Personal injury cases can cause extensive damage to property, expensive medical bills, lost time from work, and serious injuries. Handling a personal injury claim on top of all these stressors can be overwhelming. An experienced personal injury lawyer can handle negotiations with insurance companies and/or filing a lawsuit on your behalf while you focus on your recovery. If you were injured in a car accident, slip and fall, or other personal injury incident, consider contacting a personal injury attorney with Karlin & Karlin at 888-365-1555.
Advise You of Your Rights
If your injuries and losses were due to the negligence, recklessness, or intentional acts of another person, you may have a claim and the right to seek compensation from the at-fault party. One of the most important things a personal injury lawyer can do is to advise you of your legal rights after being injured as a result of someone else’s negligence. Personal injury attorneys can explain whether you have a viable claim and against which parties.
Thoroughly Investigate Your Case
A personal injury attorney can launch an investigation into your case to determine the factors that contributed to your accident, and who is legally responsible for the injuries you suffered. Depending on the circumstances, an investigation may consist of:
- Reviewing photos or videos of the accident scene
- Issuing spoliation letters to ensure that evidence is preserved
- Examining legal records and other documents relevant to the case
- Accessing electronically stored data
- Interviewing witnesses who saw the accident
- Reviewing the police report or other official reports of the accident
- Consulting with expert witnesses who can reconstruct the accident
Depending on the circumstances surrounding your case, you might have a viable claim against more than one party. For example, in a car accident case, other parties who might be responsible for the accident besides the negligent driver may be:
- The negligent driver’s employer
- Other negligent drivers who contributed to the accident
- Municipalities or private contractors responsible for road maintenance
- Auto manufacturers if a defective auto part caused the accident
- Mechanics who failed to properly install a vehicle part or component
An experienced personal injury lawyer at Karlin & Karlin can explain which parties may be financially and legally liable for the damages you sustained.
Gather and Preserve Evidence
A personal injury lawyer can also take steps to gather evidence that can help establish fault for the accident, as well as the damages a victim suffered. Evidence might include:
- Photos or videos from cell phones, traffic cameras, dash cams, and surveillance cameras
- Cell phone records
- Physical evidence like damaged car parts or debris that caused a fall
- Workplace inspection reports
- Medical reports
Evidence can quickly become lost or destroyed. A personal injury lawyer can take steps to safeguard evidence, such as by sending spoliation of evidence letters that instruct the defendant not to get rid of evidence, under penalty of the law.
Calculate the Full Extent of Your Damages
After a car accident, slip or fall, or other personal injury incident, you may suffer serious injuries and financial setbacks for which you may be able to receive compensation. According to California Civil Code, Article 1, Section 3281, economic compensation for victims of personal injury as a result of someone else’s negligence may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wage
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
California law also recognizes that not all types of losses stemming from negligent acts are economic in nature. Therefore, you may be able to receive compensation for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering and mental anguish.
Handle Communication with the Insurance Company
Many personal injury claims are ultimately settled out of court. You may file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance provider and request compensation up to the limits of the policy, depending on the circumstances of your case. A personal injury lawyer can verify the relevant policies and coverage. Additionally, attorneys can handle communication with the insurance company (which may include deceptive and manipulative tactics) so you can focus on your physical recovery and do not say anything that might harm your claim.
Negotiate a Fair Settlement
An experienced personal injury lawyer can help negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company. Personal injury lawyers are knowledgeable about the value of various types of claims and their value. They can consider how the accident affected you and demand compensation for the full value of your claim as specified under the law.
Negotiate with Medical Providers
If you were hurt by someone else, you might need to use your own insurance to pay your medical bills or enter into long repayment plans. A personal injury layer can negotiate with medical lien holders to possibly reduce what you owe so you get to keep more of any settlement you might receive.
Act Within Time Limits
After any type of personal injury case, you have a certain time limit to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations. Under the Statute of Limitations law in the state of California, victims of accidents resulting from someone else’s negligence generally have two years from the date of the accident or injury to file a lawsuit. However, there are times when you have more or less time than this, such as if the accident involves the government or a minor. A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer will understand the relevant time limit in your case and can possibly help you take action before it is too late.
Represent You in Court, If Necessary
If the insurance company fails to make a fair settlement offer, an experienced personal injury lawyer can prepare your case for court. This may involve preparing a legal complaint, conducting formal discovery to gather relevant evidence for your case, and preparing various motions for the court. If the case does go to trial, a personal injury lawyer can represent you in court by examining witnesses, cross-examining the defendant’s witnesses, hiring expert witnesses, making legal arguments, and presenting evidence to support your position.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer To Ensure Your Legal Rights Remain Protected
If you would like to learn more about how a personal injury attorney can help your specific case, contact the experienced and compassionate personal injury attorneys at Karlin & Karlin at 888-365-1555. Having a personal injury attorney on your side can give you peace of mind, knowing that your case is being handled by a qualified legal professional. Call us today to schedule your free consultation, and learn whether or not you have the legal right to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses.
