A four-vehicle crash in Valley Glen killed one person today.
According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the accident happened about 2:26 p.m. near 12700 Vanowen St. The collision involved four vehicles. One man was trapped in his vehicle and had to be extricated. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Three other people were transported to a hospital.
The names of the accident victims have not been reported, nor has the cause of the car crash. It is not known at this time whether drugs or alcohol played a factor in the accident.
Multi-Vehicle Crash – Who Is Responsible?
In a multi-vehicle accident, the question arises: who can an injury victim make a claim against? The answer: an injury victim can make a legal claim against every at-fault party. There may be more than one at-fault party. Even if you were partially at fault for the accident (called "comparative negligence"), you may still have a claim against other at-fault parties who bear some responsibility for your injuries. In a comparative negligence case, the value of the injury victim's claim is diminished by their percentage of fault.
LAPD – 12 to 16 Weeks until Police Report is Ready
Oftentimes, the at-fault party is not known until the police report comes out. If the Los Angeles Police Department made the police report, it could be 12 – 16 weeks before the report is available. If your vehicle was damaged, what do you do in the meantime? If you have collision coverage, you should go through your own insurance company on your property damage claim. You will have to pay your deductible, then you will get it reimbursed from the at-fault party's insurance carrier once fault is determined. If you have rental coverage, you can also rent a car and have it paid for by your carrier. If you are determined to bear no fault for the accident, your insurance premiums will not go up.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, you should consult with a personal injury attorney.
McGee, Lerer & Associates is a personal injury law firm with four office locations to serve our clients: Los Angeles, Pasadena, Santa Monica and Long Beach.
A lawyer at our firm is available 24/7 for a free consultation. Read about our No Fee Promise here.