If you suffer a serious injury due to another party’s negligence, your life will be affected in many different ways. Besides the obvious physical pain, you are also likely to suffer from emotional trauma and financial stress.
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident, a personal injury lawsuit is perhaps the best way to get the compensation you are rightfully entitled to. If the injuries were the result of another party’s negligence, you could be entitled to monetary compensation.
The dedicated Desert Hot Springs personal injury lawyer at Crockett Law Group can help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (800) 900-9393 to schedule a free consultation where we will review the specifics of your case to determine the most appropriate legal action for recovering compensation.
Table of Contents
What Should I Do After an Injury?
If you have been injured in an accident, you need to do the following:Seek Medical Treatment
If you have been involved in an accident, you need to seek medical treatment without delay no matter how minor your injuries appear to be. You should keep all records of treatment since they will be valuable pieces of evidence when it comes to pursuing compensation.Take Photos/Video If Possible
If you are able to remain at the accident scene, collect evidence. If you leave the scene, evidence is likely to be cleaned up, altered, or even moved. If you can, take out your smartphone and take photos and/or video footage of the accident scene, your injuries, and factors related to the accident.Get Witness Details
If there are any witnesses present and your injuries don’t prevent you from talking to them, get their names and contact details. Your personal injury lawyer can get in touch with them later since they can help in corroborating your version of events.Report the Incident
You should always report incidents that cause personal injuries to the appropriate authorities and obtain a report. For instance, if it is a car accident, you should report it to the police. If it is a workplace accident, you should report it to a supervisor, and so on.Never Admit Fault
Never admitting fault is perhaps one of the most important things you can do after the accident. A common response for accident victims is to apologize to those involved, even when the accident was somebody else’s fault. Any indication you were at fault has the potential to seriously jeopardize your ability to recover compensation later.Call a Desert Hot Springs Personal Injury lawyer
No matter how minor the accident might be, it is always advisable to consult the trusted Desert Hot Springs personal injury lawyers at Crockett Law before discussing the matter with insurance companies or even accepting any settlement offers.Why Do I Need a Desert Hot Springs Personal Injury Lawyer?
Case Preparation/Filing a Lawsuit
Personal injuries cause a lot of pain and emotional trauma, which can make it difficult to make objective decisions regarding your accident. That’s why you need our Desert Hot Springs personal injury lawyer to prepare the case and file a claim for compensation on your behalf.Settlement Negotiation
Personal injury cases are usually resolved by negotiated settlements as opposed to trial. Our trusted Desert Hot Springs personal injury lawyer will negotiate the best possible settlement on your behalf and try to resolve your case without delay.Trial Preparation and Representation
If settlement negotiations fail and the case goes to trial, our personal injury lawyers will zealously represent you in court and work towards achieving the best possible verdict in your favor. We will develop a legal strategy designed to help you recover all the compensation you are entitled to.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover?
Economic
Economic damages are also known as special damages are those to which a dollar amount can be readily attached. They are intended to cover the “out-of-pocket” amounts you have spent or will have to spend in the future. Economic damages include:- Reduced earning capacity
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Medical expenses
Non-Economic
Non-economic damages, which are also referred to as general damages are aimed at compensating personal injury victims for intangible losses associated with the changes the injury has effected in their lives. Non-economic damages include:- Disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
Punitive
If the actions of the defendant were particularly careless or egregious, the court may determine that the defendant should be punished. In such a situation, the court will award punitive damages on top of the economic and non-economic damages to punish the defendant for their wrongdoing.How Is Liability Determined?
To determine liability, our lawyers must prove the following 4 elements of negligence:I. Duty of Care
The defendant must have owed you a duty of care at the time of the accident. Duty here refers to an expectation for an individual or organization to perform a certain action. For instance, drivers on the road are expected to drive safely and observe all the traffic rules.II. Breach of Duty of Care
The defendant must have breached their duty of care in a way a prudent party probably wouldn’t’ have. Breach of duty refers to the failure to perform the actions that were expected of them under the law. For instance, a driver that fails to drive safely and observe the traffic rules.III. Causation
Just because the defendant breached their duty of care, it doesn’t automatically mean that they are at fault for an accident or injury. We will also have to prove that your injuries were the direct result of the defendant breaching their duty of care.IV. Damages
We will also have to prove that you suffered damages due to the actions of the defendant. Damages refer to a loss or harm to a person’s property, health, or reputation caused by an incident. Proving damages is critical since it will determine how much compensation you are entitled to receive.Comparative Negligence
California uses a pure comparative negligence doctrine that states that multiple parties could share fault for the same accident. Instead of allotting 100 percent of the fault to one party (defendant or plaintiff), the two could split fault and the plaintiff may still receive reduced compensation. You should speak to a Desert Hot Springs personal injury lawyer at Crockett Law even if you believe that you might have contributed to the accident or injuries since comparative fault will not bar you from recovery.How Much Time Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in California?
California law requires victims to file a claim or lawsuit within a predetermined time from the date of injury. This is referred to as the statute of limitations and in California, it is 2 years from the date of injury when it comes to personal injury cases. If you miss that deadline, you will no longer have a valid legal claim.How Much Will a Desert Hot Springs Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
Accident victims are often surprised to learn that they don’t have to pay anything upfront to hire Crockett Law for personal injury cases. Our lawyers handle personal injury claims on contingency fee basis meaning that we cover the costs while the case is underway. If we successfully negotiate a settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance company, or we win a jury verdict in case the case goes to court, then our fees and the expenses associated with pursuing the case will be paid out of the amount we recover for you.Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle at Crockett Law:
Truck Accidents
If a passenger vehicle is involved in an accident with a truck, the injuries are usually catastrophic for those in the smaller vehicle. In many cases the trucking company, and not just the driver can be held liable for resulting injuries.Brain Injuries
Traumatic Brain injuries can impact victims in a variety of ways, including psychological, cognitive, and physical abilities. Permanent brain injuries usually mean a lifetime of expensive medical treatment, long-term care, as well as loss of future income.Motorcycle Accidents
Unlike what most people assume, motorcycle accidents are not always the result of the biker’s recklessness but rather the inattention and carelessness of other drivers. Motorcyclists face a serious risk of critical injuries when other drivers fail to follow the traffic rules and laws.Car Accidents
Car accident claims are perhaps some of the most common personal injury claims. Auto accidents, no matter how minor they might be, can result in serious injuries that result in lost time at work and hefty medical bills.Dog Bites
Dog owners have a responsibility to protect others from injury by their pets. If you suffered dog bite injuries, a Desert Hot Springs personal injury lawyer at Crockett Law can help you pursue compensation for your injuries from the negligent pet owner.Slip and Fall Injuries
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident due to a property owner’s negligence, a Desert Hot Springs personal injury lawyer at Crockett Law can help you file a claim for compensation under California premises liability laws.
