How to Win a Personal Injury Case in Los Angeles
Every personal injury case is different. People and their loved ones are dealing with the aftermath of debilitating injuries, unexpected expenses, and sometimes, a massive permanent change to their lives. If you are starting your claim, or wondering how to win your personal injury case, what are some steps you can take? Keep reading to learn about how to win a personal injury case in Los Angeles, get answers to some frequent questions regarding personal injury, and why you should turn to a personal injury attorney in Los Angeles from BD&J!
Do I Have a Personal Injury Case?
According to the CDC, there were 300,900 injury deaths in 2023. People get hurt every day, whether it’s on the road, visiting local businesses, or even walking their dogs. If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries due to an incident directly caused by a reckless or negligent person, then you may be able to file a personal injury case for rightful compensation. Some common accidents that lead to personal injury claims include car accidents, commercial injury accidents, premises liability, product defects, and more.
What Do I Need to Win a Personal Injury Case in Los Angeles?
If you are looking to successfully prove liability in a personal injury case, there are a few things you should do. Talking with a Los Angeles personal injury attorney from BD&J is essential to get unmatched legal representation. Besides this, building a solid personal injury case can consist of:
Every personal injury case needs evidence in order to support the claims being made. This means all injured people must go to the hospital as soon as possible after the accident to be treated, take photos of all property involved and the scene of the incident, and also get eyewitness statements. If you weren’t able to collect this evidence, a personal injury lawyer can help you find the information you need.
Gathering Evidence
Providing Proof of Negligence
Every successful personal injury case provides proof of negligence from the other party. As a plaintiff in a personal injury case, your attorney should be able to prove that:
- The other party had a duty of care for you.
- This duty of care was breached.
- As a direct result, you suffered injuries.
For example, a driver who was texting while driving and caused a car accident would be held liable in a personal injury case. This is because the driver breached the duty of care they have for other drivers by texting and being distracted, and as a result of this, other drivers and passengers were harmed in the accident.
Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
The personal injury claims process can be overwhelming and complex. Hiring a personal injury lawyer can allow you to have the proper legal expertise in filing, negotiations, valuation, and peace of mind as you recover from any painful or debilitating injuries.
Avoiding Solo Communications with the Other Party’s Insurance Company
If you want your personal injury claim to see success, it’s best to avoid speaking with the other party’s insurance company alone. This is because the ultimate goal for insurance companies is to save as much money as possible, which means they will try to make you admit some form of fault in order to avoid a larger payout. If any communication should be made with an insurance company, it should be through your Los Angeles personal injury lawyer.
How Can a Personal Injury Attorney in Los Angeles Help Me?
Some people believe they can save money by foregoing the representation of a Los Angeles personal injury attorney. However, this is far from the truth. One study found that 91% of people with an attorney received a payout for a personal injury claim in comparison to 51% of people who had represented themselves in a claim. A personal injury attorney fights for you and your loved one’s right to compensation, while you recover from grievous injuries. If you are looking for a legal expert who can handle the filing process, negotiations, and more, turning to a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer is key.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much is My Case Worth?
Every case is different. Consulting with a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer from BD&J should help you learn more about the specific factors that determine your case’s worth. Compensation from a personal injury claim is often used for past and future medical expenses, property damage, physical rehabilitation, loss of wages, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
In California, plaintiffs seeking to file a personal injury lawsuit have two years from the date of the initial accident to do so. Speaking with a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer can allow you to begin the filing process. Any claims filed after the deadline are no longer eligible for compensation.
What if I Was Partially at Fault?
If you were partially at fault for an accident that caused you injury, you may still have an opportunity to receive compensation. California is a comparative negligence state, which means that injured individuals can still recover compensation for their injuries; the compensation would simply be reduced by the percentage of fault they are found to be. For example, a person who is found 50% at fault in a car accident would have their compensation reduced by half.
How to Gather Evidence for Your Personal Injury Case
- Take photos and videos. Be sure to record photos and videos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any property damage that is significant to the case. Videos can also be a great way to record any eyewitness statements from other people who may have been present at the time of the incident.
- Go to the hospital. Some injuries are surface level, but others can take days or weeks to show symptoms. It is important to go to the hospital and get your injuries checked out for documentation purposes as well.
- Gather witness statements. Getting contact information from other people involved or who witnessed the accident is key to a personal injury claim. Witness statements can further support your claim and provide more evidence for your Los Angeles personal injury lawyer to build your case.
Diligent Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorneys Advocating for Injured Clients
To win a personal injury claim, you must be able to prove the other party or parties involved caused your injuries. Gathering evidence of everything, including damages, is essential to bring your case forward. The next crucial step is speaking with a personal injury attorney in Los Angeles with BD&J. Our dedicated team of experienced lawyers have represented California residents for more than 20 years, recovering more than $2 billion* in compensation. Call us now to schedule your free consultation.