Sometimes accidents are just accidents, but often they are caused by another person’s negligence. No matter the type of accident, if it is someone else’s fault, you may have a valid personal injury claim. Contact a Paso Robles personal injury lawyer at Frederick Law Firm for a free case assessment if you were recently hurt. We will help you hold those responsible accountable for the harm you suffered. 

What Is a Personal Injury Lawyer?

You have probably heard the term “personal injury” before. Still, you may not understand what it encompasses and the role a Paso Robles personal injury attorney can play in getting your compensation. Personal injury is a legal term that can encompass many types of scenarios and accidents. 

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases 

Almost any injury caused by another person’s negligence or conduct can be the basis for a valid personal injury case. 

Common types of personal injury cases that we handle include: 

  • Car accidents,
  • Truck accidents,
  • Bus collisions,
  • Pedestrian accidents,
  • Bicycle accidents, 
  • Nursing home negligence,
  • Defective or malfunctioning products,
  • Dog bites,
  • Negligent security,
  • Swimming pool accidents, 
  • Premises liability incidents,
  • Slips and falls, and
  • Wrongful death.

If you or a loved one was recently hurt in any of these types of accidents or something else entirely, you may be able to seek damages for your injury. Consulting with Paso Robles personal injury lawyers can help you determine if you have a valid claim. 

What Do Personal Injury Cases Involve?

Some personal injury cases are more straightforward than others, but more often than not, they are complex and involve multiple parties and layers of insurance. While you are not required to obtain a lawyer to pursue a personal injury case, we strongly encourage anyone hurt in an accident to consider doing so. Personal injury cases involve many steps, including: 

  • Investigating the accident,
  • Collecting essential evidence,
  • Filing a claim or civil lawsuit,
  • Requesting and reviewing discovery,
  • Conducting depositions,
  • Consulting experts,
  • Negotiating toward a settlement, and
  • Litigating the case at trial if necessary.

Having a seasoned attorney with you every step of the way can ease your anxiety and provide reassuring support throughout your case. 

Types of Damages in Personal Injury Cases

The damages in a personal injury case can range substantially from a few thousand dollars to several million dollars depending on the nature of the case, severity of injuries, and several other factors such as insurance policy limits and percentages of fault. 

Generally, a successful plaintiff can seek three types of damages: economic, noneconomic, and, in a few instances, punitive damages.

Economic Damages

In a personal injury lawsuit, economic damages compensate the plaintiff for their calculable losses due to their injury. Typically, economic damages include compensation for:

  • Past and future medical bills, 
  • Lost wages,
  • Anticipated lost income or inability to earn,
  • Cost of repair or replacement of property (e.g., car), and
  • Lost value of household services.

Economic damages can vary depending on the extent of your injury or damages but are generally most straightforward to determine by adding up receipts, invoices, pay stubs, records, and estimates. 

Noneconomic Damages

A successful personal injury plaintiff may also be entitled to noneconomic damages to compensate them for their intangible losses such as: 

  • Pain and suffering,
  • Emotional distress,
  • Mental anguish,
  • Loss of consortium,
  • Disfigurement, and
  • Loss of enjoyment of life.

Noneconomic damages are more challenging to determine because they are subjective and personal to the victim. Rarely do plaintiffs and defendants agree on the amount of noneconomic damages. They are often the subject of extensive negotiations and debate. However, you are entitled to them, and they can be substantially more expensive than economic damages. 

Having a Paso Robles personal injury lawyer advocate on your behalf can be the difference between receiving maximum compensation and not.

Punitive Damages

Most personal injury plaintiffs are limited to recovering actual damages (i.e., economic and noneconomic). However, in certain instances, the court may also award punitive damages. Punitive damages punish a defendant for malicious or grossly negligent conduct.

California Statute of Limitations

A statute of limitations refers to the time you have to initiate legal action. For California personal injury cases, you generally have two years from the accident date to file your lawsuit. There are various exceptions to be aware of, so quickly meeting with a qualified attorney will ensure you do not inadvertently miss your opportunity to seek compensation. 

Tips for Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

Personal injury attorneys are plentiful in Paso Robles and the surrounding areas. Finding the right one for your case can feel overwhelming. Tips for hiring a personal injury lawyer include:

  • Turning to your closest friends and relatives for recommendations,
  • Checking online for reviews and ratings,
  • Find a lawyer or firm local to you,
  • Contact the California or local bar associations for referrals, and
  • Schedule free consultations. 

Narrowing down a list of potential attorneys and then meeting with them will ensure you find the best fit for your case. 

Personal Injury Attorneys, Paso Robles

At Frederick Law Firm, we have represented accident victims for the past 40 years. We have the knowledge, experience, and resources to get you and your family the compensation and justice you deserve.

Contact us today to schedule your free case consultation.