The Common Types of Personal Injury Cases and What You Need to Know
It is not easy to recover from a serious accident. It’s even harder when you have to negotiate with insurance companies, try to get your car repaired, and get compensation for your medical bills and lost wages. Dealing with physical pain, medical bills, and insurance companies can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to handle it on your own.
The truth is, recovering compensation for your damages can be a complex and challenging process, and it’s crucial to have an experienced San Bernardino personal injury attorney by your side to help you get the compensation you deserve.
What is a Personal Injury Case in California?
Personal injury law in California gives injured accident victims a way to seek compensation for their damages. In other words, if you suffered an injury due to another party’s negligence or intentional act, you can file a claim or a lawsuit against the at-fault party.
Types of Personal Injury Cases
At William D. Shapiro Law, Inc., our San Bernardino personal injury lawyers have considerable experience handling a wide range of personal injury cases.
Car Accidents – Car accidents are a traumatic and life-altering experience for those involved. Unfortunately, they can happen to anyone, regardless of how careful they may be behind the wheel.
In 2019, 16,123 people were injured or killed in car accidents in San Bernardino County alone, an increase of 35 percent since 2010. Many California safety experts are trying to change this troubling trend, but city and state infrastructure and advances in technology have made this difficult.
If you get hurt in a car accident, you’ll need compensation to help you pay for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. You’ll need someone on your side who can negotiate with insurance companies and prevent them from offering you a low-ball settlement.
Slip and Fall Accidents – Slip and fall accidents in San Bernardino can happen anywhere, but especially on commercial properties like Walmart, Target, and shopping malls. Theses accidents can cause serious and horrific injuries, such as head and back injuries and soft-tissue damage.
Property owners have a duty to keep their premises safe for visitors, and if they fail to do so, they may be held liable for any injuries. Unfortunately, many property managers cut corners when keeping their stores safe and up-to-date. They may fail to mop up spills quickly or they may use cheap and ineffective floor mats.
Product Liability – When a defective product injures you, you can seek compensation from the manufacturer or seller. Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring that their products are safe for consumer use. When they fail, they can – and should – be held liable for their negligence. From faulty hair dryers to serious automobile defects, a product liability attorney can help you seek justice and secure the compensation you need to move forward in your future.
Medical Malpractice – If you are injured due to the negligence of a healthcare provider, you may have a medical malpractice case. Medical malpractice cases are challenging to prove, and working with a San Bernardino injury attorney with experience in this area is essential. Doctors and hospitals have large legal teams on their side who fight aggressively to limit liability.
Dog Bites – The owner may be liable for your injuries if their dog bites you. California has strict liability laws for dog owners, which means the owner can be held responsible even if the dog has never bitten anyone. Dog bite injuries can cause permanent disability, scarring, and even disfigurement. You may need compensation to pay for future plastic surgeries and skin grafts.
What Injured Accident Victims Need to Know in California
California operates under a “fault” system when it comes to car accidents, which means that the party responsible for causing the accident is typically held liable for the damages resulting from it. This means that if you are involved in a car accident in California, you have the right to sue the other driver for damages such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
While this may seem cut and dry, it is rarely so. Insurers will do whatever it takes to reduce their liabilities and pay you as little as possible. They may pin some of the blame on you or even deny fault altogether.
To avoid unnecessary delays in receiving compensation, you need to work with an experienced personal injury attorney. When you hire a personal injury lawyer, you send the insurance companies a message: that you won’t settle for less than you deserve.
What To Do After an Accident
The steps you take after you suffer an injury can help your attorney build your case. Yet, if you’re seriously injured, you may not be able to take these steps after an accident. Don’t worry. Contact an experienced San Bernardino personal injury lawyer in the beginning and they’ll get to work building your case for you!
- Seek Medical Attention: Your health should be your top priority after an accident. Even if you feel fine, it is essential to seek medical attention to ensure that you do not have any hidden injuries. It is also essential to keep records of all medical treatments you receive.
- Document the Accident: Documenting the accident as soon as possible is crucial. Take pictures of the scene and any injuries you have sustained, as well as eyewitness contact information. You should also keep a journal to document your recovery. This should include any details about the accident, as well as a journal of your pain and treatment.
- Contact an Attorney: Fighting insurance companies after a crash isn’t easy. They’ll try to twist what you say to reduce their liability. When you hire an attorney, you can rest easier knowing you have someone on your side. Your attorney can fight for you and help you get the compensation you deserve.
- Know Your Rights: In California, you can seek compensation for your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Working with an attorney who understands California law is the best way to protect your rights.
Contact Our San Bernardino Personal Injury Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one got hurt in a San Bernardino accident, we’re here to guide you through every step of the claims and legal proceedings. Our legal team will negotiate with insurance companies to help you receive the compensation you deserve. When the insurance company doesn’t play fair, we’re not afraid to take them to court to fight for you. Our law firm strives to provide seamless assistance after an accident. To get started, call us at (909) 890-1000 or fill out our private contact form, and we’ll promptly respond to you.
William Shapiro has handled catastrophic injury/wrongful death actions for over 4 decades obtaining numerous seven and eight-figure verdicts and settlements. Honors include: 2022, 2016 and 2013 OCTLA “Top Gun” TLY; 2022 CAOC TLY Finalist; 2018 “Lifetime Achievement Award” Western State College of Law, 2021 & 2017 Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year; 2016 WSBCBA “TLY”; 2015 CAL-ABOTA “TLY”; 2014 “TLY” Consumer Attorneys of CAOIE; 2011 “Hall of Fame,” Western State College of Law; Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers; International Academy of Trial Lawyers; International Society of Barristers; Diplomat, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA); National Board of Trial Advocacy; specialist in Trial Advocacy, State Bar of California; “Best Lawyers in America” and “Tier 1 Best Law Firms” U.S. News; AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell; SuperLawyers; Past President of: San Bernardino/Riverside chapter ABOTA; San Bernardino County Bar Association; Consumer Attorneys of Inland Empire; The Joseph. B. Campbell American Inn of Court; Consumer Attorneys of California; IE ; National Sec of ABOTA, Adjunct professor, Western State College of Law. Learn more here.