Car Accident Attorney in Long Beach

If you’re looking for a car accident attorney in Long Beach, California, call Megeredchian Law at (818) 530-1300. We offer free consultations and are available 24/7. Speak directly with an attorney and get a case review in just minutes. Since 2007, we’ve proudly served Long Beach and all of Southern California. Our team combines experience, aggressive representation, razor-sharp negotiation skills, and a family-like approach to client care.

Worried about legal fees? Megeredchian Law works on a contingency basis—yes, the famous “you don’t pay unless we win.” That means you won’t pay anything out of pocket for our legal help. As soon as you hire us, we get to work on a strategy to pursue maximum compensation for all the damages you sustained in your car accident. And if you or a loved one need help in Spanish, we have bilingual professionals ready to speak with you in your language.

Hire the Right Car Accident Attorney in Long Beach

Hiring the right car accident attorney can offer multiple benefits. First of all, it takes the burden of pursuing compensation off your shoulders. Forget about missed deadlines, lost evidence, and overwhelming paperwork—an experienced attorney handles all of that for you. Another key advantage is that hiring a legal professional significantly increases your chances of recovering the full compensation you’re entitled to under the law.

Yes, attorneys take a percentage of the final settlement they recover for you. But even after legal fees, you are still likely to walk away with significantly more than if you were to file the claim on your own. The reason is simple: insurance companies and their lawyers will do everything they can to minimize your payout—or deny it entirely. A skilled, experienced car accident attorney in Long Beach knows how to push back against these tactics and prevent low-ball offers or unfair settlements.

Thousands of satisfied clients have expressed their appreciation over the years. These are 100% genuine reviews from real people whose lives changed for the better after hiring Megeredchian Law:

On top of that, Megeredchian Law offers several additional benefits, including:

Absolute confidentiality — all your personal and case information is handled with the highest level of privacy and discretion.
Help connecting with a local doctor if you don’t already have one.
The possibility of receiving a cash advance before your case is resolved.
We take care of all the insurance-related tasks: negotiations, delays, denials, and unfair settlement offers.
Round-the-clock availability—we answer calls at any hour and keep you informed every step of the way.
Supportive, personalized service—you’ll always be treated like a person, not just a case file.
Complete legal advocacy, including representation in court if your case goes to trial.
Bilingual staff ready to assist you or your family members in Spanish.

How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost in Long Beach?

As mentioned earlier, Megeredchian Law—like many car accident lawyers in California—works on a contingency fee basis. This means we only get paid if we win your case. Our legal fees come from a percentage of the final settlement or judgment we recover on your behalf. That percentage is agreed upon with you in advance and does not increase unless certain circumstances arise—such as the need to take your case to trial.

How much is that percentage? It typically ranges from 33% to 40% of the settlement or court award. The percentage for a contingency fee is typically determined by several key factors, which are often outlined in the attorney-client agreement at the beginning of the case. Here’s what usually affects it:

Stage of the Case

A lower percentage (around 33%) is common if the case settles before a lawsuit is filed. If the case goes to litigation or trial, the percentage may increase (often to around 40%) due to the added time, complexity, and resources required.

Case Complexity and Risk

Cases that are more complex or have uncertain outcomes may justify a higher percentage to compensate for the risk the car accident attorney in Long Beach is taking.

Expected Costs

If significant costs (like expert witnesses, accident reconstruction, or depositions) are anticipated, the attorney may require a higher fee to offset those upfront investments.

Client Negotiation

The final percentage can sometimes be negotiated, especially if the case is straightforward or the client brings multiple claims.

Law Firm Policies and Experience

More experienced or high-profile firms may charge higher fees, reflecting their track record and resources.

Is It Worth Getting an Attorney for a Car Accident?

Yes, hiring a lawyer after a car accident can be worthwhile, especially when there are significant injuries, disputed liability, or an unfair offer from the insurance company. A car accident attorney in Long Beach can guide you through the legal process, protect your rights, and fight to secure full and fair compensation for your damages. This allows you to focus on your physical and emotional recovery after the crash.

Read this article to discover five honest, real-life reasons why hiring an attorney is worth it:

Is it Worth Getting an Attorney for a Car Accident in 2025?

Find additional information on what they do; how they make decisions, and they simplify the claim process here:

What Does a Car Accident Lawyer Do? Should I Hire One?

How Long After a Car Accident Can You Claim an Injury?

You should still see a doctor, even if you think that you only have minor injuries. When you see a doctor, they conduct X-rays or MRIs to check for any other injuries that you may have suffered that are not easily seen or felt. For example, internal bleeding is not easily felt. It is usually detected through imaging.

Why Should I Hire a Monterey Car Accident Attorney from Megeredchian Law?

Although you generally have two years from the date of a car accident to file a claim for injuries and other damages, it’s strongly recommended that you act as soon as possible. Waiting can lead to lost evidence, uncooperative witnesses, and unnecessary delays that could weaken your case.

Filing a lawsuit after the legal deadline—known as the statute of limitations—can result in your case being dismissed by the court.

In California, if you wait too long, the defendant has the right to ask the judge to throw out your case, and unless a legal exception applies, the court will almost always grant that request. This means you could permanently lose your right to seek compensation, no matter how valid your claim may be.

Different deadlines apply depending on the type of claim. For example, wrongful death lawsuits—such as those involving a fatal car crash—must typically be filed within two years of the person’s death. You can learn more about these claims by consulting with our wrongful death attorneys.

Some situations may pause or extend the statute of limitations, a concept known as “tolling.” This may occur when:

The injured person is a minor or legally incapacitated.
The harm wasn’t discovered right away (delayed discovery).
The at-fault party left California or the United States, which can pause the deadline until they return.

The claim is against a government entity, in which case a notice of claim must typically be filed within six months.

How to File a Car Accident Claim

If you’ve already hired an attorney—or are planning to—here’s what you can expect when filing a car accident claim:

Step1: Notify Your Own Insurance Company

Even though your car accident attorney in Long Beach will handle communications with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, it’s still important that your own insurance provider is notified of the accident. Most auto insurance policies include provisions requiring prompt notice of any accident, regardless of fault. Your lawyer can help you report the crash correctly, avoiding any statements that might be used against you later. This also protects your eligibility for benefits under your policy, such as uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage or medical payments.

Step 2: Let Your Attorney Handle All Insurance Communications

Once you have legal representation, you should not speak directly to the at-fault party’s insurer. Insurance adjusters often look for statements that can minimize your compensation. Your lawyer will contact the other driver’s insurance company, present evidence on your behalf, and ensure that nothing is said or submitted that could hurt your claim.

Step 3: Follow Your Medical Treatment Plan and Reach Maximum Recovery

Your lawyer will advise you to complete your prescribed medical treatment and reach maximum medical improvement (MMI) before beginning settlement discussions. MMI is the point at which your condition has stabilized and future treatment can be more accurately predicted.

This is essential because settling too early could result in you being undercompensated for long-term medical needs, pain and suffering, or future lost income. Your attorney may also work with medical experts to determine your future care costs and include them in the total claim value.

Step 4: Allow Your Lawyer to Investigate and Build a Strong Case

To recover compensation, your attorney must prove liability, causation, and damages. This involves gathering a wide range of evidence, including:

Official accident and police reports
Medical records and bills
Surveillance or traffic camera footage
Eyewitness statements
Photos and videos from the accident scene
Proof of lost income and diminished earning capacity
Expert opinions (e.g., accident reconstructionists or medical specialists)

California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning that your compensation can be reduced if you’re found partially at fault. Your lawyer will use evidence to minimize any fault attributed to you and to maximize the value of your claim.

Step 5: Demand Letter and Valuation of Damages

Once your attorney has a complete understanding of your injuries and losses, they will draft a formal demand letter to the at-fault party’s insurer. This letter includes:

A summary of the accident facts
Legal arguments establishing liability
A detailed breakdown of your economic damages (medical expenses, lost income, etc.) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, etc.)
Supporting evidence
A deadline for the insurance company to respond

The goal of the demand letter is to begin negotiations from a strong position, supported by compelling facts and documentation.

Step 6: Negotiating a Settlement

Once the insurer receives the demand, it will investigate the claim and either offer a settlement, deny liability, or present a counteroffer. Your car accident attorney in Long Beach will handle all negotiations, advocate on your behalf, and advise you whether a settlement offer is fair or if it’s in your best interest to hold out or litigate.

These negotiations may take weeks or months, depending on the complexity of the case and the severity of your injuries.

If an agreement is reached, your lawyer will review the settlement agreement with you. Once signed, this agreement typically includes a release of claims, which prevents you from suing the same party for the same incident in the future.

Step 7: Filing a Lawsuit if Necessary

If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiation, your attorney may file a personal injury lawsuit. Even after filing a lawsuit, most cases still settle before reaching trial. If your case goes to trial, your lawyer will present evidence before a judge or jury and argue for full compensation.

Keep in mind that litigation extends the timeline significantly, but it may be necessary if the insurance company refuses to act in good faith.

Wondering how much is your car accident worth?

Find the answers in this original article by Megeredchian Law:

How Much to Expect From a Car Accident Settlement in California

How Hard is it to Win a Car Accident Lawsuit?

Winning a car accident lawsuit in California isn’t impossible—but it can be challenging, and success depends on meeting several legal and evidentiary requirements. Here’s a breakdown:

What Makes a Claim Easier to Win

What Makes a Claim Harder to Win

Clear evidence of fault: The other driver ran a red light, was DUI, or admitted fault.
Strong documentation: Police report, medical records, photos, and witness statements.
Immediate medical treatment: Helps connect your injuries directly to the accident.
Consistent statements: No contradictions in your version of events or medical history.
Severe or well-documented injuries: Easier to prove damages and justify compensation.
Representation by an experienced attorney: Lawyers know how to negotiate and fight lowball offers.

Disputed liability: If both drivers claim the other was at fault.
Lack of evidence: No police report, missing medical records, or few photos/witnesses.
Delayed treatment: Insurance may argue your injuries were unrelated or minor.
Comparative fault: If you were partially to blame, your compensation is reduced.
Pre-existing injuries: Can complicate the claim unless clearly aggravated by the crash.
Low insurance coverage: Even if you win, collecting full compensation may be difficult if the at-fault driver is underinsured.

What to do After a Car Accident in Long Beach

Understanding the basic steps to take immediately after a car accident is essential to protect your rights and pursue maximum compensation:

Report the Accident to the Police

Any car crash involving injuries or vehicle damage should be reported to law enforcement. A police report provides an official record of the crash and can serve as critical evidence when filing an insurance claim or legal case.

Document the Scene

Use your phone to take clear photos and video of the accident scene. Capture vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. Visual evidence can significantly strengthen your case.

Exchange Insurance and Contact Details

Get the other driver’s insurance and contact information, and try to collect the names and phone numbers of any witnesses. Their statements could later help support your version of events.

Avoid Admitting Fault

Don’t apologize or make statements that might be taken as an admission of blame. Let the responding officers conduct their investigation and determine what happened. What you say at the scene may end up in a police report or be used later by insurance companies.

Keep Communication with the Other Driver/s to a Minimum

Other than sharing necessary information, there’s no reason to discuss the accident with the other motorist. Avoid arguing or making any comments that could be misunderstood.

Get Medical Attention Right Away

Even if you don’t feel injured, it’s essential to see a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries take time to appear, and early medical documentation can be crucial for your claim.

Speak with a Car Accident Attorney in Long Beach

If you were hurt due to another driver’s negligence, consulting a qualified car accident attorney in Long Beach is one of the most important steps you can take. An attorney can help protect your rights, handle insurance negotiations, and pursue full compensation on your behalf while you focus on recovery.

Can I Claim Compensation for a Car Accident If I Was Partially at Fault?

Yes, you can still claim compensation for a car accident in California even if you were partially at fault. California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means that your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. For example, if you were found to be 30% at fault for the crash and your damages total $100,000, you could still recover $70,000. This system allows injured victims to pursue compensation even when they share some responsibility for the collision.

Can an Undocumented Person File a Car Accident Claim?

Yes, an undocumented person can file a car accident claim in California. Documented or not, you have the same rights to report the crash, file with insurance, and seek damages for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

The state’s laws clearly allow undocumented individuals to pursue compensation for injuries and property damage caused by someone else’s negligence. California law prohibits courts and insurance companies from using immigration status as a factor in civil personal injury cases.

Law enforcement generally won’t notify ICE when you report an accident, and filing a personal injury or insurance claim will not trigger deportation. If you suffer a car accident, nothing impedes you from calling the police to file their accident report, documenting injuries and evidence, and submitting your claim.

Car Accident Statistics in Long Beach CA - 2024/2025

Car accidents remain a significant public safety concern in Long Beach.

Recent data shows that the city averages approximately 43 serious or fatal alcohol-related crashes each year. In 2023, nearly a quarter (24.4%) of all traffic fatalities in Long Beach involved alcohol, and about 11% of all reported collisions had alcohol as a contributing factor. These figures highlight the ongoing danger posed by impaired driving throughout the city.

Fatal and injury-causing collisions continue to occur across Long Beach in 2024 and 2025. For instance, on May 23, 2025, a pedestrian was struck and killed on the 710 Freeway. Earlier in the year, on April 21, a high-speed single-vehicle crash in the city resulted in one death and two serious injuries. Incidents involving pedestrians and excessive speed remain recurring themes in the area’s traffic reports.

Hit-and-run crashes are another persistent issue. As of early 2024, local authorities continued searching for suspects in unresolved hit-and-run cases, indicating the difficulty in holding at-fault drivers accountable in many of these incidents.

Weather-related crashes in Long Beach, while less frequent than other types, still contribute to local accident rates. In Los Angeles County, which includes Long Beach, there were over 2,500 weather-related accidents reported in 2022. While not all were fatal, a notable share resulted in injuries or death, especially when fog or rain reduced visibility.

Overall, impaired driving, speeding, pedestrian vulnerability, and hit-and-run offenses are key contributors to serious crashes in Long Beach. These issues underscore the importance of continued traffic enforcement and public education efforts.

Most Dangerous Streets and Intersections for Drivers in Long Beach

Anaheim Street

A major east–west arterial with multiple wide lanes and heavy traffic volumes. This configuration contributes to a high crash rate, making it one of the city’s most collision-prone corridors

Los Alamitos (Long Beach) Traffic Circle

While converted into a modern roundabout in 1993, this intersection of Lakewood Boulevard, Pacific Coast Highway, and Los Coyotes remains high‑volume (60,000 vehicles/day). Roundabouts reduce injuries but the traffic density still poses a risk

Lakewood Boulevard & Firestone Boulevard

Ranking among California’s top 50 most dangerous intersections, this cross saw 56 crashes (including two serious and 12 minor injuries) from 2013–2017

High‑injury corridors and intersections

Long Beach’s Safe Streets data (2013–2017) identifies numerous high-injury zones—especially along major arterials like Anaheim, PCH, and Lakewood Blvd—primarily from speeding and unsafe lane transitions.

Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway)

The stretch of I‑710 originating in Long Beach registered significant fatal‑crash density—14 fatal incidents resulting in 16 deaths over 16.6 miles—making it one of Southern California’s deadliest freeway segments

Most Common Car Accidents in the Long Beach Area

Rear-end collisions: Frequent on Anaheim Street and 7th Street during peak hours, often caused by heavy stop-and-go traffic.
Side-impact (T-bone) collisions: Common at intersections like Pacific Coast Highway and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, where drivers run red lights or fail to yield.
Sideswipe collisions: Regularly occur on Lakewood Boulevard and the 405 on-ramps, where vehicles change lanes without checking blind spots.
Head-on collisions: Occur on narrow stretches of Willow Street or Artesia Boulevard when drivers drift into oncoming lanes or make unsafe turns.
Multi-vehicle pileups: Happen frequently on the I-405 and I-710 during dense traffic, especially near the Long Beach Blvd and Del Amo exits.
Hit-and-run accidents: Often reported in downtown Long Beach and near Long Beach Boulevard, where drivers flee after nighttime crashes.
Freeway and highway collisions: Serious accidents happen at high speeds along PCH and I-710, particularly near the Terminal Island Freeway merge.
Left-turn intersection crashes: A major issue at intersections like Atlantic Avenue and Anaheim Street, where oncoming traffic is misjudged during turns.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Long Beach

Distracted driving (especially phone use): A 2022 Long Beach Public Health study found handheld device use accounts for about 42% of observed driver distractions, significantly contributing to crashes citywide.
Speeding: Local traffic fatalities often occur on major arterials like Pacific Coast Highway, Anaheim Street, and 7th Street—roads identified in LBPD fatal crash reports—where speeding is frequently cited as a primary cause.
Driving under the influence (DUI): Despite fewer citations issued overall, LBPD continues to flag impaired driving as a leading root cause of fatal and serious injury collisions, particularly during nighttime hours near entertainment districts.
Failure to stop at red lights / running signals: Long Beach officials have shifted resource focus toward enforcing red light violations at high-crash intersections such as PCH and Cherry Avenue, acknowledging signal-running as a local danger.

Resources for Car Accident Victims in Long Beach

Towing & Roadside Assistance

AAA (Automobile Club of Southern California)

24/7 roadside assistance, towing, and accident support

Website:
www.ace.aaa.com
Phone: 1-800-400-4222
App: AAA Mobile App

Henry’s Towing

Address: 1530 W Esther St, Long Beach, CA 90813

Phone: (562) 436-2526

Website:
henrystowing.com

Long Beach Tow Service

Address: 1956 Pacific Ave, Long Beach, CA 90806

Phone: (562) 888-5075

Website:
www.longbeachtowservice.com

Hospitals & Emergency Rooms

St. Mary Medical Center

Emergency and trauma care

Address: 1050 Linden Ave, Long Beach, CA 90813

Phone: (562) 491-9000

Website:
www.dignityhealth.org/socal/locations/stmarymedical

Long Beach Memorial Medical Center

Level II Trauma Center

Address: 2801 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach, CA 90806

Phone: (562) 933-2000

Website: www.memorialcare.org/locations/long-beach-medical-center

College Medical Center

Address: 2776 Pacific Ave, Long Beach, CA 90806

Phone: (562) 997-2000

Website:
www.collegemedicalcenter.com

Long Beach Police Department

California DMV – Long Beach Field Office

Main Station

Address: 400 W Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90802

Phone: (562) 435-6711 (non-emergency)

Emergency: Dial 911

Website: www.longbeach.gov/police

DMV Long Beach

Address: 3700 E Willow St, Long Beach, CA 90815

Phone: 1-800-777-0133

Website: www.dmv.ca.gov

Make appointments: DMV Online Services

Find a Car Accident Attorney in Long Beach Today

Whether you’re looking for a car accident attorney in Long Beach or still unsure about filing a claim, we want to hear from you. Call Megeredchian Law at (818) 530-1300 for a free, confidential consultation with an attorney. Don’t wait too long and risk missing the chance to pursue maximum compensation. Get the help you need to cover medical expenses, recover personal damages, and move forward after your accident — you deserve it.