Although minor injuries can undoubtedly impact the quality of your life, some physical and emotional injuries are severe and life-changing in nature. From rigorous medical treatment and care to lengthy hospitalization to permanent injuries, accident victims who sustain severe injuries and their families must adjust to a new way of life marred by inconvenience, pain, reduced quality of life, and long-term disabilities.
Throughout California, all kinds of accidents, from motor vehicle crashes to construction accidents to slip and falls, result in all manner of injuries. Accidental or unintentional injuries often share two common traits: A reckless or negligent act is the initiating cause, and another person or a party other than the victim is at fault.
If you or someone you love was hurt due to another person or entity’s negligence in Riverside, California, you have the right to pursue compensation. Every person has a responsibility to act with reasonable care to avoid hurting others. Those who fail should be held accountable!
At Crockett Law Group, we have built our careers representing injury victims, and our Riverside personal injury lawyers are here to help. We take pride in the fact that we have the experience, skills, knowledge, resources, and drive to get favorable results for injury victims and their families. Our attorneys understand how stressful this time can be, but it’s imperative to file your personal injury claim to get the compensation you’re owed and make sure such accidents aren’t repeated.
Have a question? We’re here to help. Call (800) 900-9393 for a free and confidential case evaluation.
Table of Contents
What Should I Do After an Injury?
The moments following any time of an accident – whether it’s a slip and fall accident or a more catastrophic accident in the workplace – are chaotic, stressful, and confusing. When the unthinkable happens, and you suffer injuries in an accident, knowing what to do can mean all the difference in the world. The knowledgeable and compassionate Riverside personal injury lawyers at the Crockett Law Group want to empower you with a few practical steps to take after sustaining an injury to protect your best interests and legal rights.Get Medical Treatment
After sustaining an injury, you should always prioritize your health. Even if you don’t feel any pain or think your injury is not too severe, it is imperative to be examined by a medical practitioner promptly. Contact emergency responders and make sure to give them detailed information about your accident. Remember, injuries are not always immediately apparent. Also, have your condition documented and keep an accurate record of all medical and hospital expenses incurred.Take Notes, Photos & Video if You Can
The best time to figure out the exact cause of an accident is right after it occurred. So, if possible, write down detailed notes about the moments leading to the accident and take photos or videos for future reference. Your personal injury lawyer may examine these photos, videos, and notes to gather critical information on the cause of the accident and who can be held liable.Report the Incident
Immediately report the incident to relevant parties. If your injury resulted from a car crash, contact the police right away and report the accident. If the accident occurred at work, report your injury to your supervisor, other employer’s representative, or your employer. On the other hand, report the injury to the property manager or owner if the accident occurred in a public space or another’s property. Whenever you report an accident, ask the relevant party for a copy of the report and keep it for your records.Get Contact Info of All Parties Involved in the Incident
Ensure to collect thorough contact information, including names, phone numbers, and addresses, from any persons involved in the accident or who witnessed the accident.Never Admit Fault
It’s important to avoid discussing the incident or interpreting what happened with other parties involved, insurance agents, or bystanders. Admissions or statements that you make can limit your ability to pursue fair compensation in the future. Instead, allow a reputable personal injury lawyer to handle these communications.Call a Personal Injury Lawyer!
Please note, accidents are not always cut and dry. Different circumstances can complicate matters further. An experienced and reputable personal injury lawyer can protect your rights from the get-go and fight for the compensation you deserve. Known for their proven legal strategies and impressive track record of results, the Riverside personal injury lawyers at Crockett Law Group handle all types of injury claims. We’re here to help after your injury. Set up a free no-obligation case review today by calling (800) 900-9393.Why Do I Need a Lawyer?
While pursuing a personal injury claim after an accident may be necessary, as with most legal battles, it can be stressful and emotional. Personal injury cases can be complicated, often presenting many complex hurdles that you need to overcome. Whether you were involved in a motorcycle accident, auto accident, truck accident, slip & fall accident, or dog bite incident, you need the right personal injury lawyer to get justice. A lawyer can handle all legal processes involved in your claim. Here are ways one of Crockett Law Group’s personal injury attorneys can help with your case:Case Preparation / Filing a Lawsuit
We will take all the necessary steps to prepare for your case, including:- Investigating facts of your accident to determine fault
- Work with expert investigators and accident reconstruction experts to gather evidence
- Speak with your treating physician about your injuries and get copies of your medical records and bills
- Gather the evidence you collected to build your case
- File your claim within set time limits
Settlement Negotiation
Most personal injury cases do not go to trial. Instead, both sides negotiate a settlement agreement. With our lawyers, you won’t have to worry about negotiating with insurance companies or navigating benefit limits, insurance coverage, or other conversations with insurers. Our personal injury lawyers are highly trained and experienced in negotiation and can handle the challenge of communicating with the insurance company and other lawyers involved. We will use our expertise to ensure we recover adequate compensation and if that does not work, bring your case to trial.Trial Preparation & Representation:
If the insurance company cannot make a reasonable offer, your lawyer will prepare to go to trial and fight for your interests in court. The prospect of going to trial might seem daunting to you, but our personal injury lawyers are seasoned trial lawyers and are fully equipped to fight on your behalf.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover?
If you prove that another person or entity is liable for your injuries, you can recover compensation or “damages.” The worth of damages recovered depends on the unique specifications of each case. If your personal injury lawyer determined that you have a viable claim, you stand to recover the following damages:Economic
These cover compensation for objectively verifiable financial losses such as:- Medical and hospital expenses (current and future)
- Property damage
- Lost wages
Non-Economic
These compensate the victim for subjective, non-financial losses such as:- Emotional anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive
In rare instances, injury victims in California may recover punitive damages. The courts award these for punishment.How is Liability Determined?
In California, for a plaintiff to recover compensation through a personal injury lawsuit, they prove the defendant’s negligence. This requires proving four elements:- Duty of Care: The plaintiff must show that the person or entity allegedly at fault for their injuries owed them a duty to exercise reasonable care at the time of the incident.
- Breach of Duty of Care: The allegedly at-fault party must have carelessly, negligently, or intentionally breached the duty of care owed to the plaintiff in a way that another reasonable party would not have.
- Causation: The plaintiff must prove that injuries sustained directly resulted from the defendant’s reckless, intentional, or negligent actions.
- Damages: Finally, your lawyer must demonstrate how you suffered losses or harm because of the defendant’s behavior or actions, such as lost wages and hospital bills.
California’s Pure Comparative Negligence
California follows the pure comparative negligence rule, which states that injured parties can collect damages even if they shared 99% fault for the accident. That means no cap exists on your share of fault, but the state may diminish your compensation by an amount equivalent to your degree or percentage of fault.How Much Time Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in California?
California law requires all accident victims who have a personal injury lawsuit to file the claim within two years from the injury date. The legal term for this time limit is the “statute of limitations.” Speak to a Riverside personal injury attorney at the Crockett Law Group about specific time limits to make sure you file your claim in Riverside or anywhere in California on time.Personal Injury Claims Process
Every personal injury lawsuit is unique. But there are general steps involved in personal injury cases. The expert lawyers at Crockett Law Group want to make the process of filing your personal injury claim as seamless and stress-free as possible. Therefore, we’ve laid out the typical steps we take to file your personal injury claim and get the most out of your case:- Step 1: Case evaluation
- Step 2: Gather evidence
- Step 3: Establish liability
- Step 4: File your personal injury claim
- Step 5: Negotiate a settlement
- Step 6: Litigation (if step 5 falls through)
How Much Will a Riverside Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
At Crockett Law Group, our Riverside personal injury legal team handles all injury lawsuits on a contingency fee basis. That means it will not cost you anything unless our lawyers successfully recover a financial award on your behalf – there are absolutely ZERO out-of-pocket fees when we take your injury case. Once we are successful in winning your claim, we charge a percentage of the recovery.Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle at Crockett Law Group
The personal injury lawyers at Crockett Law Group have achieved impressive results for past clients involved in all kinds of accidents. The following are just a few examples of the personal injury matters we handle:- Car Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Rideshare Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Dog Bite
- Slip & Fall Accidents
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Wrongful Death
