In various ways, the negligent actions of other people can result in death or injury in Palm Springs. Traffic accidents are the most common causes of injury in Palm Springs, but people can also fall victim to slip and fall accidents, premises liability and many others. For all of these events, it is highly recommended to enlist the help of a Palm Springs personal injury lawyer.
Any instance where an individual suffers an injury as a result of the negligent or reckless actions of another party falls under the category of personal injury. California law allows personal injury victims to seek legal action in court against the responsible party/parties that caused the accidents.
If you or a cherished one has suffered an injury as a result of somebody else’s carelessness, you need a Palm Springs personal injury attorney you can depend on. Serious injuries are devastating and can often have long-term or permanent consequences. Even moderate injuries are enough to completely upend your life. At times, the economic stress and mental anguish families and victims face following an injury are just as worse than the injury itself.
Why should you suffer because of the negligent actions of another person? The skilled legal team at the Crockett Law Group understands exactly what you are going through and are ready to assist you through this difficult period. If you or somebody close to you has been the victim of a personal injury accident, and you reside in the Palm Springs local, contact the personal injury attorneys at Crockett Law Group at (888) 965-3827 to get a complimentary consultation and case review.
What Should I Do After an Injury?
After an injury, so much is going through your mind that it can be hard to know exactly what you should do. Here are some things to keep in mind immediately following a car accident.
Take Photos/Video If You Can
If you can physically move and your smartphone is working, make sure to take a lot of photos and videos of the accident scene. This can act as visual evidence of the carelessness that occurred. It can help in proving who was liable for the accident.
Get Names and Numbers of any Witnesses
Witness statements make a huge difference in a court of law. Witnesses provide an unbiased account of what ensued in the moments leading to the accident. So, ensure that you have taken down the names and numbers of witnesses at the accident scene. Once they leave, it may be difficult getting a hold of them ever again, which is detrimental to your case.
Report the Incident
After an accident, don’t just ignore the situation and assume that everything will be fine. Make sure that you have reported the incident to any relevant authority. Call 911 if it’s a car accident, and if it’s a workplace accident, you need to also report the accident to the supervisor. If you do not report the accident, there is no evidence proving that anything actually happened.
Never Admit Fault
After an accident, the next logical question to ask is who is at fault. Each party will be quick to blame the other to get out of paying for damages suffered. So never admit fault to anyone, especially insurance adjusters who only want to trick you into admitting fault. Keep to yourself and give as little information as possible. Do not talk to anyone without an attorney present.
Get Medical Treatment If Needed
After an accident, chances are that you will sustain an injury. Sometimes the injuries may be internal and may not be visible to you at first. So, make a point of seeking medical care to have a professional physician make an expert assessment of your condition. This way, an injury can be treated before it escalates to something fatal.
Keep Records of all Treatment
What’s more, getting medical attention is not only good for your health, but it can also bolster your personal injury claim. Having records of all the treatments done by a licensed medical practitioner will go a long way in proving the extent of injuries suffered and subsequently the settlement amount to cover medical costs. What’s more, the doctor can appear before the court and act as an expert witness.
Call a Personal Injury Lawyer!
As soon as you are able to, contact a Palm Springs personal injury lawyer to discuss the way forward with regard to your claim. The Crockett Law Group can assist you to fight for your deserved compensation.
Why do I Need a Palm Springs Personal Injury Lawyer?
Case Preparation / Filing a Lawsuit
The legal system is quite intricate and any mishaps in procedures can see your case thrown out of court. So everything needs to be done up to standard with the law and legal proceedings. When you enlist the services of the seasoned personal injury attorneys at Crockett Law Group they will begin case preparations by doing a comprehensive and independent investigation of the injury claim to collect as much evidence as possible. This will entail recreating the scene of the accident, obtaining police and witness statements, photos, and videos, getting medical reports, and so on. All these will assist them to build an airtight case with strong and compelling arguments.
They will also reach out to the liable party to determine whether they are willing to present a settlement offer that covers all your losses and damages. If the liable party or their insurer fails to give a satisfactory offer, your attorney can then proceed to file a lawsuit. The professional Palm Springs personal injury attorneys at Crockett Law Group will prepare your case ready to go to court.
Settlement Negotiation
When pursuing a personal injury claim, a personal injury lawyer is your best bet if you want to be fully compensated. They are the ones that will be looking out for your welfare. Their years of experience mean they are conversant with all the tricks insurance adjusters and insurance companies use to lowball the settlement amount that they should pay or even get out of paying anything entirely.
The Palm Springs personal injury attorneys at Crockett Law Group have excellent negotiation skills that ascertain you receive what you are owed. They will deal with all the settlement negotiations while you focus on recuperating from your injuries and they won’t settle for anything less than what you deserve. Sometimes, the mere presence of a reputable personal injury lawyer is enough for the insurer to stop with the tricks and take the claim seriously and make a fair cash settlement.
Further Reading
Trial Preparation and Representation
Personal injury cases are usually resolved in the negotiation phase. However, if negotiations break down, then your lawyer has no choice but to proceed to trial. Here, they will still push on to fight for the reimbursement that you are rightfully owed before a jury and/or a judge. It is crucial that you hire a personal injury lawyer with experience in handling these types of cases and are ready to go with this route if need be. You should note that trials like these can be long, complex, time-consuming, and expensive for the parties involved.
The personal injury lawyers at Crockett Law Group will be ready to go all the way from the start. With years of experience in the corridors of justice, these attorneys know what is required in a court of law. So when it reaches this phase, they will prepare you for trial and coach you on how to best represent yourself before a jury and/or judge. Furthermore, they will provide you with expert legal representations that guarantee you get the highest compensation amount possible for damages suffered.
“The very best in the PI industry. From start to finish, Kevin made the situation smooth as ice. Myself and my wife Maria and countless others have had Kevin on our side. Making life as stress free as possible. Great follow up and even better follow through. Thanks Kevin.”
John and Maria
What Type of Damages Can I Recover?
Economic
Economic damages are monetary in nature and are meant to act as relief for injuries suffered. They include current, future, and past medical costs, lost wages, property loss, and loss of earning capability, particularly if you are physically unable to fulfill your work responsibilities.
Non-Economic
Non-economic damages are more subjective and intangible in nature. They refer to damages that can’t be given a monetary value. They include things like mental trauma, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, scarring, and disability.
Punitive
Depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, you as a plaintiff can pursue punitive damages. Punitive damages refer to any form of damage caused as a result of another person’s recklessness, negligence or carelessness. These damages are given as a way of punishing the defendant and also to act as a warning to discourage such behavior from the other would-be offenders.
So if you are looking to recover compensation for damages suffered, Crockett Law Group can help hold the at-fault party accountable.
How is Liability Determined?
Negligence is an integral factor when it comes to personal injury claims. However, that is still not enough for you to receive compensation. In order to determine liability, the following elements of negligence must be shown.
- Duty of Care: The defendant in question had the legal responsibility to behave in a certain manner that an otherwise reasonable individual in the same situation would when faced with a similar scenario. You must prove that the defendant was in breach of their duty of care.
- Breach of Duty of Care: The defendant in question was responsible for the safety of the claimant. You must prove that the defendant was in breach of duty of care and failed to fulfill their legal obligation.
- Causation: Because the defendant did not fulfill their responsibilities, an accident occurred. You must definitively prove that the breach of duty of care is what led to your injuries.
- Damages: Because of the accident, you suffered damages. You must prove that the injuries sustained were as a result of the accident and not any other underlying conditions. They can include non-economic and economic damages.
Does comparative negligence apply in Palm Springs, CA?
When determining liability for personal injury cases, California is an at-fault state. This means that anybody that has sustained an injury as a result of a personal injury accident can seek reparations from the parties responsible. Determining liability is easy when the fault falls to one party. But what if the injury victim was partly responsible for the accident? In such circumstances, comparative negligence law applies in California.
This law enables a plaintiff to receive compensation even if they were partially responsible for injuries suffered. However, their total settlement amount will be decreased by the percentage the injury victim contributed to the accident. For instance, if the personal injury victim is 10% at fault, their total reimbursement amount will be reduced by 10%.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Palm Springs, CA?
The statute of limitations in California dictates that you have 2 years following the occurrence of the accident to file a personal injury claim. If this grace period lapses before you have filed your case with the relevant court, your claim will be dismissed by the court.
How Much Will a Palm Springs Personal Injury Lawyer Cost? (Contingency Fee)
The good news is that Crockett Law Group provides legal services on a contingency basis. This sort of arrangement is where a lawyer will only receive payment contingent on whether S/he will the case. A personal injury lawyer who fails to secure a payout will get nothing! On the other hand, a lawyer who recovers compensation on your stead will take a certain percentage of the settlement amount. You should note that the agreed-upon percentage that a personal injury lawyer gets varies from lawyer to lawyer. Make sure to address this during the initial consultation.
This arrangement contrasts with other types of lawyers who use a retainer fee model, such as divorce attorneys. A retainer fee model is where the client pays the lawyer an upfront fee to retain their legal services. This agreement usually includes the attorney’s hourly rate. This will not be the case when you work with Crockett Law Group … they will only demand the agreed-upon percentage amount.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle at Crockett Law Group
Car Accidents
Car crashes are the leading cause of personal injury in Palm Springs. These accidents result in serious injuries and even wrongful death. If you have been the victim of a car accident, chances are that you may have suffered property damage or sustained injuries caused by the carelessness, recklessness, or negligence of another person. You may also be uncertain whether you can rely on the insurance service provider to cover the costs incurred for your medical bills, car repairs, and lost wages.
Our Palm Springs car accident attorneys will do a comprehensive and independent car accident investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident and establish liability and responsibility. We will talk with everyone involved in the accident including you, passengers, other drivers, and witnesses to build a strong case.
Truck Accidents
Truck accidents are usually more severe compared to car accidents, and victims can be left with long-term or permanent injuries or even worse get killed. If you or somebody close to you has fallen victim to a truck accident, contact Crockett Law Group to file a claim
Commercial trucks need extensive driver training, commitment to following road regulations, and the requirement to have all trucking companies and truck drivers adhere to guidelines set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. When a trucker, truck manufacturer, or trucking company fails to adhere to set protocols and act negligently on the road, it usually results in catastrophic accidents. The insurance policies of trucking companies usually have large limits, which means you can more money for damages suffered. Crockett Law Group’s Palm Springs truck accident lawyers can assist you to get maximum compensation.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents have increased at an alarming rate, to almost that of car accidents numbers that occur annually. Unlike automobile accidents that have protective barriers, these accidents usually result in severe injuries and fatalities. If you have been injured in a motorcycle crash caused by the careless action of another road user, Crockett Law Group has Palm Springs motorcycle accident lawyers with the experience to deal with your case.
Premises Liability
Property owners are mandated by law to make sure that their premises are safe for anybody in the vicinity. However, thousands of individuals sustain injuries in other people’s houses, rental properties, businesses, vehicles, etc., because of accidents caused by the recklessness or negligence of the property owner. The property owner has a duty of care to you whenever you are on their property. If you or a close one have fallen victim to a premises liability accident, you may be entitled to seek recompense.
Contact a Palm Springs Personal Injury Lawyer at Crockett Law Group
If you or a loved one have sustained injuries because of an accident that was somebody else’s fault, you may be entitled to pursue recompense from the liable party/parties. However, California personal injury cases can be complicated and need the expert eye of a seasoned Palm Springs personal injury lawyer.
The professional Palm Springs personal injury attorneys at Crockett Law Group have advocated for injury victims for decades now. They have vast experience when it comes to litigation, negotiations, and settlement of personal injury cases and has resulted in the recovery of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for their clients. They will be with you from the very get-go. Their legal team is the best at what we do and their track record speaks for itself.
Reach out to Crockett Law Group at (888) 965-3827 TODAY to schedule a consultation and case review at no cost.