Personal Injury Law in Long Beach, CA
The legal process can be overwhelming. But with legal expertise, you can confidently pursue compensation for a personal injury.
An experienced personal injury lawyer in Long Beach will provide support and advocacy to address the legal hurdles you face. Start your journey toward recovery and justice here today.
What Is Personal Injury Law?
Personal injury law in Long Beach relates to the legal process of getting compensation for an injury caused by someone else’s negligent behavior. These cases involve one party, the plaintiff, trying to seek financial compensation for expenses incurred and money lost as a result of the defendant’s reckless behavior. These cases involve both parties’ insurance companies and may even settle before proceeding to litigation.
Examples of Personal Injury Claims in Long Beach, CA
Some personal injury claims are more common than others. However, almost any incident that ends with a physical or mental injury could qualify, depending on the circumstances.
A few of the most common personal injury claims are:
- Car Accidents
- Slip and Fall
- Dog Bites
- Medical Malpractice
- Workplace Accidents
- Burn Injuries
Most Common Injuries in Long Beach
Traffic accidents are a prevalent cause of personal injuries in Long Beach. The causes include distracted driving, speeding, and DUIs, as reported by the California Office of Traffic Safety. The city’s streets see a mix of vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians, which complicates safety dynamics.
Steps in a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Long Beach, CA
Once you determine that you wish to proceed forward with a personal injury action in California
A lawsuit begins when a complaint is filed with the court and served on the defendant. The complaint alleges your assertion as the plaintiff that the defendant’s negligent behavior resulted in damage to your body or mental state. As the process proceeds forward, you may have to go through depositions, independent medical evaluations, and document production. This discovery process is lengthy and ends in either a settlement or a court appearance.
After the discovery phase, the process moves into the critical pre-trial and trial stages. These stages often begin with settlement discussions, aiming for a resolution without going to trial. If a settlement doesn’t happen, the case advances to trial.
California Personal Injury Settlement
With most personal injury cases, insurance companies and injured parties prefer settlement negotiations rather than going to court for a trial. You may wonder how much you should seek in your settlement and factors that impact the final amount.
The California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) helps track the costs of auto accidents. They note that traffic collisions in California have economic effects exceeding $21 billion annually. This figure includes medical costs, property damage, and lost productivity.
If the other party has insurance, the insurance company likely wants to settle out of court to avoid leaving the final settlement decision to a jury. Settlements benefit injured parties as much as they do insurance companies. This is because accepting a settlement means you receive compensation sooner rather than later. Also, by going to court in CA, that means you risk not receiving any compensation at all.
Damage Awards in California
If your California personal injury lawsuit goes before a judge or jury, your legal team will be ready with a request for damages. In personal injury cases, there are three types of damage awards a court may order the defendant to pay to compensate you for the damage he or she inflicted.
Special compensatory damages are intended to cover specific financial losses like lost wages, medical expenses, and insurance deductibles. You’ll need to provide receipts or documentation to support these claims.
General compensatory damages are more subjective and can vary based on the circumstances. If you’re awarded special compensatory damages, you may also be entitled to general damages. For instance, if your injury caused significant pain and suffering, you can ask the judge to order the defendant to compensate you for that distress.
Punitive damages are rarely granted and are determined by the court. The judge or jury may decide that the defendant’s actions were exceptionally reckless or egregious and that the harm caused to you was equally severe, justifying additional compensation.
In California, there are no caps on direct economic and economic costs in most circumstances. However, medical malpractice claims are an exception. The state limits non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, to $350,000.
Statute of Limitations in Long Beach, CA Personal Injury Law?
The injured party may have a set amount of time to file suit for a personal injury case. State law establishes statutes of limitation. Commonly, the plaintiff’s injury or discovery of the injury begins the statute of limitations. However, the latter factor is trickier, as the plaintiff will have to prove when the injury was first realized.
The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Long Beach is two years. This deadline starts from the date of the injury.
We recommend you speak with a personal injury lawyer for this matter. Don’t wait too long and miss out on receiving the compensation you deserve for your injury.
Work With an Experienced Long Beach, CA Lawyer
Pursue a personal injury claim in Long Beach against the responsible person if you are dealing with an injury caused by someone else. One of our experienced lawyers can help you navigate your personal injury claim. We can even help you connect with an attorney across California state lines.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
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