Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Lawsuits in California

What Can A San Diego Personal Injury Lawyer Do for Me?

Personal injury lawyers can help victims of negligence recover compensation for damages they suffered, such as medical bills and lost income. An experienced personal injury lawyer can investigate your claim, gather the necessary evidence and help you obtain a settlement or jury verdict against the party or parties responsible for your damages.

Personal injury lawyers take cases for lots of different situations, such as car accidents, truck accidents, assaults, slip and fall accidents, third-party work accidents and injuries or deaths caused by defective products.

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Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Chances are you will benefit from hiring a lawyer instead of “going it alone.” This is true even if you do not file a lawsuit.

An attorney, especially an experienced one, knows all of the necessary steps involved with gathering evidence, negotiating with insurance providers, negotiating a settlement and filing a lawsuit. Fighting in court and negotiating with insurance companies while dealing with an injury or loss would be emotionally taxing on even the strongest person.

If you are filing a case against a business, then it is even more important to hire an attorney. Businesses may have access to vast financial and legal services that may be used to argue against your case.

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How Should I Select a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Most people are going to use social media or Google to find an attorney. However, some people also obtain the services of a personal injury attorney through referrals.

Once you narrow down your search, you can begin researching which attorney is right for your case. You should look for an attorney who has resolved cases that are similar to your own. If you are filing a car accident claim or lawsuit, then it would be beneficial to select an attorney who has experience with car accident cases. Check the attorney’s website to see if they list their verdicts and settlements.

You should also check the attorney’s background. Learn more about the attorney and their professional and academic accomplishments. See if the attorney belongs to any important legal organizations in the state, as it is a strong indicator the attorney is truly passionate about his or her line of work.

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Do I Have a Personal Injury Case?

This is one of the most common questions, if not the most common question, that potential clients ask us when they call. In order to file a personal injury claim, you will need to show that you suffered damages due to another party’s negligence. Otherwise, you would not be able to file a successful claim or lawsuit. This is a difficult prospect for the layman, who likely does not know the legal requirements for filing a claim or lawsuit in California.

You would also have to be within the statute of limitations to file a claim. In California, this is generally two years for claims that do not involve a government entity. There are exceptions where the statute of limitations is tolled. An attorney can help you determine how the statute of limitations applies to your situation.

If you want to determine whether you have a case, then we encourage you to call us and schedule a free consultation. We can listen to your story and help you figure out whether you would be able to file a personal injury claim. You can schedule a free consultation with us by calling (619) 291-9858 or by using our online contact form.

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Who Can I File a Personal Injury Lawsuit Against?

You would file a lawsuit against the party or parties responsible for causing your damages. For example, defendants in a personal injury lawsuit could be a person, property owner, business or product manufacturer.

Depending on what happened, there could be more than one party you could file a lawsuit against. Our attorneys can help you determine whether you could pursue compensation against one or more parties.

There are also cases where you may have a valid claim against a state or municipal entity, but these cases are generally more difficult (but not impossible) than a typical personal injury case. Additional requirements are necessary to seek compensation against a public entity.

It is more difficult to sue a public entity and the rules for filing a lawsuit differ from other types of personal injury lawsuits. However, this should not stop you from speaking to an attorney to weigh your options. Just be sure not to wait too long. The statute of limitations for filing a claim against a government entity is much shorter.

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How Long Will My Personal Injury Case Take to Resolve?

Each case is going to be different, so there is no way to answer this without knowing the details. You will need to show the other party or parties are liable for your damages, and that can take time depending on what is involved. Obtaining crucial evidence can be a time-consuming and arduous process.



Personal injury attorneys may need to work with experts, such as accident reconstruction specialists or medical professionals if you file a lawsuit. Depositions, accident reconstruction and other expert services may be necessary to show liability.

Depending on the specific factors involved with a case, it could take months or even years to obtain a settlement or verdict.

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