Center Line Accidents

Accidents in which a driver crosses over the center line are likely to be catastrophic. These accidents may involve a head-on collision with oncoming traffic, and if they occur at high speeds, they may be fatal. After a serious accident, you may be approached by the at-fault driver's insurer. It is important to consult your own attorney before speaking to an insurer for the other driver. In most cases, an insurance adjustor is trying to obtain an admission of fault to reduce liability, and since the injuries that you have suffered are likely to be severe, it is important not to give the other party anything with which to reduce your compensation. If you were hurt in a center line accident, contact the Los Angeles car accident attorneys at Sharifi Firm for experienced representation.

California Vehicle Code § 21460 prohibits driving on the left side of a solid yellow line except in certain circumstances, such as when there is a broken line on your side and you need to pass a slower vehicle, or when you need to cross into a private driveway or get out of the path of an emergency vehicle. Sometimes, however, a driver crosses over the center line due to negligence. They might be distracted due to an incoming text, drunk, falling asleep at the wheel, or rubbernecking.

In some cases, a violation of section 21460 may be considered negligence per se. Negligence per se may apply when the defendant has violated a safety ordinance, statute, or regulation, the violation caused injuries, and the accident was of the type that the law was intended to prevent. In most cases, when negligence per se applies, the primary issue is the amount of damages, rather than whether the defendant should pay them.

If you are able to establish negligence or negligence per se in connection with a center line accident, you may be able to recover compensatory damages. These may be substantial if you suffered catastrophic injuries. Center line accidents may result in a traumatic brain injury, paralysis, broken bones, internal injuries, facial disfigurement, scarring, and other serious injuries. A personal injury lawsuit is meant to provide compensation to the accident victim for each of the losses established.

Among the past and future damages that may be available include medical treatment costs, necessary services, prescription medication, lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment, and mental anguish. The nature of the injuries and the extent to which they affect a particular victim will determine the amount of compensation available.

A serious center line accident may be traumatizing to a victim and may have significant consequences for the spouse of the victim as well. A husband or wife who suffers a loss of affection, sex, or companionship due to a center line accident may be able to recover loss of consortium damages.

At Sharifi Firm, APC, our Los Angeles lawyers may be able to help you recover compensation after you have been involved in a center line accident. Our firm has considerable experience negotiating with insurers and taking cases to trial as necessary. Contact us online or call us at (866) 422-7222 for a free consultation with a motor vehicle collision attorney. Our firm also represents people in Temecula, Riverside, Rancho Cucamonga, Glendale, Covina, and San Bernardino, among other Southern California cities.