Why Downey Residents Trust Reardon Injury Law
A sudden injury can turn your life upside down in an instant. One moment you’re driving down Firestone Boulevard or shopping at the Stonewood Center, and the next you’re dealing with physical pain, emotional trauma, and the overwhelming stress of medical bills and lost income. At Reardon Injury Law, we understand that the aftermath of an accident is a confusing and difficult time. Our first priority is to provide the compassionate support you need, allowing you to focus on your recovery while we handle the legal complexities.
What sets our firm apart is the unique background of our founding attorney, John Reardon. Before dedicating his career to law, Mr. Reardon practiced as a chiropractor for 20 years. This extensive medical experience gives him an unparalleled understanding of the physical toll an accident takes on the human body. He can decipher complex medical records, anticipate long-term treatment needs, and effectively communicate the true extent of your injuries to insurance companies and juries. This dual expertise ensures that your case is built on a solid foundation of both legal and medical insight, positioning you for the best possible outcome.
We are proud to serve the Downey community and all of California. We believe that everyone deserves access to justice, regardless of their financial situation. That is why we operate on a contingency fee basis—you pay absolutely no attorney’s fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you. Your journey to justice starts with a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and understand your rights.
Accident Hotspots in Downey
While an accident can happen anywhere, certain areas in Downey see a higher frequency of collisions due to heavy traffic, complex layouts, and driver behavior. As a resident, you may already be familiar with the challenges of navigating these spots.
- Imperial Highway & Downey Avenue: This intersection is widely recognized as one of the most dangerous in Downey. Crash data shows a significant number of collisions here, with over half being dangerous broadside (T-bone) accidents. A high percentage of these incidents are caused by drivers running red lights. The risk is particularly high on Fridays and Sundays between 9 AM and 12 PM.
- Florence Avenue & Paramount Boulevard: As a major crossroads connecting Downey to neighboring cities, this intersection experiences constant, heavy traffic flow. The high volume of vehicles, including commercial trucks and city buses, increases the risk of lane-change accidents, rear-end collisions, and pedestrian accidents.
- Firestone Boulevard & Lakewood Boulevard: This intersection is another critical hub for commuters and commercial traffic, situated near major freeways. The combination of high speeds on the boulevards, multiple lanes, and frequent turning maneuvers makes it a common site for serious car accidents and motorcycle accidents.
Accidents along the major freeways that cut through and border Downey—such as the I-5 (Santa Ana Freeway), I-605 (San Gabriel River Freeway), and I-105 (Century Freeway)—are also a major source of severe injury claims. These high-speed collisions often involve large commercial vehicles, leading to catastrophic truck accidents.
Types of Cases We Handle in Downey
Our firm is equipped to handle a wide range of personal injury claims. We combine our deep legal knowledge with a sophisticated medical understanding to advocate for clients who have been wrongfully injured. Our primary practice areas include:
- Car Accidents: We represent drivers, passengers, and families affected by negligent driving, from rear-end collisions on Lakewood Boulevard to multi-car pileups on the I-605.
- Truck Accidents: Cases involving large commercial trucks are complex, often involving federal regulations and powerful corporate defendants. We have the resources to take on these challenging claims.
- Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcyclists are uniquely vulnerable on the road. We fight to overcome unfair biases against riders and secure compensation for their severe injuries.
- Pedestrian Accidents: We advocate for pedestrians struck by vehicles in crosswalks, parking lots, or on sidewalks throughout Downey.
- Bicycle Accidents: With more people using bicycles for commuting and recreation, we are dedicated to protecting the rights of cyclists injured by careless drivers.
- Rideshare Accidents: Accidents involving Uber or Lyft have unique insurance complexities. We help clients navigate these intricate claims to ensure they are fairly compensated.
If you have been injured in a way not listed here, we encourage you to contact us. Our team handles a broad spectrum of injury cases, and you can learn more on our practice areas page.
What to Do After an Accident in Downey
The steps you take immediately following an accident are critical for protecting your health and your legal rights.
- Prioritize Safety: If you can, move your vehicle out of traffic to a safe location. Turn on your hazard lights. Check on yourself and your passengers for injuries.
- Contact Emergency Services: Call 911 immediately. The Downey Police Department will likely respond to accidents on surface streets, while the California Highway Patrol (CHP) handles incidents on the I-5, I-605, and I-105. A police report is a vital piece of evidence.
- Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine, it’s essential to get a medical evaluation. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries. Go to a local emergency room like PIH Health Downey Hospital or Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center, or see your primary care physician as soon as possible. This creates a medical record linking your injuries to the accident.
- Document the Scene: If you are able, use your phone to take pictures and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, and any visible injuries.
- Exchange Information: Get the other driver’s name, contact information, driver’s license number, license plate number, and insurance policy information. Also, collect contact details from any witnesses.
- Do Not Admit Fault: Avoid saying things like “I’m sorry” or “I think it was my fault.” Stick to the facts when speaking with police. Let the investigation determine fault.
- Consult with an Attorney: Before you give a recorded statement to any insurance company—even your own—contact Reardon Injury Law. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and an experienced attorney can protect you from their tactics.
Understanding Your Rights Under California Law
Navigating a personal injury claim requires an understanding of California’s specific laws. An experienced attorney can guide you through these rules to protect your right to compensation.
- Pure Comparative Negligence: California follows a “pure comparative negligence” system. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident. However, your final compensation award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault, your total recovery will be reduced by 20%.
- Statute of Limitations: 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, there is a critical exception: if your claim is against a government entity (e.g., a city bus, a pothole on a public road), you must file a formal claim within six months of the incident under the Government Claims Act. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar you from recovering compensation.
- California’s Minimum Insurance: The state’s minimum liability insurance requirement is just $15,000 for injury to one person, $30,000 for injury to multiple people, and $5,000 for property damage. In any serious accident, these amounts are rarely enough to cover medical bills and other losses. An attorney can help you explore other potential sources of recovery, such as your own Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage or third-party liability.
- Types of Compensation: Victims of negligence are entitled to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. This can include medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Contact Reardon Injury Law Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in Downey, you don’t have to face the fight for justice alone. Let our firm’s unique combination of medical and legal expertise work for you. We are here to listen to your story, answer your questions, and provide the clear, authoritative guidance you need to move forward.
Contact us today at (657) 522-7122 or fill out the form on our contact page to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. We handle cases on a contingency basis, so there is never a fee unless we win.
