Glendale Car Accident Lawyer

How Maison Law Helps Glendale Car Accident Victims

The city of Glendale is known for its prime location in the heart of LA County, allowing its citizens to live within minutes of amusement parks, beaches, and fine dining experiences. However, Glendale is also known for its significant number of car accidents. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, Glendale averages around 663 injury-related car accidents per year.

What these statistics don’t show is the aftermath that car accident victims in Glendale face after a serious injury. Injured car accident victims typically need extensive medical treatment, lose the ability to work, and suffer long-term health complications such as permanent disability as a result of a serious accident. Despite these facts, insurance companies will still attempt to reduce or deny compensation owed to injured car accident victims.

At Maison Law, we stand up for injured car accident victims’ rights in Glendale. Our experienced Car Accident Attorneys are skilled at managing the insurance companies, protecting victims from liability, and ensuring they are fully compensated for the following damages:

• Special Damages: medical bills, ongoing treatment, costs that accumulate when you’re unable to work, like rent or mortgage payments
• General Damages: these are non-economic hardships like pain and suffering, anxiety, depression, mental trauma
• Wrongful Death Damages: these damages may be sought by a spouse or close relative for funeral arrangements, burial expenses, and medical treatment before a loved one’s death
• Punitive Damages: these damages are rare, but if the driver engaged in reckless driving with the intention of hurting you, then you could sue for punitive damages

Glendale Car Accident Dangers

The dangerous maneuvers and decisions drivers can make are on display in and around Glendale every day. As a cautious driver on busy roads like Ventura Boulevard and Brand Boulevard, you may see the flagrant errors all around you and wonder how you ever get anywhere safely.

Glendale battles Los Angeles for the highest car insurance premiums in the state. Glendale premiums are generally over 2,500 dollars a year. NBC4-TV reports that the rates can be 60% more than insurance fees in other cities in California.

There’s no doubt the highways can be full of distracted and reckless drivers. This is a short list of some of the most dangerous impacts and outcomes possible in Glendale accidents:

• Rollover Accidents: A car overturned by the force of an accident can put anyone inside under extreme forces that can cause devastating injuries. Accidents involving rollovers are rare compared to other types of impacts, but according to The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) they account for somewhere around a one third of all auto accident fatalities recorded across the nation in a year.
• Head-On Impacts: These collisions are extremely dangerous because two vehicles bring both of their velocities into an impact which can double the force involved. The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that in 2018 there were 4,900 tragic head-on deaths across the nation accounting for almost 30% of fatalities in two-vehicle accidents that year.
• Rear-end Impacts – A very common type of collision, but the injuries can be very serious. Whiplash is most commonly associated with rear-end accidents. This can involve injuries to the neck, shoulders, and upper back after the body is shoved forward and sent backward quickly. Spine injuries are also common. The NHTSA found that in 2018 rear-end accidents caused 594,000 injuries in the U.S. and accounted for just over 32% of accidents reported for the year.
• Sideswipes: A glancing blow can often still seriously hurt the people inside vehicles. The collision can occur on driver’s or passenger’s doors where the protection is thinnest for occupants. The NHTSA found that sideswipes impacts caused 129,000 injuries in 2018, making up almost 13% of all collisions in the nation.

Driver’s Rights After a Glendale Car Accident

Unfortunately, car accidents are a common occurrence, which is why California State Law has set the framework for protecting injured drivers and determining fault after a car accident. California Laws implemented to protect the rights of injured drivers include:

• Comparative Negligence Law: This law allows an injured party who shares fault for their injuries to receive compensation. Comparative negligence determines liability, assigning a percentage of fault to all parties involved. 
• California Law mandates that all drivers carry minimum liability insurance to cover damages in the event of an accident.
• California Civil Code 335.1: This law gives car accident victims two years from the day of their accident to file a personal injury claim to pursue compensation for damages.
• California Vehicle Code 20008: Drivers are required to report a car accident to police within 24 hours of being in an accident. Even if you were not at fault, you are required to report the accident to the police.
• Distracted Driving Law: Using your cell phone or similar electronic communication device while driving in California is illegal. Only hands-free communication is permitted while driving. If your accident was caused by a distracted driver, then you’ll have a strong case to recover necessary damages.

City Code of Ordinances for Glendale Drivers

In Glendale, drivers must follow California State Traffic laws, which include speeding, yielding, and using cell phones while driving. Glendale has specific ordinances regarding driving on city property, which include:

• City Ordinance 10.64.020: the driver of a vehicle may not drive within any sidewalk area or any parkway except at a permanent or temporary driveway.
• City Ordinance 10.64.030: No person shall operate a vehicle contrary to the direction or provisions of any barrier or sign erected.
• City Ordinance 10.64.035: Vehicle operators shall not stop, park, or otherwise obstruct the ingress or egress to or from any parking lot and public street, roadway, or alley in the city of Glendale.
• City Ordinance 10.64.040: No person shall drive a vehicle onto or from any limited access roadway except such entrances and exits as are established by public authority.

What to Do Immediately After a Glendale Car Accident

The steps you take after a car accident will be important to ensuring you and your passenger’s safety, as well as protecting your right to compensation if you decide to take legal action. At Maison Law, we recommend doing the following after a car accident in Glendale:

• Ensure the safety of you and your passengers: Depending on the situation, this could mean moving your car to the side of the road, or if you are severely injured, it could mean remaining where you are until help arrives. Check yourself for burns, lacerations, or broken bones. Oftentimes, the adrenaline from an accident can mask the pain from major injuries.
• Call the Glendale Police: The police will file an accident report and take down the names of everyone involved, as well as assign fault based on the evidence in front of them. A police report will serve as evidence if you need to back up your claims later.
• Document the incident: Take photos or film the aftermath of the bus accident. Film yourself recounting the details of the incident and describe the pain you’re in. It is best to capture how the accident played out while the memory is still fresh in your mind.
• Gather witness statements and driver information: Film or record witnesses willing to give a statement about the accident. Take down their names and phone numbers. Take a picture of the other driver’s license and license plate number. Take down the contact information..
• Do NOT admit fault: Don’t admit fault even if you feel you may have caused the accident. Allow the police to conduct their investigation and determine fault.
• Get Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine, it is important to get checked out by a doctor or go to a hospital. Certain injuries can lie dormant and manifest themselves hours, or even days later.
• Notify your insurance of the accident: Notifying your insurance of the accident is typically a part of any auto insurance policy. Failing to report accident can result in a dismissal of your policy agreement, depending on the contract you signed with your insurance company.
• Contact Maison Law: after an accident it is important to speak to one of our attorneys as soon as possible. We will make you aware of your rights, connect your to immediate medical resources, and manages your claim, so you can focus on more important matter like your health and family.

Am I Legally Required to Report an Accident to the Glendale Police?

When it comes to reporting an accident to the Glendale Police, several regulations govern when a driver must report an accident. They can get confusing if you read them from start to finish, so here is a brief summary for your convenience. Drivers must report an accident in Glendale if:

• Anyone is injured, even minor scrapes and bruises count
• Anyone is killed in the accident
• Property damage reaches or exceeds $1,000, which includes damage to personal property as well, not just the vehicle
• Any drivers involved were operating a motor vehicle without a license
• Any drivers involved were intoxicated at the time of the accident

If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being in an accident in Glendale, it is recommended to always report it to the police. Failing to report when required can result in fines, loss of driving privileges, and even criminal charges. By law, a citizen of California has 10 days to report their accident to the police, as well as the DMV, starting from the day the accident occurred.

The Importance of Getting an Accident Report

After an accident, it is normal to be too overwhelmed with medical appointments, managing insurance companies, and keeping up with daily life while you’re recovering. However, having an accident report is crucial information necessary to recover compensation from your vehicle accident claim.

Accident reports detail how the collision occurred and should include:

• Names and contact information of the involved drivers
• Parties of interest, such as passengers, property owners, vehicle owners, drivers, witnesses, and anyone else involved
• Date, time, and location of the accident
• Citations for any type of driving behavior, including whether a driver was intoxicated, speeding, or otherwise violating traffic laws
• A police officer’s opinion as to who or what caused the accident

What Happens if the At-Fault Driver Doesn’t Have Car Insurance?

If the at-fault driver in your auto accident doesn’t have car insurance, you file a claim with your insurance company or file a lawsuit against the other driver’s personal assets to collect damages. Most people would like to think every driver is insured, but unfortunately, that is not the case. According to the Insurance Information Institute, over 20% of drivers are either underinsured or not insured at all. So, it is always a good idea to consult with Maison Law when you have to deal with underinsured/uninsured motorists. We can help you explore all legal avenues to recovering compensation for your damages.

How to Handle a Car Accident with an Uninsured Driver in Glendale

If you find yourself involved in an accident with an uninsured/underinsured driver, you should still follow the same steps as you would with any other car accident. Even if the driver is uninsured, you should contact the police and have them file a report. The report will contain important details, as well as the fact that the at-fault driver was uninsured. This will serve as essential evidence in your case.

It is also to be wary of other drivers trying to avoid contacting the police. An uninsured driver may try to keep law enforcement from getting involved out of fear of the consequences of being uninsured. Lastly, be sure to exchange contact information with the other driver. Your insurance company will need to contact the at-fault driver, especially if they’re uninsured.

Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Glendale

According to the National Safety Council, not only are car accidents involving serious injuries on the rise, but so are the number of fatal car accidents that occur each year. This has to do with the rapid growth of cities like Glendale, whose populations are becoming more dense year over year. As of 2025, the most common causes of car accidents in Glendale include:

• Distracted Driving: even momentary glances can cause devastating accidents. Distracted driving can be proven through camera footage, cell phone records, and collision investigations.
• Speeding: speeding only increases the severity of accidents and is a leading contributor to fatal car accidents every year in Glendale. A driver’s CPU data can potentially reveal their speed before an accident.
• Moving violation: running red lights, illegal U-turns, or failing to yield can disrupt the flow of traffic, leading to major accidents. These illegal actions can typically be proven by traffic camera footage and eyewitnesses.
• Driving under the influence (DUI): This action is the leading cause of fatal accidents in California.