If you have recently been hurt in an accident that wasn’t your fault, then you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and suffering. What many people who are injured in an accident often fail to realize is that the Orange County personal injury lawyers in California don’t handle only car accidents, and a personal injury case isn’t always about car accidents either.
People experience many different types of personal injury cases, such as dog bites, car accidents, wrongful deaths, and even traumatic brain injuries for which you can file a personal injury lawsuit. While many people have personal injury protection insurance, many don’t, so you need a lawyer in your corner to help see that your rights are protected. Below are a few answers to some common questions about personal injury lawsuits and claims.
Why would you need a personal injury attorney?
You might have one of many reasons to need a personal injury attorney to take care of filing a case for you. The No. 1 reason being that most people have no idea how to even begin filing a personal injury lawsuit, and the red tape can bog you down until you’re ready to take whatever lowball offer the insurance company makes. A reputable attorney is experienced in personal injury law, can deal with the insurance companies, and will go to court with you if it goes that far. A good lawyer will also let you know at your consultation if you do indeed have a case, and whether to file the suit at all.
What is considered to be a personal injury case?
As previously stated, car wrecks aren’t the only personal injury cases. Below is a list of things that are considered personal injuries.
- Crashes that involve cars, trucks, or motorcycles
- Dog bites or animal attacks
- Slip and fall injuries, because of dangerous conditions
- Bicycle or pedestrian accidents
- Injuries that result from defective products
- Wrongful death
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home and caregiver abuse
Any of these incidents are grounds for filing a personal injury suit. However, it’s best to contact a personal injury law firm to determine whether you have a solid case before taking the next steps in the process.
How long does it take to settle a personal injury case?
One of the most common questions asked, and the most difficult to answer, is exactly how long a personal injury case can last. The answer is, some cases are settled in a matter of months, while others can take years and many battles to be settled to your, and your attorney’s, satisfaction.
Many factors determine how long a settlement can take, most of them depending on whether you’re willing to settle for the amount offered by the insurance company and parties who you have filed suit against. Your lawyer will explain what your options are in your particular case, and let you know whether you should accept an offer that has been put on the table, or whether you should continue to fight for more. The amount of time it takes to settle your case can vary.
These are just a few answers to some of the questions many people who have been involved in a personal injury accident need to have answered. If you have been injured and it’s someone else’s fault, and you feel that you have a case, please contact one of the reputable law firms in Orange County, California, for help and consultation.
