Car accidents happen in an instant, but the consequences can last for months or years. Medical bills pile up, vehicles need repair, and time away from work puts financial pressure on injured people and their families. In Sherman Oaks, where busy corridors like Ventura Boulevard and the 101 Freeway see heavy daily traffic, collisions are a common and serious problem.
If you were injured in a car accident that someone else caused, understanding how fault is established — and how the value of your claim is determined — is the first step toward recovering what you are owed.
How Fault Is Investigated
California follows a pure comparative fault system, meaning that liability is apportioned among all parties based on their percentage of responsibility. Insurance companies know this, and they will look for any reason to assign fault to you in order to reduce what they have to pay. A thorough fault investigation is essential to protect your claim.
A strong investigation typically involves several layers of evidence. The police report is often the starting point, but it is rarely the complete picture. Attorneys and investigators will also look at physical evidence from the scene, including skid marks, debris fields, and vehicle damage patterns. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses, traffic cameras, and dashcam recordings can be decisive, particularly in disputes over red lights, lane changes, or right-of-way.
Witness statements gathered promptly — before memories fade — add independent support to your version of events. In complex crashes, accident reconstruction experts analyze the physics of the collision to establish vehicle speeds, points of impact, and driver behavior in the moments before the crash.
Pilavjian Law handles this investigative process from the beginning, preserving critical evidence and building a documented record that supports your claim at every stage of negotiation or litigation.
What Your Claim May Be Worth
No two car accident cases are identical, but compensation generally falls into two broad categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are the measurable financial losses tied to your accident. These include emergency and ongoing medical treatment, surgery, physical therapy, prescription costs, lost wages if your injuries kept you from working, and reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work in the future. Property damage to your vehicle is also recoverable.
Non-economic damages account for the ways an accident affects your life beyond the financial. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of activities, and the impact on your relationships are all compensable under California law. These damages are harder to quantify, but they are often the largest component of a serious injury claim.
Insurance companies routinely undervalue both categories. Adjusters may offer quick settlements that sound significant but fall far short of covering long-term medical needs or the true toll of a serious injury. Accepting a settlement before understanding the full scope of your losses can leave you without recourse when those costs become clear later.
Why Legal Representation Changes the Outcome
Studies consistently show that injured people represented by an attorney recover more — often significantly more — than those who handle claims on their own. An attorney understands how to document losses completely, counter insurer tactics, and push back when a settlement offer does not reflect what a case is genuinely worth.
Pilavjian Law works on a contingency basis, meaning there is no fee unless we win. If you were hurt in a car accident in Sherman Oaks or anywhere in the surrounding area, call (818) 380-3021 to schedule a free consultation. We will review your case and outline the best path forward.