Car Plunges 200 Feet off Mulholland Drive – 3 People Injured

Unfortunately, there are all sorts of conditions that can lead to an accident on Mulholland Drive and other major roadways in the Los Angeles area. When people hear about tragedies like a car plunging off a cliff, they often assume that the driver was intoxicated. This is certainly a possibility, especially when you think about when the accident occurred. At such late hours, it’s not unusual for people to be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs while they’re driving home or to a club, party, etc.

But what if the accident was the result of conditions that were out of the driver’s control? Maybe dangerous road conditions caused the driver to lose control of the car. Large potholes, debris from construction, falling tree branches, failure to post warning signs are just some of the hazards that can cause injury or death. These are all examples of negligence by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the government entity in charge of major roadways and highways.

Another party that may be liable for the accident is the auto manufacturer. Perhaps there was a mechanical defect with the car, like brake failure or problems with the steering mechanism. Considering the car from this accident was a BMW, you would expect the highest standards when it comes to safety and accident prevention. The truth is, negligence by auto manufacturers is not just a problem with economy brands.

Determining the cause of a car accident is crucial to the compensation process. If you were involved in an auto accident, please contact our law firm. We have lawyers that are experienced in auto accident investigations and liability claims against reckless drivers, auto makers, and government agencies, like Caltrans. We are happy to provide you with a free consultation or free second opinion on an existing car accident injury claim.

The answer to this question depends on the exact cause of the accident. If the driver engaged in negligent or dangerous conduct, like driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, etc., then that’s the party you would go after. However, the investigation into the accident may reveal that the auto manufacturer is at fault, meaning there was a significant defect with the car. In that case, you may have a product liability claim against the auto maker.

The last possibility is a lawsuit against the state government of California, meaning that hazardous road conditions were the reason you were injured. Lawsuits against Caltrans and other government agencies are extremely complicated, as they involve different procedures than a standard personal injury claim. These lawsuits also have tighter deadlines than cases against private individuals / entities, which we will cover in more detail in a later section.

Right now, you probably have many questions and concerns about the legal process and the compensation you are entitled to. For a free case evaluation from an experienced auto accident injury lawyer, contact us today.

On average, a car accident compensation claim may be worth anywhere from $15,000 to $3,000,000 and above. Case values mostly depend on the victim’s injuries and their long-term effects on the victim’s life. For example, a brain injury may result in significant impairments that make it impossible for someone to continue their job or live on their own. Nerve damage can cause loss of function in one or more areas of the body. A back injury may require surgery and months of physical therapy, which may result in lost wages, high medical bills, and pain and suffering.

However, your injuries are not the only factor that affects how much your lawsuit is worth. Negligence by the liable party is another critical issue, especially if they engaged in reckless or outrageous conduct. For example, an auto manufacturer may have been aware of a serious design flaw with a vehicle but refused to issue a recall in spite of many complaints from customers. They may have even denied customers refunds or replacement vehicles, which they had a right to request under California’s lemon law. If one or more people are seriously injured from an accident due to this defect, the auto maker may be charged with gross negligence and ordered to pay punitive damages to the victim or their family members.

Our lawyers can provide you with a detailed discussion on these issues and help you figure out the value of your car accident claim.

Settling an auto accident lawsuit takes around 3 to 12 months on average. The amount of time to settle a case is based on numerous factors, like the severity of your injuries, how long it takes to negotiate a favorable settlement, and if your case is tried in court. Frankly, trials are only necessary in less than 5% of all injury cases. Thus, it’s more than likely that we will reach a settlement with the other party, though it’s impossible to predict how long it will take to get there.

Cases with strong evidence and relatively straightforward details will settle the fastest – probably within 3 to 6 months. But how badly you’ve been injured can add to the amount of time it takes to negotiate a car accident settlement award. Some of our cases are worth $300,000 to $2,000,000 or more, and such high amounts are going to be met with resistance from the insurance company. That’s why it can sometimes take 2 or more years to settle an auto accident lawsuit.

In California, the statute of limitations for a car accident lawsuit is 2 years, starting from the date of the accident. Alternatively, you can go by the date of discovery, meaning the date on which you discovered an injury resulting from the accident. For those who have lost a family member or spouse to an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, the deadline for a lawsuit is 2 years from the date of death.

Please note that you only have 6 months to file a compensation claim against the government. For example, maybe Caltrans is to blame for the accident due to lack of maintenance, repairs, or other acts of negligence. According to the California Tort Claims Act (CTCA), lawsuits against state, county, and city agencies must be filed no later than 6 months from the incident date. There are additional rules and procedures you should be aware of when it comes to a government entity claim, which we can discuss with you in person.

It’s a good idea to contact an experienced attorney and verify how long you have for a lawsuit. Keep in mind that if you get this wrong and exceed the amount of time you have for a legal case, you may permanently lose the right to sue. Our lawyers are here 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, so don’t hesitate to give us a call.

A car accident can have devastating consequences for the driver, the passengers, and innocent bystanders that were simply at the wrong place at the wrong time. Regardless of how you were injured, obtaining legal advice from a personal injury lawyer is essential if you’ve been harmed in a car accident. If you’ve lost a loved one due to an accident that was caused by someone else, a wrongful death lawsuit attorney ais here to talk to you about your rights and legal options.

As one of our clients, there is no need to worry about legal fees with the Zero Fee Guarantee. We bill all of our expenses to the party that’s responsible for your accident. Then, we wait until the end of your case, when our payment is included in your settlement check. Essentially, we only get paid by winning your case.

Contact us today and speak to an auto accident lawsuit lawyer during a free, confidential case review.

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