Why Lawndale Residents Trust Reardon Injury Law
The moments after a serious accident are filled with confusion, pain, and uncertainty. Whether you were rear-ended on the 405, struck while crossing Manchester Avenue, or injured in any other way due to someone else’s negligence, your life can be turned upside down. Suddenly, you’re facing mounting medical bills, calls from insurance adjusters, and the inability to work—all while trying to recover from your physical injuries. At Reardon Injury Law, we understand the immense physical, emotional, and financial stress you are under. Our first priority is to provide you with compassionate and steadfast legal support, allowing you to focus on what matters most: your healing.
What sets our firm apart is our founder’s unique background. Before becoming an attorney, John Reardon practiced as a chiropractor for 20 years. This deep, hands-on medical experience gives our firm an unparalleled advantage in personal injury cases. We don’t just see a case file; we understand the mechanics of your injury, the long-term prognosis, and the true cost of your pain and suffering. This medical insight allows us to build a more compelling case, effectively communicate the extent of your damages to insurance companies and juries, and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
We are dedicated to helping Lawndale residents secure the justice and compensation they deserve. We believe that everyone deserves access to justice, which is why we operate on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront fees, and we only get paid if we win your case. Your recovery is our success.
Accident Hotspots in Lawndale
While Lawndale is a close-knit community, its streets and surrounding freeways see a significant volume of traffic, leading to dangerous conditions. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, the area has a notable rate of speed-related collisions, nighttime accidents, and hit-and-runs. As a resident, you are likely familiar with the risks at several key locations:
- Manchester Avenue: As a primary east-west artery through Lawndale, this road is plagued by heavy commuter traffic. The combination of high volume, multiple intersections, and commercial driveways creates a high risk for rear-end collisions, sideswipes, and tragic pedestrian accidents.
- Intersections near I-405 Freeway Ramps: The on- and off-ramps for the San Diego Freeway (I-405) are zones of constant conflict. Drivers merging onto the freeway at speed, or exiting and failing to slow down, contribute to a high number of serious car accidents and commercial truck accidents.
- Century Boulevard & Inglewood Avenue: Located just adjacent to Lawndale, this intersection is notorious for its high rate of broadside (T-bone) collisions and is particularly dangerous for walkers and cyclists due to poor visibility. Nighttime accidents are especially common here.
- Arbor Vitae Street & La Cienega Boulevard: This nearby intersection also sees a high percentage of head-on and broadside crashes, often caused by drivers making unsafe left turns in heavy traffic.
If you were injured in a crash at one of these spots or anywhere else in the Lawndale area, you are not alone. Our firm has the experience to investigate accidents at these specific locations and hold the responsible parties accountable.
Types of Cases We Handle in Lawndale
Our firm is equipped to handle a wide range of personal injury claims. With Lawndale’s position near major freeways and LAX, we have significant experience with complex motor vehicle accident cases. We are committed to helping victims of:
- Car Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Rideshare Accidents (Uber & Lyft)
- Premises Liability (Slip and Fall)
- Wrongful Death
The congestion on the I-405 and I-105 contributes to a high number of commercial truck and rideshare accidents. The dense, urban nature of the community also puts pedestrians and bicyclists at constant risk. No matter the circumstances of your injury, we encourage you to contact us. For a more comprehensive overview of our services, please visit our practice areas page.
What to Do After an Accident in Lawndale
The steps you take immediately following an accident are crucial for protecting both your health and your legal rights.
- Ensure Safety and Contact Authorities: If you are able, move to a safe location away from traffic. Call 911 immediately. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (Lennox Station) typically responds to incidents on city streets, while the California Highway Patrol (CHP) handles accidents on the I-405 and I-105.
- Seek Medical Attention: Your health is the top priority. Accept emergency medical services at the scene or go to a nearby hospital like Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Centinela Hospital Medical Center, or Little Company of Mary Hospital. Some serious injuries, like concussions or internal bleeding, may not have immediate symptoms. A medical record is also vital evidence for your claim.
- Document the Scene: If you can do so safely, take photos and videos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, positions of the cars, skid marks, road conditions, and your injuries. Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s) and get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
- Avoid Admitting Fault: Do not apologize or admit fault to anyone at the scene, including the other driver or law enforcement. Stick to the facts of what happened. When you report the accident to your insurance company, provide only the basic information required and decline to give a recorded statement until you have spoken with an attorney.
- Contact an Attorney: Before you accept any settlement offer from an insurance company, consult with a qualified personal injury lawyer. The insurer’s goal is to pay as little as possible. An experienced attorney will protect your rights and fight for the full compensation you are owed.
Understanding Your Rights Under California Law
Navigating a personal injury claim requires a clear understanding of California’s specific laws. Here are some key principles that will affect your case:
- Pure Comparative Negligence: California follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. This means you can still recover financial compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. Your final award will simply be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 10% responsible, you can still collect 90% of your damages.
- Statute of Limitations: Time is of the essence. In California, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). However, a critical exception exists for claims against government entities (e.g., being hit by a city bus or tripping on a broken public sidewalk). In these cases, you must file a formal claim with the government agency within six months.
- Minimum Insurance Requirements: California law requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance of only $15,000 for injury to one person, $30,000 for all injuries in an accident, and $5,000 for property damage. These low amounts are often insufficient to cover the costs of a serious injury. Our attorneys are skilled at identifying all possible sources of recovery, including your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage.
- Types of Compensation: As an injury victim, you may be entitled to recover compensation (known as “damages”) for a variety of losses, including past and future medical expenses, lost wages and income, loss of future earning capacity, property damage, and non-economic damages like pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
Contact Reardon Injury Law Today
You do not have to face this difficult journey alone. At Reardon Injury Law, we are ready to put our unique combination of legal skill and medical knowledge to work for you. We will handle the legal complexities so you can concentrate on your recovery.
We invite you to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case. We will listen to your story, answer your questions, and provide a clear assessment of your legal options. Remember, you pay absolutely no fees unless we win your case. Call us today at (657) 522-7122 or fill out the form on our contact page to get started.
