If you have been injured in an accident, the last thing you should be worried about is how you’ll recover damages from the liable parties. At KJT Law Group, our Southern California personal injury attorneys have years of experience working with clients who have suffered serious injuries. We know what it takes to get you the compensation you deserve and can help with every step of your case so that you can focus on your recovery. Our legal team knows how difficult the aftermath of an accident can be — physically, emotionally, and financially. Our goal is to make this process as easy as possible for you by providing compassionate service and working hard toward getting results. The goal of our personal injury lawyers is to help you recover the fairest compensation possible under California Law.
Overview of Southern California
Southern California is home to some of the largest urban areas in the United States. The region has an extensive population, estimated at 23,800,500, according to the 2020 American Community Survey.
SoCal contains 10 of California’s 58 counties. These include Imperial, Riverside, Orange, Kern, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, San Diego, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties. All these counties have experienced an influx of people moving into them over the years, which has led to more accidents occurring throughout Southern California.
The county with the largest population is Los Angeles, with 10.4 million people. The second most populated county is San Diego, with over 3.4 million people. Orange County follows with an estimated population of 3.2 million people. Imperial County is the least populated, with 180,000 people living within its seven cities: Calipatria, El Centro, Westmorland, Brawley, Calexico, Holtville, and Imperial.
The Southland region is one of the most diverse regions globally, with over 300 different languages spoken within its borders. It is also home to many of California’s largest industries, including aerospace manufacturing, technology companies, banking and finance institutions, and entertainment companies like Disney Studios and Universal Studios Hollywood.
In addition, Southern California’s economy is highly diversified, with aerospace, tourism, and manufacturing being significant contributors to its economy. It also includes many ports and harbors, such as Long Beach Harbor, Port of Los Angeles, Port of Long Beach, and Port of San Diego which are responsible for handling large volumes of goods shipped in and out of the state annually.
The manufacturing sector contributes more than 10.67% of the total output in the state. This indicates a region with rich daily activity involving corporations and individuals, sometimes resulting in personal injuries.
Accidents, Injuries, and Deaths in Southern California
Southern California is a great place to live, but it can also be dangerous. People from all over the world visit this beautiful area for vacation and business purposes. Unfortunately, accidents, injuries, and even death are all too common in the area. Many types of accidents occur on highways and freeways, leading to personal injuries. Some of these accidents are unavoidable, while others are preventable if drivers obey traffic laws and drive safely. If you’re injured in an accident, a Southern California personal injury lawyer from our firm can help you seek the compensation you deserve. We can work to pursue all of the damages your injury qualifies for, including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Loss of consortium
Driving Risks in Southern California
In Orange County, the average number of personal injury accidents has increased over the past few years. The area has many freeways and highways that are used by commuters daily. The high volume of traffic creates a higher risk of accidents. Crashes are common at freeway entrances and exits due to the high speeds of vehicles.
The county features several streets and dangerous intersections with some fatal incidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some of the most dangerous intersections include Beach Blvd. and Katella Ave. in Stanton as well as I-405 and Fairview Rd. in Costa Mesa. These two intersections alone registered 80 accidents, 106 injuries, and eight deaths in 2019.
We can take plenty of insight from the Orange County accident statistics. California is said to have the highest rates of hit-and-run injuries in the country. In fact, more than half of all traffic collisions involve a vehicle that leaves the scene without offering aid to victims or reporting the incident to police. Drunk driving is another serious problem in SoCal. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities account for over 20 percent of all fatalities in California.
The reports also indicate that over 20 percent of fatal accidents are due to distracted driving. You can be distracted while driving whenever you take your eyes off the road and devote your attention to another activity (e.g., using your cell phone). It has been estimated that over 3,000 people died from distracted driving in the United States in 2019. According to the NHTSA, texting while driving increases your risk of crashing by 23 times!
Types of Accidents in Southern California
Many different types of accidents happen on SoCal highways, including:
- Head-On Collisions: The most common type of fatal accident occurs when one vehicle crashes into another head-on. This type of crash usually results in serious injuries or death because neither driver has time to react and they often collide at high speeds.
- Road Rage Incidents: While road rage may seem like a harmless emotional response, some estimates suggest that up to 80 percent of all road rage incidents result in an accident or near-miss situation before the driver calms down enough to pull over safely.
- Vehicle Rollovers: Rollovers are responsible for nearly a third of all fatal crashes on Southern California’s highways each year despite being relatively rare compared to other types of accidents.
- Sideswipes: Sideswipes often occur when drivers fail to check their blind spots before changing lanes or turning into another lane.
- DUI Incidents: These occur when driving under the influence. California has strict laws for DUI offenses, punishable by fines up to $1000 and 1-year imprisonment.
Personal Injury Cases in Southern California
There are many different types of personal injury cases in SoCal. Some of the most common types of cases we handle involve: Auto Accidents: The most common types of car accidents are caused by distracted driving or drunk driving. These accidents can cause severe injuries and death. Slip and Fall Accidents: These often occur either on someone’s property, slipping in a store, or falling on a sidewalk. These accidents result from negligence on the part of the property owner (or other parties, such as contractors) who failed to maintain the premises properly. In California, the property owner has a duty of care toward the occupants. Workplace Accidents: Workplace injuries often result from unsafe equipment or poor safety procedures. They can also result from an employee who was negligent and did not take proper care when performing their duties at work. Pedestrian Accidents: Walking can be an enjoyable way to get around in Southern California. However, pedestrians must be alert to avoid being hit by cars, trucks, and motorcycles that travel too fast or fail to yield to pedestrians who have the right-of-way at intersections and crosswalks. Bicycle Accidents: While bike riding has become more popular as an exercise activity in Southern California, bike riders face many dangers on the road, including distracted drivers. Medical Malpractice: Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor or other medical professional fails to diagnose or treat a disease or injury correctly, which could result in serious complications that could have been avoided had they received proper treatment. Dog Bites: Dog bites are a common type of accident in Southern California because of so many dogs within the neighborhoods. Dog bites can cause permanent disfigurement or even death. Uber & Lyft Accidents: These companies are very popular in Southern California. Unfortunately, these interactions are not always safe, and accidents do happen. If you were injured during an Uber or Lyft accident, a personal injury lawyer can help you seek compensation for your injuries according to the ridesharing companies statute. Catastrophic Accidents: Catastrophic accidents are those that cause serious injury or death to one or more people involved in an accident. It may be difficult to cope with the aftermath due to huge medical bills. Our personal injury lawyers can help you understand personal injury law and pursue damages. Wrongful Death: If a loved one has died due to someone else’s negligence or wrongful conduct, you can file a wrongful death suit. To succeed on this claim, you must prove that your loved one’s death was caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongful conduct and that the death resulted in damages to those left behind.
Areas We Serve in Southern California
The KJT Law Group LLP represents individuals, business owners, and corporations in a wide variety of cases. We are dedicated to providing legal attention in many types of cases, including:
Mass Tort Law
Our attorneys have extensive experience handling mass tort cases involving defective products like asbestos or pharmaceutical drugs. We represent plaintiffs who have been injured due to side effects from harmful chemicals or medical devices such as artificial hips and breast implants.
Personal Injury
If you have been injured in an auto accident or other type of accident, you may be entitled to compensation. If you have been injured due to the negligence of another person or entity (such as a government agency), our attorneys can help you determine if you have a valid claim under California law so that you can pursue the fairest compensation.
Workers’ Compensation
We also handle injury claims by employees who have been hurt on the job. Workers’ compensation is an area of law where we see many injustices every day. Our lawyers will fight for your right to receive fair treatment under the law.
Employment Law
Employment law involves disputes between employers and employees or job applicants concerning various aspects of employment relations such as hiring or firing employees, wage disputes, discrimination based on race, color, religion, or sex, as well as wrongful termination cases.
Landlord-Tenant
Landlord-tenant disputes involve issues such as security deposits not being returned by the landlord. We handle all such cases, including illegal eviction notices served by landlords, tenants who have paid rent late, tenant complaints, and many other issues.
Why Choose our Personal Injury Lawyers in Southern California?
Our attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for our clients and we’re proud to say that most of our cases are resolved without a trial. We believe that every client deserves dignified and respectful treatment. That’s why we work directly with each client and their families throughout the entire process. We are aggressive and compassionate at the same time. We know what it takes to win these cases, but we also know how much they mean to the individual who has been hurt due to negligence. Therefore, we take pride in providing our clients with the highest level of service while zealously protecting their interests during every stage of their case. We’re not afraid to go after big corporations if necessary – we recognize that individuals are often victims of corporate negligence. We can work on your behalf, pursuing all of the benefits available to you under law.
Let’s Help With Your Personal Injury Case in South California
When you’re injured in an accident, it’s hard enough to deal with the pain and suffering you’re experiencing. You don’t want to worry about the financial implications of your injuries. At KJT Law Group, we understand how stressful it can be to deal with injuries and legal issues. A personal injury lawyer in Southern California can offer personal injury representation focused on getting you results while also keeping your best interests at heart. Call us today at (818) 740-5934 or fill out our free online contact form.
If you or someone you love was injured due to another person’s negligence, contact KJT Law Group at (818) 740-5934 for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights and options.