You’ve been injured in an accident in Manhattan Beach that was caused by the negligent actions of another. You’re laid up in the hospital, unable to work, and the bills keep piling up. A personal injury lawsuit may be the only option available to get the compensation you deserve for the financial damages resulting from your injuries.
“How much is my personal injury claim worth?” is one of the most important questions our clients ask us. For many of them, this is the first time they’ve been in a situation where litigation seems to be the only solution. They want to know if the amount of settlement they’ll obtain through a personal injury lawsuit will be enough to cover their pain, suffering and financial losses.
Resolving a personal injury claim is a process that could take months or even years. Will it be worth it to commit to filing a personal injury lawsuit and letting an experienced lawyer handle your case as opposed to accepting the quick settlement the negligent party’s insurance company is offering?
It’s Not Worth Much to the Insurance Companies
Here’s one thing we can tell you: your personal injury claim isn’t worth much to the insurance companies. To them, you’re just a problem that needs to go away as quickly and cheaply as possible. They rarely offer to settle for an amount that will fully cover your damages. That’s why we advise people to never agree to a settlement with an insurance company before speaking to a personal injury lawyer.
Why Hire a Manhattan Beach Personal Injury Attorney?
Personal injury lawyers are dedicated to getting their clients the best settlement possible for the injuries and financial damages they’ve suffered. They will have the expertise to uncover the evidence crucial to establishing liability in your case. They will have the experience to effectively negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf. If negotiations fail, they will have the legal skills to successfully argue your case in front of a judge or jury.
Factors that Can Affect How Much Your Personal Injury Claim Is Worth
Some of the factors that will have an impact on the amount you are awarded include:
- The type and extent of your injuries
- Your prior medical history
- How soon you file your claim
- Pain and suffering caused by your injuries
- Total current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
Any fault you may have in the accident that led to your injuries can also affect how much your personal injury claim is worth. California’s comparative negligence laws allow a judge or jury to reduce the amount of damages you can recover in a personal injury claim based on the extent your negligence contributed to your injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Claims in California
How much does it cost to hire a Manhattan Beach personal injury attorney?
In most cases, there is no upfront fee for hiring a personal injury attorney in California. Many attorneys, including Scott Dinsmore, work on a contingency basis, which means they only charge a fee if they win your case. In general, contingency fees are a percentage of your final settlement or verdict.
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How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in California?
The statute of limitations is the law that sets a deadline for filing a civil lawsuit. In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the injury. This means that you have two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit against the responsible party.
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What is comparative negligence and how does it affect my personal injury case?
Comparative negligence is a legal doctrine that allows plaintiffs to recover damages even if they are partially at fault for the accident. However, the damages they can recover will be reduced by their degree of fault. For example, if a plaintiff is found to be 20 percent at fault and they are awarded $100,000 in damages, they will only recover $80,000.
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Your Personal Injury Case Is Worth Everything to Us
The Manhattan Beach personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Scott Dinsmore, APC can’t give you an exact dollar figure as to what your personal injury claim is worth. Each case is different, and every individual’s situation is unique. However, we can promise you that we will put all our legal skills and resources to work to get you the biggest settlement possible. After learning more about your case, we can give you a range of likely settlement or verdict amounts.
We have helped hundreds of clients in Manhattan Beach, Hawthorne, Lawndale, Hermosa Beach, El Segundo and other Southern California communities get the full compensation they deserve for the pain, suffering and economic losses resulting from their injuries.
Call (310) 318-1220 today to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an experienced Manhattan Beach accident attorney at the Law Offices of Scott Dinsmore, APC.