Personal Injury Accident in San Fernando, California
Accidents are called accidents for a reason – nobody expects that they’ll be involved in one or injured going about their daily life. However, even a momentary lapse of appropriate care, responsibility, or judgment by a single person can change the course of your entire life and put your physical and financial future in jeopardy. If you’ve been hurt and feel overwhelmed by the cost of treating your injuries, expense of repairing damaged property, and possible lack of income if you’re unable to work, you may feel that affording an attorney is not possible. The experienced San Fernando personal injury attorneys at Walch Law understand your situation and believe everyone is entitled to pursue compensation from the party that injured them; that’s why we take every day on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t pay us until we’ve gotten you paid first. Contact us today to learn more and get started.
What Does Personal Injury Mean?Personal injury sounds like a broad term, and California defines it broadly. Personal injuries occur when another party’s negligent, reckless, or intentional behavior inflict harm on someone else. These injuries do not have to be physical in nature for a cause of action to arise – economic, emotional, and even psychological damages all satisfy California’s definition of a personal injury.
Common Situations Causing Personal InjuriesCalifornia’s broad definition of personal injuries means that a San Fernando injury victim may be able to seek compensation in a wide array of situations. Personal injuries can occur in almost any way imaginable, but there are some circumstances where the claims arise more frequently than others.
- Dog bites and animal attacks
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Train accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Workplace accidents from burns, electric shocks, machinery mishaps, ladder accidents, and other situations resulting in concussions or other injuries to the head and neck
- Premises liability accidents such as slip and falls
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
Even though San Fernando is a small town with just over 24,000 residents, its proximity to Los Angeles and to massive freeways like the 5, 405, 210, and 118 put residents at great risk for accidents and injuries every time they take to the roads. Over 80 percent of drivers admit to texting and driving on occasion, and countless other distracted, illegal, and negligent behaviors occur all around us on the roads every day. This conduct puts even the most diligent, responsible drivers at risk of being involved in accidents through no fault of their own and can result in injury or death in a split second. The most recent data from the California Office of Traffic Safety reports that 122 individuals were hurt or killed in motor vehicle accidents within the span of a single year.
Winning a Personal Injury Case and Recovering DamagesIf you have been hurt in an accident, it’s only natural that you would want compensation from the party who injured you for the damages they caused. Most victims choose to pursue recovery by filing a personal injury lawsuit in court and argue they deserve an award of damages because the defendant’s negligent behavior caused their injuries. The defendant can be any person, business, or even government agency responsible for causing your harm through their negligence.
NegligenceTo prove that a defendant was negligent, you must establish a few points with the court. You need to show:
- The defendant owed you a legal duty of care
- They breached their duty by acting or failing to act when they should have (omission)
- The breach caused your injuries
If you can satisfactorily prove these to a court, the defendant will be deemed negligent and is liable for your injuries unless they have a valid legal defense for their actions.
Personal Injury DamagesAfter you’ve proved a defendant is negligent, courts may award you damages to make you whole for the proven injuries you suffered as a result. These injuries can be physical, emotional, or financial in nature. Compensatory damages may be given for harms such as:
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Funeral costs
- Permanent disability, scarring, or disfigurement
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
If you’ve been hurt in an accident, we don’t have to tell you how quickly the injuries you’ve suffered can upend your physical, emotional, and financial health. The aftermath of being hurt can cause enormous amounts of stress, and you may be unsure of what to do to get the money you need to stay afloat. The experienced San Fernando personal injury attorneys at Walch Law understand your predicament and will fight for maximum possible compensation on your behalf as soon we’re hired. We know unnecessary delays only keep you from the check you need, so we work to get you paid as quickly as possible. Contact us today to have your questions answered, learn about the process, and see why Robert and Gary are the team you want in your corner when you’re pursuing the compensation you deserve.