Personal Injury Law Firm in San Fernando Valley

San Fernando Valley Personal Injury Law Firm

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If you've been injured because of someone else's negligence, you have the right to demand financial compensation for the losses you've suffered. However, seeking a personal injury lawsuit is no simple task. Defendants and their insurance companies 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 return to their lives. If needed, however, we assemble a litigation strategy and take the case to trial. Either way, we stand by our clients from beginning to end so they can focus on recovering.

What Is Personal Injury?

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

"Negligence" is a legal term that indicates failure to exercise a proper degree of care under the circumstances. Another way of putting it is failure to act as a reasonably sensible individual would. Negligence can be displayed through someone's actions (like speeding or driving intoxicated) or through an exclusion (such as failing to eliminate a known risk from one's business property).

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

• Duty of care– The offender must have owed a duty of care to the plaintiff. Occasionally a duty arises out of a personal relationship between the parties, such as doctor and patient. But this isn't always necessary. For instance, when you drive on a freeway, you owe a duty to other motorists not to be reckless.
• 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 omissions are highlighted. It also covers situations where the at-fault party breaks a law or participates in intentional wrongdoing. Breach is typically the most contested part of a personal injury claim.
• Causation– The offender's breach needs to really result in injury to the plaintiff. If the defendant acted negligently but didn't hurt the plaintiff, this element fails.
• Damages– These are the losses for which the plaintiff will demand financial compensation. A few of the most common damages are medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering. The nature and amount of damages are fiercely contested in the majority of personal injury cases.

Possible Damages In a Personal Injury Lawsuit

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

• Medical costs– This broad category can include everything from hospital bills and prescription drugs to physical therapy and special adaptive equipment to help with a victim's daily tasks.
• Lost wages– While you recuperate or are hospitalized for your injuries, you will lose time from work and, with it, possibly considerable amounts of money. You can ask a court to grant you damages to cover this lost income.
• Lost earning capacity– Your career prospects may be cut short or significantly restricted after a personal injury. An expert witness can help approximate the future earnings you will miss 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 measure, they are necessary for catastrophic injury cases.
• Loss of pleasure of day-to-day life– It might not be possible to appreciate your normal daily 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 benefits of a family relationship. It includes the loss of support, society, companionship, and sexual relationship between spouses brought on by the injury.
• Punitive (exemplary) damages– In rare cases, an at-fault party can be subject to punitive damages. These are intended to penalize the wrongful party and deter others from participating in similar conduct.

Are There Time Limits to File a Personal Injury Claim?

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

However, it's ideal not to procrastinate taking action on your claim. Witnesses' memories can fade over time, proof will be harder to obtain, and you could fail to remember vital details if you wait too long. If you or a loved one have been hurt, reach out to a dedicated San Fernando personal injury attorney.

How Can the Personal Injury Lawyers 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 legal representatives pushing back on your claims or making settlement offers that come nowhere close to covering your losses. You need an attorney that not only knows California personal injury legislation, but understands how to establish a reasonable value for your claim.

At Tim D. Wright, we've assisted numerous personal injury clients obtain the compensation they need to recover. We will not accept unreasonable deals and will defend you from start to finish. Give us a call or complete the contact form today to get started on your case.

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