Find The Best Car Accident Lawyer in Long Beach, CA (2024)

How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost in Long Beach, California?

Most Long Beach car accident lawyers handle personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis and only get paid if you win your case or reach a settlement. They usually retain between 33% to 40% of the settlement proceeds or court award as their payment for representing you. In some cases, the percentage varies depending on whether the case settles or goes to trial.

There are many costs involved with pursuing a lawsuit, including court fees, expert witness fees, and administrative costs (like postage, messenger fees, travel costs and other expenses). These are usually deducted from the amount you recover, but some attorneys ask their clients to cover them as they accrue. Before signing a retainer agreement, discuss how costs will be paid and who will pay them if the attorney cannot recover compensation on your behalf.

How to Hire a Long Beach, California Car Accident Attorney

California allows lawyers to specialize in specific areas of law through the State Bar of California's Board of Legal Specialization (CBLS). However, the current areas of specialization do not include personal injury cases, which make up the majority of car accident lawsuits. To find the right Long Beach car accident attorney for your case, you'll have to do a little legwork. These tips can help you get started.

1. Research. Online reviews can provide insights into a lawyer's reputation and client satisfaction. Many lawyers post client testimonials and examples of previous verdicts and settlements on their websites. You should also check whether an attorney is licensed in good standing to practice and review any past disciplinary action on the State Bar of California's website.
2. Relevant experience. If you've been injured in a car accident, you need an attorney with experience pursuing similar cases. A Long Beach car accident law firm that knows the local courts, insurance companies and accident hotspots will give you a significant advantage as you pursue your case.
3. Resources. For some claims, you may want the personalized attention and dedication that a solo practitioner or small firm can offer. For other claims, like truck accidents involving catastrophic injuries and complex liability issues, you need a larger firm with specialized experience and resources.

Once you have a few prospects, schedule some interviews. Most Long Beach car accident attorneys offer free in-person or virtual consultations to discuss your case and ask about their experience with similar cases. These meetings give you an opportunity to evaluate how well you communicate with the attorney and whether you feel comfortable.

A good attorney should be responsive, transparent and willing to answer your questions. If you speak English as a second language or have other communication issues, it's especially important to make sure you can communicate effectively with a lawyer and their staff.

During an initial consultation, a lawyer will evaluate the facts of your case and help you understand whether you have a viable claim. If they believe you have a case and agree to represent you, they will give you a copy of their proposed fee agreement. Read it thoroughly and discuss its terms before you sign it. Once you sign this contract, they are your lawyer.

Average Car Accident Settlement in Long Beach, California

In most car accident cases, the at-fault driver's insurer reviews an injured party's economic damages (including medical bills, lost wages, vehicle damage and other accident-related expenses) and proposes a settlement that adds additional compensation for pain, suffering and other non-economic damages. These settlements are confidential. Because of this secrecy, it's not really possible to estimate how much the "average" Long Beach car accident case is worth.

Attorneys and insurance adjusters look at many factors when valuing a car accident case. These include the circumstances of the accident, whether it's clear who is at fault, the severity and permanence of your injuries, the amount of damage to the vehicles and how much your injuries affect your income and earning potential. Every case is different, so the value of an "average" accident claim isn't very helpful to understand how much your case is worth.

Experienced car accident attorneys know how to evaluate the true value of your claim and present your case persuasively to insurance adjusters, who will try to minimize their payout. If they are unable to negotiate an acceptable settlement, they will present your case to a judge or jury at trial. Skilled attorneys are generally able to negotiate much higher settlements for their clients than the insurers would otherwise offer.

An experienced Long Beach auto accident attorney will use their past settlement experiences and verdicts to accurately value your case and direct their negotiations. They can also help you explore additional avenues for recovering the full value of your case, including filing an underinsured/uninsured coverage claim or other third-party liability claims.

Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in California

Filing a car accident lawsuit may be the best way to recover the full value of your claim, especially if the at-fault party carries the minimum insurance coverage required by California law. If you suffered damages that exceed the at-fault driver's policy limits, you may need to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. You may also need to file a lawsuit if the other driver's insurer denies liability for the crash or challenges the amount of your damages.

You may be able to pursue a number of different claims related to an auto accident. These could include claims against an at-fault driver, the at-fault driver's employer if they were working at the time of the crash, a property owner whose negligence caused unsafe conditions or a vehicle manufacturer whose defective products contributed to the accident.

California follows a "pure" comparative negligence rule. Even if you are partly responsible for the accident that caused your damages, you can recover compensation from other at-fault parties. Any compensation a judge or jury awards to you will be reduced by your own percentage of fault. An experienced Long Beach car accident attorney can help you understand what claims you may have and the options you have to pursue compensation.

How Does a Car Accident Lawsuit Work in Long Beach, California?

Although every case is different, the process of filing a Long Beach car accident lawsuit is essentially the same. The basic steps of the process are as follows:

1. Complaint, Service and Answer. Your attorney will prepare a "complaint" describing the details of the accident and the compensation you seek and file it with the appropriate court. You must then "serve" the complaint on everyone you name as a defendant (the party or parties you claim are legally responsible for your damages). They must file a responsive pleading within a specified period (generally 30 days).
2. Discovery. The parties then exchange information, evidence and documentation relevant to the case, including medical records, accident reports and witness statements. They will conduct depositions (interviews under oath).
3. Pre-trial motions and settlement negotiations. There will be numerous court hearings to resolve procedural and evidentiary issues, most of which your attorney will attend on your behalf. Your attorney will prepare and file motions to decide issues relating to evidence and trial procedures. You may also participate in formal settlement discussions like arbitration or mediation.
4. Trial and appeal. If the parties can't reach an acceptable settlement, your case will be scheduled for trial. A judge or jury will hear both sides' evidence and render a verdict. Afterward, either party can request that the court reconsider the verdict or ask a higher court to review the decision.
5. Collection. If you are awarded a verdict, your attorney may have to take steps to secure payment such as obtaining a lien on a defendant's property or filing to garnish their wages.

Skilled legal representation is essential for navigating California’s legal system and securing a successful outcome in a car accident lawsuit.

Types of Car Accident Cases in Long Beach, California

The California Office of Traffic Safety monitors accidents throughout the state. Unfortunately, the Golden State saw significant increases in overall traffic fatalities from 2020 to 2021, including crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers, teen drivers and motorcycles. The number of fatal accidents involving cars hitting pedestrians also rose significantly.

California has the worst rate of deadly hit-and-run accidents in the country, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Between 2017 and 2021, 1,901 of California's 18,137 fatal accidents involved a driver leaving the scene, a staggering 10.5% (which far exceeded the national average of 6.3%). If you've been the victim of this unfortunately common type of accident, or if you've lost a loved one, a Long Beach hit-and-run lawyer can help you understand your options.