Have you or someone you love suffered an injury in a Los Angeles recreational vehicle accident? Contact Citywide Law Group today to learn about filing a personal injury claim for damages.
Filing a claim can allow you to recover much-needed compensation as you deal with a serious injury. This money can help to pay for medical costs, make up for lost wages, and even compensate you for the emotional distress caused by the accident.
Our Los Angeles recreational vehicle accident attorneys can help to make sure that you are fairly compensated for your injuries. Contact us today to set up a free consultation.
Causes of Recreational Vehicle Accidents in Los Angeles
Recreational vehicles are more popular in Los Angeles than ever before. On any given day in Los Angeles is not unusual to see a lot of people enjoying speedboats, sailboats, ATVs, dirt bikes, motorbikes, four-wheelers, WaveRunners, jet skis, campers, and other RVs.
However, as more people spend time enjoying these recreational vehicles, more accident and injuries occur. Commonly cited causes of recreational vehicle accidents include:
- Insufficient training and/or licensing;
- Reckless operation;
- Speeding;
- Defective equipment;
- Poor weather conditions;
- Poor road, trail, or water conditions;
- Limited visibility; and
- Operating a recreational vehicle under the influence.
Common Recreational Vehicle Accident Injuries
Recreational vehicles are a great way to enjoy California’s fantastic climate and views. However, when recreational vehicles are not used properly serious accidents can happen. These accidents can cause victims to suffer serious and even life-threatening injuries.
Filing a personal injury claim for damages can help a recreational vehicle accident victim recover compensation for injuries including:
- Broken bones and fractures;
- Scrapes and lacerations;
- Concussions;
- Traumatic brain injury;
- Spinal cord injury;
- Amputation;
- Paralysis;
- Paraplegia;
- Wrongful death;
- and more.
Why Should I File a Recreational Vehicle Accident Claim?
Recreational vehicle accidents can be devastating for those who are involved. Many recreational vehicles are operated at a high speed and lack important safety features like seatbelts and airbags. This puts recreational vehicle accident victims at an increased of serious bodily harm and death.
When you suffer serious and/or life-threatening injuries you will likely be faced with tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills. If your injuries are severe enough you may be forced to miss time at work, making the financial burden of your accident even more pronounced. Fortunately, in Los Angeles, recreational vehicle accident victims can file a personal injury claim to recover much-needed damages.
What happens if the at-fault party’s insurance company makes you a settlement offer shortly after the accident? While you may be tempted to take this money you should know that the amount you are being offered will not cover the full extent of your damages.
Insurance companies are not on your side and will do anything to minimize the amount you receive after an accident. Hiring a Los Angeles personal injury attorney and pursuing damages in a formal claim will allow you to make sure that you are fairly compensated for your injuries.
Recreational Vehicle Accident Damages
What damages can you recover when you file a recreational vehicle accident claim? The answer will depend on the specific harms you have suffered as a result of the accident. Generally, Los Angeles recreational vehicle accident injury victims can recover both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages. Economic damages are awarded to compensate you for the financial costs you have suffered because of the accident. Medical treatment, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity are prime examples of harms that can be addressed using economic damages.
Non-Economic Damages. Non-economic damages are awarded to compensate you for the intangible and hard-to-value injuries you suffer because of the accident. Pain and suffering, mental anguish, embarrassment, and disfigurement are all common examples of intangible injuries that can be addressed using non-economic damages.
Liability for Recreational Vehicle Accidents
You’ve decided that you want to pursue a personal injury claim for damages but aren’t sure who can be held liable for your injuries. In California, anyone whose negligence contributes to an accident can be held financially responsible for injuries that occur. A defendant’s liability is directly linked to the percent of the accident that is determined to be their fault. For example, if a defendant was determined to be 40% responsible for causing an accident, they would be liable for 40% of your accident-related damages.
Since anyone whose negligence contributes to an accident can be held responsible, this also includes the victim. If it is determined that you are partly responsible for your accident there will be limits to the damages you can recover. For example, if you are determined to be 20% at fault for the accident, you will only be entitled to recover 80% of your accident-related damages.
Potentially liable parties for a Los Angeles recreational vehicle accident include:
- Recreational vehicle drivers and operators;
- Recreational vehicle passengers;
- Third party vehicles and motorists;
- Los Angeles County;
- The City of Los Angeles; and/or
- Recreational vehicle manufacturers.
Call the Citywide Law Group today to have one of our Los Angeles recreational vehicle accident attorneys review your case. During this review we will determine which parties can be held responsible for your accident-related damages.
Limits on Filing a Recreational Vehicle Accident Claim
If you are injured in a Los Angeles recreational vehicle accident it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as you can. In California, you will have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury claim after your accident. In most cases, the statute of limitations will expire two years after the date of your accident. If you do not file your claim before this time runs out you will not be able to get the money you need and deserve.
Tolling the Statute of Limitations. There are certain situations when the statute of limitations can be extended. You may be able to pause the statute of limitations if there is a reasonable delay in the discovery of your injury or if you are a minor at the time of your recreational vehicle accident.
Statute of Limitations for Government Claims. Did a poorly paved road, faulty traffic signal, or other dangerous condition cause your recreational vehicle accident? You may be able to recover compensation from the City of Los Angeles or Los Angeles County.
However, claims against the government are subject to a different set of rules. This means that you will have to file an administrative claim with the government entity itself within 6 months of your accident. If the government denies this claim you can then file a civil claim in a Los Angeles County court.
What to Do After a Los Angeles Recreational Vehicle Accident
The steps you take and the decisions you make after a Los Angeles recreational vehicle accident will significantly affect your ability to recover compensation in the future. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you are involved in a recreational vehicle accident in Los Angeles.
Get Medical Attention
Seeing a doctor is the first thing you should do after an accident. This will help to make sure that your injuries are taken care of and that any serious medical issues are diagnosed. The medical evaluation that is generated from your visit will help to link your injuries to your accident.
Get a Police Report
A police report will document important details that are likely to be lost or forgotten with time. You may not recall what the weather or road conditions were like at the time of your accident, but a police report can help to refresh your memory.
Refuse Early Settlement Offers
Insurance companies will try to manipulate a difficult situation and get you to agree to a lowball offer. Resist the temptation to take easy money because it will not be enough to cover the full extent of your injuries and harms. Direct any calls, emails, and communications to your attorney.
Call a Lawyer
Hiring an attorney to handle your recreational vehicle accident case will increase the chances of maximizing the compensation you receive. Attorneys know how to investigate an accident and structure a legal argument to make sure that you are properly compensated for your injuries.
Call Citywide Law Group today for information about how we can get you the money you need and deserve after your Los Angeles recreational vehicle accident.
Experienced Los Angeles Recreational Vehicle Accident Attorneys
Have you or someone you know been injured in a Los Angeles recreational vehicle accident? Call Citywide Law Group to learn about how we can get you the money you need and deserve to recover from your injuries. Our team will thoroughly investigate your case, create a custom legal argument, and negotiate a fair settlement. If you are not satisfied with the settlement offers you receive, or if we are confident that we can get more from a jury, we will not hesitate to take your case to court.
Our Los Angeles recreational vehicle accident attorneys have been helping injured clients just like you for more than 17 years. During this time we have handled thousands of personal injury cases and helped our clients recover millions in damages. We know that accidents are expensive, so we offer our services on a contingency fee basis. This means that you do not have to worry about up-front legal fees. We will only recover a fee if we recover a settlement or award on your behalf. Call us today to set up a free consultation to learn more.
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