SANTA MONICA DISTRACTED DRIVING ATTORNEYS

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Texting While Driving Accidents

Distracted driving is a major cause of auto accidents. Crashes brought on by distracted driving range from very serious - it is the number one cause of highway fatalities and wrongful death lawsuits - to minor rear-end accidents or fender-benders.

According to studies, texting while driving ups the risk of crashing by as much as 25 times.

Studies have also concluded that the average driver takes their eyes off the road for 4.6 seconds to send or read a text message. If driving 55 mph, that equates to driving the length of a football field with no vision.

In California, it's against the law for someone driving an automobile to use their cell phones to make a call, talk without a hands-free setup, and read or type out a text message while driving.

Although texting while driving is what many of us instantly think of when distracted driving is mentioned, there are other common types of distracted driving still prevalent. These include: following the directions on an electronic navigation system like GPS or Google Maps, talking on a handheld cellphone, messing with a radio or CD player, doing makeup, vaping or smoking, taking selfies or recording a video. and eating while driving.

If you've been injured in an accident with a distracted driver, contact M.R. Parker Law, PC to discuss legal help for your injuries.

SANTA MONICA LYFT & UBER CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS

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Santa Monica Rideshare Accident Attorneys

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a car accident involving an Uber or Lyft driver, you can seek financial compensation for your medical expenses, ongoing rehabilitation, and lost income. The ridesharing phenomenon has certainly made getting from place to place in Santa Monica much less of a hassle. Drinking and driving has decreased thanks in part to ridesharing's surge in popularity. It has additionally provided many people with an extra income source in the gig economy of today.

But as the ridesharing industry grows, so do the number of wrecks involving Uber and Lyft drivers. Worse yet, insurance companies often don't know the insured party is using their vehicle for ridesharing. This means they're not always willing to fully compensate victims.

Since ridesharing is a relatively new phenomenon, the legal waters surrounding Uber and Lyft car accidents are murky at best.

This is why you'll benefit from having the Santa Monica Lyft and Uber accident attorneys at M.R. Parker Law, PC in your corner. Uber and Lyft are huge publicly-traded companies worth billions of dollars. Unlike a lot of drivers carrying just state minimum liability coverage of $15,000 for injury or death on their auto insurance, Uber and Lyft drivers have a $1 million insurance policy. But rideshare companies will look at varying details like whether or not their driver was signed onto the app and accepting rides when the accident/incident occurred.

Considering the amount of insurance covering Uber and Lyft drivers, anyone injured in a car wreck caused by a ridesharing driver might be entitled to more compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain, suffering and emotional trauma resulting from the accident. This applies to passengers injured in a rideshare car, regardless of whether their driver was or wasn’t at-fault.

The car accident lawyers at M.R.Parker Law, PC specialize in Lyft and Uber accidents. Contact us today for a free consultation with one of our Lyft/Uber accident lawyers in Santa Monica.

High Speed Collision Lawyers in Santa Monica

Exceeding the speed limit – or driving too fast for road conditions – is second behind distracted driving as the leading cause of most car collisions.

Speed increases the force of impact. The faster you're going at the time of the collision, the greater the force of impact. This generally means more serious injuries and more fatal car wrecks. Speeding also contributes to much more property damage.

When you drive you're taking a leap of faith. You're trusting those you share the road with. You're trusting that they are responsible drivers and demonstrate enough reasonable care to avoid a wreck. A driver that speeds neglects this responsibility and is putting everyone at risk - especially pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists.

If you’ve been injured in a high-speed collision in Santa Monica, and it can be proven the other party was speeding, you may be entitled to a payout.

Let the high-speed collision lawyers at M.R. Parker Law, PC fight to maximize your compensation for medical bills, ongoing therapy and care, lost wages, pain, suffering, and emotional distress.

Contact our Santa Monica high-speed collision attorneys today for a free case evaluation.

Santa Monica Attorneys for DWI Accidents

Were you or someone you love hit by a drunk driver in Santa Monica? What comes after this this negligent act and reckless behavior is devastating.

Approximately one-third of deaths on U.S. highways and roads are caused by drunk driving. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol isn’t just illegal, it’s a moral breach of conduct that endangers the lives of others. Someone driving while intoxicated or high has difficulty focusing, muscle impairment, problems with coordination, mental confusion, a lack of alertness, and a delayed response time.

Someone who survives a car crash with an intoxicated driver often has severe injuries they must live with. This includes both bodily injury and emotional trauma or mental distress.

A victim of a drunk driving accident can pursue financial compensation. Not only can they seek standard compensation – things like medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering – but punitive damages might also be paid out. Judges and jurors don’t go easy on drunk drivers and the payout in DUI cases can be very significant.

If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, contact the Santa Monica drunk driving accident attorneys at M.R. Parker Law, PC for a free consultation.

Santa Monica Rear-End Collision Attorneys

It happens very frequently, and it's happened to all of us at some point. You come to a complete stop but the vehicle behind you doesn't stop. Your car is rear-ended.

Although rear-end accidents are less serious than a major collision, injuries are prevalent and could bring permanent pain or discomfort if not immediately tended to. Injuries after your car is rear-ended include whiplash - a neck injury due to a rapid and forceful back and forth jerking of the neck, mild or severe concussions, spinal injuries like herniated discs or hyperextension, and lockjaw or TMJ symptoms.

Since rear-end collisions don't usually result in EMTs or ambulances, many people just go home after their car has been rear-ended and don't follow-up with a physician. Symptoms sometimes don't appear until hours or days later. If you develop any symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

If you've been rear-ended and injured, contact the rear-end collision attorneys at M.R. Parker Law, PC today for a free evaluation of your case. Often, rear-end accidents can be attributed to other factors like driving too fast for conditions or distracted driving.

T-Bone Accident Attorneys in Santa Monica

It happens too quickly. A light turns green or you're crossing an intersection having just stopped at a stop sign. The next thing you know, another car crashes into the side of your car. This broadside collision is called a "T-bone" accident and is the most common accident-type at intersections.

If you or a loved one were seriously hurt in a t-bone accident you can trust the Santa Monica t-bone car accident attorneys at M.R. Parker Law, PC to get you the money you're entitled to.

Rollover Car Accident Attorneys in Santa Monica

Rollover accidents typically happen when a driver loses control of their vehicle and it trips over something - generally uneven pavement, a curb, tree stump, or an object.

Most vehicle rollovers involve SUVs or pickup trucks. SUVs are the vehicles that typically come to mind when one hears about a rollover accident. This is due to their mass being distributed higher off the road relative to the vehicle's width. The gravity's center is further increased when there's additional passengers and cargo.

Most rollovers are single-vehicle accidents - however, rollovers can also happen in multiple-vehicle collisions, particularly if the vehicle is hit from the side.

Although rollover accidents account for fewer than 3% of all vehicle accidents, one-third of car accident deaths come in rollovers. This is often attributed to there being partial or full ejection from the vehicle.

If you've been hurt in a rollover accident, contact auto accident attorneys at M.R. Parker Law, PC to determine the worth of your case.

Santa Monica Sideswipe Collision Lawyers

Sideswipe accidents occur when moving cars get too close to one another and collide together along their sides.

Sideswipe accidents are often a cause of great dispute since they become a blame game where the drivers blame each other. Sideswipe accidents are typically caused by drivers drifting into an adjacent lane, making illegal turns, failing to yield at a merge point, or being overly aggressive or inattentive when switching lanes.

If you've been injured in a sideswipe accident, contact the auto accident attorneys at M.R. Parker Law, PC to set up a free case evaluation

Santa Monica Multiple Vehicle Accident Attorneys

Most car accidents are scary, but collisions involving multiple cars can be downright devastating. Vehicle pile-ups and chain-reaction collisons involving more than 2 automobiles are some of the most dangerous kinds of traffic accidents.

Multi vehicle accidents can often be attributed to conditions like low-visibility, road hazards, tailgating, distracted driving, or construction zones.

Multiple-vehicle crashes can be life-changing and sometimes fatal. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a multi-vehicle accident, contact the car accident lawyers at M.R. Parker Law, PC. We'll stand by your side to protect your legal rights.

Lane Crossover Accident Lawyers in Santa Monica

Unsafe lane changes can injure you and any passengers you may have. Death is even possible. A lane crossover is considered unsafe if the motorist is commits the following:

• Fails to properly signal when turning
• Doesn't see a car quickly approaching in a parallel lane or doesn't properly judge speed
• Doesn't check their blind spot when switching lanes
• Tries to switch lanes at a stop light or intersection
• Is texting or on their cellphone while driving
• Falls asleep at the wheel
• Simultaneously moves into a middle lane with another vehicle

If you were hurt when merging into traffic, or in an accident where someone unsafely switched lanes, contact the crossover accident attorneys at M.R. Parker Law, PC today to discuss possible compensation for your injuries and medical claims.

Costs of Medical Care & Treatment - Your compensation is impacted by the type and severity of the injuries you sustained.

That said, whether you have bruises, cuts, and burns, a back injury or whiplash  or you've sustained a spinal cord or traumatic brain injury with paralysis or another permanent disability, our Los Angeles car accident injury attorneys can help you!

We work closely with you and your healthcare providers to determine the extent of your injuries. We'll assess the type of medical care and rehabilitation you’ll need, if a full recovery is anticipated, and how long your recovery will take.

Immediately after your auto accident, you need to you undergo a full medical examination. Even if the accident seems like a minor fender-bender, many neck or back injuries aren't felt until hours or even days after the collision. You need to have a medical record for your case to be worth anything.

You could be entitled to compensation for all medical expenses. This includes physical therapy, cognitive therapy costs, ambulance fees, fees for medical consultations,  medical supply costs for crutches, etc., the cost of prescription medications, costs of permanent disabilities, charges for in-home care services, the cost of home remodels to accommodate a physical handicap. and as-needed future care and treatments.

Car collisions contribute serious injuries that drastically alter how you live your life and may also force you to miss work. If you're missing work because of injuries sustained in a car collision, we can fight to get you the compensation you're owed.

Hiring one of the Los Angeles area car accident attorneys at M.R. Parker Law, PC will improve any chance you have of being rewarded with lost income after a car accident. When you seek "lost wages" related to an auto accident, you're pursuing any money you would've had an opportunity to earn had you not been injured in a crash.

Lost wages typically include:

• Hourly/Salary Income
• Commisions or Bonuses
• Sick Leave and Vacation Pay
• Overtime Pay
• Self-Employment Wages
• Missed Promotions or Raises While You Were Away From Work

Insurance companies are notorious for paying out the least amount possible and might sometimes dispute your lost wages benefits. If you experience this, tag in the personal injury lawyers at M.R. Parker Law, PC for help recovering the money you deserve.

Pain and suffering is compensation you may be entitled to for any physical pain, emotional distress, and lessened quality of life brought on by a car wreck. Legally it's defined as physical or mental distress.

For example, head trauma or an injury to the spinal cord might mean the accident victim can no longer participate in hobbies or activities they once liked.

A dollar amount can be put on that.

Someone disfigured in an accident might pursue money if it's significantly impacted their personal life or cost them job opportunities.

A dollar amount can be put on that.

Someone suffering a broken bone or whiplash could walk around all day in immense pain, have a lower quality of life, and be struggling with sleep disturbances, bouts of depression, paralyzing anxiety, and maybe even PTSD from reliving the accident.

You have the right to be compensated for any temporary or permanent limitations a car accident and the other driver's negligence has brought on.

Our Los Angeles pain and suffering attorneys are very adept at making a jury and judge feel your pain. A picture is painted of the quality of life you had and what you've lost. Your ordeal and both the tangible and intangible losses you're facing will be effectively communicated and our attorneys will get money for you!

Property damage typically includes the cost to repair or replace your car. You might receive monetary compensation for any property that was in the vehicle and consequently damaged in the crash. An insurance adjuster will estimate the cost and our attorneys will include that amount in the settlement offer.

Compensation for property damage is determined by replacement value, the cost of repairs, loss of use of items, or testimony that proves sentimental value if the damaged property is a family heirloom. Most property damage tied to a car accident is handled by insurance companies. You really shouldn't need an attorney to help with the insurance claims process. That said, if the insurance company refuses to pay out benefits you're owed, or denies your claim with no reasonable basis, they're acting in "bad faith" and this is possible grounds for a lawsuit.

If you need some extra help getting what you feel you're owed from the insurance company, consider speaking with one of the attorneys at M.R. Parker Law, PC.