An accident can result in not just physical injuries but may also devastate a person’s emotional well-being and even their ability to support their family. Whenever another person or company causes an injury, they must provide fair compensation. Even so, proving fault and the extent of your losses is always your responsibility. Hiring a San Leandro personal injury lawyer to take the lead in your case allows them to gather the evidence needed to show fault for an incident and hold all liable parties responsible for their actions. Reach out to our skilled attorneys to discuss your legal options.
The Legal Basis for Personal Injury Cases
Most personal injuries are accidents. However, even though a person or company did not intend to cause harm, the law says that they may still be responsible for all resulting damage. These cases most often move forward under the concept of negligence. Negligence cases apply when a defendant fails to exercise basic care and caution and causes an injury. Common examples of cases that revolve around the concept of negligence include:
- Car, motorcycle, and truck collisions
- Incidents involving cyclists and pedestrians
- Premises liability cases, such as slips and falls
- Dog attacks
- Wrongful deaths
A personal injury attorney in San Leandro works to obtain the evidence needed to show another was responsible for an accident that resulted in harm.
Injuries that Result from Criminal Activity
A small percentage of civil lawsuits that demand compensation come about from the criminal acts of others. These can include assaults, incidents of arson, the intentional infliction of emotional distress, and even homicides. In these situations, it is likely that a prosecutor will pursue criminal charges against a defendant. However, victim restitution in criminal court is very limited and often does not include payment for all the kinds of losses that are covered in a civil personal injury claim, such as emotional or psychological damages.
Instead, an injury lawyer works to pursue related but separate civil cases that demand payment. In some instances, a criminal conviction can be evidence of a defendant’s civil liability for an injury. Allowing a lawyer to handle a case could help leverage these concepts into a powerful demand for compensation.
Demanding Fair Compensation After an Injury
Proving liability is always an important part of a personal injury case. However, it is just as vital to show how an injury has impacted one’s life and place an accurate dollar value on those experiences.
All cases will have an economic component. This will include payments for medical bills associated with past care and for estimated future treatment. In addition, many people suffer property damage, such as damage to a vehicle, or seek reimbursement for lost wages if an injury keeps them out of work. A personal injury lawyer in San Leandro strives to collect full payments to cover economic losses.
In addition, most cases will seek compensation for noneconomic losses. These can include pain, suffering, time lost with loved ones, or mental trauma connected to an injury. While it can be difficult to place a true value on these experiences, these are just as important as physical and property damage. Our attorneys aim to recover full compensation for these less tangible damages as well.
No matter how severe a person’s losses are, there is always a limited time under the law to demand compensation. California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 sets this time limit at two years for most cases. However, this time limit may change depending on the facts of an injury.
Contact a San Leandro Personal Injury Attorney Now
Often personal injuries are someone else’s fault. However, to collect compensation for your losses, you need to prove someone else was to blame. This applies equally to cases that result from accidents and those that allege intentional acts of violence. In addition to proving fault, you must also show how the event has changed your life. It is understandable to feel overwhelmed.
Fortunately, a San Leandro personal injury lawyer could help. We explore the reasons for your injury, determine how it has affected your life, obtain evidence that points to the other person’s fault, and demand full compensation in and out of court. Speak with an attorney now to protect your legal rights following an injury.