Law Offices of Tim D Wright - Personal Injury Law Firm in San Gabriel, California

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If you've been injured due to another person's negligence, you have the right to ask for financial compensation for the losses you've endured. However, seeking a personal injury claim is no easy task. Offenders and their insurers are backed by armies of lawyers ready to protect their clients. Who's looking out for you?

At Tim D. Wright, we fight for personal injury victims. Where possible, we resolve cases out of court so our clients can get back to their lives. If necessary, however, we assemble a litigation strategy and take the case to court. In either case, we stand by our clients from start to finish so they can concentrate on getting better.

What Is Personal Injury?

The essence of a personal injury case is negligence. When another individual, company, or even a governmental agency acts irresponsibly, others can get hurt. The injury is usually physical, but it can also be psychological or emotional too.

"Negligence" is a legal term that suggests failure to exercise an appropriate level of care under the circumstances. Another way of putting it is failing to act as a reasonably prudent person would. Negligence can be demonstrated through someone's actions (like speeding or driving drunk) or through an exclusion (such as failing to eliminate a known hazard from one's business property).

To win a personal injury case, the victim has to prove that the defendant was negligent. There are four particular components that are required under California law:

• Duty of care– The defendant must have owed a duty of care to the plaintiff. Sometimes a duty emerges out of a personal relationship between the parties, such as physician and patient. However this isn't always required. For instance, when you drive on a highway, you owe a duty to other drivers not to be careless.
• Breach– Next, the plaintiff needs to show that the offender breached the duty of care. This is where the offender's negligent acts and/or exclusions are brought out. It also covers situations where the at-fault party breaks a law or participates in intentional wrongdoing. Breach is usually the most disputed part of a personal injury lawsuit.
• Causation– The defendant's breach needs to actually cause injury to the plaintiff. If the offender acted negligently but didn't hurt the plaintiff, this element fails.
• Damages– These are the losses for which the plaintiff will demand financial compensation. Some of the most common damages are medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering. The nature and quantity of damages are fiercely disputed in most personal injury cases.

Possible Damages In a Personal Injury Case

The objective of a personal injury lawsuit is to make the plaintiff whole via financial compensation. This compensation is known as damages, and some examples are:

• Medical costs– This broad category can include everything from hospital bills and prescription medications to physical therapy and unique adaptive equipment to help with a victim's daily activities.
• Lost income– While you recover or are hospitalized for your injuries, you will lose time from work and, with it, possibly significant amounts of money. You can ask a court to award you damages to cover this lost income.
• Lost earning capacity– Your occupational prospects might be cut short or severely restricted after a personal injury. An expert witness can help approximate the future earnings you will lose out on as a result.
• Pain and suffering– These damages account for the pain and psychological stress you will likely experience for some time to come. Although hard to quantify, they are vital to catastrophic injury cases.
• Loss of pleasure of day-to-day life– It might not be possible to appreciate your regular everyday activities, hobbies, and other passions after a bad injury. These damages help compensate you for the loss.
• Loss of consortium– This category refers to the deprivation of the advantages of a family relationship. It includes the loss of support, society, companionship, and sexual relationship between spouses caused by the injury.
• Punitive (exemplary) damages– In rare cases, an at-fault party can be subject to punitive damages. These are meant to penalize the wrongful party and discourage others from engaging in similar conduct.

Are There Time Limits to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

Your right to take legal action against a negligent party will not last forever. In California, personal injury cases are subject to what's called a statute of limitations. This establishes a deadline for plaintiffs to file their claims before they lose the right to do so. For a personal injury, the statute of limitations is two years. In most cases, the clock begins to run when the injury takes place.

However, it's best not to procrastinate taking action on your case. Witnesses' memories can fade over time, proof will be more difficult to obtain, and you could forget critical information if you wait too long. If you or a loved one have been hurt, reach out to a dedicated San Gabriel personal injury lawyer.

How Can the Personal Injury Attorneys of Tim D. Wright Assist Me?

Suing a defendant usually means suing an insurance company, like a motor vehicle insurer. Regardless, you can count on the offender's attorneys pushing back on your claims or making settlement offers that come nowhere close to covering your losses. You need a lawyer who not only knows California personal injury legislation, but understands how to establish a fair value for your case.

At Tim D. Wright, we've helped countless personal injury clients get the compensation they need to recover. We will not accept unjust deals and will stand by you from start to finish. Give us a call or fill out the contact form today to get started on your claim.

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For more information about Personal Injury Law Firm in San Gabriel, California, contact Law Offices of Tim D. Wright at (323) 379-9995 or visit our website at​​ TimWrightLaw.com for a Free Consultation!

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