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What Is the Typical Timeline of a Personal Injury Case?

March 20, 2019 by

If you’ve been injured and you plan to file a personal injury claim, it’s only natural to wonder what to expect during the proceedings. Although every case is unique, there are some general steps that most cases follow. Those steps can be loosely divided into four stages: Before a lawsuit is filed; Filing a lawsuit and pretrial procedure; Ongoing settlement negotiations; and Trial. The best way to understand the likely course your case will take is to speak with a skilled personal … [Read more...]

What Tactics Might the Insurance Company Use to Dispute My Claim?

March 13, 2019 by

If you were seriously injured and either you or the at-fault party carries insurance, you’re probably hoping the applicable policy will cover at least a portion of your medical bills, lost income, and other damages. Unfortunately, insurance carriers will go to great lengths to reduce the amount of compensation they have to pay or to deny claims outright. After all, their profits increase with every dollar they don’t have to pay out. Insurance bad faith laws are intended to prevent insurers from … [Read more...]

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

March 8, 2019 by

It’s easy to underestimate the cost of a serious injury until you experience one firsthand. Hospital bills, lost wages, and other damages can add up to a veritable fortune, and when faced with such financial adversity, it’s only natural to be cautious about your spending. Fortunately, most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t have to pay anything upfront, and if you don’t win, you won’t have to pay any attorney’s fees. That said, not all law firms have the same … [Read more...]

What Does “Strict Liability” Mean?

March 6, 2019 by

Most personal injury claims are founded on the basis of negligence, which means the tortfeasor breached a duty of care owed to the claimant, resulting in his or her injury or loss. But when strict liability applies, proving the defendant was negligent is not a prerequisite to recovering damages. In the state of California, strict liability applies to certain product liability and dog bite cases. Strict Liability in Product Liability Cases A product defect can arise at any stage of the design, … [Read more...]

When Are Punitive Damages Awarded in Personal Injury Cases?

March 1, 2019 by

In the state of California, personal injury claimants can pursue both compensatory and exemplary damages. Compensatory damages, which include economic and non-economic losses, are intended to make the injured party “whole” again. Exemplary damages, or “punitive damages,” are only awarded in cases involving particularly egregious behavior. Read on to learn the definition of punitive damages and when they might be recoverable in a personal injury case: What Are Punitive Damages? Punitive damages … [Read more...]

3 FAQs About Bus Accident Claims in California

February 18, 2019 by

Both private and public buses are relatively safe modes of transportation, but they're certainly not immune to accidents. Collisions involving buses can result in devastating injuries to bus passengers and drivers as well as pedestrians and the occupants of other vehicles. If you were injured or lost a family member in a bus crash, you may have grounds for a personal injury or wrongful death claim. Depending on the circumstances, there are many parties who might be liable for the resulting … [Read more...]

6 Qualities to Look for in a Slip and Fall Attorney

February 15, 2019 by

A slip and fall can result in devastating injuries that take weeks or even months to heal. Some victims never make a full recovery. It’s not easy to stay positive when you’re dealing with the physical, emotional, and financial impacts of such a traumatic event, but if another person’s negligence was the cause of your fall, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. The path to a fair settlement is riddled with legal hurdles that … [Read more...]

What Are Liens and How Do They Affect Personal Injury Cases?

February 13, 2019 by

After you've won a personal injury settlement or verdict, it can feel as though a long and difficult journey has come to a successful end. But if a medical provider or insurance carrier has asserted a lien on the proceeds resulting from your case, your final award may be reduced. A lien is a claim of a right to payment from proceeds received in a settlement or judgment. In some cases, a lien claim can be so costly that it prevents the injured party from receiving any net recovery at all. This … [Read more...]

How Do Car Insurance Companies Determine Fault After an Accident?

February 11, 2019 by

If you suffered an injury or significant property damage in a car accident, the outcome of your insurance claim could have a huge impact on your financial future. You may be wondering how the insurance adjuster will investigate your claim and what you can do to increase the odds of approval. We’ll discuss both in this blog. How Auto Insurance Companies Determine Fault After an Accident When you file a claim with an insurance company, a claims adjuster will be assigned to your case. It’s the … [Read more...]