Long Beach Car Accident Lawyer

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After a car accident, injured drivers and passengers often face unexpected recovery hurdles and associated financial drains. Even minor accidents can lead to property damage expenses, time off work, and pain and suffering.

If you suffered an injury because of someone else’s recklessness, consider speaking with a Long Beach car accident lawyer, as you are entitled to fair and full compensation for your expenses. They will provide you with a better understanding of your specific case and let you know what to expect at each step of the legal process.

At Harting Simkins & Ryan, LLP, our Long Beach personal injury lawyer represents individuals injured in all types of motor vehicle accidents. Contact our law firm today to learn more about our firm and schedule a free consultation.

Long Beach Car Accident Lawyer

Long Beach Car Accident Resources

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“I wholeheartedly recommend my lawyer, Richard Harting to anyone who finds themselves in the aftermath of an accident.” – C.F.

Meet The Long Beach Car Accident Lawyers of Harting Simkins & Ryan LLP

Long Beach personal injury attorneys

At Harting, Simkins & Ryan, LLP, our Long Beach car accident attorneys bring over five decades of combined experience to every case. Founding partners Richard Harting and Gary Simkins are known for their aggressive advocacy, deep community roots, and commitment to securing full and fair compensation for injury victims. Our team is ready to fight for you, no matter how complex your car accident case may be.

Do I Have a Case for My Long Beach Car Accident?

When you contact us for a free case evaluation, one of our attorneys will discuss the details of your case with you. We can meet you at home or in the hospital if needed. If possible, bring all paperwork and notes about the accident to the free case evaluation. 

Our Long Beach motorcycle accident lawyers will help you understand your legal rights, the potential value of a claim, and the next steps if you choose to retain our firm as your representatives.

We help car accident clients in several ways, including:

  • Finding qualified medical support. After a serious car crash, our attorneys help you access prompt, qualified medical care and connect you with treatment on a lien basis to prevent bill collection until your case is resolved.
  • Representing you in front of insurance representatives. We provide full insurance support, from reporting your accident to challenging unfair settlement offers. Before filing a lawsuit, we help protect your rights during investigations, negotiate claims, and hold insurance companies accountable.
  • Representing you in a trial. If we can’t successfully resolve a claim through negotiation, our attorneys are not afraid of taking your accident case to trial. Our team will pursue cases involving serious injuries and death to help you obtain a fair verdict.
  • Providing free insurance policy reviews. Call us anytime, client or not, for a free review of your auto insurance policy. We’ll help you uncover loopholes in coverage and wording issues that could decrease the ultimate value of the policy.

You’ll find numerous injury attorneys in the Long Beach area, but you’ll only find one Harting Simkins & Ryan, LLP. If you’re looking for a compassionate, dedicated, and proven law firm to handle your claim, consider us your go-to auto accident representatives. 

“An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community, I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of his clients and getting them the most favorable result possible.”

– JOHN O’BRIEN – AVVO

How to Choose the Right Long Beach Car Accident Lawyer

After an accident, you’ll likely see a flood of attorney ads on billboards, TV, and online. But before calling the first number you see, take a step back and consider the seriousness of your case. If your injuries are significant, you need a lawyer with the experience, resources, and reputation to fight for full compensation.

Start by asking for referrals, doing online research, and meeting with more than one attorney. People don’t usually hire car accident lawyers for minor injuries, they do so when an accident affects their health, income, or long-term quality of life. And who you choose to represent you can directly impact the value of your claim.

When evaluating Long Beach car accident lawyers, consider the following:

  • Experience with car accident cases and familiarity with local courts and laws
  • A strong track record of settlements and verdicts
  • Clear, contingency-based fee structures, with upfront explanation of case costs
  • Willingness to go to trial if the insurance company won’t offer a fair settlement
  • Access to firm resources, including investigators, expert witnesses, and support staff
  • Professional reputation, including bar standing, client reviews, and responsiveness

While most injury claims settle outside of court, it’s important to hire a lawyer who can litigate if necessary. At the same time, the attorney-client relationship matters. You should feel comfortable asking questions, sharing personal information, and trusting your lawyer to advocate for you from start to finish.

If you’re unsure after your consultation, keep looking. The right Long Beach car accident attorney will make you feel informed, supported, and confident in your case.

What Compensation is Available After a Long Beach Car Accident?

When someone suffers an injury in a Long Beach car accident, they may be entitled to compensation that ranges from thousands to millions of dollars. The value of a car accident claim depends on several key factors, including how severe the injury is, who was at fault, and how the injury affects the victim’s future.

There are two main types of compensation you can pursue in a personal injury case: economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

These damages cover any financial losses directly tied to the injury. Common examples include:

  • Medical bills and future treatment costs
  • Lost wages and reduced future earning ability
  • Transportation expenses related to treatment
  • Property damage
  • Out-of-pocket costs tied to recovery

Attorneys and insurers calculate these damages based on actual financial records and, in some cases, predictive tools to estimate future losses. Having accurate documentation is essential to maximizing your claim.

Noneconomic Damages

These damages are more difficult to quantify and relate to the emotional and personal toll of the injury. Examples include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Physical disfigurement or scarring
  • Loss of companionship or consortium

To estimate non-economic damages, professionals often use methods like the multiplier method, which assigns a value (usually 1.5 to 5) and multiplies it by your economic losses, or the per diem method, which estimates a daily cost of suffering and multiplies it by the number of days affected.

Comparative Negligence in Long Beach Car Accidents

In some cases, more than one person may share responsibility for a car accident. Fortunately, California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault.

However, your total compensation will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you’re found to be 30% at fault, your total recovery would be reduced by 30%.

This legal framework ensures that injured victims can still seek financial recovery, even in complex or disputed cases. An experienced attorney can help you understand how fault may be assigned and work to prove you are not at fault for the accident while maximizing your compensation.

How Long Do I Have To Make a Car Accident Claim in Long Beach?

California law imposes strict deadlines, called statutes of limitations, on how long you have to file a claim after a car accident. These deadlines vary based on the type of claim:

  • 2 years for personal injury claims
  • 3 years for property damage claims
  • 6 months for claims against a government agency

It’s especially important to act quickly if a government entity is involved, as you have only six months to begin the process. While two or three years may seem like plenty of time, recovering from an injury and managing post-accident challenges can make that window close quickly. The clock starts ticking on the date of the accident, not when you decide to pursue a claim.

If you’ve been injured, don’t wait to explore your legal options. Our Long Beach truck accident attorneys at Harting, Simkins & Ryan, LLP offer free consultations and can help you determine whether filing a claim is the right step forward.

Top-Rated Auto Accident Attorneys in Long Beach

How California Insurance Minimums Can Affect Your Long Beach Car Accident Claim

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, the amount of insurance the at-fault driver carries can significantly affect the value of your claim. California requires all drivers to maintain minimum liability coverage, but those limits are often far too low to cover the full costs of serious injuries or vehicle damage. The current state minimums are:

  • $30,000 for injury or death to one person
  • $60,000 for injury or death to more than one person
  • $15,000 for property damage

If your medical bills, lost income, or other damages exceed these amounts, the at-fault driver is personally responsible for the remainder, but that doesn’t mean they can pay it. In these cases, having uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage on your policy can be essential. Unfortunately, this type of coverage is not required in California, so many accident victims don’t realize the financial gap until it’s too late.

At Harting, Simkins & Ryan, LLP, our Long Beach car accident attorneys understand how frustrating it is to face major expenses after an accident caused by someone else’s negligence. We can review your insurance policy, investigate other sources of compensation, and fight to ensure you aren’t left paying out of pocket.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Long Beach

What you say and who you say it to, after a car accident, can directly impact your injury claim, insurance negotiations, and potential lawsuit. While no one is ever fully prepared for the aftermath of a crash, knowing how to protect your rights can make a major difference. If you’re physically able, take the following steps after a car accident:

1. Stop and Stay at the Scene

California law requires all drivers involved in an accident, no matter how minor, to stop and exchange information. Leaving the scene could result in criminal hit-and-run charges, even if the other driver was at fault. Pull over safely or return to the location as soon as possible. If you were injured in a hit-and-run crash, contact our Long Beach hit-and-run accident attorney for guidance.

2. Check for Injuries

Before exiting your vehicle, take a moment to assess yourself for injuries. Try moving different muscle groups slowly. If you suspect a fracture or spinal injury, remain still and wait for emergency responders. If you’re able to move safely, check on others involved and call 911 if anyone is hurt.

3. Exchange Information

You are legally required to provide the following to other drivers and passengers:

  • Full name and address
  • Driver’s license number
  • Vehicle identification number (VIN)
  • Insurance company and policy number

Be sure to collect the same information from all involved drivers, and ask for the contact details of any passengers.

4. Gather Evidence

Documenting the scene can be valuable evidence for your accident claim later:

  • Photos and videos of vehicle damage, road conditions, weather, skid marks, injuries, and traffic signals
  • Witness contact information, including a brief statement if they’re willing to share it on video or in writing
  • Police officer names and badge numbers, as well as the names of any EMTs or responders
  • Accident report details and how to request a copy

If no officer responds, be sure to file a report with the DMV within 10 days of the crash.

5. Be Mindful of What You Say

California’s pure comparative negligence rule means your compensation can be reduced if you’re partially at fault. Avoid speculating or admitting fault, and don’t say you feel fine or uninjured. Some injuries can be delayed after a car accident and take hours or days to show symptoms. Stick to the facts when speaking to police or insurance adjusters.

6. Notify Your Insurance Company

Report the accident to your insurer according to your policy terms, but keep details minimal at this stage. Let them know an investigation is ongoing and that you will follow up once you’ve had a chance to consult an attorney.

7. Seek Prompt Medical Care

Let EMTs check you at the scene, and follow up with a doctor even if you don’t think you’re seriously hurt. Injuries like concussions, internal bleeding, or soft tissue damage may not show immediate symptoms. Medical documentation not only supports your recovery but also strengthens your legal claim.

Tell your physician exactly what happened during the crash, including whether your head snapped or you were jolted suddenly. This information can help detect and document hidden spinal cord or brain injuries that may emerge later.

8. Organize Your Documentation

Start a file that includes:

  • Medical records and bills
  • Repair estimates and receipts
  • A written summary of what happened
  • Contact info for all parties involved

Clear records can save time and support your claim if disputes arise down the line.

9. Talk to a Long Beach Car Accident Attorney

Before speaking with the other driver’s insurer or giving your insurance a recorded statement, schedule a free consultation with our legal team at Harting, Simkins & Ryan, LLP. We’ll evaluate your case, explain your rights, and help you understand your legal options. If we’re the right fit, we’ll begin building your case immediately, handling communications, protecting your rights, and pursuing the compensation you deserve.

Even if you weren’t able to gather every piece of information at the scene, don’t assume you can’t file a claim. Our attorneys know how to investigate and fill in the gaps, especially for serious injuries like spinal cord damage or traumatic brain injuries. We’re here to help you recover physically, emotionally, and financially.

Common Injuries From Car Accidents in Long Beach

When a vehicle traveling at high speed collides with another car, object, or person, serious injuries are often unavoidable. Even with modern safety features, victims of car accidents frequently suffer long-term or life-altering trauma. Below are some of the most common injuries our Long Beach car accident attorneys see in collision cases:

  • Back injuries: These can range from chronic pain to severe spinal cord damage resulting in partial or total paralysis.
  • Head injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), including concussions, can cause lasting cognitive issues, memory loss, and permanent disability. In severe cases, victims may require lifelong care.
  • Neck injuries: Whiplash is a common result of rear-end collisions, causing pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. More serious trauma to the neck and spine can result in nerve damage or paralysis.
  • Fractured bones: Broken arms, legs, ribs, and other bones are common in crashes. In severe cases, crushed limbs may require multiple surgeries, prolonged rehabilitation, or even amputation.
  • Chest injuries: Blunt-force trauma from seat belts or airbags can cause bruised or broken ribs. In some cases, a fractured rib may puncture a lung or damage internal organs, leading to life-threatening complications.

Whatever injury you’ve suffered, the physical, emotional, and financial consequences deserve attention and compensation. The Long Beach brain injury attorneys at Harting, Simkins & Ryan, LLP are here to help you recover what you need to move forward.

Contact a Car Accident Attorney in Long Beach from Harting Simkins & Ryan, LLP

When a preventable car crash causes a serious personal injury or wrongful death, begin your search for a qualified legal representative at our law firm. Whether a distracted teenager swerved out of a lane to cause a head-on collision, or a case of road rage turned into a serious rear-ending accident, Harting Simkins & Ryan, LLP, is here to help. Contact a Long Beach accident attorney today to schedule a free, no-obligation legal consultation.