Were you injured because someone else was careless in Los Angeles, California? A Los Angeles personal injury lawyer at J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers can help you understand your rights and seek compensation for your losses. Call (323) 284-2834 today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your case.
Following an accident, you may be dealing with medical bills while also missing work and trying to recover. You do not have to handle the claims process alone. Our legal team can investigate what happened, determine who may be responsible, and pursue compensation on your behalf.
Why Choose J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers for Help After an Accident in Los Angeles, CA?
J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers represents people who have been hurt in accidents throughout Los Angeles, CA. Our legal team has 20 years of combined experience and has recovered tens of millions of dollars for injured clients.
Our firm’s honors and memberships include:
- Top 100 Jury Verdicts 2024 in Los Angeles County
- Top 100 Jury Verdicts 2024 for Personal Injury in Los Angeles County
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
We are known for fighting for our clients’ legal rights every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Los Angeles personal injury attorney.
What Types of Personal Injury Cases Does Our Firm Handle?
Personal injury law covers many accidents in which another person or business may be responsible for causing harm.
Our firm handles a wide array of cases, including:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Rideshare accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Brain injuries
- Wrongful death
Liability depends on the facts. For example, a careless driver may be responsible for a traffic crash, while a property owner may be responsible for an unsafe condition in some circumstances.
Our legal team can determine which laws apply and identify possible sources of compensation.
What Is My Los Angeles Personal Injury Case Worth?
There is no standard amount for a personal injury settlement. The value of your claim depends on how the accident happened, the harm you suffered, and the evidence available to prove your losses.
Factors that can affect the value of a Los Angeles personal injury claim include:
- The severity and long-term effects of your injuries
- The total amount of your economic and non-economic losses
- Whether you are expected to make a full recovery
- The strength of the evidence showing who was at fault
- Whether you share responsibility for the accident
- The number of parties who may be legally responsible
- The available insurance coverage and other sources of recovery
- Whether liability or the extent of your injuries is disputed
- Whether the case settles or proceeds to trial
Serious injuries can lead to greater financial and personal losses, but every case is different. An attorney can review your circumstances and explain the types of compensation that may be available.
What Damages Are Available to Los Angeles Personal Injury Victims?
A personal injury claim may allow you to seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover financial losses that can often be shown through bills, receipts, wage records, and other documents.
They may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Rehabilitation costs
- Property damage
- Other accident-related expenses
Non-economic damages address personal losses that do not have a set dollar amount.
These can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Chronic pain
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
The damages available will depend on your injuries and the facts of your case. California law also has special rules that can affect damages in some cases, including claims involving more than one responsible party.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Los Angeles?
Personal injury lawyers typically handle cases on a contingency fee basis. Instead of paying an hourly attorney’s fee, the client agrees that the lawyer will receive an agreed percentage of the financial recovery.
The exact fee and responsibility for case costs depend on the agreement between the lawyer and client. You should review the fee agreement carefully and ask questions about costs before hiring an attorney.
A contingency arrangement can allow an injured person to obtain legal representation without paying hourly attorney’s fees while a claim is pending.
Can I Recover Compensation if I Am Partly at Fault for an Accident in California?
Yes. California follows a pure comparative negligence system. This means being partly responsible for an accident does not automatically prevent you from recovering compensation.
Instead, your damages can be reduced based on your percentage of fault. For example, suppose you have $100,000 in damages and are found 20% responsible. Your recovery could be reduced by 20%, leaving $80,000.
California’s rule allows a person to recover a portion of their damages even when their share of fault is greater than another party’s share. However, a higher percentage of responsibility can greatly reduce the amount recovered.
Insurance companies may try to place more blame on an injured person. Evidence about how the accident happened can be important when fault is disputed.
What Injuries Can Lead to a Personal Injury Claim in Los Angeles?
Accidents can cause injuries ranging from minor wounds to permanent disabilities. Some injuries are obvious right away, while others may become more noticeable in the hours or days after an accident.
Personal injury cases can involve:
- Broken bones
- Head and brain injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burns
- Internal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Nerve damage
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Amputations
Serious injuries can require surgery, rehabilitation, medication, and long-term medical care. They can also affect a person’s ability to work, care for family members, or enjoy activities.
Seeking medical attention after an accident can protect your health. Medical records can also help document your injuries and treatment if you later pursue a personal injury claim.
How Do I Prove a Personal Injury Claim in Los Angeles, California?
Many personal injury claims are based on negligence. Generally, you must show that another party owed you a duty of care, failed to meet that duty, and caused your injuries and damages.
Evidence may include accident reports, photos, videos, witness statements, medical records, and other documents related to the accident and your injuries.
An attorney can help gather evidence, identify responsible parties, and establish how their actions caused your injuries.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in California?
California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1 generally gives you two years to file a lawsuit for an injury caused by another person’s wrongful act or negligence. The deadline often starts on the date of the injury.
However, not every case follows the same deadline. Different rules or shorter time limits can apply depending on the defendant and circumstances. For example, claims involving a government entity can have much earlier notice requirements.
Missing an applicable deadline may prevent you from recovering compensation through a lawsuit. It is also helpful to begin investigating an accident early on because evidence can become harder to find over time.
Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles soon after an injury can help you determine which deadlines apply and preserve evidence for your claim.
What Should I Do After an Accident in Los Angeles, CA?
The steps you take after an accident can affect both your health and a future injury claim. Your first priority should be getting medical help when needed.
When possible, you should also:
- Report the accident to the proper person or agency.
- Take photographs and videos of the scene.
- Get contact information from witnesses.
- Keep copies of medical records and bills.
- Save receipts for accident-related expenses.
- Keep records of missed work.
- Avoid posting details about the accident on social media.
- Be careful when speaking with insurance companies.
Do not delay medical treatment just because an injury initially seems minor. Some conditions may take time to produce clear symptoms.
You can also speak with a lawyer before accepting a settlement or giving a detailed statement to an insurance company.
Contact Our Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
An accident can leave you with medical expenses, lost income, and questions about what to do next. If another person’s careless actions caused your injuries, California law may allow you to seek compensation for your losses.
J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers can review your accident, explain your legal options, and handle the claims process on your behalf. Our goal is to give you the information and support you need to make informed decisions about your case.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Los Angeles personal injury attorney. There is no obligation to hire one of our attorneys after your initial consultation.