Top-Rated Beverly Hills Personal Injury Lawyer
If someone else’s actions injured you in Beverly Hills or the surrounding area, you may have a valid personal injury claim. Sometimes, your accident is just that, an accident. Many times, however, accidents occur due to another person’s negligence. If that’s the case, you may be entitled to compensation. You should not have to deal with the physical, emotional, and financial consequences alone. Let our team at Weinberg Law Offices assist you.
Types of Personal Injury Cases
The legal term personal injury encompasses many different types of accidents and injuries. Almost any injury negligently caused by another person can be the basis for a personal injury claim. Certain types of accidents are more prevalent than others.
Car Accidents
Many personal injury claims stem from a car or other motor vehicle accident. If you are hurt in a car crash caused by someone else’s negligence, you should consult a Beverly Hills personal injury lawyer to discuss your options. Negligent causes of motor vehicle accidents include:
- Distracted driving (e.g., talking or texting on the phone),
- Drunk driving or driving while high,
- Dangerous road conditions (e.g., unmarked construction, potholes, uneven pavement), and
- Defective car parts.
If you suspect the other driver may have been negligent, you should investigate. Contact our personal injury lawyers today to see how we can help you.
Premise Liability
Premise liability encompasses accidents that occur on someone else’s property. These cases can stem from many types of accidents, including, but not limited to:
- Slip and fall,
- Swimming pool accidents,
- Dog bites, and
- Escalator or elevator accident.
Premise liability cases can be challenging and complex because the plaintiff must prove several elements to be successful. The defendant’s duty to keep their premises safe and free of dangers and to warn of dangerous conditions depends largely on the type of visitor the plaintiff is. Our personal injury lawyer in Beverly Hills will assess your case and provide you with a better understanding of what to expect.
Product Liability
You may have a viable personal injury claim if a defective product injures you. If a product is defectively designed or manufactured and causes injury, several parties may be liable for the harm it caused. Product liability claims often involve defendants with deep pockets and expert legal teams that will try to intimidate a plaintiff into accepting a less-than-fair settlement.
If you were hurt by a defective product or a manufacturer’s failure to warn of potential hazards when using the product, our experienced personal injury lawyer could help you hold them accountable.
Other types of personal injury cases can include nursing home negligence, bicycle or pedestrian accidents, and wrongful death claims.
What Damages Can I Expect in My Personal Injury Case?
When contemplating filing a civil lawsuit, one of the inquiries at the forefront of everyone’s mind is whether it is worth it. And what compensation can I expect? It is difficult to say with certainty precisely how much financial compensation you might recover because each case is unique and has varying factors that influence a settlement or award.
Generally, a successful personal injury plaintiff can recover compensatory or economic and noneconomic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages reimburse and compensate a plaintiff for their expenses, costs, and actual losses to date and anticipated in the future.
Economic damages include:
- Medical costs for past and anticipated expenses,
- Past lost wages,
- Anticipated lost earnings,
- Cost of the repair or replacement of property such as a car, and
- Lost value of household services.
Some plaintiffs will have limited economic damages, while others will be substantial. For instance, if a plaintiff’s medical expenses are low and they do not need future medical care, their damages will be minimal. On the other hand, if a plaintiff suffers severe, permanent injuries and will likely require significant medical treatment in the future, their economic damages will be much greater.
Noneconomic Damages
A successful plaintiff may also be entitled to recover noneconomic damages. These compensate an accident victim for their personal subjective losses, including:
- Pain and suffering,
- Emotional turmoil,
- Loss of consortium, and
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
Noneconomic damages can be substantial and often more than your economic loss. However, they are usually more difficult to obtain because they are subjective to the individual. Insurance companies and defendants will try to downplay or negotiate a victim’s pain and suffering damages. This is one reason why it is essential to have an experienced personal injury attorney negotiate on your behalf.
Punitive Damages
In some instances, where a defendant acted with malice or gross negligence, a plaintiff may be awarded punitive or exemplary damages. These damages punish the defendant for their egregious conduct and set an example to deter similar behavior.
Factors Influencing Personal Injury Settlements or Jury Award
The compensation your case may be worth, whether through a settlement or a jury award, can vary drastically from someone else, even under similar circumstances. Notably, most personal injury cases settle rather than proceed to a trial. Either way, insurance adjusters, jurors, and courts will consider the same factors when determining a case’s monetary value.
Some common factors considered in determining value and compensation include:
- Type of claim;
- The severity of the injury and recoverability (i.e., is the injury temporary or permanent?);
- How many parties are involved;
- Type of defendants (i.e., private citizen, government agency, or commercial entity);
- Insurance policy maximums, and
- The extent of property damage.
While these factors will vary from case to case, ensuring you are only accepting what your case is worth is essential. Having adequate and fair compensation will be necessary for your overall recovery. A seasoned personal injury lawyer in Beverly Hills can provide sharp advocacy on your behalf.
Comparative Negligence
Importantly, no matter the type of accident you are in (e.g., car accident, slip and fall, or defective product), more than one party may be liable. It is also possible for the plaintiff to be partially at fault for their injury.
California follows a comparative negligence system, which means that a plaintiff can recover even if they are partially (up to 99%) responsible for the accident. However, if a jury finds the plaintiff contributed to their injuries, their award will be reduced by their percentage of fault. For example, if the plaintiff is 10% at fault for a car crash, a jury’s $500,000 award will be reduced by $50,000.
Determining the percentage of fault is complex but extremely important. Having a skilled lawyer can mean the difference between liability and significant compensation.
California Statute of Limitations
If you were injured in a Beverly Hills accident, you must adhere to the California statute of limitations when filing a personal injury case. A statute of limitations determines the time you have to bring a legal proceeding, and it can vary among types of cases and states.
In California, for a personal injury action, you typically have two years from the date of injury to file your lawsuit. However, exceptions to the general rule could lengthen or shorten the time you have to file. For instance, if the plaintiff is a minor, they may have additional time to initiate a lawsuit.
On the other hand, if the defendant is a government entity, you may have a significantly shorter time to file your complaint. It is imperative to meet with a reputable and knowledgeable Beverly Hills personal injury attorney soon after your accident to protect your rights.
Practically, it is wise to initiate your case immediately to preserve evidence and memories.
#1 Beverly Hills Personal Injury Lawyers Ready to Fight for You
At Weinberg Law Offices, we are dedicated to each case, no matter the size. We will passionately advocate for the justice and compensation you deserve, even against the largest defendants. We speak English, Spanish, and Hebrew! Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
Disclaimer: This content should not be construed as legal advice.