Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer

Accidents happen every day in Los Angeles. When they do, accident victims suddenly have to contend with some of the most serious injuries and other losses. The vast majority of accidents in the city are caused by negligence or carelessness. If you have been hurt by someone else’s thoughtless or reckless actions, you should not be responsible for paying for your medical expenses, lost income, and other losses.

Through a personal injury claim, it is possible to hold the negligent party liable for paying compensation. These claims, though, are rarely easy to file. The negligent party is likely to deny that their actions caused your injuries, and they may even try to shift the blame to you to shield themselves from liability. At Personal Injury Legal Group, our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers will not let them get away with these tactics and will work tirelessly to ensure you receive the fair settlement to which you are entitled.

Why Work With a Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer?

You are not required to work with a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer when filing a claim. Many people choose to go through the process alone and without proper legal representation because they mistakenly believe that they cannot afford an attorney. This is a mistake. Research has shown that accident victims who work with an attorney typically claim up to three times more in damages than those who do not.

There are many different aspects of filing a personal injury claim, and all of them are difficult, if not impossible, to do when you are trying to recover from serious injuries. A lawyer will bring the necessary expertise and skill to your case to ensure you receive the fair settlement you deserve. When working on your case, a lawyer will:

Conduct an investigation to determine how the accident occurred,
Collect evidence such as photographs and eyewitness statements to prove your case,
Accurately value your claim so you obtain the fair damages you deserve,
Reach out to their network of experts to hold corroborate your case,
Negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, and
Represent you during trial, if necessary.

The above are just a few ways a personal injury lawyer can help when filing your claim. When working with an attorney, you will always have someone acting as an advocate on your behalf and making sure your rights and best interests are protected.

Common Types of Personal Injury Claims

The sad truth is that an accident can happen in a number of ways. Any time a person acts negligently, it can result in an accident that causes very serious injuries. Some of the most common types of accidents that result in personal injury claims are as follows:

Compensation Available in Personal Injury Claims

A personal injury claim is intended to restore you to the same physical and mental condition you were in before the accident. While financial compensation can never undo the accident or the resulting injuries, it can help offset the monetary burden these losses impose. The compensation available through a personal injury claim is legally known as damages. Some of the most common types of damages include:

Past, current, and future medical expenses
Prescription medication expenses and the cost of medical devices
The cost of rehabilitation and therapy
Past, current, and future lost income
Diminished working capacity
Temporary or permanent physical disability, impairment, or disfigurement
Pain and suffering, as well as other psychological losses

Truthfully, it is difficult to know the full value of damages you deserve until you have started to fully recover from your injuries. You must have a full understanding of your injuries, as well as your prognosis, before you file a claim for damages. If you do not, you may find that you need additional treatment in the future, and you cannot go back to the liable party for more. At Personal Injury Legal Group, our skilled attorneys can accurately value your claim so you are not left paying for any expenses out of your own pocket.

How to Prove Fault After an Accident?

You may know that another driver ran a red light and crashed into your car, leaving you with serious injuries. Or, you may know that you became hurt after using a product that was defective. Unfortunately, when filing a claim, your word alone that someone else was at fault is not enough. You must present strong evidence to prove your case.

Evidence in a personal injury case can take many different forms. Some of the strongest evidence is at the accident scene. It is for this reason that it is so important to take photographs and video footage after any accident. If you were hurt on someone else’s property, take photos of the dangerous condition that caused your accident. Or, if you were hurt in a car accident, you should take photographs of the entire accident scene, as well as close-ups of the damage to all vehicles involved.

Accident and police reports can also serve as strong evidence when filing a personal injury claim. Police reports are usually available after a car accident. When writing and filing a police report, law enforcement officers will often indicate which party was at fault, which can greatly help strengthen a personal injury claim.

If a police report is not practical, such as if you were injured on the property of a business, there may be an accident report available. Property owners often ask accident victims to fill out these reports. If you have filled out such a report, it is critical that you ask for a copy of it before you leave so the information is not changed after the fact.

Regardless of the type of accident you were involved in, there may have been eyewitnesses who saw how it happened. Due to the fact that witnesses have nothing to lose or gain from a personal injury claim, their testimony is given a lot of weight. Locate any witnesses after an accident and ask them for their names and contact information. Your Los Angeles personal injury lawyer may use this information when filing your claim in the future.

Obtaining this important evidence is not easy when you are trying to recover from serious injuries. Our Los Angeles personal injury lawyer will identify the most important evidence in your case and collect it for you so you obtain the full and fair damages you deserve.

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The Statute of Limitations on Personal Injury Claims

The statute of limitations is a state law that governs all personal injury claims in California. Under this law, you have only two years from the date of the accident to file your claim. If the statute of limitations expires before you file your claim, you will lose the right to any legal recourse to claim financial compensation at all. While there are certain exceptions to the law, they are very rare.

For example, if you did not discover your injuries right away, you have one year from the date you discovered, or should have discovered, your injuries. Additionally, if you are filing a claim against the government, you have only six months from the date of the accident to file a claim.

Having months or years to file a claim may seem like a long time, but it is not. There are many steps to take before your claim is filed. An investigation must be conducted, evidence must be collected, and you must have reached maximum medical improvement. Reaching maximum medical improvement means that while your injuries will not become any worse, they also will not become any better. It is critical that you reach maximum medical improvement before filing your claim so you fully understand what your injuries will cost you now and in the future.

To make sure your claim is filed on time and that your compensation is not placed in jeopardy, it is critical to speak to a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney will know the immediate steps to take while building a strong case for your claim. A lawyer can also advise on the statute of limitations that applies to your case and make sure your claim is filed on time.

Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyer in Los Angeles if You are Hurt

If you have been hurt by another person’s negligence, you may have the legal right to file a claim for compensation. However, you should not take any chances by filing a claim on your own. At Personal Injury Legal Group, our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers will conduct a full investigation on your behalf and collect the necessary evidence that is critical to your case so you obtain the full and fair settlement that is justly yours. Call us now at 310-388-4306 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help.

Frequently Asked Questions for Los Angeles Personal Injury

If the other person admitted fault can I use that to my benefit?

If the other person admitted fault in the accident, you can use that as evidence to support your personal injury claim. The admission of fault can help establish liability.

What happens if I was partially at fault for the injury?

If you were partially at fault for the injury, it may still be possible to recover compensation for your damages. California follows a comparative fault system, which means that your compensation award may be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you.

How long after an accident do I have to seek medical treatment?

In California, there is no specific time limit for seeking medical treatment. It is important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible after an accident, even if you do not feel any pain or discomfort right away. Delaying medical treatment can not only harm your health, but it can also weaken your personal injury claim.

If my accident was minor should I still hire a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer to assist with my case?

Even if your accident was minor, it is still a good idea to consult with a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer. A lawyer can advise you on your legal rights and options, and help you determine if you are entitled to compensation for your injuries, even in cases that appear minor at first glance.

Do I still have a case if I forgot to file a police report?

If you forgot to file a police report after your accident in California, it may still be possible to pursue a personal injury claim. However, it can be more difficult to prove your case without a police report, and the lack of a report could be used against you by the insurance company or the other party. It is always best to file a police report as soon as possible after an accident to protect your legal rights.

What evidence should I collect at the scene of the accident?

After an accident, it is important to collect as much evidence as possible to support your claim. This can include taking photos of the scene of the accident and any damage to vehicles or property, getting contact information for any witnesses, and seeking medical attention for any injuries you sustained. It is also important to keep track of any expenses related to the accident, such as medical bills and lost wages.

If I had a pre-existing condition can I still receive compensation for my injuries?

Yes, you can still receive compensation for your injuries even if you have a pre-existing condition. However, the compensation amount may be affected by the pre-existing condition, and it can depend on various factors such as the severity of the pre-existing condition and how it relates to the current injury.

Should I accept the settlement that my insurance company is offering me?

It is recommended that you consult with an attorney before accepting a settlement offer from your insurance company. An attorney can review the offer and advise you on whether it is fair and reasonable based on your specific situation.

What will my attorney need from me?

Your Los Angeles attorney may need various information and documents from you, such as medical records, police reports, witness statements, and any other evidence related to your case. It is important to provide your attorney with all the information and documentation they need to build a strong case on your behalf.

How long does it take for my compensation to be paid?

The time it takes to receive compensation for your injuries in California can vary depending on various factors such as the complexity of your case, the amount of compensation sought, and whether the case goes to trial or is settled outside of court. Generally, it can take several months or even years to receive compensation in a personal injury case.