If you need a personal injury attorney, you shouldn't delay reaching out. The fact is that obtaining the compensation to which you are entitled is very likely critical to your ability to regain your health and well-being (to the best of your ability) after being injured in an accident that was caused by someone else's negligence and an experienced Santa Maria personal injury attorney can help.
Traffic Accidents and More
Personal injury law is a broad category of the law that addresses all of the following common types of accident claims:
- Car accidents
- Uber and Lyft accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- E-scooter accidents
- Bike accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Premises liability claims, such as slip and falls and pool drownings
- Accidents that lead to catastrophic injuries, such as limb loss and
- amputation
- Dog bites
- Wrongful death
Whatever kind of personal injury claim you face, the first steps you should take include seeking the medical attention you need and working closely with an experienced personal injury attorney.
The Damages You Face
Your personal injury claim will address your injuries and associated losses, which the law refers to as damages. These damages break down into the following categories:
- Property damage, such as if your car is totaled in a traffic accident
- Medical expenses, which can be astronomical
- Lost earnings, which can evolve into lost earning potential
- Pain and suffering, which can be one of the most difficult hurdles to clear
Ensuring that your personal injury claim includes your full array of damages can play a critical role in your ability to heal.
Filing a Lawsuit
If the insurance company involved in your claim refuses to negotiate a reasonable settlement in good faith, you’ll need to move forward by filing a lawsuit against them. If this is your situation, it’s important to keep in mind that, in California, there is a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases, which means that you have two years from the date of your injury-causing accident to file your case (in most situations). These two years can pass in the blink of an eye when you’re busy recovering from serious injuries and dealing with the insurance company’s stalling tactics, which can make blowing through this statute of limitations easier than you probably recognize.
The Insurance Company Is Not Going to Make it Easy for You
- Making early settlement offers before claimants recognize their complete damages
- Complicating the claims process by making it excessively long and difficult
- Denying valid claims from the outset
- Attempting to shift blame toward claimants (and away from their insurance carriers)
- Denying the extent of claimants’ damages
The insurance company in your case may pull out some tricks, but your dedicated personal injury attorney has the savvy and legal knowledge to cut to the heart of the matter.
FAQ
The answers to the following FAQ can help you better understand the personal injury claims process.
Can I file my claim without an attorney?
Yes, you can file your personal injury claim on your own, and you can even move forward with a legal case on your own, but these strategies are not likely to do your claim/case any favors.
Can I afford a personal injury attorney?
Yes, you can afford to have a personal injury attorney in your corner. Most personal injury attorneys work on contingency, which means your attorney’s pay is contingent upon you receiving a settlement or court award.
How do I know if I have a solid personal injury claim?
If you’ve been injured by someone else’s negligence and that person or entity owes you a duty of care – the way other motorists do when they share the road with you and property owners do when you visit their businesses – you could have a viable personal injury claim, and an experienced personal injury attorney will help you make this determination.
What are the steps in the personal injury process?
While your personal injury claim will be unique to your situation, the basic steps you should follow are the same for everyone, and they include:
- Seek the medical attention you need
- Consult with a dedicated Santa Maria personal injury attorney
- File your personal injury claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company
- Gather and compile all evidence and information relevant to your claim
- Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully and refrain from talking about your claim (including laying low on social media) for the duration
- Allow your experienced personal injury attorney to skillfully negotiate with the insurance company for compensation that adequately addresses your damages in their entirety
- File a lawsuit against the insurance company if it refuses to negotiate in good faith for a reasonable resolution to your claim
What if I am partially to blame for the accident that left me injured?
In California, the courts address shared fault, meaning that you can seek damages for the percentage of your losses that the other party caused. For example, let’s say that a distracted driver who was texting away behind the wheel caused you to be injured in a car accident. If the jury finds that you share some of the blame because you were speeding at the time of the accident, your court award will be reduced by the percentage of responsibility you are determined to bear.
Speak with an Experienced Santa Maria Personal Injury Attorney Today
The impressive Santa Maria personal injury attorneys at Los Angeles City Law have a wealth of experience guiding claims like yours toward outcomes that uphold our clients’ rights and that provide them with their rightful compensation. We’re here for you, too, so please don’t hesitate to contact or call us at 866-522-4895 to learn more about what we can do to help you today.
