FREE Download - 7 BIGGEST MISTAKES That Can Ruin Your California Injury Case
7 BIG MISTAKES to Avoid After a Motorcycle or Bicycle Accident
DO I HAVE A CASE?
If you are here, it is likely that your life has been turned upside-down by an accident and injury. We understand that this is a difficult time in your life.
We have over 30 years of experience helping people that have been in your position. We understand…you need medical treatment, if you were in an automobile, motorcycle or bicycle accident, you need your property repaired or replaced. It can be physically, emotionally and financially difficult during this time and we are here to help you.
Accident cases are our firm’s sole focus of law. It is all that we have been doing for the last 30 years. That fact gives us the experience, knowledge and understanding to get you through this time. We can get you to the right doctors for your specific injuries, navigate the tricky road with the insurance companies, and in some cases, even advance funds to help you cover expenses during this process.
Whether you have experienced an automobile accident , motorcycle accident, bus accident, truck accident, or bicycle accident, it can be physically, emotionally and financially difficult during this time and we are here to help you.
This may be your first accident. Our firm’s founding attorney, Peter Steinberg, has handled thousands of personal injury cases over the last 30 years. He knows what you need to know during this unfamiliar process. So, he took this knowledge and wrote the essential guide to accident cases in California… “7 Biggest Mistakes That Can Ruin Your California Injury Case”. (You can request this for free by calling our office now).
198 N. Arrowhead Avenue
San Bernardino, Ca 92408
3890 11th St
Riverside, CA 92501
Check us out…browse this website or visit our YOUTUBE Channel (steinbergspencer) to view informational videos about this firm. We want you to know who we are…experienced, knowledgeable, successful Riverside & San Bernardino personal injury attorneys.
You can also become a fan of our Steinberg Spencer FaceBook page. You will find more information and receive updates on new and interesting cases.
We look forward to assisting you and getting you back on the road to financial and physical recovery from your accident.
Contact one of our Riverside / San Bernardino Accident lawyers today. The Consultation is free!
A personal injury relates to any kind of physical or psychological injury caused by the carelessness, recklessness or deliberate harm of another individual or entity. If you’ve recently been hurt in a car accident or have been injured by someone else’s negligence, consulting with a personal injury attorney will become one of the most essential decisions you can make. A personal injury attorney will counsel you of the several legal options available to you in protecting your rights and acquiring damages pertaining to your injuries.
Call us today at 1-800 PAINLAW (1-800-724-6529) for a no cost, private consultation with a knowledgeable Riverside Personal Injury lawyer.
What is Personal Injury, and how much is a Personal Injury claim worth?
Personal injury is any bodily or psychological injury endured by somebody that is the consequence of another person’s neglect or wrongful act. There are so many facts to consider when figuring out how much a personal injury claim is worth, and it can be tough to set a dollar amount on injuries you endure in an accident. You may be entitled to reimbursement for medical bills, time lost from work, medical costs for recurring personal injuries, serious pain and suffering, and so on. There is no method that a court or a judge must implement in order to establish these injuries and the compensation is determined by an individual problem. Even so, your attorney may be able to help approximate the value of your claim based on related instances that have been determined in the past. For more information regarding your specific legal claim, it is advisable to consult with a licensed personal injury lawyer, as found on this website, to talk about your litigation options.
If you or a family member has been a victim of a Riverside Personal Injury, please give us a call right now for a no fee, private consultation with an experienced Riverside Personal Injury attorney.
If you have dealt with any sort of personal harm like physical damage, disease or disease resulting from libel, slander, malicious prosecution, someone else’s neglect, false arrest or false imprisonment, or if you have lost a dear friend resulting from any of these elements, consulting with an expert personal injury lawyer right away will help protect your legal rights in many ways. The law is always subject to modifications and new interpretations and a personal injury lawyer can counsel you of how the law relates to your specific situation. Personal injury attorneys also gather the important details linked to your claim which are needed to hold the responsible party legally responsible. The lawyer will additionally be aware of vital deadlines by which you have to take action to be able to preserve your rights to reimbursement. Ultimately, personal damage lawyers are skilled in negotiating with opposing lawyer, creating arguments in trial, and generally representing your interests throughout the legal process.
A personal injury refers to any bodily or psychological harm due to the disregard, recklessness or intentional injury of another individual or entity. A personal injury can be quite a devastating circumstance, physically, emotionally and financially, although it does not have to be. Should you or someone you love is suffering from a personal injury you may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit to recuperate damages.
Common Causes of Personal Injuries
Personal injuries can happen in a variety of accidents; however major causes of personal injuries can be associated with:
- Auto accidents
- Trucking accidents
- Motorbike accidents
- Work accidents
- Labor accidents
- Premises liability
- Slips and falls
- Birth defects
- Nursing home abuse
- Child abuse
- Faulty products
- Medication mistakes
Serious Personal Injuries are Not Only Physical
Damages can be looked for even if the damage is not physical. People struggling with serious psychological or verbal abuse may also be entitled to damages.
Recovering Compensation for ones Claims
Whenever a personal injury happens it is not just the clinic and doctor costs that can be described as a burden. Our personal injury attorneys see the hardship caused by injuries and will work exhaustedly to restore monetary compensation for damages or injuries such as:
- Medical/ doctor expenses
- Funeral charges
- Diminished salary
- Loss of ability to work
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional suffering
- Long-term treatment programs
- Loss of capability to take part in regular life activities
Damages for Wrongful Death
If you have lost a loved one because of carelessness, you may be entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit on their behalf. You may meet the requirements to recover compensation like: hospital and funeral costs, loss of existing and future fiscal help, and emotional pain and suffering caused by the wrongful death of your family member.
Determining Responsibility for the Personal Injury
One of the most important aspects of a personal injury lawsuit is determining who is responsible for the damage suffered. In some cases, for example, several people may be responsible, while in other cases, a firm or defective product may be responsible. To be able to obtain reasonable compensation a skilled personal injury lawyer will dig beneath the surface to guarantee all accountable parties are held accountable.
Receiving Legal Help for your Personal Injury
Personal Injury FAQ
- What is a personal injury lawsuit?
- What are examples of personal injury claims?
- What types of compensation can be given in a personal injury lawsuit?
- How much is my case worth?
- What do I need to verify before I can file a personal injury lawsuit?
- What is the statute of limitations for my own case?
- Can I go after my situation on my own?
- What will it cost me personally to file a personal injury lawsuit?
- What should I do if I want to file a personal injury lawsuit?
What is a personal injury lawsuit?
If someone else’s (or corporation’s) neglect or recklessness has caused you injury, you may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit to seek compensation for the damages or injuries you have suffered. Personal injury claims, also known as “tort” claims, follow certain provisions established by the state in which you reside. However, most states follow the same guidelines for personal injury lawsuits.
What are some examples of personal injury claims?
Although the emphasis of a personal injury lawsuit can differ extensively, common foundations for these claims include (but are not limited to):
- Plane or railway accidents
- Auto accidents
- Birth injuries
- Brain injuries (including traumatic brain injury or cerebral palsy)
- Coach bus accidents
- Flawed items or prescription medications
- Exposure to toxins (such as asbestos or benzene)
- Medical malpractice
- Motorbike accidents
- Product liability (in which dangerous merchandise has killed or injured a person)
- Recalled or unsafe medications
- Slip and fall accidents
- Trucking accidents
- Work environment injuries
- Wrongful death cases
What types of compensation can be awarded in a personal injury lawsuit?
There are quite a lot of economic and non-economic damages that may be awarded in a personal injury lawsuit, including:
- Mental pain and suffering
- Lost pay
- Lost earning capacity (i.e. an inability to work in the future due to injuries)
- Hospital charges
- Required continuous treatments
All problems include existing and potential expected losses. You may also be eligible to recover punitive damages if you can show the defendant’s conduct was intentional or harmful.
How much is my case worth?
Compensation for individual injury claims will be based upon:
- The price of your existing medical bills and required ongoing treatments
- The severeness and type of the damage (or whether a victim has died)
- Whether you are capable of earn money after being injured
- Pay outs awarded in situations similar to yours
- Regardless of whether your condition is curable
- Whether your injury was brought on by intentional damage or malice (rather than simply carelessness)
Individuals with severe, incurable injuries that prevent them from working and were a result of intentional malice will likely recover larger settlement amounts.
What do I need to prove before I can file a personal injury lawsuit?
In all personal injury cases, the burden of proof falls on the plaintiff. This means that you must verify by a variety of evidence that your injuries were a result of the defendant’s negligent actions.
If you can prove the magnitude of the injuries experienced, you can be awarded compensation for your losses. In most cases, a professional personal injury lawyer will hire physicians, as well as other professional witnesses, to testify on your behalf and verify your claim.
What is the statute of limitations for my case?
A statute of limitations restricts the amount of time a victim has to file a personal injury lawsuit. Statutes of limitations for personal injury cases vary from one state to another.
In many states, the time limit begins promptly after the injury occurs. However, there are exceptions to the statute. Get hold of a personal injury attorney to find out the laws in your state.
Can I pursue my case on my own?
Injured plaintiffs don’t require the help of a personal injury lawyer to pursue their claim; however, they are a great deal more likely to win higher settlements if they work together with lawyers, as these professionals have:
- Intimate understanding of the legal system
- Experience negotiating with corporate attorneys
- Connections with experts and other courtroom authorities who can aid and help prove your case
- An understanding of various claims and possible damages for which you may seek compensation
What will it cost me to file a personal injury lawsuit?
The majority of personal injury lawyers work on contingency, meaning that you will not be forced to pay legal fees until (or unless) your case is resolved. Once a payout is attained, attorneys typically take a percentage of the award to pay for the costs of legal services.
What should I do if I want to file a personal injury lawsuit?
If you or a loved one has sustained a serious personal injury a result of the carelessness or wrongdoing of another party, it is important to seek the help of an experienced personal injury attorney who will protect your legal rights and increase your interests. Please contact us today to speak to a qualified personal injury attorney FREE OF CHARGE.
An accident in Riverside can take place at anytime, anyplace, resulting in critical and possibly lethal injuries. If an accident has happened to you or maybe a family member, an accident lawyer can explain ones legal rights and any potential liability for those involved. Many questions may be working through your mind, such as: Who is at fault? What if it was a relative in the automobile accident? What about collision insurance?
Should I contact a Riverside accident lawyer?
If you or a loved one was in an automobile accident, one of the primary things one will need to create is who was at fault for the accident. The level of fault for every party involved in the crash is THE most vital component in any automobile accident lawsuit. This determination will vary depending on the condition you are in and that state’s legal guidelines on negligence. The level of negligence of each component in an automobile accident will determine who was at fault and who will be accountable for any accident injuries or wrongful death claims. Generally, a state will pay attention to one of the following carelessness theories, which an accident lawyer can explain further: comparative disregard, pure comparative fault, or proportional comparative fault.
An accident lawyer will be able to help you out of your hard period, providing support by doing business with insurance companies and other automobile accident parties or companies, so you can take the time to completely focus on healing. After a car accident you will probably have several questions and worries. Occasionally the accident laws of your state can be complicated. An accident attorney will help clarify the accident laws and incident reports to you so you recognize and understand your rights. An accident lawyer will be a component of an accident law firm that will be able to offer you valuable views concerning your circumstance and details on how to deal with your injury. The accident law firm will accumulate details concerning your incident necessary to develop a successful case and acquire payment for your injuries. In addition, a significant portion of incident cases will involve communication with insurance companies, other attorneys, as well as other individuals. Often, when an accident lawyer is the one speaking with the company or other attorney, they will receive more significant and thorough answers than if you were getting in touch with them. Working with a Riverside Accident attorney can help solve your accident case more quickly, with much less pressure and panic.
If you have been seriously injured in a Riverside Accident, please give us a call today at 1-800 PAINLAW (1-800-724-6529) for your free, confidential consultation with a knowledgeable Riverside Accident attorney.
Car Crash Accidents Overview – Lawyers and the Law
Almost every person will be associated with a truck incident at some time in their lives. While hopefully your auto accident won’t result in critical accident injuries, car accidents can certainly have potentially critical and even lethal outcomes. A vehicle accident can also bring about liability – you may be able to file suit the driver who triggered the incident. As such, it is helpful to learn more about automobile incidents, motor vehicle accident lawsuits and how an accident attorney can aid.
How Widespread Are Vehicle accidents?
The statistics overseeing automotive incidents are relatively alarming:
• More than 6 million car or truck accidents happen in the U.S. every single year.
• Automobile accidents kill one individual every 12 minutes, and injure an individual every 14 seconds within the U.S. – many of these situations because motor vehicle accident claims either for wrongful death or motor vehicle accident injuries
• Car or truck accidents kill over 40,000 people every year in U.S., and they are the main cause of death for individuals from ages 2 to 34
• About 2,000 young children pass away as a consequence of car accidents every year, and more than 250,000 are seriously injured in accidents
Kinds of Car Accident Injuries
There are many distinct causes for car accidents, each of which are likely to lead to a wide range of injuries. Some of the most widespread auto accidents that happen consist of:
• Rear Impact: If you hit another person from behind, or are hit from behind, you have been involved in a rear impact incident. Most frequently this occurs simply because a person has neglected to brake in time, resulting in either a tap or a much more substantial rear impact incident. Nearly 30 percent of all motor vehicle collisions in the U.S. are rear-impact accidents. When a rear impact collision occurs, the car owner in the back is normally responsible because laws require that a person drive a safe distance away from the vehicle in front of you.
• Side Impact: If you are hit on the side of your automotive, you have suffered a side impact crash. Side impact accidents can transpire when you “T-bone” another automobile, which means the front of your automotive crashes into the side of another. You can also sideswipe a different motor vehicle by bumping into its side while switching lanes. Nearly 29 percent of all U.S. incidents are side-impact collisions. Demonstrating fault typically gets to be a problem here- it can be challenging to know which motorist was in the wrong. A good car accident attorney can help you obtain photographic evidence of the scene or will seek the services of an expert in accident reconstruction to act as your witness and to help you establish the wrong doing of the other party.
• Head-on Crash: If you strike another truck front first, or if you hit a non-moving object with the front of your motor vehicle, you have been part of a head-on impact. Head-on collisions take place often when a motorist falls asleep and drifts directly into oncoming traffic. Different ways head-on crashes take place are where the individual is under the affect of drugs or alcohol, gets on to a interstate or a one-way street going the wrong direction, or loses control of their motor vehicle and skids into an oncoming lane. These accidents account for 2 % of all U.S. accidents. The person who was going the incorrect way or who was drunk or asleep is typically at fault.
• Rollover: If your automobile flips over in any way, or lands on its side, you were involved in a rollover. Higher automobiles, like SUV’s and trucks, are more likely to experience rollovers than more compact cars. Nearly 2 percent of all incidents in the U.S. are rollovers. In a few rollover incidents, you could possibly hold the manufacturer of the car responsible for an unsatisfactory design or problems.
• Runoff: These accidents usually include only one vehicle running off the road. This can take place when a person is not really concentrating, or swerves to avoid another automobile or creature in the road. Runoffs account for 16 % of all U.S. incidents. If you run off the road, you normally have nobody to guilt but yourself – unless another automobile illegally got in your way or there was a problem with the road itself.
How an Auto Accident Attorney Can Help
No matter the particular cause of your crash injuries, a car accident lawyer can help you show wrong doing and attain the damages or injuries you deserve.
Attorneys can be particularly valuable when injuries like whiplash or injuries concerning hospitalization are included. Automobile insurance companies will try to fork out as little as feasible, and an attorney can help you gather data and protect your rights by interacting directly with your insurance provider or by helping you to file a car accident lawsuit.
Car Accidents – Who is at Fault?
Fault is one of the biggest, if not THE most important element, in any car wreck claim. The individual at fault is the person whose carelessness brought about the incident, and that is the person who generally must pay for the injury triggered by his or her neglect. If the circumstances surrounding your car accident make it apparent that one person was clearly at fault, then read no more! One of the associated articles listed below should be your next stop. If, however, liability is not totally obvious or if there is shared fault, then fault is apportioned among the persons established by the details of the legislation in your state (see below) on relative or contributory neglect. When liability is mutual in a car accident, it is the insurer’s turn to decide the comparative percentages of fault of the persons involved.
What is Comparative or Contributory Negligence?
Historically, if two individuals were affected in an accident and the harmed party was even the tiniest bit at fault, the person would not be eligible to get back anything for his/her injuries or losses. This method of figuring out damages is known in legal sectors as pure contributory negligence. For example, say Luke and Martin were involved in a car accident. Luke hit Martin’s vehicle while making a left turn onto a 2-lane street at night. Luke didn’t notice Martin’s automobile because (blank) it was night time (and a dark one at that); Martin was not driving with his headlights on. Under a pure contributory negligence theory, Martin could not recover damages for his injuries because he was partially at fault for the accident. Sound pretty harsh? Actually, some states still follow this rule (Alabama, District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia).
But the majority of states now use some proportional type of comparative negligence that makes it possible for an injured party to get back some damages for his or her injuries, even if he or she was somewhat at fault. There are presently three versions: Pure comparative fault; proportional comparative fault at 51%; proportional comparative fault at 50%.
Pure Comparative Fault
In states that have adopted pure comparative fault as a measure of damages or injuries, if a hurt person is partially at fault for triggering his own injuries, his damages are lowered by the percentage of his fault. For example, say Michelle was injured in a motor vehicle accident for which she was 80% at fault. Damages for her injury amount to $10,000. Michelle will be entitled to recover $2,000 for her injuries, that is, $10,000 less 80% or $8,000 for her percentage of fault. States: Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, South Dakota and Washington.
Proportional Comparative Fault at 51%
The states that have adopted proportional comparative fault bar recovery if you are more than 51% at fault for the incident. Basically, you cannot file a liability claim and lawsuit against the other driver’s disregard if you were more than 51% at fault. For example, Dennis hit Teri’s car while driving in excess of 25 miles per hour over the speed limit while Teri was making an attempt to cross the road. Even though Teri was partially at fault for not looking until the road was completely clear before crossing, the insurance company issued fault to Dennis at 60% due to his increased speed. Even though Dennis sustained a broken arm from the accident, he is not entitled to recover for his injury due to the fact that he was more than 51% at fault for the accident. States: Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Proportional Comparative Fault at 50%
In states that have adopted the 50% bar standard in dealing with auto accident claims, a hurt person that is less than 50% at fault for the incident is entitled to compensation. If the injured party is 50% or more at fault, he or she is not entitled to recovery for the injury. For example, Richard and Susan unintentionally hit each others’ cars while backing out of their parking spaces at exactly the same time. Both were not looking carefully enough when they backed up, and so both were considered just as at fault for the accident. Neither one will be entitled to damages since both were 50% at fault for the accident. States: Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah and West Virginia.
How is Percentage of Fault Determined?
Right after an accident, it is the job of the insurance company claims adjuster to designate the relative degrees of fault primarily based on the conditions encompassing the accident. There is no magic formula mathematical formula for deciding percentages of fault in accident injuries. You and the claims adjuster will work out and come to some arrangement as to what, if any, your allocated fault is. Here is where an expert personal injury lawyer can come in handy. He or she will know how to evaluate the accident and suggest for the lowest percentage of fault on your part. If you and the insurance adjuster reach an impasse, a court of law is eventually your next step to resolve the issue of fault.
Fault and Car Insurance
Insurance firm’s often present additional coverage/protection (for extra money) to aid pays for property damage and/or personal injury and medical bills no matter of fault. So if you are hurt in an accident that was mostly your mistake and you are not allowed by law to compensation from the other person’s insurance, but you have additional coverage under your own plan, your insurance company will pay for your injuries. This extra insurance policy coverage is called PIP (personal injury protection) or No Fault coverage. Under this scenario, you would file a liability claim with your own insurance carrier for medical charges and lost income, up to a specified maximum, without any discussion or difference about the conditions of the accident and who was at fault. Whether you can file for further expenses against the other individual who was at fault in the crash is dependent on your state’s laws. In many states, Uninsured/Underinsured coverage is required. This offers insurance coverage for damages resulting from an accident with somebody who either has no insurance or does not have enough insurance to cover your costs. It also helps to protect you if the other person flees the scene after the accident or is a driver of a stolen van.
Apart from the damages suffered, the degree of fault is probably the most crucial point in determining exactly how much you may ultimately recover for your accident injury. In most cases, both you and the insurance company will know (by the instances surrounding the accident) the degree of fault for both people. Was the other party completely at fault? Mostly at fault? Or only somewhat at fault? If you are in a comparative fault state, an adjuster will lessen your recuperation amount by your percentage of comparative fault. If you were only 10% at fault, your damages total will be decreased by 10%. Your recovery will not be reduced by any amount if the accident was clearly someone else’s fault.
Elderly woman killed
Awarded: $2,700,000
Tanker Truck coupling exploded
Awarded: $1,650,000
Our client was riding a motorcycle and was struck by an automobile.
Awarded: $1,350,000
Client was injured in a head-on collision when another driver fell asleep
Awarded: $1,000,000
A toddler nearly drowned in an apartment complex pool
Awarded: $1,000,000
U.S. Postal Service truck backed into pedestrian
Awarded: $700,000
Car accident that resulted in herniated discs
Awarded: $640,000
Two-year-old drowns in pool
Awarded: $500,000
Car accident that required back surgery
Awarded: $475,000
Client tripped on a protruding edge guard of a bakery case
Awarded: $375,000
Client lost part of her calf muscle in a severe dog bite injury
Awarded: $302,000
14-year-old client bit by pit bull dog
Awarded: $301,000
Vehicle behind failed to slow down and rear-ended our client
Awarded: $291,000
Client tripped and fell on the stairs at an apartment house
Awarded: $225,000
Car driver was hit by a truck changing lanes on the freeway
Awarded: $210,528
Truck driver was involved in a multiple car accident
Awarded: $180,000
Auction yard employee started vehicle causing it to lurch forward
Awarded: $175,000
Client fell because of a home’s defective steps
Awarded: $170,000
NBA professional athlete assaulted our client
Awarded: Confidential
A middle aged woman injured her back in a public transportation accident
Awarded: Confidential
