Woodland Hills Personal Injury Lawyer

A personal injury is defined as the physical, emotional, or fatal damage a victim sustains after an accident. These injuries can be obtained from a variety of different sources, but in a personal injury case, the victim, or the victim’s heir(s), can be granted economic and non-economic damages if they are successful in showing proof of the other party’s negligence being the ultimate factor in their losses.

According to the United States Federal Courts in a judicial business report, over 140,000 personal injury cases have been filed in 2021 alone. With such a staggering number of personal injury cases being filed, it leads us to believe that sustaining an unforeseen injury is more likely than you think.

If you experienced a personal injury due to someone else’s negligence or ill intent, then you may be eligible for financial compensation. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we have a proven track record of getting accident victims the financial compensation they deserve for their catastrophic injuries. We are a reputable personal injury law firm with over 20 years of legal experience in handling personal injury cases and we are confident in our ability to get you the financial compensation you deserve for your losses.

We have recovered over $1.7 billion in compensation for our clients and our dedicated team of personal injury lawyers are available 24/7 to assist you throughout the entire legal process. Whether you have been involved in a car accident or have sustained life changing injuries, if you are in need of legal representation for your personal injury claim, we will be there with you every step of the way.

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay no fees until you win. To schedule a FREE consultation, you can get in touch with us by calling us at (213) 927-3700 or by filling out our quick online contact form.

What Are The Different Types of Personal Injury Accidents

There are many different types of personal injury lawsuits that are filed every year, however, from what is seen in Woodland Hills, traffic accidents and negligent liability lawsuits are the most common. If you have been involved in any of the following accidents, it is important to familiarize yourself with the differences between each one so you would be able to hire the correct personal injury attorney.

Traffic Accidents

Traffic accidents are without a doubt, one of the most common types of accidents where personal injuries occur. According to a 2021 vehicle incident report conducted by the National Safety Council, approximately 4,240,000 people have suffered non-fatal injuries in traffic accidents which totals to around 78% of all car accidents in the United States.

As traffic accidents encompass a variety of different vehicles, the chances of getting into one is significantly high. So if you have been involved in any of the following accidents, it is best to familiarize yourself with the different types of vehicular accidents so that you can make the appropriate filings with a personal injury attorney.

• Car Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Uber and Lyft Accidents
• Truck Accidents
• Bus Accidents
• Food Delivery Accidents

Negligent Liability

Negligent based accidents are another common type of claim found in personal injury suits due to the fact that these types of accidents are caused by inattentiveness or recklessness by one or more parties. As a result, there are a variety of negligent based accidents that can occur in a moment’s notice and the complexity of these cases is dependent on a case by case basis. With that in mind, if you find yourself in a negligent accident, be sure to familiarize yourself with the different scenarios that can occur.

• Wrongful Death
• Dog Bites
• Scooter Accidents
• Premises Liability
• Bicycle Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents

What Damages Can You Sue For in a Woodland Hills Personal Injury Claim?

Depending on the severity of the accident, victims of personal injury incidents are given the right to receive compensation for losses if it is caused by a negligent party. Typically, you will have the opportunity to be granted to sue for economic (monetary) damages and non-economic (subjective and non-monetary) damages.

However, in cases where accident victims have suffered severe injuries such as a brain, spinal, or burn injury are able to sue for multiple damages due to the long lasting effects these injuries have. As such if you have been involved in a personal injury accident, you can file a claim for the following damages.

• Pain and suffering
• Scarring
• Disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Emotional distress
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Property damage
• Medical bills
• Loss of consortium

Evidence to Include in Your Woodland Hills Personal Injury Claim

In a personal injury lawsuit, you will be required to gather evidence to construct a strong claim against the other party. Your Woodland Hills personal injury attorney will assess the evidence you provided them with to determine what appropriate steps must be fulfilled to increase your chances of obtaining a fair settlement offer.

Each accident has different types of evidence that should be included, but generally speaking, if you have any paper, photographic, or video evidence of the incident, it can be used to support your personal injury claim.

• Copy of the official police report
• Witness information
• Photographs or video footage of your injuries and/or damages
• Photographs or video footage of the location of where the accident took place
• Documentation of your perspective of the accident
• Medical records of your injuries that were caused by the accident
• Security footage

What Is The Statute of Limitations for a Personal Injury Claim In Woodland Hills CA?

The statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is two years from the date of the incident according to Section 335.1 of California’s legislation. This includes all misdemeanors and felony level incidents. Once you have exceeded the deadline, you are no longer qualified to submit a personal injury claim against the other party and any attempts to file a personal injury case with a law firm would be extremely difficult.

According to the California Court system, there are several exceptions to the statute of limitations where it gets suspended (“tolled”) for a period of time, and then begins to run again. The only exceptions to having a statute of limitation to get tolled is when the injured person is either a minor, in jail, out of state, legally insane.

The “discovery rule” may also affect the statute of limitations, because the statute of limitations will begin on the initial date of when the injury was discovered or should have been discovered, but if the injury was discovered at a way later date then that point can become the start of the statute. If you are ever unsure about your claim, it is best to discuss it in great detail with a skilled personal injury lawyer.

Understanding Liability in A Personal Injury Case

When it comes to understanding how liability is determined in a personal injury lawsuit, there are several things to keep in mind such as the scale of the accident, how many were involved, and who caused the accident/injury in question.

Generally speaking, the plaintiff’s economic damage is based on the specific type of damages incurred by the negligence of one or multiple parties. However, it is important to note that there is a comparative negligence law according to section 1714 of California’s Civil code. Meaning that you are partially responsible for the accident in question, it can ultimately affect your overall compensation sum.

For example, if you were looking at your phone while driving and were struck by a speeding driver, you may be found 20% liable for damages. The 20% will reduce your compensation, thus leaving you with 80% of it. To ensure you get a fair settlement offer, you should hire an experienced personal injury attorney to represent you. Since the other party will try to argue against you that you were more at-fault for the accident than they were, your attorney will help deliver a strong argument to ensure you are given the amount you deserve.

What Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

 

The cost of hiring personal injury accident attorneys will vary on several factors such as the lawyer’s experience, the complexity of the case, and what kind of pay structure they utilize. Some personal injury lawyers will charge either a flat fee or an hourly rate for straight-forward cases and the overall cost will vary from lawyer to lawyer.

However, most personal injury attorneys utilize a contingency fee structure, which means injured clients won’t have to pay any upfront fees and lawyers won’t get paid unless they win the case or secure a settlement for their client. This way it ensures that you are getting a dedicated personal injury lawyer who is committed to fight for any personal injury claims you may have.

With that in mind, the average contingency fees for a personal injury lawyer can range anywhere from 25% to 40% of your compensation. While parting with a portion of your compensation might seem substantial. However, without an experienced personal injury attorney by your side, you could receive less money or even lose your case, so it is important to discuss your case to several personal injury lawyers to see if any of them can deliver the results you are searching for.

If you are worried if you cannot afford a personal injury attorney, there are many lawyers who offer free consultation on your case. This way you can ask as many questions needed to get the full grasp of your situation and decide whether or not you need legal representation.

What To Do If You Sustained a Personal Injury?

If you have been a victim of a personal injury accident in Woodland Hills, it is important to assess the severity and scope of the injury and call 911 if you require immediate medical attention. As personal injury accidents can happen to anybody, it is important to find legal counsel if you have received a serious injury due to the negligence or ill intentions of a responsible party.

By hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer, they will help you file a claim, negotiate with insurance companies, and recover fair compensation to cover for damages, such as medical bills, property damage, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. If you decide to handle your situation all on your own, you may have a difficult time trying to balance your priorities, such as gathering evidence or discussing your situation with insurance companies or opposing legal counsel.

Get Help From Our Woodland Hills Personal Injury Attorneys Today

If you or a loved one were seriously injured due to negligent actions committed by another party, you may be entitled to compensation and a chance to obtain justice for any crimes committed.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we are a personal injury law firm that has over 20 years of legal experience in handling personal injury cases and we are confident that we will get you the maximum compensation you deserve for your losses. From car accidents to dog bites, our attorneys have seen them all and are ready to fight for you as they look out for your best interest.

As our personal injury lawyers handle every case with the utmost care and integrity, they also stay up to date with the latest developments in state law to ensure our clients receive the compensation they deserve. We have recovered over $1.7 billion in financial compensation for our deserving clients and we will continue to fight for their rights and ensure them that they financially recover for their injuries.

To schedule a FREE consultation, we welcome you to reach out to our 24/7 legal team by calling us at (213) 927-3700 or by completing our easy online contact form.

Most Frequently Asked Questions About Woodland Hills Personal Injury Lawyers

Will I Have to Go to Court?

Whether you go to court or not will be entirely dependent on your case. Your attorney will assess your case to determine whether you can secure a fair settlement offer through the insurance company. If not, you will have to take your case to court to obtain recoverable compensation. If you have to go to court for your case, an experienced personal injury attorney will be there to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

How Much Is My Personal Injury Lawsuit Worth?

The overall value of your suit will be dependent on the severity of injuries you have sustained in an accident. For instance, those who have suffered traumatic head injuries or a severe spinal cord injury will be able to earn a sum around the six to seven figure range due to the life long damages and medical costs that come with it.

For minor to moderate injuries to the victim and their property, it can range anywhere between the four to five figure range. As such, if you want to get a more accurate estimation, it is recommended to ask a personal injury attorney.

Can I File a Claim for My Injured Child?

Yes, you can. The parent or legal guardian of the injured child will be given the right to file a personal injury claim against the party at-fault for damages. You will be required to gather evidence that will help prove that the other party’s negligence was the main cause of the child’s injuries. It is important that you have proof that the defendant clearly breached their duty to care for their child by acting in unlawful actions that have resulted in their injuries.

How Long Does a Personal Injury Lawsuit Take?

The length of time will be dependent on the nature of the injury and incident. For minor to moderate personal injury suits, they can be processed and settled within a few months. However, for complex personal injury suits with severe injuries and damages, that can take anywhere between several months to years.