. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can help you.

Key Questions After a Los Angeles Car Accident