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Were You Injured in an Encino Car Accident?

Defending Your Rights To Compensation

California car accidents can be jarring, physically and emotionally. The very first concern after an accident is whether everyone is okay. The truth is, with the adrenaline of the crash pulsating through the individuals involved, you may not know the accident’s full impact immediately.

In the minutes following a Los Angeles County car accident, your highest priority is the welfare of everyone involved and ensuring that anyone injured is taken to the nearest medical facility for treatment.

This is also a critical time to preserve potential legal claims you may be entitled to under the situation. Immediately after an accident, everything you say and do can affect the outcome of a personal injury lawsuit or claim that you may have against the other party or person responsible for your accident. When you call us, Binder Law Group’s Encino car accident attorneys can protect you and your entitlement to financial compensation.

Contact us today for a free consultation online or by phone at (818) 659-8588 after you’ve been injured in a car accident. The sooner you call, the sooner we can help you heal and pay your bills.

Encino Car Accident lawyer

What are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Encino, California?

Car accidents can happen anytime and anywhere in San Fernando Valley and throughout California. Unfortunately, they happen often thanks to the state’s traffic patterns and congestion. And when they do, people get hurt.

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), nearly 204,000 people were injured in traffic crashes last year alone.

The most common causes of car accidents throughout the state include:

  • Speeding.
  • Failure to Signal When Switching Lanes.
  • Reckless Driving (Swerving, Rapid Lane Changes).
  • Damaged/Dangerous Roads.
  • Road Work.
  • Driving Under the Influence of Drugs/Alcohol.
  • Severe Weather.
  • Not Obeying Traffic Rules.
  • Distracted Driving.
  • Fatigue.

car accident due to speeding

Car accident injuries can have an immediate and lasting impact on a person’s life, affecting their physical health, emotional well-being, and financial stability. Even seemingly minor injuries can lead to chronic pain, mobility issues, and ongoing medical treatment. In contrast, more severe injuries—such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or broken bones—can result in permanent disabilities.

Beyond the physical toll, accident victims often face mounting medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress that disrupts their daily lives and plans. The ripple effect extends to families, who may take on caregiving responsibilities or struggle with financial burdens. Recovering from a car accident isn’t just about healing—it’s about rebuilding a life that may never be the same.

If you have been involved in a car accident and sustained bodily or vehicle harm, please contact our Encino car accident attorneys at Binder Law Group. We are here to help guide you through the process. Call us today to learn how.

What Happens If I Lose a Loved One in a Car Accident in Encino, California

Last year, OTS reported 3,998 fatal car crashes throughout the state. Losing a loved one in a car accident in Encino or elsewhere in California, is a profound tragedy that can leave families grappling with emotional and financial hardships.

In such circumstances, California law provides a pathway for surviving family members to seek justice and compensation through a wrongful death claim.​

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim After a Fatal Car Accident in California?

Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60, the following individuals are typically eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit:​

  • The deceased person’s surviving spouse or domestic partner.​
  • The deceased person’s surviving children.
  • If no surviving children exist, the deceased person’s parents or siblings may be eligible.​
  • Individuals who were financially dependent on the deceased, such as stepchildren or putative spouses.​

Compensation in a wrongful death claim may include:​

  • Economic Damages: These cover financial contributions the deceased would have provided, funeral and burial expenses, and the value of household services.​
  • Non-Economic Damages: These address the loss of love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance, protection, affection, society, and moral support.​

California imposes a statute of limitations on wrongful death claims, generally requiring filing within two years from the date of the deceased person’s death. Failing to file within this period may forfeit the right to pursue compensation.​

Navigating the legal process during such a challenging time can be overwhelming. Engaging with our experienced car accident and wrongful death attorneys in Encino can provide guidance tailored to your situation, ensuring your rights are protected and you pursue the compensation your family deserves. Contact Binder Law Group today to learn more about your legal rights and options.

What To Do After an Encino Auto Accident to Help Build Your Personal Injury Claim

If you have just been in a car accident, your first step should be to seek medical attention. After getting medical attention and care, your next step should be to contact a lawyer about your situation.

Other necessary steps after an accident include:

  • Calling the police to report the car accident: If anyone is injured, immediately call 911. The police are responsible for preparing and filing the accident report.
  • Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver.
  • Some injuries are not always immediately apparent. Even if you feel fine after an accident, visit your doctor for a complete examination and seek appropriate medical treatment for any condition arising from the accident. The insurance company may use waiting a few weeks or longer to see a doctor as a defense that the accident did not cause your injuries, making it more difficult to recover your damages.
  • Using your smartphone, take pictures of the accident scene, your vehicle, and the other vehicle to help reconstruct the accident.
  • Gather names and contact details of eyewitnesses to the accident. Their statements may be taken at a later time.
  • Do not discuss how the accident happened: While you may inquire from the other driver if he and the other car’s occupants are okay, do not discuss how it occurred. Any statement you make at this time can potentially harm the value of your legal claim.
  • Engage the services of an experienced accident attorney to help you present your claim to insurance companies. Insurance companies will attempt to deny or pay as little as possible for an insurance claim.

What Should You NOT Do After a California Car Accident?

Being in a car accident can be overwhelming; the shock may lead you to forget to take the necessary steps.

Do NOT do the following after getting into an accident:

  • Flee the scene.
  • Forget to call 911 if someone is injured.
  • Fail to maintain your calm and collected attitude.
  • Forget to document the accident (take photos of the other driver’s license and the crash scene).
  • Admit to fault.
  • Speak to the other driver’s insurance without an attorney present.
  • File a lawsuit alone.

Who Should You Report an Encino Car Accident To?

If you or a loved one is involved in an accident, you will absolutely want to notify the authorities and ensure that a thorough report is recorded at the scene upon their arrival.

Depending on where you are, the law enforcement agency may differ from local police, highway patrol, or even state authorities. You may have to insist on the authorities arriving and completing a State of California Traffic Collision Report. Do not relent. Call 911 and request an emergency response before anyone leaves the scene. This report is essential to your case and will contain the information necessary to move forward with a claim, including the other driver’s name, contact data, and insurance details. Witness information will also appear on the report, allowing you – or your attorney – to contact them later to confirm the event details.

Recording this information at the scene will allow first-hand interviews to appear in the investigative report while the information is fresh in the minds of both drivers and witnesses. Injuries and any complaints made at the scene will also be documented, allowing the responding authorities to establish a clear record of fault.

What if I were a Passenger in an Encino Car Accident—Can I Still File a Claim?

If you were a passenger in a car accident in Encino or anywhere in California, you can file a claim for your injuries. As a passenger, you are typically not at fault, which means you have the right to seek compensation from the driver(s) responsible for the accident.

Your claim may be directed toward:

  • The driver of the vehicle you were in – If they were at fault for the crash, negligently speeding, distracted driving, or DUI.
  • Another driver involved in the accident – If another vehicle caused the collision.
  • Both drivers – If both the driver of your vehicle and another driver share responsibility.
  • A third party – If poor road conditions, defective auto parts, or improper signage contributed to the accident.

Passengers injured in a car accident can pursue compensation for:

  • Medical expenses (current and future treatment, surgeries, therapy).
  • Lost wages (if your injuries prevent you from working).
  • Pain and suffering (physical and emotional distress).
  • Permanent disability or disfigurement.

If you are a family member living in the same household as the at-fault driver, their insurance policy may not cover your claim due to exclusions. However, other legal options may be available.

California’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the accident date. If you don’t take legal action within this timeframe, you may lose your right to compensation.

If you were injured as a passenger in an Encino car accident, it’s essential to speak with our experienced Los Angeles County car accident attorneys to understand your legal options and ensure you receive full compensation for your injuries. We can help you determine liability, negotiate with insurance companies, and file a lawsuit if necessary, starting with a free consultation.

Sharing Information With Insurance Representatives

As an insured motorist, each driver must notify their insurance company that they have been involved in an accident and to cooperate with their inquiries regarding the claim. You are certainly and absolutely under zero obligation to talk to the other driver’s insurance company, nor disclose any investigation details until you speak with an attorney.

Do not help the other driver’s insurance company create a case against you at any time. You are not obligated to answer any of their questions and are certainly not required to provide a recorded statement at any time – no matter what they say.

If you feel pressure from the other driver’s insurance company in any way, contact one of our Encino car accident attorneys right away. This will keep you from delivering any possibly incriminating statements, even without your knowledge. For lack of a better expression, insurance companies can be tricky in seeking the answers they want recorded. No matter what the other party’s insurance company says, you are absolutely under no obligation to provide them with any information, at any time.

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Contact Our Skilled Auto Accident Lawyers in Encino, California

A car accident can turn your life upside down in an instant, leaving you with mounting medical bills, lost wages, severe pain, and costly property damage. At Binder Law Group, we understand your overwhelming challenges and are committed to helping you secure the full compensation you deserve. Our experienced Encino auto accident attorneys will fight tirelessly to hold the responsible parties accountable and ensure you receive the financial support needed to recover and move forward.

Time is critical when pursuing a claim; the sooner you take action, the stronger your case will be. Let us handle the legal complexities while you focus on healing. Call (818) 659-8588 or contact our Encino car accident lawyers online today for a free, no-obligation consultation and take the first step toward justice and financial recovery.

You don’t have to go through this alone—we are here to help every step of the way.

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