Personal injury cases are a lot more complicated than others. California is a fault state, too, which means that you need to prove that the opposite party was partially responsible for you to be compensated.
It is not always easy when the other driver wants you to assume full responsibility instead for their actions. Therefore, hiring a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer can help you ensure your best possible outcome. In Los Angeles, personal injury cases are usually filed in the civil division of the Superior Court.
Here are the top reasons to work with a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles.
A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Make Sure You Receive the Full Amount
The average cash compensation for a lawyer in the Los Angeles, CA, United States Area is $19,612.
It is frustrating when you lose time off work due to your injuries, but it is even more frustrating when the medical bills pile up. Maybe you had to miss multiple days of work without pay, or perhaps you could no longer do the job that you loved. Your injuries and time lost may entitle you to reimbursement for certain medical expenses. Still, the money will only be yours if your personal injury lawyer can ensure that you receive it.
It is essential to remember that many employers terminate employees recovering from an injury. Without a paycheck, you might not have the money to pay for your medical expenses in the first place.
Your Personal Injury Lawyer Might Be Able to Get You a Settlement that is Heftier Than a Trial
If you are forced to quit work due to injuries, it might be tempting to take the matter to court and claim compensation for lost time at work and lost future wages. While this is undoubtedly an option, it is not always the best course of action. Judges and juries award damages differently than insurance companies do, which means that your settlement might be much higher or lower than what you would receive in court.
A Los Angeles personal injury lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company to make sure you receive the maximum allowable compensation.
You Might Not Know What Damages You Can Recover or When You Could Receive Them
Emotional distress, pain, suffering, lost wages, there are a lot of different damages that you might be eligible for after an injury in Los Angeles. However, in many cases, you will not be able to recover damages from the moment you were injured. In California, this is known as the “delayed discovery rule.”
For delayed discovery to apply, it must be proved that the injury was not diagnosable at the time of impact. The injured person knew nothing of the damage until much later. It is not always easy to prove delayed discovery, which is why you might need the guidance of a professional personal injury attorney in Los Angeles.
You Might Not Know That You Can Seek Punitive Damages for Your Injury
Sometimes, it is not enough to receive compensation for your injuries. You might also want the person who caused your injury to pay for what they did. In California, certain conditions must be met for punitive damages to apply. The defendant’s behavior must have been reckless or intentional. The plaintiff should show that the conduct was the direct cause of their injuries. The defendant must pay for the total amount of the punitive damages.