If you were injured in an accident in Manhattan Beach that was due to the negligence of another person, business or organization, it’s important to have an experienced personal injury lawyer represent your interests.
There are many personal injury attorneys in Manhattan Beach. How do you choose the right accident attorney for your situation? Who you choose to represent you could be the most important decision you make after an accident. Without competent, experienced legal representation, you may not be able to recover the maximum compensation you need to help you recover physically, emotionally and financially from your accident.
Do Your Research Before Choosing An Accident Attorney
The first thing to do is assemble a list of potential candidates. You can ask friends, relatives and co-workers for recommendations. An internet search can also be helpful. Visiting a lawyer’s website will give you some idea of the lawyer’s areas of expertise.
A good idea would be to check the California state bar association website to see if any complaints or misconduct charges have been filed against a potential attorney. You can also check out social media posts and client reviews to get a clearer impression.
Ask the Right Questions
Next, schedule a meeting with any Manhattan Beach accident attorneys who you think might be qualified to handle your case. Many attorneys offer their prospective clients a free, no obligation initial consultation. This presents the perfect opportunity to ask questions before you choose an accident attorney for your case.
What is their experience in handling cases like yours? The term “personal injury” covers a lot of territory. Different lawyers have different levels of expertise in particular areas. An attorney with an impressive track record for winning medical malpractice cases may not be so knowledgeable when it comes to representing a client who was injured in a construction site accident. If you were injured in a car accident, you’ll want an attorney with extensive experience (successfully) representing victims of car accidents.
Who will be handling your case? Some Manhattan Beach accident attorneys bring in too many cases for them to handle at one time, so they assign the case to a junior attorney. You’ll want to choose an accident attorney who has had plenty of experience in successfully litigating settlements and verdicts for their clients, not a recent graduate who is going to be learning on the job.
Do they have the resources and personnel to effectively pursue your case? Depending on the circumstances, personal injury cases can be very challenging and expensive to pursue. In order to prevail in your case, an attorney must have the resources and manpower to gather the necessary evidence (medical records, police records, expert testimony, etc.) that proves the defendant is liable for your damages.
What are their fees? Most attorneys handle personal injury cases on a contingency basis. This means there won’t be any upfront charges for their clients and the attorney collects their fee as a percentage of the settlement they negotiate. However, in addition to attorney fees, there are also case expenses. This includes filing fees, records fees, expert witness fees, etc. If you win your case, these expenses will be taken out of the final settlement amount. But what if you lose? Find out who foots the bill when things don’t work out as planned.
You should also ask some general questions.
- How long have you been practicing law?
- Do you have any special training that’s relevant to my case?
- What is your trial experience?
- How much can I expect to collect?
- How long will the litigation last?
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Claims
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in California?
In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years. This means that you have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. If you do not file a lawsuit within two years, you may lose your right to sue. If you have been injured and are considering filing a lawsuit, it is important to consult with an attorney quickly to ensure your rights are protected.
What damages can I recover in a Manhattan Beach accident lawsuit?
When an individual is injured due to the negligence of another in California, they may be able to file a personal injury claim in order to recover damages. Damages refers to the compensation that is awarded to an injured party for their losses. There are a variety of damages that may be available in a personal injury claim, including economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are those that can be quantified and include things like medical expenses and lost wages. Non-economic damages are those that cannot be easily quantified, such as pain and suffering.
Can I recover compensation if I was partially at fault?
If you are injured in an accident that you were partially at fault for, you may still be able to recover damages from the other party. However, your damages will be reduced by the percentage of fault that is attributed to you — this is known as comparative negligence. For example, if you are found to be 25% at fault for an accident that results in $10,000 in damages, you would only be able to recover $7,500 from the other party.
Speak to a Manhattan Beach Accident Attorney Today
The Manhattan Beach accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Scott Dinsmore, APC are always available to answer any questions you may have. We’ve been successfully representing clients in a wide variety of personal injury cases in Manhattan Beach, Torrance, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Playa Vista, El Segundo, Hawthorne and other area communities for many years.
If you have been injured in an accident that was someone else’s fault, please contact us to schedule a free no obligation consultation with one of our attorneys. We look forward to discussing your case, answering any questions you may have, and giving you experienced advice on the best way to proceed.
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