Understanding Personal Injury Law: A Comprehensive Guide for Accident Victims
Most people tend to think of car accidents when personal injuries are mentioned. While those certainly are common cases under personal injury law, there are many other types of personal injury accidents.
From slip and falls to medical malpractice, personal injury cases have one thing in common: they are due to someone else’s negligence. When someone is careless, it can leave you with life-altering injuries that impact your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Accident victims are often left with financial hardships as well. This is why understanding personal injury law is important when determining your next steps.
Common Types of Personal Injury Cases
Accidents and incidents that are caused by a negligent party often lead to these common types of personal injury cases:
Car Accidents
Car accidents happen on our roads every day, and each one has a unique set of circumstances. Sometimes it’s due to distracted driving, speeding, drunk driving, or just negligence.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Hazards such as uneven surfaces or wet floors can lead to disaster in parking lots, stores, or even sidewalks.
Medical Malpractice
When substandard medical care leaves you worse for wear, you may have a medical malpractice case.
Workplace Accidents
While workers’ compensation has been established to help employees who are injured on the job, it is possible to file a personal injury lawsuit against a third party that caused your injuries.
The Legal Process for Personal Injuries
When you’re injured because of someone else’s negligence, you could file a personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation for your damages. You’ll want to start by finding a qualified personal injury attorney to represent you.
They will investigate and gather evidence to support your case. Then, they will file a complaint or petition that details your cases and the damages you seek. The discovery process comes next, followed by negotiations and settlement discussions. If the settlement isn’t enough to cover your damages, your attorney will take the case to trial.
What Damages Can You Seek in Personal Injury Cases?
You can seek to recover the medical expenses that you incurred from the accident. Additionally, compensation for lost wages is necessary if your injuries cause you to miss work. Property damage is easy to prove in a car accident case, and is another type of economic damage. You may also pursue non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of consortium.
How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in California?
With California’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit. Since it takes time to gather the relevant evidence and fill out all the forms correctly, you will want to get started as soon as possible.
Hiring a personal injury attorney is a smart move to ensure you don’t miss any deadlines and follow all the right steps. You can find out more by visiting robertslawfirm.net/orange-county-personal-injury-attorney/.