A personal injury occurs whenever one party’s actions cause harm to another party, and the injured victim will have the right to seek compensation for the resulting damages. Many people carry misconceptions about legal counsel in personal injury cases, and it’s important to know what an experienced attorney can do for your recovery, but what does a personal injury lawyer do in California?
Benefits of Hiring Legal Counsel for Your Personal Injury Case in California
Hiring the right attorney to represent you in your personal injury case can have a dramatic impact on the outcome of your case. To succeed with any kind of personal injury case in California, the injured plaintiff must identify the party or parties responsible for causing their injury, prove how they caused it, and then show the full extent of their resulting damages. Each phase of this process will be easier to complete with an attorney’s help.
Personal injuries happen in many ways in California. In 2021, the California Office of Traffic Safety reported 4,285 fatalities from vehicle accidents, a leading cause of serious injuries and deaths in California and throughout the United States each year. Even when vehicle accidents are not fatal, they can cause life-changing injuries.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 5,283 workplace fatalities in California in 2023, and workplace accidents are another leading cause of serious injuries and accidental deaths throughout the state each year. Traffic collisions and workplace accidents are just two of the most common causes of personal injuries and wrongful deaths throughout California each year, and serious injuries can happen in many other ways as well.
Your personal injury lawyer in California can help you determine the exact cause of your accident to assess your most viable recovery options. One of the most important functions your attorney can perform for you is accurately determining the cause of your injury so you can pursue accountability from those responsible. Your attorney can gather evidence that you may not know how to obtain on your own.
Recovering Compensation for Personal Injuries in California
Proving fault is just one aspect of your case with which your attorney can assist you. They can also be an invaluable source of guidance as your case unfolds, answering your most pressing legal questions so you can feel more confident about your situation. Your attorney can also accurately calculate the full extent of the economic and non-economic damages you could be eligible to claim, maximizing your recovery.
Resolving your personal injury case is likely to require negotiating a settlement with the defendant who caused the injury. Some cases will need to be resolved through litigation. Whatever your individual case requires, you are more likely to win and could have a better chance of maximizing your compensation with an experienced attorney representing you.
Ultimately, there are many things a personal injury lawyer can do for your case, but you have a limited time in which to pursue your recovery. If you want to have the greatest chance of success, it is crucial to reach out to an experienced California personal injury lawyer as quickly as possible to discuss your legal options.
FAQs
Why Do I Need to Hire a California Personal Injury Lawyer?
You should always hire a California personal injury lawyer to have the optimal chance to succeed with your case. You are not only more likely to win your case but also more likely to maximize your total recovery with their assistance. They can gather evidence needed to prove fault, accurately calculate your total damages, and determine the full scope of compensation you are eligible to claim from the defendant.
Will I Need to Take My Personal Injury Case to Trial?
It is unlikely that you will need to take your personal injury case to trial. Most personal injury cases filed in the United States reach some type of settlement, but litigation could be necessary if liability for your injury is contested or if the defendant refuses to negotiate a settlement and demands a trial. Your attorney can prepare a compelling case for you, regardless of how you must resolve the case.
How Do You Prove Fault for a Personal Injury in California?
It’s possible to prove fault for a personal injury in California by leveraging various forms of physical and digital evidence. The evidence you will need will vary depending on the nature of the accident that caused your injury. Witness testimony could also be an invaluable aspect of your case. If anyone saw your personal injury happen, their statements could be crucial for proving fault.
What Happens if I Share Fault for Causing My Personal Injury?
If you share fault for causing your personal injury, California’s pure comparative negligence law will apply to your case. Under this law, the plaintiff’s percentage of fault will be subtracted from their case award, and they will keep the remainder. Shared liability may not prevent you from claiming compensation, but it will diminish your recovery. Consult a personal injury lawyer right away if you are worried you are partially liable for your injury.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in California?
The cost to hire a personal injury lawyer in California depends on the lawyer’s billing policy. The attorneys at Easton & Easton accept personal injury cases on contingency, meaning there is no upfront cost for our representation. If and when we win your case, we charge a percentage of the total settlement or case award as our fee. If we are unable to secure a recovery for you for any reason, you pay nothing.
The team at Easton & Easton can help you make sense of your recovery options and guide you through your legal proceedings after any personal injury in California. If you are unsure what you can do to recover from a recent injury, you should reach out to our team at your first opportunity and schedule a consultation. Contact us today to learn more about the legal services we provide. We look forward to helping you recover.
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