Northridge Personal Injury Lawyer

Northridge Personal Injury Attorney

The suburban community of Northridge is the proud home of California State University Northridge. Many families choose the beautiful residential community to begin a career and raise families. As picturesque as life can be in the suburbs north of Los Angeles, all it takes is a single negligent act to cause a tragic accident. Anyone who suffers an injury due to someone else’s actions can consult with a Northridge personal injury lawyer to determine their options for filing a claim against them.

What Does a Northridge Personal Injury Lawyer Do?

Personal injury laws are an area of civil law that uses the court system to find remedies to injustices. Often, those remedies come in the form of monetary compensation. The State of California has laws that protect individuals who were harmed due to the negligence or misconduct of another party.

A Northridge personal injury lawyer reviews cases to see which ones merit legal action. A successful personal injury case requires proving several factors. The attorney must show that the client was injured. This could be a personal injury or emotional harm. Injury to one’s reputation is another form of injury.

It also requires connecting the injury to the actions of an individual or group. For example, someone who was harmed in a car accident would have to prove that the at-fault driver caused the accident and, as a result, the plaintiff’s injuries.

In certain types of cases, proving a causal relationship between the defendant’s actions and the plaintiff’s injuries is straightforward. In other cases, the personal injury lawyer must do extensive research and investigation to prove the connection.

Certain types of personal injury cases require proof that the defendant had a duty of care to prevent an accident from occurring. One example of that would be a property owner who allowed dangerous floor conditions that eventually led to someone falling and becoming injured.

Someone who is responsible may decide to settle a case before it goes to trial. A personal injury attorney in Northridge can negotiate with the other party to ensure you do not accept a settlement that is too small for the circumstances.

What Can I Be Compensated for in a Personal Injury Case?

No amount of money can undo the stress and emotional harm that follows an injury or the loss of a loved one. The aim of a personal injury lawsuit is to hold the at-fault party accountable for their actions. Even when the at-fault party faces criminal charges, you can still file a civil lawsuit that seeks financial compensation for your injuries and other losses, such as:

• Pain and Suffering. Putting a financial figure on someone’s pain and suffering may sound like a difficult task, but personal injury attorneys do that as a part of their job. Your lawyer may rely on past experience and similar cases when putting together a number that compensates you for any pain and suffering resulting from your injury.
• Loss of Wages. An injury can easily require time off work for hospital visits, treatments, and recovery. As part of your personal injury claim, your lawyer can include the loss of wages you incurred while dealing with your injury. If you are temporarily or permanently disabled due to your injuries, past and future wage losses can be added as a part of your settlement request.
• Hospital Bills. Following an injury, some of the most expensive costs incurred by someone often come from medical expenses. Even when you have good health insurance, there are often expenses that could cause financial hardship. Certain treatments and medications may not be fully covered by your insurance. Your personal injury lawyer will work to recoup these costs through swift legal action.
• Other Costs. Any financial harm you suffered due to someone else’s negligence can be added to your eventual settlement. You may incur transportation costs when traveling to and from medical treatments. Additionally, if your property was damaged as the result of someone else’s actions, that can also be calculated into the requested settlement as well

During your consultation with your personal injury attorney, your lawyer will carefully document your financial losses to come up with a suitable settlement figure.

Common Northridge Personal Injuries

There is a wide range of injuries that can qualify for a personal injury lawsuit in Northridge, California. Your personal injury lawyer can review the facts of your case to see if you have a strong case that warrants legal action. Some accidents that commonly result in successful personal injury claims include:

• Car Accidents. Car accidents are a leading cause of personal injury lawsuits. The potential injuries that could result from someone’s negligent driving can be serious. Unfortunately, any wrongful deaths result from automobile collisions. Car accidents can result from numerous kinds of negligence, including distracted driving, reckless speeding, and driving under the influence. Alcohol-impaired drivers account for around 50% of automobile fatalities in California.
• Pedestrian Accidents. Pedestrians are often harmed due to the negligence of drivers. Innocent bystanders can be struck at protected crosswalks and other areas where cars come near pedestrians. Proving fault following a pedestrian accident requires recreating the incident that led to the vehicle collision, particularly how the driver’s negligence caused them to strike the pedestrian.
• Motorcycle Accidents. In the event of an accident, motorcyclists are very vulnerable. Their vehicles offer much less protection than passenger vehicles, so they can be seriously harmed. Broken bones, lacerations, “road rash,” and other serious injuries can require long-term medical treatments and extensive healing periods.
• Bicycle Accidents. Like pedestrians, bicyclists are often innocent bystanders when hit by a vehicle. Protected lanes are often ignored by drivers who may pass aggressively or fail to pay attention to their surroundings before passing.
• Truck Accidents. Due to their size and weight, commercial trucks can cause catastrophic damage to any vehicles they collide with. Truck drivers are often insured by trucking companies that have their own team of lawyers. Anyone who goes up against a commercial trucking company should have experienced legal representation.
• Medical Malpractice. Patients place great faith and trust in their healthcare providers. Doctors perform important jobs, and most do a commendable job. When a doctor deviates from established standards of care, they may be held liable for medical malpractice. A misdiagnosis or improper care can be the basis for a medical malpractice lawsuit.
• Nursing Home Abuse. The decision to place an aging loved one in a nursing home can be difficult. The employees who handle nursing home affairs are expected to work with care and compassion. When someone notices that their aging parent or grandparent is abused or neglected, they can hire a personal law attorney to hold the staff member or nursing homeowner accountable for any abuse that occurs in their facility, especially if they know of the abuse.
• Dog Bites. Pet owners have a responsibility to prevent their pets from attacking people. Even when someone is invited into a pet owner’s home, the visitors should expect that any dogs with a history of biting will be restrained. Pet owners can be held accountable for any subsequent attacks, especially if they know their pets have bitten before.
• Slips and Falls. Although a slip and fall may sound like a minor injury, people who unexpectedly walk across a slippery or uneven surface can suffer real harm. Broken bones, traumatic head injury, and other forms of injury can lead to severe bodily impairment.
• Wrongful Death. Some of the most difficult and emotionally challenging cases a personal injury attorney can handle involve wrongful deaths. Survivors of the decedent can file a wrongful death claim on behalf of their loved one who died. A wrongful death claim can seek compensation to cover burial costs and the loss of income for the family if the deceased person was a provider.

If you suffered a personal injury, you can consult with a personal injury lawyer to see if you have a strong claim for monetary compensation. Winning your personal injury case can help you financially recover and pay any debts that you incurred.

What to Expect When Filing a Personal Injury Case

The first recommended step in filing a personal injury case is to consult with an attorney. Your goal should be to find a law firm with a track record of successfully helping clients receive compensation for their injuries. Not all law firms will have experience with the type of injury you have suffered.

For example, medical malpractice, slip-and-fall injuries, and nursing home abuse are all unique and require an attorney with experience litigating those specific types of cases. Once you find an attorney who believes you have a strong case, they will reach out to the defendant’s attorney with a demand for appropriate compensation.

If the defendant does not agree to a fair settlement, your lawyer can file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf. The discovery phase of the case involves investigating the circumstances of your injury. Your attorney can compel the defendant to release evidence that can strengthen your case. Any witnesses can also be deposed at this time.

In an attempt to avoid responsibility, the defendant may even try to allege that you share part of the blame for your injury. Your attorney will use evidence to rebut those claims. By gathering evidence, your attorney can improve your chances of receiving a fair settlement offer. If you agree to the terms of the settlement, the case will be closed upon receipt of the settlement.

It is not uncommon for the defendant to avoid admitting guilt as part of the settlement. Your lawyer will counsel you on whether the settlement offer meets your goals. Ultimately, the decision to accept a settlement is completely up to you.

If the defendant refuses all fair settlement options, the case will go to trial. Your lawyer can represent you by presenting evidence, citing relevant civil laws, and questioning witnesses. A judge or jury will decide if the defendant is responsible for causing the injury in question. If the judge or jury sides with the plaintiff, a compensation amount will be decided and awarded to the plaintiff.

Personal Injury Law FAQs

Q: What Is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Personal Injury Case?

A: Every state sets a deadline for when civil cases can be filed. The vast majority of personal injury cases in California must be filed within two years of the date of the injury. There are no exceptions to this deadline. Failing to file within the two-year window will mean you cannot seek civil remedies for your losses.

Q: How Are Personal Injury Cases Resolved?

A: The majority of civil lawsuits are resolved through settlements outside of court. Defendants often seek to lower the risk of a jury trial. Plaintiffs can benefit from a settlement when the offer is fair and covers the expenses incurred due to the at-fault party’s actions. As part of a settlement agreement, the defendant has the option of not admitting guilt. Plaintiffs are under no obligation to accept settlement agreements.

Q: What Happens If a Settlement Agreement Cannot Be Reached?

A: When both parties fail to come to an agreement about a settlement figure, the case will go to trial. Cases often go to trial when both sides believe they have a convincing case. A judge or jury will decide which side is right, meaning that the winning side was able to demonstrate that it is more likely than not that their argument is the true and correct one. If applicable, the judge or jury then sets a compensation amount.

Q: Who Decides What Is a Fair Settlement?

A: Ultimately, the plaintiff decides whether a settlement is fair by accepting or declining the settlement. A personal injury lawyer with years of experience representing clients can calculate a fair settlement agreement. During the settlement negotiation process, your attorney will provide counsel on whether they believe a settlement offer would help you reach your goals.

Schedule Your Northridge Personal Injury Consultation Today

No one should have to live with the financial consequences of someone else’s misconduct or negligence. If you or a loved one were harmed due to someone else’s actions, you can hold the at-fault party accountable by hiring a personal injury lawyer.

The attorneys of Freeman & Freeman, LLP, have many years of experience helping Northridge, California residents receive compensation for their injuries. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation.