888-341-3071
495+If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation, but the claims process can be complex and demanding, especially while recovering from your injuries.
At The JLF Firm in Downey, our personal injury lawyers simplify this process, allowing you to prioritize your health and well-being. With our expertise, you can focus on recovery while we fight to secure the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
What Is a Personal Injury Claim?
California personal injury law addresses accidents where individuals suffer serious injury due to the negligence of others, providing a legal avenue for seeking compensation. Personal injury accidents range from car accidents to bicycle accidents to pedestrian accidents to other events resulting in physical or emotional injury.
Understanding how an insurance claim works is crucial for anyone who has been injured due to someone else’s actions. It allows victims to make informed decisions about how to proceed in seeking financial recovery.
For example, the impact of a car accident resulting in spinal cord injuries can initiate a series of consequences, including mounting medical bills, lost income from an inability to work, and significant emotional distress. This highlights the importance of seeking full compensation to address both the immediate and long-term challenges.
Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations for personal injury cases is generally two years from the date of the injury under California law. Then, victims have the right to file a lawsuit against the party responsible for their injuries.
There are exceptions to this rule, like when the injury is not immediately apparent. In such cases, the two-year period may begin from the date the injury was discovered or should have been discovered. Consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney in Downey is essential to clarify these laws and ensure a personal injury lawsuit is filed within the appropriate timeframe.
Cases Our Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys Handle
Our law firm in Southern California represents clients in the following types of personal injury cases.
Practice Areas
Wrongful Death Claims
In the event of the tragic passing of an individual caused by the negligence or wrongful act of another party, a surviving family member may file a wrongful death claim to seek damages for emotional distress and financial damages associated with the loss.
Insurance companies aggressively minimize claim values for these types of cases, making the assistance of personal injury lawyers so valuable. They are experienced in proving liability and recovering maximum compensation on the family’s behalf.
Proving Negligence in Your Personal Injury Case
To recover compensation in a personal injury case, it must be proven that the other party’s “negligence” caused the accident, leading to a victim’s injuries and losses. Negligence essentially means that the at-fault party failed to act with the same level of care a reasonable person would have exercised in similar circumstances. To prove negligence, the four key elements must be established:
- The defendant owed a duty of care.
- The defendant breached that duty of care.
- The breach caused the accident that led to the injury.
- Damages to the victim were suffered as a result of the accident.
For example, all drivers owe a duty of care to operate their vehicles responsibly, which includes obeying traffic laws. When drivers disregard these laws, they breach their duty of care and may cause an accident, resulting in injuries and damages to others on the road.
The Benefits of Hiring a Downey Personal Injury Lawyer for Your Case
Studies consistently show that individuals who work with a law firm receive significantly higher settlements than those who attempt to handle their claims independently.
The key areas an attorney will prove to be most beneficial include:
- Establishing Liability: A lawyer investigates the accident and gathers evidence to prove the other party is at fault. This includes demonstrating their negligence and how their actions directly caused injuries.
- Calculating Damages: Accurately assessing the full extent of your damages, both economic and non-economic, is crucial. A lawyer will help calculate all current and future losses to ensure you receive maximum compensation.
- Negotiating with Insurers: Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts. An attorney will handle all communication and negotiations with the insurer, protecting clients’ rights and fighting for a fair settlement
At The JLF Firm, a knowledgeable personal injury attorney maintains fairness throughout the claims process, ensuring clients receive the full compensation they deserve.
What to Expect in a Downey Personal Injury Case
When considering filing a personal injury claim, it’s important to understand the process involved. Here is a general overview of our process at the JLF Firm:
- Initial Consultation: During this initial meeting, prospective clients will have the opportunity to discuss case specifics with an attorney, such as the value of the claim and turnaround time, to determine the best course of action.
- Investigation: Our legal team will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the accident to build a strong case. This includes gathering evidence such as police reports and medical records, interviewing witnesses, and consulting with accident reconstructionists to establish liability.
- Demand and Negotiation: Once sufficient evidence is gathered, we will prepare a demand letter outlining the basis of the claim and the compensation sought. Skilled negotiation with the insurance companies or responsible party follows.
- Litigation and Trial: The goal is to reach a fair settlement that adequately addresses the full extent of losses. If a settlement cannot be reached through negotiation, we file a personal injury lawsuit and take the case to court. This involves presenting evidence, examining witnesses, and skillfully arguing the case to a judge and jury to secure compensation.
Damages in a Personal Injury Case
While financial recovery is essential to cover expenses like medical bills and lost income, compensation beyond monetary losses may also be available. Victims may also seek damages for how the injury has impacted their lives, such as emotional distress. These damages are broadly categorized as economic damages, which cover financial losses, and non-economic damages, which address intangible losses such as pain and suffering. Common examples of damages include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical care
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement from burn injuries
- Embarrassment and humiliation
- Hospital bills
- Lost wages
- Prescription medicine costs
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death
Contact a Downey Personal Injury Lawyer Today
At The JLF Firm, we are dedicated to providing strong and compassionate legal representation to those injured by someone else’s negligence. We believe everyone deserves access to justice and fair compensation after an accident.
Our Los Angeles County-based personal injury law firm is committed to fighting tirelessly on your behalf, especially when insurance companies attempt to undervalue or deny your rightful claim. Schedule a free case evaluation, and speak with a personal injury lawyer today by sending us a message or calling us at 562-667-3104.
Location Address:
8255 Firestone Ave, Ste 207,
Downey, CA 90241
Phone Number:
562-667-3104
