North Hollywood Personal Injury Law Firm

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

At Drake Law Firm, we fight for personal injury victims. Where possible, we settle cases out of court so our clients can return to their lives. If necessary, however, we put together a litigation strategy and take the case to trial. Either way, we stand by our clients from start to finish so they can focus on getting better.

What Is Personal Injury?

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

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

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

• Duty of care– The offender must have owed a duty of care to the plaintiff. In some cases a duty arises out of a personal relationship between the individuals, such as physician and patient. However this isn't always necessary. For example, when you drive on a freeway, you owe a duty to other motorists not to be careless.
• Breach– Next, the plaintiff must show that the defendant breached the duty of care. This is where the offender's negligent acts and/or omissions are brought out. It also covers situations where the at-fault party breaks a law or engages in deliberate wrongdoing. Breach is typically the most contested part of a personal injury lawsuit.
• Causation– The offender's breach has to actually cause injury to the plaintiff. If the offender acted negligently but didn't harm the plaintiff, this component fails.
• Damages– These are the losses for which the plaintiff will pursue financial compensation. Some of the most common damages are medical costs, lost wages, lost earning capacity, as well as pain and suffering. The nature and amount of damages are hotly contested in most personal injury cases.

Possible Damages In a Personal Injury Case

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

• Medical expenses– This broad category can consist of everything from hospital bills and prescription drugs to physical therapy and unique adaptive equipment to help with a victim's daily tasks.
• Lost income– While you recuperate 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 award you damages to cover this lost income.
• Lost earning capacity– Your occupational prospects may be cut short or significantly restricted after a personal injury. An expert witness can help estimate the future earnings you will miss out on as a result.
• Pain and suffering– These damages account for the pain and psychological stress you will likely experience for some time to come. Although hard to measure, they are essential to catastrophic injury cases.
• Loss of pleasure in everyday life– It may not be possible to enjoy your normal day-to-day activities, hobbies, and other interests after a bad injury. These damages help compensate you for the loss.
• Loss of consortium– This category refers to the deprivation of the advantages of a family relationship. It includes the loss of support, society, friendship, and sexual relationship between spouses caused by the injury.
• Punitive (exemplary) damages– In rare cases, an at-fault party can be subject to punitive damages. These are intended to punish the wrongful party and discourage others from engaging in similar conduct.

Are There Time Limits to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

Your right to take legal action against 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 lawsuits 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 best not to delay taking action on your claim. Witnesses' memories can fade over time, evidence will be more difficult to obtain, and you could forget critical details if you wait too long. If you or a loved one have been hurt, reach out to a committed North Hollywood personal injury attorney.

How Can the Personal Injury Lawyers of Drake Law Firm Help Me?

Suing a defendant usually means suing an insurance company, like a motor vehicle insurer. Regardless, you can count on the offender's attorneys pushing back on your claims or making settlement offers that come nowhere close to covering your losses. You need an attorney who not only knows California personal injury law, but understands how to establish a fair value for your case.

At Drake Law Firm, we've helped numerous personal injury clients obtain the compensation they need to recuperate. We won't accept unreasonable deals and will stand by you from start to finish. Give us a call or fill out the contact form today to get started on your case.

At Drake Law Firm, we've assisted numerous personal injury clients to get the compensation they require to recover. We won't let you accept unfair treatment from other law firms and we will defend you from beginning to end. If you need help with a Personal Injury Law Firm in North Hollywood, California, give us a call at (844) 513-7253 for a FREE consultation or visit our website at DrakeLawGroup.com to get started on your case today! 

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