Newport Beach, CA Personal Injury Lawyer

Accidents happen every day, and they may range from minor incidents to serious disasters. Whatever the case may be, you deserve fair compensation for your injuries. Call an attorney as soon as possible to begin your case.

Personal injury claims typically stem from accidents involving physical injuries. We can use video footage of the accident, photos of the aftermath, witness testimony, and additional evidence to support your claims for compensation. You may sue the person responsible, multiple responsible parties, and even businesses or organizations involved in the accident. Determining who is responsible can be tricky, and the sooner you contact a lawyer, the faster they can help you figure things out.

Call the Law Office of John J. Perlstein at (213) 252-1070 and ask our personal injury lawyers for a free legal review to begin your case.

Evidence You May Need in a Personal Injury Lawsuit

Before you can get compensation, we need evidence of your claims. Below are common examples of evidence in personal injury claims, although the evidence in your case may differ.

Video Evidence

Video footage may be very strong evidence, as it may depict exactly how your accident happened from start to finish. Security cameras, cell phone videos, and dashcam footage in car accident cases should be located immediately. Our personal injury attorneys must gather the footage quickly before it is inadvertently deleted.

Photos from the Accident

If you have any photos of the accident scene, those photos may be entered into evidence. If possible, take some quick pictures of the accident scene while waiting for help. Once the accident scene is cleared away, valuable evidence may be lost, and your photos might be all that remains.

Witnesses

Witnesses may have seen the accident from various vantage points, giving them a unique perspective you might not have. The more witnesses we can talk to, the better. Exchanging information with people at the accident scene may help us find witnesses later.

Medical Records

We must be able to prove your injuries to get fair compensation, and your medical records may be the proof we need. We should speak to the hospital where you were treated right away about getting copies of your records, as they may take some time to fully compile.

Who Can You Sue for Personal Injuries in Newport Beach, CA?

While many lawsuits include only one person as a defendant, you are not limited to only one defendant.

The Person Responsible for an Accident

When accidents involve only two people, one is usually the victim while the other is at fault. The other person may be held responsible in court. If the other person refuses to give you their name or flees the scene before they can be identified, you should report the accident to the police so they may investigate.

Multiple People

If more than one person contributed to the accident, each may be included in your lawsuit as a defendant.

Blame does not have to be shared evenly among defendants. One might be the primary defendant who is mostly to blame, while others might also be responsible, but to a lesser extent. Even so, all may be named as defendants.

Businesses or Organizations

Businesses and organizations may also be held responsible for accidents and injuries. This often happens when an accident occurs on the property of a business or is the direct result of an employee’s negligence.

Product manufacturers are also typically liable for defective and dangerous products.

Recoverable Damages in Personal Injury Cases

Your damages are unique to your specific circumstances, but below are damages common in many personal injury claims in Newport Beach.

Hospital Expenses

Unfortunately, treatment is often expensive. Even treatment for minor injuries can be costly. Keep track of all your hospital bills. We can claim your current medical care costs and estimate your future costs if you require long-term or ongoing care throughout the case.

Lost Earnings and Income

As you recover from your injuries, you may need to step away from your job. As a result, you may lose income at a time when you need it the most. We can calculate how much income you have lost and may continue to lose and claim it among your damages.

Damaged or Destroyed Property

Accidents may cause extensive destruction, and articles of your personal property might have been damaged or destroyed. For example, in a car accident, the plaintiff may claim the cost of replacing their destroyed car and all the personal items that were inside it.

Take some time to thoroughly account for all the personal items you may have lost, no matter how small.

Pain and Suffering

Many of your damages might be difficult to express as a monetary value, but they still deserve financial compensation. Damages for physical and mental pain and suffering can be quite extensive when injuries are serious and accidents are traumatic. It may be a good idea to speak to a mental health professional if you experience intense mental and emotional distress after an accident.

Should You Report Personal Injuries to Law Enforcement?

It may be a good idea to report your accident to the police, depending on your circumstances. Some accidents, like vehicle accidents, should always be reported to the police. Not all accidents warrant police investigation, but serious emergencies should involve the authorities.

What Are Personal Injury Claims Worth in Newport Beach, CA?

Personal injury lawsuits may be worth significant financial compensation. It is normal for plaintiffs to claim several thousand dollars in damages. Many serious cases involve claims of tens of thousands of dollars. Cases involving catastrophic injuries or death might be worth six figures or even millions.

Does Insurance Cover Personal Injury Claims?

Insurance policies might cover specific types of accidents, such as auto insurance for car accidents. General health insurance may cover some of your medical costs regardless of how they were incurred. If you are unsure about insurance, talk to your attorney. Also, filing an insurance claim should not stop you from also filing a lawsuit.

When Should You File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

In California, plaintiffs have only 2 years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If they do not file their claims on time, they may be blocked from ever filing the case, and compensation may forever be out of reach.

Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Newport Beach, CA for Legal Support

Call the Law Office of John J. Perlstein at (213) 252-1070 and ask our personal injury lawyers for a free legal review to begin your case.