Why Santa Monica Residents Trust Reardon Injury Law
A sudden accident on a busy street like Wilshire Boulevard or even a quiet residential road can shatter your sense of security. In an instant, you’re faced with physical pain, mounting medical bills, and the stress of dealing with insurance companies. The life you knew in beautiful Santa Monica is disrupted, and the path forward can feel overwhelming and uncertain. We understand the physical and emotional trauma you are experiencing, and we are here to help you navigate this difficult time.
Reardon Injury Law is dedicated to serving the Santa Monica community with a unique combination of legal skill and medical insight. Our founding attorney, John Reardon, practiced as a chiropractor for 20 years before becoming a lawyer. This dual expertise gives our firm a profound understanding of the injuries you’ve sustained—from whiplash after a rear-end collision on the I-10 to complex fractures from a bicycle crash. We don’t just see a case file; we see the full medical picture and know how to effectively communicate the extent of your suffering to insurance companies and juries.
We know Santa Monica. We understand the chaotic mix of local commuters, tourists navigating with GPS, and commercial traffic that defines routes like Lincoln Boulevard. We are familiar with the procedures at the Santa Monica Courthouse and the tactics insurance companies use to minimize claims. Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no fees unless we win your case. Your recovery is our priority.
Accident Hotspots in Santa Monica
While Santa Monica is a beautiful place to live and visit, its popularity and location create unique traffic hazards. Our firm has extensive experience handling cases that arise from accidents in these and other known danger zones:
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Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) & The California Incline: This stretch is notoriously dangerous. High speeds on PCH, combined with vehicles merging from the steep California Incline, create a perfect storm for serious collisions. Sun glare in the afternoons can blind drivers, and the area is a hotspot for devastating motorcycle accidents and collisions involving drivers unfamiliar with the road’s sharp curve.
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Lincoln Boulevard & Pico Boulevard: As one of the city’s busiest commercial corridors, the intersection of Lincoln and Pico is a constant site of T-bone crashes, rear-end collisions, and pedestrian accidents. The high volume of cars, city buses, and delivery trucks creates a congested and often chaotic environment where a moment of inattention can lead to disaster.
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Ocean Avenue & Santa Monica Boulevard: The gateway to the Santa Monica Pier is a magnet for tourists, resulting in a complex mix of distracted drivers searching for parking, pedestrians crossing outside of crosswalks, and a high concentration of Ubers and Lyfts. This area sees a disproportionate number of rideshare accidents and injuries to vulnerable pedestrians and cyclists.
Additionally, the Santa Monica Freeway (I-10), as it terminates near the coast, is a common location for high-speed car accidents and serious truck accidents, especially during rush hour commute times.
Types of Cases We Handle in Santa Monica
At Reardon Injury Law, we provide dedicated legal representation for individuals who have been harmed by the negligence of others. Given Santa Monica’s unique geography and lifestyle, we frequently handle specific types of injury claims.
With its beautiful climate and bike-friendly initiatives, the city unfortunately sees a high number of bicycle accidents, often caused by drivers failing to share the road. Similarly, the bustling downtown, Third Street Promenade, and beach areas contribute to a large number of pedestrian accidents.
Of course, the heavy traffic on major thoroughfares like the PCH, Lincoln Boulevard, and the I-10 freeway leads to countless car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and complex truck accidents. As a major destination, Santa Monica also has a high volume of rideshare accidents involving services like Uber and Lyft. Our firm is equipped to handle the full spectrum of personal injury cases. You can learn more about our practice areas here.
What to Do After an Accident in Santa Monica
The moments following an accident are chaotic and confusing. Taking the right steps can protect your health and your legal rights.
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Prioritize Safety and Call 911: If you are able, move your vehicle out of traffic. Check on others involved. Call 911 immediately to report the crash and request medical assistance. For accidents on city streets, the Santa Monica Police Department will likely respond. For incidents on the I-10 freeway or PCH, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) has jurisdiction.
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Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Your health is the top priority. Even if you feel fine, adrenaline can mask serious injuries. It is crucial to be evaluated by a medical professional. Paramedics may take you to a local hospital like Providence Saint John’s Health Center or UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica. In cases of severe trauma, you may be transported to a regional Level I Trauma Center like Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center for specialized care.
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Document the Scene: If you are physically able, take photos and videos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, positions of the cars, skid marks, and any relevant street signs or traffic signals. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses.
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Exchange Information, But Do Not Admit Fault: Exchange driver’s license, insurance, and contact information with the other driver. Be polite, but do not apologize or say anything that could be interpreted as an admission of fault.
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Contact an Experienced Attorney: Before you give a recorded statement to any insurance company—even your own—speak with a personal injury lawyer. The insurance adjuster’s goal is to minimize their company’s payout. Our goal is to protect your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Understanding Your Rights Under California Law
Navigating a personal injury claim requires an understanding of key California laws.
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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. However, your final award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault, your compensation will be reduced by 20%.
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Statute of Limitations: In most cases, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). This deadline is critical. An even shorter and stricter deadline applies to claims against government entities. If your injury was caused by a public employee, a dangerous condition on public property, or a Big Blue Bus, you must file a formal claim with the government agency within six months of the incident.
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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. These low limits are often insufficient to cover the costs of a serious injury. This is why it is so important to have an attorney who can explore all possible avenues for recovery.
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Types of Compensation: As an injury victim, you may be entitled to compensation for economic damages like medical bills (past and future), lost wages, and loss of future earning capacity. You can also seek non-economic damages for pain, suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Contact Reardon Injury Law Today
You do not have to face this challenge alone. If you or a loved one has been injured in Santa Monica, contact Reardon Injury Law for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case. We are here to listen, to answer your questions, and to explain how we can help you on the road to recovery.
We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we secure a financial recovery for you. Call us today at (657) 522-7122 or fill out the form on our contact page to get started.
