Does the Insurance Company Play a Role in a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

Getting involved in a personal injury case such as a car accident, animal attack or slip and fall is a very difficult ordeal. Apart from the physical pain you have to suffer from your injuries, you are also burdened by medical expenses, loss of wages, plus the emotional and psychological trauma of being in an accident. You can file a personal injury claim so you can be compensated for the damages that you have suffered, but doing so usually involves dealing with an insurance company.

Generally, the insurance company will contact you soon after your accident. But if you have not heard from them, you can call the person responsible for your injuries or his insurance company to let them know about your personal injury claim. A claim adjuster will represent the insurance company and he will process and handle your claim. Keep in mind that the claim adjuster works for the insurance company and his job is to protect the interest of the company, not yours. The claim adjuster aims to limit the compensation you will receive while your target is to get the best possible settlement, so you can take care of your medical bills and other damages caused by your injuries.

The insurance company will require copies of your medical bills or repair estimates for your damage property. He may also interview you regarding the accident, so you have to be careful of the information you provide. The insurance company may twist the information and use it to blame the accident on you, so they no longer have to pay the damages. In this regard, it is important to consult a personal injury lawyer first, so you can build a solid claim.

A personal injury attorney can help you in a number of ways. They can advise you on how much compensation you deserve based on the accident and the injuries you suffered. They can help you justify to the insurance company the future medical expenses you will incur because of the accident as well as the compensation for the emotional and psychological damages the accident brought to you. Most importantly, a personal injury lawyer can represent you to the insurance company to spare you the stress of dealing with it.

In a personal injury case, insurance companies have to protect their own interest that conflicts against yours. Having a personal injury attorney on your side can help bring the insurance company to give you a settlement that you justly deserve.

Free Attorney Consultation For A Motor Vehicle Accident in San Luis Obispo

The county of San Luis Obispo consists of large population and busy streets and highways. Naturally, motor vehicle accident is very common in the area. Unfortunately, not every victim of road accidents are aware that they can file a personal injury case in San Luis Obispo.

If you are injured in a vehicular accident caused by someone else's fault, you have every right to file a personal injury claim. An accident is a very traumatic experience and you need a professional like a San Luis Obispo attorney to help you deal with the case. Receiving compensation from your insurance company or a third party can be complicated and involves a lot of paperwork and argument. You have to negotiate with insurance lawyers whose main job is to look for reasons to lessen the compensation you will receive. It is also possible that they will blame the whole thing on you and you will get nothing. But a personal injury lawyer from San Luis Obispo can make the negotiations for you while looking out for your best interest.

Some accident victims think that filing a personal injury case is just an added burden, but with the help of lawyers in San Luis Obispo, it will not be a burden at all. Once you give them all the necessary information, evidence and documentation concerning the accident and your vehicle, you can rely on their expertise to get you the compensation that is justly yours. The compensation can help you pay your medical expenses and recover your lost wages due to injuries. Furthermore, consulting attorneys in San Luis Obispo regarding a motor vehicle accident is free. You will only pay legal fees if and when you win your case. So there would be no added burden at all, but rather, you will get a much needed help. Motor vehicle accident victims who hired the services of a personal injury lawyer in San Luis Obispo have a better chance of getting a full compensation.

Take advantage of the free consultation offered by attorneys from San Luis Obispo. Through it, you can learn about their strategy in dealing with your case as well as their previous experience in similar cases.

Dog Attacks Scare a San Luis Obispo Neighborhood

Animal attacks are a common type of personal injury cases in San Luis Obispo. On the morning of March 22nd, Mary O'Hara a resident of Nipomo in San Luis Obispo was walking her dog, Cassius, a boxer when two pit bulls attacked her dog.

Two off-leashed pit bulls approached O'Hara and her dog. One attacked Cassius on the neck while the other attacked the boxer's back. A helpful neighbor grabbed a shovel and hit one of the attacking pit bulls, but it had to be hit repeatedly before the pit bull backed down.

The owner of the pit bulls said he does not think he did anything wrong as he did not intentionally let the dogs roam. He said the two dogs broke through a window the night before the attack after seeing another dog. The two pit bulls, who lived near the O'Haras was roaming in the streets all night, but the owner claims he had searched for them until 2:30 in the morning, but failed to locate his dogs.

After the incident, residents of Nipomo are wary of dog attacks and had been carrying pepper sprays while walking around the neighborhood. San Luis Obispo County Animal Services confirmed the attack and find the owner of the pit bulls responsible for letting his dogs run loose.

"As a community, I would really like to see everyone get together and stop the problem of roaming dogs," San Luis Obispo canine behavior specialist Ericka Duggan said. "Have more accountability for owners regardless of the breed. Have people be able to feel safe walking their dog in their own neighborhood."

Animal owners has responsibility have the responsibility over their pets when they cause injury to people and other animals. Especially if the animal is aggressive like the pit bull, they must be confined safely to avoid accidents.

If you are a victim of an animal attack, it is best to consult a personal injury lawyer in San Luis Obispo. Attorneys in San Luis Obispo can help you build a case in order receive compensation for the injuries you have suffered because of the negligence of a third party. Especially in cases where the negligent party is uncooperative, a San Luis Obispo attorney can help you argue your case and bring it to the court. A personal injury case can be very complicated, make sure consult lawyers in San Luis Obispo that are experts in cases like these before you make any decision.

Reference: http://www.ksby.com/news/dog-attack-leaves-nipomo-neighborhood-on-edge/

Best Serious Injury Lawyers in California

Most people who were injured by an accident caused by the negligence by another party do not know that they can file a personal injury claim. A personal injury case can cover a wide range of accidents such as traffic accidents, animal attacks, slip and fall, medical malpractice, and product liability. Suffering from a serious injury due to accident is no simple matter, apart from the physical pain and emotional trauma, medical bills and loss of income can also cost a fortune. However, filing a personal injury claim can be complicated. People may not want to take responsibility for their negligent actions and insurance company have built their business in under-compensating valid claims. In order to be successful, you need a personal injury lawyer to help you build your injury claim.

Here are some tips in finding the best personal injury attorney in California.

• Get a recommendation from family and friends of injury lawyers they know or had retained their services. Compare notes and keep a list. Meet with the lawyers in order to know their take on the case before making your final decision.

• You can also go online to search for a personal injury lawyer near your area. You can read about reviews from former clients and know about the types of personal injury case they handle. You can also view profiles of the lawyers and the firm’s history as vital information on how they tackle injury claims.

• California state bar organizations can assist you in finding a suitable a personal injury attorney for your case. But remember to counter check firms with directories of reputable organizations like the American Association for Justice. Good firms are usually part of reputable and trustworthy organizations.

Remember that a personal injury attorney will not take your case if you do not think it is valid. It is advantageous to supply your lawyer with as much details as you know about the incident and support it with pictures, official and medical reports. Discuss payment as early as possible, but in California, a personal injury lawyer usually works on a contingency basis.

Wrongful Death Suit Filed Against Bar in Paso Robles

Bryan Brady was celebrating his 21st birthday the night before when his body was found on the train tracks in early morning of July 31, 2010. The emergency brakes of the 78-car tanker train deployed after hitting his body. Train conductors found him with his left leg and arm severed, while his head was crushed, forcing parts of his brain to spill out.

Police reports were unclear how Brady ended up on the tracks. A suicide theory was contemplated by the police, but it was soon ditched. His alcohol level was twice the legal limit and some witnesses saw him engaged in a brawl hours before. Contradictory accounts saw Brady being dragged by suspected gang members towards the direction of the tracks, others said he walked by himself. What happened hours before his death remains a mystery, but the parents of Bryan Brady believe someone is responsible for their son's death.

Catherine and Don Brady filed a wrongful death suit against Pappy Mcgregor's Pub & Grill, formerly known as The Crooked Kilt based on their alleged negligence hours before Bryan's death. In their personal injury lawsuit, the couple accused the employees of the local bar of failing to call 911 after seeing that Bryan needed medical attention. Under state law, a special relationship exists between business establishments and patrons. Proprietors have a “duty of reasonable care” to help their customers in need of medical aid. The Bradys believe that the Pappy Mcgregor's Pub & Grill failed in this duty as they continue to serve Bryan alcohol even if he was clearly intoxicated, which is against the bar's own policy, and they did not seek medical attention for Bryan when he was struck in the head by another patron knocking him out unconscious in front of their establishment.

Wrongful death is just one of the usual types of personal injury in Paso Robles. If you think that you have a cause to file wrongful death suit, do not hesitate to seek the advice of a Paso Robles injury attorney. Paso Robles injury lawyers are experts in the intricacies of cases such as the Brady case. A Paso Robles wrongful death attorney can help you gather evidence and build a successful claim, especially since a wrongful death can be complicated to prove.

If you or your kin is injured or killed due to negligence like wrongful death or product liability, contact a lawyer in Paso Robles immediately.


Source: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2011/10/09/1790082/bar-faces-wrongful-death-suit.html
http://www.newtimesslo.com/cover/6825/down-for-my-hood/

Looking for a Good Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Fresno?

Riding a bicycle is a popular mode of transportation in Fresno. Cycling is a good exercise, reduces air pollution and it also saves you from traffic congestion. Its sunny weather and picturesque scenery in Fresno adds more reason for the residents to enjoy biking. Unfortunately, cyclists are frequently exposed to risks of accidents involving motor vehicles. A bicycle accident in California is very common. According to California Traffic Safety Office, in 2010 alone, 140 cyclist were injured or killed in an accident just in Fresno alone.

If you are involved in a bike accident, it is in your best interest to hire a personal injury lawyer. Some may think that a bike accident is not a big deal and that lawyers do not need to be involved. But a bicycle accident can be fatal. If not, it can result to injuries that you have to endure for long periods of time burdening you with pain, expensive medical bills and loss of income.

Filing a personal injury claim with your insurance company is not as easy as you think. It is a common insurance company practice to offer compensation that is lesser than you actually need and deserve. A personal injury attorney can gather data and make a strong argument for you so you can receive a generous amount of compensation. More so, if you file a personal injury case to a third party that caused the accident. You have to deal with settlement negotiations and possibly a court case. You also have to present proof of negligence by the third party. With a personal injury lawyer, you will be spared from the work and the stress so you can focus on your recovery.

Most victims of a bicycle accident in California think that they are only entitled to the compensation for their medical bills. But, truthfully, that is not the only damage that a bicycle accident causes. Apart from your present medical bills, a good bicycle accident lawyer can get compensation for future medical expenses, loss of income, and emotional and psychological damages. Just keep in mind to consult a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

Read Reviews Before Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

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An accident can cause you several grievances. Aside from the pain caused by your injuries, you also have to deal with medical bills and your insurance company. Hiring a personal injury lawyer is perhaps the best solution to the problems that come with a personal injury case.

When you file a personal injury claim with an insurance company, the company will try to give the least possible amount for compensation. Sometimes, they will give you nothing at all. It is to their best interest to keep the money with their company and they will try to keep it with little to no regard to what you justly deserve. A personal injury attorney will serve as your ally as you deal with the insurance company. Unlike ordinary lawyers, a personal injury lawyer is an expert in negotiating with insurance companies. They know everything about insurance policies, its loopholes and the conventional practices in this field. Most importantly, they would know if the company is short-changing you and not giving you the just compensation for your medical bills and the suffering caused by the accident. A personal injury attorney can fight for you and dramatically increase the compensation you can receive.

One way of determining which personal injury attorney you should hire is reading reviews about the firm. These reviews are written by former clients who underwent a similar experience just like you. The review shows how the lawyer helped them with their personal injury case. The reviews can guide your expectations from the lawyer and offer you a glimpse of what kind of personal injury claims they handle. A personal injury claim is a very serious business, it can either save you from debt or ruin your life, and reading a review of a personal injury firm can help you decide to whom you are going to entrust you personal injury case.

Parents Win $74 Million in Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

A San Luis Obispo couple won more than $74 million medical malpractice lawsuit against a local doctor that delivered their baby.

Andrew and Jennifer Blunt sued Dr. Kurt Haupt for a botched delivery of their daughter on April 19, 2003 at Siena Vista Regional Medical Center. The mishandled delivery lead their daughter Sofia Blunt to develop cerebral palsy. After two days deliberation, the jury awarded the Blunts a total of $74,225,000 after finding the doctor negligent during the delivery of their baby girl. The jury, composed of eight women and four men, was deeply affected by the case and evidence drove their decision to find the physician to be responsible for the botched delivery.

The awarded money will mostly cover the medical expenses that the family will have during the course of Sofia's lifetime. Some members of the jury hugged the family outside the courtroom after the verdict as the now three-year old Sofia is on a stroller with a harness.

“Damage to this little girl happened, and the evidence showed us that, more likely than not, the doctor was negligent,” said Melody Eltrich, the jury foreperson. “Nobody wants to make someone pay for no reason. This was a life-changing event.”

The Blunt's lawyer presented evidence that shows the baby's heart rate fluctuating wildly, but the doctor did not examine the cord blood properly or made efforts to finish the delivery quicker. Defense lawyers argued that a blockage of mucus on the baby's airway that caused loss of oxygen to the brain was the reason for the development of the cerebral palsy.

It is up to Judge Charles S. Crandall whether the compensation can be lessened or not, but both camps believe a reduction is very likely.

Medical malpractice is a common personal injury case in San Luis Obispo. If you think you are a victim of a malpractice, you should contact a personal injury lawyer in San Luis Obispo right away. Lawyers in San Luis Obispo can help you build your case and seek justice. Find a San Luis Obispo attorney expert in medical malpractice. Attorneys from San Luis Obispo can be consulted for free, so you can consult as many as you want before settling with one.

Source: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2012/04/20/2037565/blunt-malpractice-lawsuit-haupt.html#storylink=misearch#storylink=cpy

Woman and Dog Hit by Multiple Cars in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara’s accident prone area claimed another life. The Milpas Street in Santa Barbara is one of the busiest and most congested streets in the city. Last year, it was designated as a major accident zone.


On the night of November 3rd, a 26-year old woman, along with her dog, was struck and killed by multiple cars as she tried to cross the highway 101 near the Milpas Street off-ramp. The woman was identified as Hannah Strombergs, a local transient. Authorities said the woman was walking across the southbound lane of the freeway when she was hit by as many as five cars. The cars involved in the accident include a Honda, a Mercedes, a Cadillac Deville, and a Toyota Scion. Officers are still looking for a Kia that they believe is also involved in the incident.

The unfortunate incident came as the City of Santa Barbara is taking action on making the Milpas Street safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers alike. The city had already repaved and repainted the streets. According to Sebastian Aldana, Jr., Vice President of the Milpas Community Association, “They're going to put a bike lane here in the next few weeks, those flashing beacons will be installed. The City Council has put the east side neighborhood a number one priority for public safety.”

"It's a high traffic area, foot traffic, it's very important, there's been a couple deaths already, we don't need another one," Aldana added.

Recent accidents in Milpas Street include a bicyclist who was hit by a car after she failed to use a crosswalk at Milpas and a teenager who was hit and killed by a truck at corner of Milpas and Ortega Streets.

In Santa Barbara, car crash accidents and other personal injury cases are very common. Safety on the road should always be one of your concerns. Next to it is the awareness of what to do if ever you are involved in an accident.

Call a Santa Barbara personal injury lawyer as soon as you can. Santa Barbara law firms are very experienced in dealing with cases like these and Santa Barbara injury lawyers can assist you as you deal with the intricacies of personal injury law. If you are involved in an accident, no matter whose fault it is, contact a Santa Barbara personal injury attorney immediately.

Santa Barbara County and Sheriff Department to Pay Millions on Personal Injury Compensation

Back in 2009, a Santa Barbara car crash happened when a drunk driver entered Highway 101 and drove the wrong way. It resulted to the death of one teenager and permanently injured two.

The driver named, Richard Rodriquez, entered the freeway and begun driving North on the fast lane of Southbound 101 until he collided with the vehicle driven by Marcos Arredondo, 18. His sisters Yessica and Karina were seated at the back seat. Rodriguez was sentenced to 13 years in prison and was ordered to pay restitution to the victim's families.

But the Arredondos also filed a wrongful death claim against the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department. According to their Santa Barbara personal injury attorney, the Sheriff's Deputy who responded to the incident acted with negligence causing Arredondo to crash head-on with the wrong way driver. The family claims that the deputies lacked training in responding to wrong way drivers and broke from the protocol. They also said that freeways were under the jurisdiction of the California Highway Patrol, who have their own set of protocol for dealing with wrong way drivers. They claim that the deputy's negligent actions forced Arredondo's car into the path of the wrong way driver.

According to the complaint, Sheriff's Deputy Jeremy Rogers entered the southbound of Highway 101 and was driving at a very slow speed. He did not activate his left turn signal, overhead lights, or siren. He unexpectedly merged in Lane 2 where Arredondo was driving, forcing the young driver to go into Lane 1 in order to avoid the deputy which led to his collision with Rodriguez.

Though they initially denied any negligence on the deputy's response, the Santa Barbara County and Sheriff Department agreed to pay $4.8 millions in settlement to the victim's family. The Santa Barbara personal injury lawyer of the Arredondo's estimated the damages of the fatal car crash to total more than $12 million, but the family is grateful for the amount settled. Most of their compensation will go to their medical expenses.

If you are a victim of personal injury in Santa Barbara, consult injury lawyers immediately. Most Santa Barbara law firms are experts in dealing with personal injury cases.

Ventura Freeway Crash Injured 10 People

The Ventura Freeway is one of the busiest roads in California. It is one of the most congested roads in Southern California and it is also a site of numerous accidents.

Just last week, on November 17, two SUVs collided on the Ventura Freeway leaving 10 people, including children, injured. The freeway was wet because of the rain during the collision. Two of the young victims, a five-year old and a baby under 12-month of age, were ejected from the vehicle and the California Highway Patrol online incident site reported that the children were lying on the side of the road. The fire department reported that possibly six of the 10 victims were children, but a CHP Officer later said that the total number of the victims and the extent of their injuries were still unknown.

Another CHP Officer said that the accident might be caused by the rain. One of the drivers involved in the collision also blamed the rain. "A car to the right of me swerved right in front of me and I couldn't stop in time," the driver said. "I would say it was the rain. The car swerved and it had to have been the water on the ground."

Another vehicle, a sedan, was seriously damaged on its front end.

Four lanes were closed because of the accident.

There are several reasons why accidents happen including human error. Sometimes, human error is not readily apparent. If you are a victim of an accident and you think it is a fault of a third party, consult an accident attorney in Ventura. A personal injury attorney in Ventura can help you determine if another party is responsible for the accident, even if it does not reflect on the official report. There are instances when the driver is not at fault, but there was a defect in the vehicle manufacturing. If you are a victim of a car accident in Ventura, a personal injury lawyer can help you gather evidence and testimonies from witnesses and expert in order to build your case.

If you need an injury attorney in Ventura, rest assured that you can find many competent attorney in Ventura, CA expert in personal injury cases.






News source: http://www.nbclosangeles.com

Drunk Driver Gets Four Years for San Luis Obispo Crash

 

How much do you need a San Luis Obispo attorney?

On June 22, 2011, after a night of heavy drinking, four friends got in a car to head home. Tragedy struck when Evan Green, 22, lost control of the wheel and the car flipped several times. Two of the passengers, Marcus Nelson of Castro Valley and Aaron Beaver of Eureka were killed. Both of them were 21 years old. The other passenger suffered serious injuries.

Evan Green, a Chico State student, faced four years in prison. He said that the tragedy mentally tortured him. “I will suffer for the rest of my life,” he said, addressing a packed courtroom, “I’m sorry.”

Initial testing showed that Green's alcohol blood level was way beyond California's legal limit of 0.08%, it was between 0.245 and 0.232 percent. During the September hearing, Green pleaded no contest to the multiple charges that include two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. It was a dramatic hearing, some of the relatives of the victims were present. Even Superior Court Judge Jacquelyn Duffy struggled to hold back the tears. She said that Green clearly loved his friends. However, the victims' families also loved them and what Green did put the community at risk, and two young people lost their lives.

In California, 2010 statistics shows that 1,768 people died from traffic accidents involving alcohol. Drivers aged 21 to 24 are the most likely age group to go beyond the alcohol blood level limit. In San Luis Obispo, 2285 DUI arrest were recorded in 2005 and they were 19 drunk driving fatalities.

In the case of Evan Green, he did not fight the charges and the victims were accorded justice. But for others, justice may be harder to attain.

Drunk driving is a common case of personal injury in San Luis Obispo. Lawyers in San Luis Obispo can be your guide in navigating the procedure in filing a personal injury case. If you or your kin is a victim of drunk driving, get a personal injury lawyer in San Luis Obispo to help you. Attorneys in San Luis Obispo can help you get justice as you deal with this emotional situation.

 

Source:  

Google Images

http://www.sanluisobispo.com
http://www.drinkinganddriving.org
http://www.adp.ca.gov

Drunk Driver Could Face 10 Years in Prison

Even in a small and quiet city like Arroyo Grande, vehicular accidents are still very common. The number of fatal motor accidents that occur in Arroyo Grande are at par with the California average. In fact, in the years 2005 and 2007, Arroyo Grande posted more fatal accidents than the California average.

Two of the prominent reasons for car accidents are dangerous roads and drunk driving. In an accident that occurred in 2011, these two factors combined and it led to the death of medical student David Williams and imprisonment of the now 21-year old Aaron Richard Ceja.

On Halycon Road in Arroyo Grande, Aaron Richard Ceja was speeding and driving under the influence when he lost control of his Chevy Blazer. The car went into the opposite lane and collided with the bicyclist David Williams.

Williams, 26, was from Fulham, England. He was on his second day of his ride across America for the benefit of the poverty-relief charity Find-Your-Feet.

California Highway Patrol breath test showed that Ceja's blood alcohol level is more than twice the legal limit. Ceja said that he had drunk four cans of beers prior to the incident.

Residents near the Halycon Road also said that the road is very unsafe. It is very narrow, there are no bike lanes and downhill traffic can go up to 60 miles per hour.

Ceja had initially pleaded not guilty to charges of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and driving under the influence. But in his January 2012 court appearance, he accepted the plea deal and he will possibly face 10 years in state prison.


Since car accidents can happen to anyone and anywhere, it is important to know what to do if it happens to you. Seek the help of an injury lawyer in Arroyo Grande as soon as possible. Attorneys in Arroyo Grande that specialize in car and motorcycle accident can help attain the justice you deserve. Find a personal injury attorney in or around Arroyo Grande to assist you on your claim. Arroyo Grande injury lawyers are great allies that can help you navigate California's personal injury law.





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Sources:
http://www.city-data.com/accidents/acc-Arroyo-Grande-California.html
http://www.kcoy.com/Global/story.asp?S=14977975
http://www.thisissurreytoday.co.uk/Driver-jailed-killing-Fetcham-medical-student/story-15519161-detail/story.html
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2011/07/08/1675902/drivers-blood-alcohol-level-way.html
http://santamariatimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/nipomo-man-takes-plea-deal/article_f2617a38-47ec-11e1-b897-0019bb2963f4.html

Find a Personal Injury Lawyer in Paso Robles

Paso Robles is a charming town to live in, especially with its rolling hills, wine vineyards and hot springs. But Paso Robles is also one of the fastest growing cities in San Luis Obispo County, as the city gets busier there is also a chance that accident statistics may rise. Do not forget that Paso Robles is at a major ground transportation crossroads such as the U.S. Highway 101 and State Highway 46 East. A lot of traffic pass through the city since it is located between Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay Area. Road traffic accidents and car crashes are not foreign to Paso Robles and no matter how peaceful the town seems, accidents like slip and fall and animal attacks can also happen.

When you are a victim of an accident, your main priority is to get your life back to normal as much as possible. Seeking medical help should be on top of your list. If another party is responsible for your accident or if the actions or inaction of another party caused your injuries, you should highly consider filing a personal injury case. If you win a personal injury claim, you can get a compensation that you can use to pay for the medical bills and loss of income you got from the accident.

When you file a personal injury claim in Paso Robles, it is to your best interest to get a personal injury lawyer to assist you. Personal injury cases are complicated and attorneys can take the responsibility off your shoulders so you can focus on getting better.

Finding a personal injury lawyer in Paso Robles is easy, but it will be trickier to find the one that suits you the best. Take a look at their track record and see what kind of personal injury cases they specialize on. A personal injury claim are usually sensitive and emotional, so it is important that you are comfortable with your lawyer. In Paso Robles, you can consult an injury lawyer for free and take the opportunity to feel if you can comfortable with your lawyer or not and meet as many attorneys as you can until you find the right one.

How Do I Know if a Personal Injury Lawyer is Legitimate?

Accidents are very common. Particularly in California where statistics on accidents are very high. The state is also the second leading state for dog bite injuries all over the United States. Over 50 boating accidents happen yearly, along with car accidents, medical malpractice, and slip and fall incidents.

The physical pain is not the only downside of accidents, but it can also cause financial burden. Medical bills have to be paid and the victim can also suffer from loss of wages. If the victim is seriously and permanently injured, he cannot perform his current job and it will lead to a great financial loss.

Accident victims can resort to a personal injury claim to gain compensation from the pain and losses they have suffered. Anyone who had been hurt by the actions or lack of action from a third party is entitled to a personal injury compensation. You can file a claim on your own, but having a personal injury lawyer to assist you is a big advantage.

In California, a personal injury attorney works on a contingency basis. It means that you do not have to pay the lawyer unless you win your case or obtain a favorable settlement. A legitimate personal injury lawyer will not expect you to pay for a consultation. Your lawyer can help you gather your evidence to support your personal injury claim. You need to have sufficient evidence to prove that the other party is at fault and your lawyer should help you build your case.

It is very hard to predict how much personal injury compensation you will receive if you win your case. There are many factors that jury considers in determining how much a victim gets. In California, the courts use comparative fault law where the judge or jury not only decides who is at fault, but whether or not the guilty party was 100% to blame for the accident. If the victim is also partially at fault, you can lose some compensation. A legitimate personal injury lawyer must build a case strong enough so you can receive a personal injury compensation you justly deserve.

When Is Someone Liable For Someone Else's Injury?

Accidents happen every day in different settings such as workplace, hospitals, schools, roads, public establishments, and even at our homes. Some accidents, like a car accident for example, are serious enough to cause grave injuries or death to their victims. Though no one wants these accidents to happen, it is possible that someone is responsible for them. It is very common that someone's negligent action caused the accident and in this scenario the injured victims have a right to file a personal injury claim and deserve compensation.

How can you know when someone is liable for the injury of others and therefore have to pay them compensation for their personal injury? There are four elements that have to be established with the help of your personal injury attorney:

• Duty of Care – The victim has to prove that the offending party owed him a duty of care. In car accidents for example, a driver has the duty of care to his passengers, other motorist, pedestrians and properties on the road. A driver's license is proof that a person can be responsible enough to drive a vehicle without causing injury or harm to a person or property.
• Breach of the Duty of Care – Duty of care is breached when the offending party failed to act like a reasonable person is supposed to act and it resulted to the accident. It is often breached when the defendant knows the consequences of his actions and still fails to act responsibly. In car accidents, a driver may be proven to breach the duty of care if he is speeding, texting, or driving under the influence.
• Causation – The injured party must prove that the injuries he sustained from the accident would not have happened if not for the breach of duty of the defendant. For example, if a car crash victim suffers from spine injuries he must prove that it was because of the offending driver's negligence and it is not a pre-existing condition.
• Damages – Once the plaintiff proved that the first three elements have been met, he must now prove that he deserves to receive damages for the medical bills and lost of income he has sustained, as well as the compensation for the physical and emotional distresses he suffered.

If you think that someone should be liable for the injuries you sustained from an accident, contact a personal injury lawyer to help you out.   

What to Do if You are a Victim of Hit and Run Accident

Whether as a pedestrian or a motorist, one is highly at risk of hit and run accidents when on the road. California has one of the highest rates of hit and run accidents in the country. It is actually four times the national average and ten percent of these cases lead to fatalities. It will be hard to think straight right after the accident, especially when you are overwhelmed with pain and trauma. It is important to know what to do beforehand so you can prepare yourself if ever you become a victim of a hit and run accident.

• Check your body for injuries. Adrenaline may not make you feel any pain so thoroughly check if you are bleeding or have dislocated bones. Check your companions as well, especially if you are with children. Try to keep calm as much as possible and remember as much as you could regarding the incident. Details like the vehicle type, color and most especially the license number can help track down the offending party.

• Call the authorities. Even if the offending driver flees the scene, getting the police on the scene can help you get the medical attention and other things you need as well as get all the facts for the official report. Relaying the crucial information to the police as early as possible will allow you to give out more details as your memory is still fresh.

• Contact a personal injury lawyer. You may think it is not a priority to contact an accident lawyer especially when you think that finding the offending driver is a lost cause. There is another way to get compensation for the horrible accident you have gone through – your insurance company. It is the nature of insurance companies to offer compensation that is less than what you deserve and in your state, it will be difficult to talk to them. A personal injury lawyer can take off the hassle of facing insurance lawyers from your shoulders. In hit and run accidents, you have to prove that it was not caused by your negligence and an attorney can help you with that in order to get the compensation you deserve.

If you are involved in a hit and run accident, there are many attorneys in Santa Barbara, CA that can help you. Contact an accident lawyer in Santa Barbara to help you with your insurance claim.

You Can Win a Pedestrian Injury Lawsuit – Find Out How

Walking is a great way to get around the city, especially in California where the weather is very conducive. Walking is also good for your health and the environment. You can get some exercise while reducing your carbon footprint. Sadly, walking will also expose you to pedestrian accidents. According to statistics, an average of 700 pedestrians are killed and 14,000 are injured each year, just in California alone. All of these victims are entitled get compensation from a personal injury claim, but most of them get little to nothing.

The top causes of pedestrian accidents are speeding and driver's negligence such as inattentiveness, texting or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Both causes are the fault of the driver and if you file a personal injury case against them, they will be obligated to pay you for your medical bills, loss of income and the emotional trauma they caused you. That is, if you are successful. A personal injury claim can be complicated, not to mention stressful. You will face insurance attorneys whose goal is to give you as little as possible which will not be enough to cover your medical expenses. They might even blame you for the accident and you will get nothing at all. In order to give you the best chances of winning a pedestrian injury lawsuit, you need a personal injury lawyer on your side.

A personal injury claim is not about getting revenge. No amount of money can equal the pain you have experienced, but you need to be able to pay your medical bills and help you get back on your feet. When you are a victim of a pedestrian accident, you have already suffered physically, why should you suffer financially because of someone else's negligence? Personal injury attorneys will be your ally in navigating the intricacies of a personal injury case and get you the compensation you deserve.

If you are in the Paso Robles area, you can easily find an injury lawyer near you. If you are a victim of a pedestrian accident in Paso Robles, get in touch with personal injury attorneys as soon as possible.

Helping Others by Filing a Medical Negligence Claim

Medical experiences are normally private. Due to its delicate nature, the patient-doctor relationship is confidential. However, some personal medical experiences must be brought into the public’s eye, especially when a medical malpractice has occurred.

Medical malpractice is the root of medical negligence claims, a common type of personal injury claim. Talking to a lawyer and divulging your medical issues with others may seem awkward and embarrassing, but filing a medical negligence can have a positive effect greater than the personal injury compensation that you can receive. When you file a medical negligence claim, you empower other victims and save other patients that might also be subjected to the malpractice of the person or institution you are suing.

There are various situations that can lead to a medical negligence claim. Here are the most common types of medical malpractice:

• Failure to diagnose - When an incompetent doctor misdiagnosed or failed to diagnose a patient’s condition, which leads to disastrous outcome.
• Improper treatment - Doctors and other medical personnel have a standard of ethics that they have to observe. If you think you received inappropriate treatment, then you have a chance to file a personal injury claim.
• Failure to warn a patient of known risks - Doctors have the duty of informed consent. They must warn and provide all the possible risks when asking for the patient’s consent to do a procedure or course of treatment. When a patient who was not properly informed gets injured or die during the procedure, then the doctors might face a malpractice suit.

There is a big possibility that the medical negligence you have suffered from has happened to other people before and there is a great chance that it will happen again. When you file a claim, it will alert the medical board to the shady practices of the medical personnel or institution. And if you are successful with your claim, it can save the public from irresponsible medical practitioners.

If you are within and around the Ventura area, a personal injury lawyer can help you with your claim. It is easy to find personal injury attorney in Ventura that are experts in medical negligence claims.

FAQ: Can I Sue For A Defective Seat Belt Injury?

Car accidents are very common. It is an everyday occurrence and it is a popular type of personal injury claim. But most injuries and deaths from vehicular accidents can be avoided with the use of seatbelts. Just like all the other states, California has seatbelt laws that make it mandatory to wear seatbelts for all drivers and passengers of motor vehicles. It is proven that seat belts can save lives and prevent injuries, but what if the seat belt is defective?

There are many situations when a seat belt can be defective and fail to protect the user. Sometimes the latch is the problem and it will appear locked when it is not. The latch of the seat belt must be very secure so it can take on the pressure during a collision. There will be instances when the seatbelt is made of feeble material and it tears under the shock of impact. Another scenario of a defective seatbelt is when the seatbelt tractor does not function properly and fails to properly restrain the user during a collision. When a seat belt fails, the victim may suffer from injuries when he hits the dashboard or even the car's window or windshield. It may cause brain injury, spinal cord damage, paralysis, and broken bones. Strangulation and lacerated liver are also possible when the belt is not fastened properly.

Seat belt defects and design flaws are the reason of 20% of the injuries and deaths from vehicular accidents. When you are involved in a car collision and you suffered from injuries that could have been prevented if only the seat belts were working properly, then you are entitled to compensation due to your personal injury. No amount of money can ever match the physical and emotional pain that the victim suffers through, the personal injury compensation can help you pay for the medical bills and lost wages you incurred while incapacitated.

However, the burden of proof lies on you to prove that the seat belt was defective and the injuries were due to the defective seat belts. You need a personal injury lawyer specializing in car accidents to help you build your personal injury claim. Your attorney may start a legal action against the vehicle manufacturer or seat belt manufacturer and distributor.

A car accident lawyer will be easy to find in Arroyo Grande and Paso Robles. Santa Barbara is also a good place to get a car accident attorney.

How to File an Animal Attack Injury Claim

Animal attack is a common type of personal injury claim. Injuries from dog attack or from other domesticated or non-domesticated animals can be your basis to seek compensation from the personal injuries and emotional damages you incurred because of the violent encounter.

The liability of an animal attack defendant may vary from state to state, so it is important to ask assistance from a personal injury lawyer when you file your claim. Here are some financial losses and non-financial damages that you can cite in your claim:

• Medical expenses – An animal attack will almost always need medical attention. Hospital stay and doctor consultations are not cheap, not to mention the surgeries and rabies vaccines you will probably need. If the injury is severe you will probably have future medical expenses like physical therapy and rehabilitation costs.

• Lost wages and diminished earnings – While recuperating from your dog attack injuries, you cannot earn your living. You have the right to be compensated for your lost wages while you are incapacitated. If the injury is serious enough to hamper your ability to do your work prior to the attack, you can include diminished earnings to your claim.

• Emotional distress – An animal attack is a violent and traumatic experience. The anguish and emotional distress you suffered can be included in your personal injury claim.

• Punitive damages – If you can prove that the owner ordered his dog to attack you or acted in malice, you can ask for punitive damages. A personal injury lawyer can help you build evidence to prove it.

 There are certain things you have to prove to make your personal injury compensation successful:

• Defendant Responsibility – You have to establish that the defendant is responsible for the animal that attacked you. Responsibility can mean ownership or that the animal is under his or her care.

• Culpable knowledge of animal disposition and negligence – You have to prove in your claim that the defendant knows that the animal is prone to aggressive behavior and has a tendency to attack and that the defendant is negligent of his care of the animal such as if he failed to have it leashed or enclosed safely to prevent it from attacking anyone.

• Lack of your own liability – Ultimately, you must prove that you did nothing to provoke the animal or that you placed yourself in danger.

Consulting an attorney because of a dog attack may seem harsh, but it is well within your right to get personal injury compensation for all your troubles.

Understanding Brain Injuries and Their Effects

An alarming number of individuals suffer from Traumatic Brain Injury or TBI. The leading cause of traumatic brain injury is falling accidents. Children and people over 65 years are the most common victims. Car accidents are the next leading cause of brain injuries.While other causes are being struck by or against an object, or being assaulted. When an object hits or pierces your skull, your brain will experience a trauma that will cause mild or severe effects.

Mild Effects of Brain Injuries
The majority of traumatic brain injuries are just concussions and only have mild side-effects. The effects include sleep disturbances, nausea, difficulty in thinking, dizziness, and irritability. A person can recover from mild brain injuries with adequate amount of rest. But if you experience a traumatic fall or get involved in a car accident, consulting a doctor is a must to prevent any long-term brain injuries.

Severe Effects of Brain Injuries
About 1.7 billion cases of permanent disability every year are caused by TBI, sometimes it can even lead to death. Severe brain injuries can have long-term effects on the physical, cognitive, sensory functions of the brain. It can also affect speech and language abilities, as well as one's social-emotional skills. Grave effects of traumatic brain injuries include physical paralysis, chronic pain, memory loss, partial or full loss of vision, difficulty in language processing, and loss of executive functions that allow the person to plan, decide, behave properly, adjust to changes and process abstract thoughts.

A severe brain injury can have countless of complications that can have grave changes to the physical, mental, and emotional abilities of the victim that relatives may think that the person who the victim once was, is no longer there. Furthermore, brain injury victims are also susceptible to Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and other brain maladies.

Though no cash equivalent can ever equal the pain and hardship of suffering from a brain injury, some compensation is in order of the injury is from an accident caused by negligence of another party. You can file a personal injury case with the help of brain injury lawyers to aid you in understanding the effects of the trauma, gain access to the best medical care and most importantly, they can deal with practical aspects of the situation like securing some monetary compensation that can help you pay of the bills and loss of income you have incurred due to the accident. Personal injury attorney specializing on brain injuries can spare you of the emotional stress of dealing with a personal injury claim while you or your loved one is recovering from injuries.  

What is the Average Automobile Accident Settlement?

Vehicular accidents are common everyday events. Most accidents are minor and only cause damage to the vehicle, but sometimes it can be more severe and cause injuries to the driver and passengers involved. In car accidents, the person at fault has the responsibility to pay for repairs, medical bills and other related expenses. If you are a victim of a car accident, you can file a personal injury claim to the insurance company of the offending driver and they are required to pay you for the expenses you incurred. Dealing with a personal injury case can be exhausting and complicated. Though you are allowed to handle it on your own, you may not get the best of what you deserve if you do not have a personal injury attorney on your side.

Automobile accident settlements are usually handled out of court. The only time that car accidents lawyers are compelled to file a lawsuit is when a settlement is not reached and the statutes of limitations are expiring soon. The statutes of limitations are the time frame in which accident victims can file a claim. When it expires and no lawsuit is filed, the offending party gets off scot-free. Statutes of limitations vary from state to state, in California it is two years from the date of the accident.

For settlements on automobile accidents, insurance companies offer no more than the coverage of the offending driver's insurance policy. The amount usually does not exceed $100,000, but in truck accidents, the amount can reach as high as $1 million. The insurance company takes into account the severity of the accident and the insurance policy of the driver at fault. Greater damages and serious injuries will likely have higher settlement offers.

Keep in mind that insurance companies will try to offer you the least possible amount for your claim. You can be short-changed if you do not know how to negotiate with them. An auto accident attorney can give you leverage when negotiating with insurance companies. They have dealt with numerous cases like this and they will know how much you should get. With a lawyer on your side, you can receive the best possible settlement for your claim and you can easily go to court if you cannot get what you deserve.

Source: http://www.amillionlives.net/car-accident-insurance-settling-your-motor-insurance-claims.html
http://www.mayfirm.com/blog/what-is-the-average-automobile-accident-settlement/

FAQ: Do I need to file a personal injury claim within a specific time?

Filing a personal injury claim can be very daunting. There must be a thousand questions that you have in mind as you are coming to a decision whether to file a claim or not. One common question from people seeking compensation from their personal injury is whether there is a time limit on filing a personal injury claim.
 

All personal injury claims have to be filed within a period of time, this is called statutes of limitations. Each state has specific statutes of limitations for personal injury cases. In California, the statutes of limitation for personal injuries is two years. If you suffered from injuries from an accident caused by someone else's negligence, you have two years to file your personal injury claim. The time limit starts from the day of the accident. In the instance that the injury was not detected immediately, you have one year from the discover of the injury to file your claim. It is always advisable to consult a personal injury attorney as early as possible so you can file your claim on time. A personal injury claim can be withdrawn, but you can no longer file it once the statutes of limitations have expired.

There are some circumstances when the statutes of limitations are paused, delayed, or extended. In some states, when the victim is minor, the statutes of limitations only start when the victim reaches the age of majority. The statutes of limitations can also be stalled when the defendant files for bankruptcy. This is known as tolling of statutes of limitations.

Statutes of limitations provide security to possible defendants. If you are involved in an incident, you would not want to worry all your life whether you will face a personal injury claim or not. It protects you from uncertainty and allows you to move on with your life. If you are the aggrieved party, talk to a personal injury lawyer right after the incident to file your claim within the statutes of limitations.