Long Beach, California, is located 20 miles south of Los Angeles. The 43rd most populous city in the United States, Long Beach draws millions of tourists every year. Residents enjoy Long Beach’s pristine beaches. Long Beach is home to several popular tourist attractions, including the Aquarium of the Pacific and the RMS Queen Mary. Long Beach is also home to California State University, Long Beach.
Recovering Compensation After a Long Beach Personal Injury Accident
Long Beach is home to the Port of Long Beach, the second-largest container port in the United States. With a busy industrial sector and tourist industry, personal injury accidents happen every day in Long Beach. Victims of personal injury accidents can recover money for the physical injuries they’ve suffered. At SoCal Injury Lawyers, we have recovered millions of dollars in damages for our clients. Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation to learn how we can help you seek the compensation you deserve.
Common Personal Injury Accidents
Personal injury accidents can happen anywhere from a car accident on the freeway to a slip and fall accident in a business complex. At SoCal Injury Lawyers, our experienced courtroom lawyers represent a client in a wide variety of personal injury cases, including the following:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Construction accidents
- Truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bus accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Premises liability accidents
- Products liability accidents
- Workplace injuries
- Wrongful death
Damages Available
If you or your loved one have suffered a serious personal injury in an accident, you are probably concerned about how you’ll pay your medical bills. Many of our clients with catastrophic injuries have to take time off work to recover, making their financial concerns even more challenging. When you succeed in a personal injury lawsuit in California, you are entitled to several types of damages without limitation. A successful plaintiff can recover the following damages:
- The cost of present and future medical bills
- The cost of a long-term care facility or in-home nursing care
- The cost of physical or occupational therapy
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
- Punitive damages
What to Do After a Long Beach Personal Injury Accident
Becoming injured in a car accident or other type of personal injury accident can be jarring and shocking. It’s challenging to know what to do after you’ve been seriously injured. The first thing you should do is seek medical help right away. Make sure you undergo a thorough medical evaluation. Following your doctor’s orders and attending all of your medical appointments will strengthen your case against the defendant. If you can safely take photos at the scene of the accident, we recommend doing so.
We also recommend speaking to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. If an insurance company is involved, the claims adjuster will probably try to contact you as quickly as possible after the accident. Insurance companies want you to accept a low settlement agreement as quickly as possible. When you consult with a personal injury lawyer before providing a statement to the insurance company, you can protect your claim.
The lawyers at SoCal Injury Lawyers know how to negotiate effectively with insurance companies and defendants. We will review your case and handle all of the negotiations and paperwork so you can concentrate on healing from your injuries. We will also help you understand your legal obligations, such as filing an insurance claim and exchanging information with the at-fault party if you were in a car accident.
California’s Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Cases
Personal injury accident victims have two years to bring a lawsuit against the defendant in most cases. For example, if you were injured in a car accident, you must file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of the car accident date, or you will lose your ability to bring a case. There are some exceptions to the two-year statute of limitations. However, we recommend speaking to an attorney as soon as possible, so you don’t unintentionally miss the deadline to file your lawsuit.
Proving Liability
Personal injury lawsuits are complex and require a significant investigation. When you go to trial, you’ll have the legal burden to prove that the defendant caused your injuries by a preponderance of the evidence. The preponderance of the evidence standard means that you need to prove that it is more likely than not the defendant caused your injuries. You’ll need to show that the defendant’s actions or inaction cause your injuries by presenting the following types of evidence:
- Your medical records
- Testimony from medical experts
- Video surveillance footage
- Eyewitness testimony to the accident
- Photographs
- Testimony from an accident reconstruction specialist
- Deposition testimony
- Recorded or written communications such as emails, texts, and phone calls
The sooner you speak with a personal injury lawyer, the more time he or she will have to gather evidence proving your case. In some cases, when you’re able to produce enough evidence of the defendant’s liability, the defendant’s attorney may offer you a settlement agreement. If you accept the settlement agreement, you will not have to go to trial. A skilled personal injury lawyer will negotiate for the highest settlement amount possible. If the defendant isn’t willing to offer you a fair settlement agreement, you will need to take your case to court.
Contact a Long Beach Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Have you or your loved one suffered a personal injury? If so, we recommend reaching out to an experienced Long Beach personal injury lawyer. At SoCal Injury Lawyers, we do not charge our clients any fees until we win. Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation to discuss your case with a knowledgeable, skilled lawyer.