Serving West LA
Serving accident victims across West Los Angeles — from Santa Monica to Brentwood, Culver City to Venice. Former insurance defense attorneys fighting for maximum compensation on the Westside.
Free & confidential
Hurt in West LA? Tell us what happened.
Accidents in West LA
West Los Angeles is a vibrant region where dense urban traffic meets coastal communities. The 405 Freeway, Santa Monica Boulevard, Lincoln Boulevard, and Wilshire Boulevard are some of the most congested corridors in Southern California. Accidents here range from high-speed freeway collisions to dense urban intersection crashes. As former insurance defense attorneys, we know how Westside insurance adjusters value claims — and we know how to force them to pay what your case is truly worth. We serve accident victims across Santa Monica, Brentwood, Culver City, Venice, Mar Vista, West Los Angeles, and Pacific Palisades.
$100M+
Recovered for our clients
4.9★
Google rating · 438+ reviews
24/7
Free consultations
$0
Fee unless we win
Local insight
West LA isn’t really one neighborhood.
It’s a collection of communities and commercial districts that blend together as you move west from the heart of Los Angeles.
Depending on who you ask, West LA may bring to mind Westwood, Sawtelle, West Los Angeles proper, Century City, Rancho Park, Cheviot Hills, Palms, Brentwood, or the neighborhoods surrounding UCLA.
Local insight
Personal injury law is a big umbrella. Like, big enough to cover Griffith Park, big.
At Insider Accident Lawyers, we represent people injured in a wide range of accidents, including:
Some cases can be resolved through negotiations with an insurance company.
Why it happens here
West LA has a perfect storm of ingredients for traffic collisions.
There are major regional roads, dense commercial districts, and major universities and medical centers. There are droves of cyclists, pedestrians, and commuters arriving from other parts of Los Angeles.
Why it happens here
West LA is home to some extremely pedestrian-friendly destinations, such as Westwood, Sawtelle, UCLA, and Wilshire Boulevard.
People walk between offices, apartments, restaurants, stores, schools, and transit stops every day.
Fail to yield
Turn across a crosswalk
Run red lights
Speed through intersections
Drive while distracted
Fail to see pedestrians at night
Broken bones
Head injuries
Traumatic brain injuries
Spinal injuries
Internal injuries
Permanent disabilities
Local insight
West LA is also home to plenty of cyclists. Some ride for exercise, some commute, and some just don’t want to deal with navigating the freeway in a car.
Entirely understandable.
Unfortunately, bicycles and e-bikes can create another point of vulnerability when drivers fail to watch for them.
Know the hotspots
Busy roads don’t automatically mean dangerous roads.
But when heavy traffic, complicated intersections, and lots of pedestrians all meet in one place, the risk of collisions can increase.
By the numbers
While the California Office of Traffic Safety doesn’t track traffic statistics for West Los Angeles specifically, its Los Angeles statistics show that in 2023 the total number of traffic accidents in which someone was injured or killed was 8,116. In 2022, this number was significantly higher, at 8,944, so there is a reason for cautious optimism.
Los Angeles traffic may, in fact, be getting safer.
Local insight
Car accidents, much like most of Los Angeles, car accident claims are some of the most common personal injury claims in West LA.
A West LA car accident lawyer can help investigate collisions involving:
A thorough investigation may involve reviewing the police report, obtaining surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, photographing vehicle damage, and examining medical records.
Local insight
West LA isn’t a traditional industrial freight district, but commercial trucks are still part of everyday life on the Westside.
Delivery trucks stock restaurants, box trucks serve businesses, and construction vehicles travel between job sites.
And yes, very large trucks sometimes find themselves sharing the road with a much smaller Honda.
Local insight
After a serious accident, an insurance adjuster may contact you surprisingly quickly.
This can feel helpful, and sometimes it is.
But remember that the insurance company is a business.
What the injuries look like
Some accident injuries are immediately obvious.
Others aren’t.
A traumatic brain injury can result in:
If it just happened
Nobody expects to get into a serious accident. Unfortunately, you don’t exactly get a calendar invitation for one either.
If you’re involved in a collision, try to:
Call 911.
Get medical attention.
Move somewhere safe if possible.
Photograph the accident scene.
Photograph the vehicles and visible injuries.
Collect witness contact information.
Exchange insurance information.
Preserve dashcam or cellphone footage.
Avoid admitting fault.
Speak with a personal injury attorney before accepting a settlement.
Medical care nearby
West LA is fortunate to have access to several major medical centers.
This center consistently ranks as one of the best in West LA and operates a 24-hour emergency department able to treat any serious injuries arising from an accident.
757 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095
DirectionsLocated in Santa Monica, UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center also operates a 24/7 emergency room able to offer treatment for critical injuries after an accident.
1250 16th St, Santa Monica, CA 90404
DirectionsWest Los Angeles Medical Center offers both an emergency room and urgent care on-site, and can treat all kinds of injuries resulting from an injury.
6041 Cadillac Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034
DirectionsSitting on Pico, this urgent care is an excellent resource to get treatment for less serious injuries resulting from an accident, and is open 24 hours a day. Getting medical treatment isn’t just about creating paperwork for a potential claim; it’s about making sure you’re actually ok. Your health comes first.
11560 West Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA
DirectionsWhat you can recover
A serious injury can affect almost every part of your life.
Depending on the circumstances, a personal injury claim may seek compensation for:
Emergency medical treatment
Hospital bills
Surgery
Physical therapy
Rehabilitation
Future medical care
Lost wages
Reduced earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Permanent disability
Disfigurement
Property damage
Local insight
California generally gives injured people two years from the date of an injury to file a personal injury lawsuit under Code of Civil Procedure §335.1.
But there are exceptions.
Claims involving government entities can have significantly shorter deadlines and additional administrative requirements.
Where cases are filed
Personal injury cases arising in West LA generally fall within the Los Angeles County Superior Court system.
Depending on the location and circumstances of the case, matters may be handled through courts within Los Angeles Superior Court’s West Judicial District.
The appropriate courthouse and venue depend on the facts of the individual case. Your attorney can determine where a lawsuit should be filed and handle the procedural requirements.
1725 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401
DirectionsStraight answers
Insider Accident Lawyers handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you won’t pay any attorney fees upfront. Fees are collected from a recovery obtained on your behalf.
Why clients choose us
West LA has a personality. It’s busy but laid-back. Urban but beach-adjacent. Chic but occasionally covered in construction dust.
And, depending on the time of day, either incredibly easy to get around or seemingly determined to make you question every decision that led you to get into the car.
Written by our attorneys and first published on insideraccidentlawyers.com. General information, not legal advice; figures are as cited in the original article.
Know the hotspots
1Santa Monica Blvd & Sepulveda Blvd
A major Westside intersection with heavy commuter traffic. Frequent lane changes and distracted driving make this a hotspot for rear-end and T-bone collisions.
2Lincoln Blvd & Washington Blvd
Lincoln Boulevard is one of the most dangerous corridors on the Westside. High speeds, frequent stops, and heavy truck traffic contribute to a high rate of serious injury accidents.
3405 Freeway at Wilshire Blvd
The 405/Wilshire interchange is one of the most congested in the country. Aggressive merging, frequent lane changes, and stop-and-go traffic lead to multi-vehicle accidents daily.
4Pacific Coast Hwy & Channel Rd
The PCH at the Pacific Palisades border sees high-speed traffic mixing with beachgoers and cyclists. Motorcycle and bicycle accidents are common on this stretch.
5Venice Blvd & Robertson Blvd
A busy intersection in the Mar Vista/Culver City area with heavy bicycle traffic. Failure to yield and dooring accidents involving cyclists are frequent here.
The rules that apply
Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, you have two years from the date of your West LA accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. On busy corridors like Lincoln Boulevard and the 405 Freeway, evidence such as traffic camera footage and vehicle data must be preserved quickly.
West LA has some of the highest bicycle and pedestrian traffic in the city. Under California Vehicle Code § 21200, cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers. Insurance companies often try to blame cyclists for accidents — we know this tactic and fight to protect vulnerable road users.
If your West LA accident was caused by a dangerous road condition on the 405, Lincoln Boulevard, or PCH, you may have a claim against Caltrans or LADOT. Under the California Tort Claims Act, you must file within 6 months — far shorter than the standard 2-year deadline.
General information, not legal advice.
From Google reviews
"Unfortunately I got hit by a car in a hit and run situation which caused numerous issues with my body thanks to country trial lawyers they made my case easy and assured me they will take care of the whole process all I had to worry about was getting better physically which therapy and surgery . They are the best! 10/10 reccomend"
"I want to say thank you to the entire Countrywide team for helping me out on the car accident case I had. Especially Sharay. She kept me up to date on every detail which made the process a lot less stressful. I would definitely recommend them to family and friends."
"I came to Countrywide after a scary traffic collision with a Big Rig and they took care of everything for me and made sure I received the best care. They communicate with you every step of the way, and helped me receive a generous settlement."
From the Case Vault
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts.
What we handle in West LA
Straight answers
Yes. Under California Vehicle Code § 21200, cyclists have the same rights as drivers. Insurance companies often try to blame cyclists for accidents, claiming they were riding too fast or too close to parked cars. As former insurance defense attorneys, we know this tactic and fight to prove the driver was at fault. We handle bicycle accidents across Venice, Santa Monica, and the entire Westside.
The other side already has a plan
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover. Talk to an attorney who knows exactly how the insurance company plans to value your claim.
