Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is my personal injury case worth?
Since every
personal injury case is vastly different, it would be impossible to give an exact answer
without knowing the details of your case. When awarding compensation to
personal injury victims, the severity of the injury will be taken into
consideration as well as any medical and physical therapy bills (past
and future), rehabilitation costs, lost wages (past and future), pain
and suffering and much more. It will be the duty of your attorney to calculate
all the costs and estimate the total possible recovery that you are legally
entitled to.
Q: Do I have the right to take legal action and file a personal injury claim?
Many people are injured on a daily basis in all types of accidents from
car crashes,
slips and falls, construction accidents,
burn injuries, animal attacks, swimming pool accidents, medical malpractice and much
more. Sometimes it is difficult to tell when you have a valid legal claim,
but the main objective is to determine who is at fault for the incident
and hold them accountable for paying the damages. If someone else was
partially or fully responsible for causing your injuries, speak with a
qualified injury attorney from my firm today.
Q: Should I accept the settlement that the insurance company offers me?
Insurance companies make major company profits off of injury cases because
they always offer to pay the victim the lowest possible amount. Their
end goal is to pay as little as possible. You should never settle for
less than you deserve. Once you accept their offer, you give up your right
to seek additional compensation for future expenses. With an attorney
working on your side, you can better ensure that you will get the total
injury settlement that you are entitled to.
Q: What can I tell the insurance adjusters?
Before speaking with any insurance adjusters, it is always wise to consult
with a qualified injury lawyer. There are certain pitfalls that you can
fall into because insurance adjusters are always looking for ways to deny
or underpay injury claims. It is always wise to refrain from giving your
recorded statement to the insurance adjusters. You should also speak with
your lawyer before signing any medical releases or authorizations.
Q: How long do I have to file my personal injury lawsuit?
In California, the Statute of Limitations for personal injury cases for
an adult is usually two years. This means that you have two years from
the date the accident occurred to file a lawsuit.. Keep in mind that the
Statute of Limitations can change depending on the type of claim or the
negligent party involved. For example, medical malpractice lawsuits must
be filed within three years from the date of the injury.
Q: How long could my personal injury case take from start to finish?
This also depends on the specifics of your injury case. If you sustain
a minor injury and there are only two parties involved, your case could
conclude in a matter of months. However, if there were serious injuries
sustained and/or litigation is initiated, it is not uncommon for cases
to last from 1-2 years.
Q: What do I do if the negligent party does not have insurance?
Don't lose hope! There are still ways to seek compensation even if
the party at fault does not have automobile insurance coverage. You can
file an injury claim with your own insurance carrier pursuant to your
uninsured motorist coverage.
Speak to a San Fernando Valley injury lawyer about your case today to find ways to collect restitution.