As a Los Angeles car accident attorney and former in-house counsel at Safeco Insurance, I know exactly how adjusters build a case to pay you less, and I use that experience to fight for the full value of your claim.

Dedicated Representation for Car Accident Victims

When you are hurt in a car crash in Encino or anywhere in Los Angeles, you’re dealing with doctor visits, repair shops, and calls from adjusters. I handle the legal work so you can focus on healing. I offer a free consultation and if I accept your case, there is no fee unless I win (on cases done on a contingency fee basis). At The Law Office of Frederick S. Schwartz, you speak directly with me from day one, and I keep you informed while I push for the result you need.

Why You Need a Car Accident Lawyer

California uses a pure comparative negligence standard, which means you can still recover compensation even if you were partly at fault for the crash, though your payout gets reduced by your percentage of fault. That makes how fault gets calculated one of the most contested parts of any claim, and it's exactly where insurers look for room to shrink what they owe you.



Building your claim usually means putting together a demand package: medical records, wage loss documentation, photos, police reports, and a clear narrative connecting the crash to everything it cost you. From there, compensation isn't limited to medical bills. Depending on your case, it can include lost income, future medical care, property damage, and pain and suffering.

I am frequently hired for serious injuries, disputed liability, or when the insurer will not negotiate fairly. I also help when there is an uninsured or underinsured driver and you need to use your own policy benefits under UM or UIM coverage.

What I Know About How Adjusters Handle These Claims

The insurance adjuster called you within days of the crash with a settlement number. That's not a coincidence, and it's not generosity. I spent years as an insurance defense attorney before I started representing accident victims, and I learned exactly how adjusters build a fast, low offer designed to close your claim before you know what it's really worth.

Here's what that usually looks like from the inside:

• A quick settlement offer made before your medical treatment, and the full cost of it, is even known
• Recorded statements taken early, then used later to shrink or dispute your claim
• Liability split unfairly across multiple drivers to lower what any one insurer has to pay
• Gaps in treatment used as an argument that your injuries weren't serious

When the adjuster moves fast, that's usually a signal you need someone on your side who moves just as fast. I dismantle these tactics because I used to build them.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Los Angeles

Traffic in the Valley and along the 101, 405, and 10 leads to daily collisions. I regularly handle cases involving distracted driving, speeding, red-light violations, DUI, unsafe lane changes, and dangerous road conditions. Rain makes local streets slick and potholes can contribute to loss of control, especially near busy corridors like Ventura Boulevard.

No matter how the crash happened, the type of case affects how it gets handled:

• Rear-end collisions, where liability is often clear but injury severity is disputed
• Multi-car accidents, where figuring out who's responsible for what share of the damage takes real investigation
• Uninsured or underinsured motorist accidents, where recovery depends on your own policy's UM or UIM coverage
• Rideshare accidents involving Uber or Lyft vehicles, where multiple insurance policies can come into play depending on whether the driver was logged in, en route, or carrying a passenger

Truck accident cases sometimes overlap with car collisions when a commercial vehicle is involved, and my approach adapts to the higher stakes those claims bring. If your accident happened in the San Fernando Valley specifically, I also handle Valley car accident cases with the same local courthouse and insurer knowledge.

What To Do After A Car Accident

Your health comes first. Get medical care and keep records of every visit. Report the crash to law enforcement and request the report number. If you can, take photos of the vehicles, the scene, and your injuries. Exchange information with all drivers and get contact details for witnesses. Tell your insurer about the crash, but do not guess about fault. If the other driver’s insurer calls, you can refer them to me. I handle communications so nothing is taken out of context.

Car Accident Claims in Los Angeles, Answered