There are hundreds of thousands of preventable accidents throughout the United States every year.
Unfortunately, many of those incidents happen in California, including in Sherman Oaks, and result in serious injuries.
At Weinberg Law Offices, we understand how devastating these injuries can be for victims and the lifelong consequences they carry. Whether you’ve been injured in a car accident, slip and fall, or another preventable incident, our Sherman Oaks personal injury lawyers are here to help you seek justice and the compensation you deserve.
That’s why we proudly advocate for personal injury victims throughout California, including Sherman Oaks, and work tirelessly to hold negligent parties accountable.
Types of Cases Our Sherman Oaks Personal Injury Lawyers Handle
Personal injuries can happen in a number of ways. Maybe you get into a car crash on the way to work.
Or, perhaps you slip and fall due to an unmarked spill at the grocery store. Whatever the case may be, the person responsible for your injury should be held accountable.
At Weinberg Law Offices, we handle a variety of personal injury cases, including:
- Car accidents,
- Motorcycle accidents,
- Truck accidents,
- Bike accidents,
- Pedestrian accidents,
- Dog bites,
- Premises liability,
- Construction site injuries, and
- Wrongful death
While not all of these personal injury cases have the same process, our personal injury lawyers in Sherman Oaks have experience in all of them.
Even if you don’t see your specific case type here, we recommend reaching out to discuss your situation.
Steps to Take After an Injury in Sherman Oaks
If you’ve been injured in an accident or due to someone else’s negligence in Sherman Oaks, there are several important steps you should take to protect your health and your legal rights:
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Your health is the priority. Even if your injuries don’t seem serious at first, it’s crucial to get checked by a doctor. Some injuries may not show symptoms right away, so a medical professional can assess your condition and provide the necessary treatment. Medical documentation will also serve as key evidence if you need to file a personal injury claim.
- Document the Scene: If you’re able to, take photos of the accident scene, any visible injuries, and property damage. This can help strengthen your case by providing clear evidence of what happened. If you were in a car accident, for example, take pictures of the vehicles, the road conditions, and any relevant details.
- Collect Contact Information: Gather contact information for anyone involved in the incident, including the person responsible for the accident, witnesses, and responding authorities. This will help your lawyer build your case and obtain necessary testimony later on.
- Report the Incident: Whether you’ve been injured in a car accident, at work, or due to a slip and fall, make sure to report the incident to the relevant authorities, such as law enforcement, your employer, or the property owner. A formal report is often a critical piece of evidence when seeking compensation.
- Avoid Speaking to Insurance Companies: Insurance companies may try to get a statement from you shortly after the incident. It’s best to avoid speaking with them without consulting a lawyer first. Anything you say could be used against you later to reduce your compensation.
- Contact a Sherman Oaks Personal Injury Lawyer: As soon as possible, reach out to a personal injury lawyer to discuss your case. They can guide you through the legal process, provide advice on what to do next, and help ensure your case is handled with the care and expertise it deserves.
By taking these steps after an injury, you’ll not only protect your health but also set yourself up for a strong personal injury claim. The sooner you take action, the better equipped your lawyer will be to build a successful case for you.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer in Sherman Oaks Calculates Damages
In most personal injury cases, a personal injury attorney in Sherman Oaks divides damages into three categories: economic, non-economic, and punitive.
Not all of these categories apply to every case type, but they often play an important role in determining the overall value of a claim.
Here’s an overview of each damage type, what it includes, and how your attorney may calculate it.
Economic Damages
Perhaps the most important foundation of any personal injury case is economic damages. Also known as special damages, these are the financial losses you sustain due to your injury, both past and future.
Some examples of this include:
- Hospitalization costs,
- Prescription medications,
- Surgical procedures,
- Rehabilitation services,
- Lost wages during recovery,
- Reduced earning capacity, and
- Property damage.
Many of these losses come in the form of bills, estimates, or receipts, which are a little easier to calculate. A Sherman Oaks personal injury attorney usually just adds all of these losses together.
However, future losses are somewhat more challenging to determine. In many cases, the attorney consults experts, like doctors, who help estimate the cost of future care.
Non-Economic Damages
Not all losses victims experience after a personal injury are financial. Instead, some losses are physical, emotional, or mental. In fact, some injuries are so debilitating that they reduce one’s quality of life.
The purpose of non-economic damages is to reimburse the victim for these intangible losses, which include:
- Disability,
- Disfigurement,
- Mental anguish,
- Loss of life’s enjoyment,
- Loss of consortium, and
- Pain and suffering.
Unlike economic damages, these losses don’t have a straightforward calculation. That’s because these losses affect everyone differently.
Some attorneys determine non-economic damages by multiplying the total economic damages. Others just calculate a per-day cost to the victim during recovery.
Ultimately, it depends on the way the injury affects the victim’s life.
Punitive Damages
Although not common, punitive damages occasionally apply to personal injury cases.
Courts award them only in situations where the party responsible for the injuries either intentionally harmed the victim or acted with complete disregard for their safety.
The Role of Negligence in California
In California, negligence plays a significant role in the overall value of a personal injury claim.
That’s because California has a pure comparative negligence law, which means that a victim may claim damages, even if they are 99% at fault for their injuries.
The trade-off is that the total damages are reduced by the victim’s share of fault.
Here’s an example of how negligence may change the value of a case. Let’s say that John gets into a car accident and has $100,000 in damages due to serious, disabling injuries.
During trial, the jury finds him 20% at fault for his injuries. As a result, they reduce his total damages by 20%, bringing the amount down to $80,000.
How Long You Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit
After receiving a personal injury, keep in mind that you have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit if necessary.
This is because California has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, which is two years from the date of injury. If you try filing after this date, the court will likely refuse to hear your case.
Relatedly, if you let the limitation period expire, the at-fault party and their insurance company will have no motivation to settle or compensate you for the harm you suffered.
Why You Need a Sherman Oaks Personal Injury Lawyer on Your Side
When you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may feel overwhelmed by the process of seeking justice and compensation. A personal injury lawyer Sherman Oaks can help guide you through every step of the way, making sure that your rights are protected and that you receive the full compensation you deserve.
Here’s why you need a skilled personal injury lawyer on your side:
Knowledge of the Law: Personal injury law can be complex, and every case is different. Whether you’ve been involved in a car accident, suffered a slip and fall, or were bitten by a dog, a personal injury lawyer can navigate the legal system and build a strong case on your behalf.
Experience Dealing with Insurance Companies: Insurance companies are known for trying to minimize payouts, and they may pressure you to settle for less than you deserve. With a lawyer handling your case, you won’t have to worry about facing these tactics alone. Your lawyer will advocate for you and ensure that you receive the compensation you’re entitled to.
Investigation and Evidence Collection: In personal injury cases, gathering evidence is crucial to proving fault and calculating the value of damages. Your lawyer will know what evidence to collect, whether it’s accident reports, medical records, or witness statements, and will work diligently to ensure your case is strong.
Peace of Mind: Handling an injury claim while recovering from your injuries can be incredibly stressful. By hiring a Sherman Oaks personal injury lawyer, you can focus on healing while your lawyer takes care of the legal complexities, so you don’t have to go through it alone.
Maximizing Your Compensation: A skilled personal injury lawyer knows how to calculate and negotiate for the full value of your damages, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future expenses. They will fight for the best possible outcome, ensuring you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Personal Injury in Sherman Oaks FAQs
Will I Have to Go to Trial for My Personal Injury Case in Sherman Oaks?
It’s not guaranteed that you will have to go to trial for your personal injury case in Sherman Oaks. Many cases are settled outside of court through negotiations between your lawyer and the insurance company.
However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, your case may proceed to trial. Your personal injury lawyer will prepare for both scenarios and guide you through each stage of the process to ensure the best outcome.
How Much Will It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Sherman Oaks?
Most personal injury lawyers in Sherman Oaks work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay anything upfront. Instead, the lawyer receives a percentage of the settlement or award you receive if your case is successful. This arrangement ensures that your lawyer is motivated to win your case, and you only pay if you get compensated for your injuries.
How Do I Prove Negligence in a Personal Injury Case in Sherman Oaks?
To prove negligence in a personal injury case in Sherman Oaks, you must demonstrate that the at-fault party had a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused your injuries as a direct result of their actions. The key elements to proving negligence include:
- Duty of Care: The responsible party had an obligation to act in a reasonable way to avoid causing harm.
- Breach of Duty: The responsible party failed to uphold that duty, either through an act or omission.
- Causation: The breach directly caused your injury or accident.
- Damages: You suffered actual harm as a result.
A personal injury lawyer will help gather the evidence needed to prove negligence, such as accident reports, witness statements, and medical records.
How Long Does It Take to Resolve a Personal Injury Case in Sherman Oaks?
The time it takes to resolve a personal injury case in Sherman Oaks varies depending on the complexity of the case, the severity of the injuries, and how cooperative the insurance company is. Some cases can be settled in a few months, while others may take longer if they require more investigation or go to trial.
On average, personal injury cases in California can take anywhere from several months to over a year to resolve. Your lawyer will keep you informed and work efficiently to resolve your case as quickly as possible while ensuring you receive fair compensation.
Call (818) 697-1079 or contact our Sherman Oaks personal injury attorneys online
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Personal Injury Attorney in Sherman Oaks Today
If you or a loved one sustains an injury due to another person’s negligence, you don’t need to fight for your recovery alone.
At Weinberg Law Offices, we believe that victims deserve an advocate who cares about their physical and emotional wellbeing. We fight tirelessly for their recovery and make sure to provide individualized, attentive service.
To schedule a consultation with a Sherman Oaks personal injury attorney, call us at 818-697-1079 or contact us online.
Disclaimer: This content should not be construed as legal advice.