Law Offices of Tim D. Wright - Personal Injury Lawyer in Glendale, CA

If you've been injured because of another person's negligence, you have the right to demand financial compensation for the losses you've endured. However, pursuing a personal injury claim is no simple task. Defendants 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 return to their lives. If necessary, 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 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 as well.

"Negligence" is a legal term that suggests 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 demonstrated through a person's actions (like speeding or driving drunk) or through an omission (such as failing to eliminate a known hazard from one's business property).

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

• Duty of care– The offender must have owed a duty of care to the plaintiff. In some cases a duty arises out of a personal relationship between the individuals, such as doctor 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 reckless.
• Breach– Next, the plaintiff needs to show that the defendant breached the duty of care. This is where the defendant's negligent acts and/or exclusions are exposed. It also covers circumstances where the at-fault party breaks a law or participates in intentional wrongdoing. Breach is generally the most contested part of a personal injury claim.
• Causation– The defendant's breach needs to really cause injury to the plaintiff. If the defendant acted negligently but didn't harm the plaintiff, this element fails.
• Damages– These are the losses for which the plaintiff will pursue financial compensation. A few of the most common damages are medical costs, lost income, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering. The nature and amount of damages are hotly contested in most personal injury cases.

Possible Damages In a Personal Injury Case

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

• Medical costs– This broad category can consist of everything from hospital bills and prescription drugs to physical therapy and special adaptive equipment to help with a victim's day-to-day tasks.
• Lost income– While you recuperate or are hospitalized for your injuries, you will lose time from work and, with it, potentially considerable amounts of money. You can ask a court to grant you damages to cover this lost income.
• Lost earning capacity– Your career prospects might be cut short or drastically restricted after a personal injury. An expert witness can help approximate the future income you will lose out on as a result.
• Pain and suffering– These damages account for the pain and psychological trauma you will likely experience for some time to come. Although difficult to measure, they are necessary for catastrophic injury cases.
• Loss of pleasure of day-to-day life– It may not be possible to appreciate your typical everyday activities, hobbies, and other interests 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, friendship, 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 punish the wrongful party and discourage 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 establishes a deadline for plaintiffs to file 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 takes place.

However, it's best not to delay taking action on your case. Witnesses' memories can fade over time, proof will be more difficult to obtain, and you could forget vital details if you wait too long. If you or a loved one have been injured, reach out to a committed Glendale personal injury lawyer.

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 lawyers pushing back on your claims or making settlement offers that come nowhere near to covering your losses. You want a lawyer that not only understands California personal injury legislation, but knows how to determine a reasonable value for your claim.

At Tim D. Wright, we've assisted countless personal injury clients obtain the compensation they require to recuperate. We will not accept unfair offers and will stand by you from beginning to end. 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 Attorneys in Glendale, California, contact Law Offices of Tim D. Wright at (323) 379-9995 or visit our website at​​ TimWrightLaw.com for a Free Consultation!