Serious Representation for Serious Car Accidents
Car accidents are the most common cause of personal injury claims in California, but not every car accident case is the same. At Lanzetta Law, we focus on cases involving serious injuries: crashes that result in hospitalization, surgery, long-term treatment, or permanent impairment. When the stakes are high, you need an attorney with the trial experience and track record to secure the compensation you actually deserve, not just what the insurance company wants to pay.
Attorney Tobin Lanzetta brings over two decades of trial experience to car accident cases. He has recovered millions for clients injured in collisions caused by negligent, reckless, and impaired drivers, and he has the willingness to take cases to trial when insurance companies refuse to offer fair settlements.
Common Causes of Serious Car Accidents
The car accident cases we handle typically involve distracted driving, including texting and phone use behind the wheel, drunk and impaired driving, speeding and reckless driving, failure to yield or running red lights, highway and freeway collisions at high speed, rideshare vehicle accidents, hit-and-run accidents, and accidents caused by dangerous road conditions or defective vehicle components.
What to Do After a Car Accident
The steps you take immediately after a car accident can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation. Call 911 and get a police report filed. Seek medical attention even if you feel fine, as many serious injuries have delayed symptoms. Document the scene with photographs if you are able. Exchange information with the other driver but avoid discussing fault. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Contact an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies are not on your side. Their adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and they will use a variety of tactics to reduce your claim: offering quick, lowball settlements before you understand the full extent of your injuries, asking for recorded statements they can use against you, and arguing that your injuries were pre-existing or unrelated to the accident. Having an experienced trial attorney in your corner changes the dynamic entirely. Insurance companies know which lawyers are willing to go to trial, and they adjust their offers accordingly.
California’s Comparative Fault System
California follows a pure comparative negligence system, which means you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you suffered $1 million in damages but were found 20% at fault, you could still recover $800,000. Insurance companies will often try to shift blame onto you to reduce their exposure. An experienced attorney will fight to protect you from unfair fault allocations.
Free Consultation
If you’ve been seriously injured in a car accident, contact Lanzetta Law for a free consultation. With offices in Downtown Los Angeles and Santa Fe, New Mexico, and licensed in both California and New Mexico, we serve clients across both states. We only collect a fee if we win your case.