Dealing With a Personal Injury in California: What All Victims Need to Know
If you’ve been injured in a personal accident in California, whether it involve a dog bite, a slip and fall, or something else entirely, there are a few things you need to know.
It’s no secret that being injured is an incredibly traumatic experience. Each year, more than 90 million Americans visit their physicians due to injuries. In some cases, these injuries were not the fault of the victim. For example, injuries such as a dog bite, motor vehicle accident, or a slip and fall at a public place are considered personal injuries. These types of injuries are quite common. In the United States, there are more than five million dog bite incidences each year. Additionally, there are six million motor vehicle collisions. It’s important to realize that while these numbers are high, they also demonstrate that you are not alone in your experience. If you have been injured, there are a few things you need to be aware of in order to move forward.
Statute of Limitations
Understand that when an accident occurs, there is a limited amount of time you have to report it and seek compensation. If you’re interested in receiving compensation as a result of your injury, you must report your injury in a timely manner. In California, you have two years to seek damages for an injury. Understand that you do need to present information about your injury, including pictures, police reports, and medical records that can back up your claim. While dealing with a personal injury case may be emotionally difficult, it’s important that you pursue assistance as soon as possible in order to receive compensation due to your injury.
Shared Fault
An important thing to consider is whether there is shared fault in the injury. Shared fault can play a large role in whether you receive compensation for your injury, as well as how much you are able to receive. Shared fault tends to come into play when there is an automobile accident. For example, if a car runs a red light and hits you, it may seem obvious that they are at fault. When the courts discover that you were speeding at the time of the accident, however, this may shift the case to being shared fault. The courts will typically determine not only who was at fault, but what percentage of blame each person holds.
Assistance
Hiring an attorney may seem like an obvious decision. More importantly, it should be. Don’t wait to get the help of a lawyer. The right attorney understands the law inside and out. They will be able to assist you in determining what your chances are of winning your case. They’ll also be able to give you specific information as to what you can expect to receive when it comes to damages. Most importantly, your attorney will guide you through the legal world and help you each step of the way.
When you’re ready to get the assistance you need, reach out to a lawyer who understands personal injury claims in the state of California. You are not alone in your injury and pursuing a case for damages can help you move forward with your life.