Have you been seriously injured, or lost a loved one, in an accident in Vista? If so, you may be able to recover much-needed compensation from the person (or people) responsible for the accident. This is true even if your own negligence contributed to the accident. Contact our Vista personal injury attorney to learn more about filing a personal injury claim for damages.
The award-winning team at Injury Trial Lawyers, APC has over 20 years of combined legal experience and understands that an accident can change your life forever. We also know that the damages you recover from a personal injury claim can be a tremendous help on your road to recovery. When you hire us to handle your case, we will fight aggressively to make sure that you receive each and every penny you need and deserve to recover. Contact our San Diego office today to set up your free consultation. We will review your case, determine potential liability, and answer the questions you have.
Should I File a Personal Injury Lawsuit With The Help Of Vista Personal Injury Attorney?
The time following an accident in Vista can be incredibly overwhelming and stressful. This stress will only be aggravated when you are faced with extraordinary medical bills, the cost of replacing and/or repairing damaged property, and the reality of a diminished paycheck if you are forced to miss time at work. In some cases, personal injury accident victims may be forced to pay tens of thousands of dollars while they recover. Filing a personal injury lawsuit can help to compensate you for these accident-related costs.
You have a limited amount of time to file a claim for your injuries in Vista, so it is important to act quickly. In most cases, you will have two years from the date of your accident to file a claim. If you want to recover compensation from a negligent government entity, you will only have six months from the date of your accident to file a claim. Contact Injury Trial Lawyers, APC today to ensure that your claim is filed on time.
Can I File a Personal Injury Lawsuit If I am Partly Responsible for an Accident?
If your personal injury accident occurs in California you can recover compensation even if your negligence contributed to your accident. This is because California law is based on the theory of comparative negligence. This means that your ability to recover compensation will be reduced by your own degree of fault.
Let’s say that you are injured in a car accident while you are on your way to the Brengle Terrace Park. Your car is damaged in the accident and you suffer serious injuries that require medical attention. Together, your financial setbacks for this accident total $10,000. If the other driver is entirely at-fault for this accident you will be able to recover this entire amount. However, if you are allocated 50% of the fault for the accident because you were speeding and talking on the phone, you would only be able to recover a maximum of $5,000 from the other driver. At the same time, that driver would be able to recover 50% of his/her damages from you.
What Damages Can I Recover From a Personal Injury Claim?
The primary reason you file a personal injury claim is to recover compensation for your injuries. When you suffer an injury in Vista you can request two distinct types of damages: economic and non-economic. The damages you are actually awarded will depend on the specific types of harms you suffer because of an accident.
What Are Economic Damages?
Economic damages are paid to reimburse you for the financial costs you have been forced to incur (or are projected to incur) because of an accident. These damages help to put you back in the financial situation you would have been in had the accident (and your injury) never happened. Medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity are examples of commonly requested economic damages.
What Are Non-Economic Damages?
Sometimes you suffer injuries that don’t necessarily cost you anything, financially. Non-economic damages help to compensate you for these subjective and hard-to-value injuries. Pain and suffering, embarrassment, and loss of enjoyment of life are examples of commonly requested non-economic damages. Awards in personal injury cases can vary significantly because these types of injuries are difficult to value. If your case goes to trial, a judge or jury will determine how much your pain and suffering is worth.
What Will the Injury Trial Lawyers Do?
We will begin to work on your case the moment you make the important decision to hire us. You have acknowledged that you want to hold the at-fault party responsible, and we will fight to make sure that you are well-compensated for your injuries. Our award-winning attorneys have developed a tried-and-true process that allows us to focus on your case efficiently and effectively.
Consultation
Your initial consultation will pave the way for your personal injury claim. Our attorneys will listen to your recount of the incident and ask a series of detailed questions. These questions are designed to help us better understand your case, including which parties may be liable and why your accident happened in the first place. The more information you give us during this meeting, the more we can help you.
Investigation
An investigation is an essential component of your personal injury case. It is during this stage of the process that we uncover information and evidence that will support our legal argument. Since this part of the process is so important we will never rely on the results of an outside investigation. Instead, we will conduct a thorough and in-depth investigation into your accident. This investigation may involve:
- Finding and interviewing witnesses;
- Reviewing accident reports, photographs, and medical evaluations;
- Analyzing existing evidence; and
- Consulting with industry experts to gain essential insights into the details of your case.
Negotiation
Using the results of our investigation, we will begin negotiations with the negligent party and/or their insurance company. We will take advantage of weak points in the other party’s case to leverage them into giving you a solid settlement offer. Most insurance companies who handle claims in Vista know that our award-winning attorneys are a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom and will be eager to settle.
Litigation (If Necessary)
While 95% of personal injury cases settle, we will not hesitate to take your case to court if we are not satisfied with the offers you receive. We thrive in the courtroom, connecting with jurors by making logical and passionate arguments. We are confident that we can get you the money you need and deserve if we take your case to court.
What Should I Do After a Personal Injury Accident in Vista?
Filing a personal injury claim may not be your first thought after an accident, especially if your injuries are severe. However, it is important to understand that you may decide to file a claim at some point in the near future. There are a few steps you can take after an accident that will support any claims you decide to file.
- See a Doctor: Visiting a doctor for a medical evaluation will have two primary benefits. First, it will rule out any lingering and potentially dangerous internal injuries that you may have suffered in your accident. Second, the report generated by your visit will help to prove that your injuries were caused by your accident.
- Call the Police: When the police are called to the scene of an accident you can ask them to complete an incident report. This report is not admissible as evidence but will help to document important details related to your case. Details about the weather, road conditions, and witnesses who were present may be lost or forgotten with time.
- Refuse Calls From Insurers: Insurance companies will try to manipulate a stressful situation and get you to agree to accept a nominal amount for your injuries. These companies do not have your best interest at heart and will do anything to minimize the amount(s) they pay you. You can remove any advantage these companies have by refusing to speak with them until you are represented by an attorney.
- Consult With a Lawyer: Personal injury cases can be extremely complicated and time-consuming. Hiring an attorney to represent you will significantly increase your chances of getting the money you need to recover.
Contact Our Vista Personal Injury Attorney
Have you been injured in an accident in Vista? If so, you may be able to get much-needed compensation from anyone who is responsible for causing your accident. The Injury Trial Lawyers can help you maximize the amount of compensation you recover with a personal injury claim for damages.
Our award-winning Vista personal injury attorney has more than 35 years of combined legal experience. We know that an accident can not only inflict serious, life-changing injuries but can also affect your ability to care for your family. We will fight to make sure that you are fairly compensated for your accident-related injuries. We offer our legal services on a contingency fee basis so that you do not have to worry about legal expenses until we recover compensation on your behalf. Contact us today to set up a free consultation.