Injury Lawyer in Inland Empire, CA

Inland Empire Injury Law Firm

If you've been injured due to someone else's negligence, you have the right to demand financial compensation for the losses you've suffered. However, seeking a personal injury lawsuit is no simple task. Defendants and their insurers are backed by armies of lawyers prepared to protect their clients. Who's looking out for you?

At the Law Offices of Tim D. Wright, we fight for personal injury victims. Where possible, we resolve cases out of court so our clients can get back to their lives. If needed, however, we put together a litigation strategy and take the case to court. In either case, we defend our clients from start to finish so they can focus on recovering.

What Is Personal Injury?

The essence of a personal injury claim is negligence. When another individual, business, or even a governmental agency acts irresponsibly, others can get injured. The injury is typically physical, but it can also be psychological or emotional too.

"Negligence" is a legal term that implies failure to exercise an appropriate level of care under the circumstances. Another way of putting it is failing to behave as a reasonably sensible person would. Negligence can be demonstrated through someone's actions (like speeding or driving intoxicated) or through an omission (such as failing to remove a known hazard from one's company property).

To win a personal injury case, the victim has to show that the offender was negligent. There are four particular components that are required under California legislation:

• Duty of care– The defendant must have owed a duty of care to the plaintiff. Sometimes a duty emerges out of a personal relationship between the individuals, such as doctor and patient. But this isn't always necessary. For instance, when you drive on a highway, you owe a duty to other motorists not to be reckless.
• Breach– Next, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant breached the duty of care. This is where the defendant's negligent acts and/or exclusions are brought out. It also covers situations where the at-fault party breaks a law or engages in deliberate wrongdoing. Breach is usually the most contested part of a personal injury case.
• Causation– The defendant's breach needs to really cause injury to the plaintiff. If the defendant acted negligently but didn't harm the plaintiff, this aspect fails.
• Damages– These are the losses for which the plaintiff will pursue financial compensation. A few of the most common damages are medical costs, lost wages, lost earning capacity, as well as pain and suffering. The nature and quantity of damages are fiercely contested in the majority of personal injury cases.

Potential Damages In a Personal Injury Claim

The goal of a personal injury claim is to make the plaintiff whole via financial compensation. This compensation is known as damages, and some examples are:

• Medical expenses– This broad category can include everything from hospital bills and prescription medications to physical therapy and unique adaptive equipment to assist with a victim's day-to-day activities.
• Lost wages– While you recover or are hospitalized for your injuries, you will lose time from work and, with it, potentially significant amounts of money. You can ask a court to grant you damages to cover this lost income.
• Lost earning capacity– Your career prospects may be cut short or drastically limited after a personal injury. An expert witness can help estimate the future income you will miss out on as a result.
• Pain and suffering– These damages account for the pain and psychological trauma you will likely experience for some time to come. Although difficult to quantify, they are necessary to catastrophic injury cases.
• Loss of pleasure of day-to-day life– It may not be possible to enjoy your typical daily activities, hobbies, and other passions after a bad injury. These damages help compensate you for the loss.
• Loss of consortium– This category refers to the deprivation of the benefits of a family relationship. It includes the loss of support, society, friendship, and sexual relationship between partners caused by the injury.
• Punitive (exemplary) damages– In rare cases, an at-fault party can be subject to punitive damages. These are intended to penalize the wrongful party and deter others from participating in similar conduct.

Are There Time Limits to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

Your right to sue a negligent party will not last forever. In California, personal injury cases are subject to what's called a statute of limitations. This establishes a deadline for plaintiffs to submit their claims before they lose the right to do so. For a personal injury, the statute of limitations is two years. In most cases, the clock starts to run when the injury takes place.

However, it's ideal not to delay taking action on your case. Witnesses' memories can fade over time, evidence will be harder to obtain, and you might forget crucial details if you wait too long. If you or a loved one have been hurt, reach out to a dedicated Inland Empire personal injury attorney.

How Can the Personal Injury Attorneys of the Law Offices of Tim D. Wright Help Me?

Suing a defendant almost always means suing an insurance company, like an automobile insurer. Regardless, you can count on the defendant's lawyers pushing back on your claims or making settlement offers that come nowhere near to covering your losses. You need a lawyer that not only knows California personal injury law, but understands how to establish a fair value for your claim.

At the Law Offices of Tim D. Wright, we've helped numerous personal injury clients obtain the compensation they need to recover. We will not accept unjust deals and will stand by you from beginning to end. Give us a call or fill out the contact form today to get started on your case.

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