An unexpected accident has the potential to impact every aspect of your life. In addition to intense physical pain, you may be dealing with high medical bills, lost income, and property damage. If your injury was caused by a negligent person or entity, you have the right to take legal action against them.
Through a civil lawsuit or settlement, you could hold the at-fault party financially responsible for your injuries and damages. However, navigating the legal system can be complicated without the help of an experienced attorney. A Stockton personal injury lawyer could assist you with every aspect of your case.
Proving Fault in a Personal Injury Case
One of the most important steps in any personal injury case is proving the other party was negligent. Legal negligence exists when a person or entity owes you a duty of care, breaches that duty, and causes you to suffer injuries.
For example, all drivers who get behind the wheel assume a duty to protect others on the road. If a motorist drives recklessly, causing a severe crash, they could be held liable for the resulting damages. Other situations that could potentially lead to a negligence claim include:
- A store owner failing to warn customers of a hazardous condition
- A dog owner failing to leash their pet while on a walk
- A construction worker ignoring safety procedures
- A company selling a defective product
A skilled lawyer in Stockton could take the lead in gathering evidence to prove negligence in your personal injury claim.
Compensation for a Civil Claim in Stockton
In a personal injury case, it is important to examine all your current and future injuries and losses thoroughly. Doing this helps you value your claim accurately and seek the full amount of compensation you need.
The core of most personal injury claims will be medical expenses. A plaintiff might recover compensation for:
- Emergency room bills
- Costs related to surgery
- Past and future doctor’s bills
- Cost of medication
- Cost of accessibility aids
- Costs related to physical rehabilitation
However, these are not the only economic damages an injured party could face. If you have to take time off work during your recovery or develop a disability that prevents you from working again, you could seek compensation for lost wages or lost earning capacity. You might also pursue compensation for property damage that resulted from the incident.
Accidents can also impact peoples’ lives in non-economic ways. After a severe accident, you could seek restitution for subjective losses such as physical pain, emotional trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Potential Obstacles to Recovering Damages
It is crucial that plaintiffs act quickly in personal injury cases, as filing a claim too late could hinder one’s chances of recovering compensation. According to California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, you must file your claim within two years of the date of the accident. A diligent attorney could help you keep track of critical deadlines in your personal injury lawsuit.
Let a Stockton Personal Injury Attorney Fight for You
An unexpected accident can significantly impact your life. If another person’s negligent actions caused you to suffer e a severe injury, you have the right to demand fair compensation.
A Stockton personal injury lawyer could take the lead in the investigation and fight for the compensation you need. Get in touch with our firm today to schedule a consultation and get started with your case.