If somebody causes you injury, you may assume that recovering fair compensation is fairly straightforward. Unfortunately, injury victims often face a number of obstacles after they have been hurt.
California’s personal injury laws are complicated. Establishing fault, calculating your losses, and other steps in your claim require an in-depth understanding of how these laws apply to your individual circumstances.
If you have been hurt due to someone else’s negligence, our experienced Bakersfield injury attorney can pursue compensation on your behalf. Please call The Law Offices of Mickey Fine at (661) 333-3333 today for a free consultation.
Questions to Ask If You Think You Have a Personal Injury Claim
Many clients wonder if they need a personal injury attorney after getting hurt. Although each case is unique, it is generally in your best interest to seek legal counsel as soon as possible.
These questions can help you determine if you have a personal injury claim, and if you should consider speaking to a lawyer:
Were You Involved in an Accident?
In order to have a personal injury claim, you generally need to have been involved in some type of accident. It could have been an accident on the road, at work, or possibly even in your own home.
For example, common types of accidents at the center of many personal injury claims include:
- Auto accidents, including:
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Dog attacks
- Product-related accidents (i.e., furniture tip-overs, electrical fires, and recreational accidents)
- Accidents on construction sites, farms, oil fields, and other job sites
Personal injury claims may involve a variety of different circumstances. The best way to find out if you have a case is to contact an injury attorney.
Were You Injured in the Accident?
Filing a personal injury claim requires proof of an injury. If you suffered a few scrapes and bruises but did not need medical treatment, then you probably do not have a claim.
On the other hand, if you suffered a concussion, broken bones, spinal cord damage, or any other type of serious traumatic injury, then you may have a claim for financial compensation.
Do You Suspect That Someone Else May Have Been At Fault in the Accident?
If you were 100% at fault in the accident, then you do not have a viable personal injury claim. In order to recover your losses, you must be able to prove that someone else was at least partially at fault for the accident.
As with the types of accidents that result in personal injuries, there are multiple forms of negligence, and multiple parties that may be at fault. An individual may be liable, as in cases involving a negligent driver or property owner, or a company may be at fault for designing, manufacturing, or selling a dangerous product.
Have You Sought Medical Treatment for Your Injuries?
When pursuing a personal injury claim, you need to be able to prove that your injuries resulted from your accident. It is important for you to see a doctor as soon as possible after the accident.
If you do not have medical records linking your injuries to your accident, then the at-fault party and/or the insurance company may try to argue that you were injured under other circumstances.
Did the Accident Occur Within the Last Two Years?
In most cases, a two-year statute of limitations applies to personal injury claims under California law. As a result, if it has been more than two years since your accident, you will generally be unable to file a personal injury claim.
Do You Have Evidence in Your Possession?
At the initial consultation, it is important to present the injury lawyer with all of the information you have pertaining to the accident. This may include photos you took at the accident scene, identifying information for the parties involved, communications you have received from the insurance company, and more.
Your ability to recover fair compensation for your injuries depends on the strength of the evidence in your case. If you were unable to collect evidence at the scene (e.g., because you were taken directly to the hospital), your lawyer can investigate on your behalf.
What Losses Have You Suffered as a Result of the Injury?
Pursuing a personal injury claim is not easy. It takes time, and your attorney will need you to play an active role in the process.
However, if you have been seriously injured through the negligence of another, pursuing compensation is generally worth the time and effort. Not only can you recover damages for your injuries and other losses, but a personal injury claim may prevent other people from suffering the same harm in the future.
Contact Bakersfield Injury Attorney Mickey Fine Today
It is not uncommon for personal injury victims to hesitate before hiring a lawyer. Perhaps you are concerned about the cost, or maybe you just want to move on with your life.
The Law Offices of Mickey Fine handles each case on a “No Win No Fee” basis. If we don’t achieve a favorable result in your case, you don’t pay us a fee. Throughout the course of your claim, our Bakersfield injury attorney will provide high-quality, personalized legal service to help you navigate the challenges after the accident.
For a free case review, please call The Law Offices of Mickey Fine at (661) 333-3333 today. Our Bakersfield injury attorney serves clients in areas of California.