Managing Partner
Our West Covina personal injury attorneys serve the San Gabriel Valley of California, east of Downtown Los Angeles.
Though it is positioned a bit outside the Los Angeles city limits, West Covina is a bustling community of its own, and is home to a diverse population of more than 106,000 people. Additionally, the community’s many retail, hospitality, and recreational facilities have made West Covina a hub in the greater Inland Empire region.
However, living in a thriving community near such an urban hub does come at a price, and that price is often driver safety. This area is known throughout the country for its congested and sometimes chaotic freeways, and residents of the area face a number of risks when taking to the roads. That includes the risk of car accidents.
If you have been injured in West Covina, Covina, or El Monte, call personal injury attorney Joshua W. Glotzer at (747) 241-8288 or send a message to discuss your case.
We offer free consultations and you pay nothing unless we win.
Glotzer & Leib, LLP has opened a West Covina office to better serve our San Gabriel Valley clients. We are located at 1515 W. Cameron Avenue, Suite 245-B West Covina, CA 91790, just a few blocks from West Covina City Hall.
Throughout West Covina, CA, we assist accident victims in all personal injury matters including:
The two basic types of damages in a personal injury claim, including an auto accident, are compensatory damages and punitive damages. Compensatory damages are usually broken down into general and special damages. The goal of compensatory damages is to make the plaintiff whole again.
While this is not always possible, special compensatory damages can reimburse a plaintiff for:
General damages compensate the plaintiff for non-monetary damages, including:
If a death occurred because of the negligence of another person, then a wrongful death lawsuit may be warranted. A wrongful death claim provides damages for surviving family members or loved ones.
Wrongful death damages can include:
Finally, punitive damages are awarded when the behavior of the defendant was truly reprehensible or malicious. Punitive damages are meant to punish the defendant as well as to deter the same type of behavior in others.
The California Code of Civil Procedures, Section 335.1, allows you two years from the time of your accident in which to file a lawsuit. The statutes of limitations vary from state to state, however, they all provide a specific time limit a plaintiff has to file a lawsuit after being injured by a negligent party. Under the California Code of Civil Procedures, Section 338, you have three years to file a property damage lawsuit, beginning on the day of the accident.
It is very important that you are aware of these statutes and that you don’t exceed the amount of time allowed, or you could be forever barred from filing a West Covina injury lawsuit and collecting compensation for your injuries and property damages.
Different states operate under different types of “fault” laws.
Some states are “no-fault” states, meaning no matter whose fault the accident is, each driver’s insurance company pays for the injuries and damages.
Other states operate under contributory negligence or comparative negligence, and under the comparative negligence umbrella are pure comparative or modified comparative.
The state of California, along with twelve other states, operate under pure comparative fault, allowing a damaged party to recover, even if that party is as much as 99 percent at fault. The recovery is, however, reduced by the damaged party’s degree of fault.
Like any busy city, auto accidents frequently occur in West Covina. In 2014, there were six auto accident fatalities. Three of the people involved in those accidents were impaired by drugs or alcohol, and one of the fatalities was a pedestrian. These fatal auto accidents in West Covina occurred on Hollenbeck Street, Sunset Avenue, Rowland Avenue, Cameron Avenue, and Barranca Avenue. West Covina did not, fortunately, make the list for the worst drivers in California.
If you’ve ever been involved in a car accident, then you understand that it can be the beginning of a stressful period of time. In addition to facing anxiety or shock over the situation, many people are so overwhelmed that they fail to keep up with necessary steps, like reporting the incident or dealing with the negligent individual’s insurance provider.
That’s where a qualified West Covina personal injury attorney comes in. The fact is, these types of accidents are not always easy to assess.
Many situations boil down to “he said/she said”, or require additional investigation of elements, including:
Additionally, an experienced accident attorney in West Covina can recommend a course of action for recovering any damages or other compensation from at-fault parties.
If you have been injured in a car accident, and you believe the accident was the other driver’s fault, it is important to ensure your argument for their negligence is strong. A police report is an important tool in proving fault in an auto accident, which is one reason you should always call the police following an accident, no matter how minor it seems at the time, or how big a hurry you are in.
A police report is a written account of the accident, containing evidence about liability. The police report will indicate whether either driver was issued a traffic ticket. Insurance companies often refuse to issue a car accident liability report until they have a copy of the West Covina police report. The California Vehicle Code can also provide support for your argument that the other driver was at fault.
Once you find the law which applies to your accident, you are in a better position to speak to your insurance company. Negligence is the failure to exhibit the level of care that a reasonable person would have done, had they been in the exact same circumstances. Since car accidents are rarely intentional, they almost always fall under negligence.
In order to prove negligence, you must be able to show that:
Although your car accident is unique, there are some “typical” factors involved in the majority of car accidents, including:
Drivers who drive while distracted. Distractions can include texting, talking on the phone, texting, turning around to discipline the children in the back seat, eating, changing radio stations, talking to passengers and even daydreaming. Distracted driving is quickly moving up to the number one slot as a factor in auto accidents.
Excessive speed has always been a primary factor in auto accidents, however, it is no longer as much of a factor as distracted driving.
Truck drivers are the number one drivers on the road who are likely to be driving while fatigued.
It can be difficult to pinpoint drowsiness or fatigue as a cause of an auto accident, although certain clues, such as a lack of skid marks or lack of evasive measures can indicate fatigue. Few drivers will admit they were fatigued or fell asleep, causing the accident.
Fatigue can cause impaired reaction times, impaired judgment, decreased performance, and decreased vigilance.
Adverse weather conditions are believed to account for as many as 22 percent of all auto accidents. Adverse weather conditions can include rain, slick roads, fog, and sandstorms in West Covina.
Road defects or defects in the road’s design, layout, or maintenance can cause a serious accident. Poor maintenance of roadways can lead to poor visibility or unexpected hazards.
Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is, and always has been a significant cause of auto accidents.
Inadequate visibility can be a problem during adverse weather conditions.
Aggressive drivers are seen practically every day by those who commute to work. Drivers who tailgate, and weave in and out of traffic can cause accidents, even multi-car accidents.
If you or someone in your life has been involved in a car accident or has sustained an injury as a result of an auto accident in West Covina, then you may be eligible to seek compensation.
It is important that you consult an experienced personal injury lawyer in West Covina as soon as possible to determine your options moving forward.
In West Covina and the surrounding communities, Glotzer & Leib, LLP works with clients to resolve their personal injury claims. From liaising with insurance companies to conducting thorough investigations, our attorneys can handle every facet of your personal injury claim with the utmost care.
To us, our clients are like family, and we are committed to securing the maximum value settlement that you deserve.
We are ready and able to be your personal injury advocate. To schedule your initial free consultation with one of our West Covina personal injury attorneys, you are invited to call our office today at (747) 241-8288 or reach us online.
“Mr. Glotzer represented me after I was involved in a car accident. I was badly injured,but the insurance company refused to offer me a reasonable settlement. I decided to find an attorney and decided to hire Josh.
His law firm did a great job on my case. They were very responsive to all my questions and obtained a great resolution for me. I received way more money than was originally offered. I would recommend their firm to friends and family.”
“Mr. Josh Glotzer is a great attorney. Over the last 15 years he has helped me on a number of cases with professionalism, and more importantly a positive outcome in my favor. I have referred him to a number of friends and colleagues, all of which have been equally as happy with his legal representation. I trust him and confident in legal ability. I highly recommend his law firm.”
“Don’t try to deal with insurance companies on your own. They strung me along for almost two years before I gave the case to Glotzer & Leib. Josh and his team quickly obtained a settlement that netted me many times what the insurance company was offering. Thank You!”
“My wife was in a car accident last year and Josh did an amazing job representing her. It’s very refreshing to see someone in his profession that actually cares and puts his clients first. He’s the best in the business and I feel so fortunate that I was referred to him. Keep up the great work and thanks for everything you did for my family!”
“I was in a rear end car accident last year and hired Mr. Glotzer’s office. It wasn’t a big case but their office helped me with my property damage claim and did a good job resolving the injury portion of the case as well.”
