Lake County Personal Injury Lawyers
We’ll tell you if you have a case or not, call (888) 488-1391 — We’re here 24 hours a day.
Experienced Legal Assistance From Our Lake County Personal Injury Lawyers
An accident can result in physical, emotional, and financial hardships for victims and their families. If you’d like some help dealing with the added stress of filing a claim while dealing with injuries, contact our Lake County personal injury lawyers. Call Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation.
The county offers a lot of unique qualities to residents and visitors. As part of California’s wine country, Lake County boasts abundant natural splendor, a thriving agricultural sector that produces high-quality grapes, and a flourishing tourism economy. Despite its inviting nature, Lake County is not immune to accidents and injuries.
If you need representation for car crashes, hit-and-run accidents, and other incidents covered by our practice areas, our team at Arash Law is here to support you.
Our client was driving with his wife and son on a two-lane highway when a drunk driver crossed the double yellow lines, causing a head-on collision that claimed the life of a loving wife and mother.
– ARASH KHORSANDI
Why Should You Consult Our Lake County Personal Injury Attorneys After An Accident?
You might find it challenging to handle compensation claims on your own. Especially after a severe accident, the last thing you may want to worry about is how to protect your legal rights. This is where our personal injury lawyers in Lake County come in.
An attorney from Arash Law can help review your personal injury claim because:
- They understand how the legal system works. Personal injury law can be complicated. One of our experienced attorneys can tell you how it may apply to your case. They also know the intricacies of the claims process and can keep your interests in mind when negotiating a settlement or going to trial.
- They’ve likely handled cases like yours. Our Lake County personal injury lawyers have helped clients with a wide range of accident claims. As such, they may be able to leverage prior experience when reviewing your case and assessing which strategies will help you pursue compensation.
- They can negotiate on your behalf. An experienced personal injury attorney is knowledgeable about negotiating with insurance providers and can advocate for your right to a settlement that closely reflects the extent of your losses.
- You will save time. Unless you have time to review your medical records, compile evidence, interview witnesses, and communicate with the insurance company, you may wish to work with an attorney. They can handle all the necessary paperwork and negotiations so that you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
What Should You Do After An Accident In Lake County?
It can be difficult to know how to react after an accident. Here are some examples of steps you can take:
- Check for Injuries — Be on the lookout for injuries on your body before attending to others. Immediately call for law enforcement and medical emergency services. Move to a safe place if possible.
- Report the Accident — Failing to report the accident may affect your ability to pursue a settlement later. The court and insurance companies might ask for an official report from law enforcement.
- Gather Evidence — If you are physically able, take photos and videos as evidence of your claim. Use various positions and angles to shoot the scene of the crash, any damage incurred by vehicles, debris on the road, and your injuries. Get the contact information of any witnesses, as they can help establish how the accident occurred.
- Investigate Fault — When talking with the authorities, never admit fault or make any assumptions. Instead, work with a lawyer to establish fault. You might be able to bring legal action against multiple parties, depending on the case:
- You can claim insurance from the driver or the pedestrian who caused a traffic accident.
- You may also include the employer of the at-fault party if they were on the job at the time of the incident.
- The manufacturer or distributor of a defective part can also be included in a traffic or product liability claim.
- In some unique circumstances, the government may be liable as well.
- Hire an Attorney — If you were seriously injured or if your claim seems likely to be contested, consider getting an attorney on your side. Our Lake County Lyft personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. In other words, clients don’t pay attorneys’ fees unless they’re awarded compensation. However, certain case-related expenses may still apply.
Determining Fault In A Lake County Personal Injury Accident
It is important to note that determining fault in a Lake County personal injury accident requires a thorough investigation. Your attorneys can help analyze a variety of factors surrounding the incident.
In general, determining the liable party involves the following:
- Accident Scene Examination — Physical evidence, such as photographs of skid marks, damage patterns, and debris, can provide valuable insight into the accident.
- Witness Statements — People who witnessed the accident can offer different perspectives on what happened. Accident reconstruction experts and other professionals in relevant fields might be able to offer professional opinions as well.
- Police Report — A police report provides a detailed account of the accident, including citations and assessments of fault.
- Traffic Laws and Regulations — Identifying who violated traffic laws or regulations can be crucial in determining fault.
- Vehicle Conditions and Maintenance — Examining the condition of the vehicles involved, including maintenance records, can reveal if mechanical issues played a role.
- Driver Behavior — The drivers involved in an accident, as well as passengers and witnesses, can provide statements and shed light on the drivers’ behavior, actions, and potential negligence. Their statements can help determine if distractions, such as phone use, contributed to the accident.
- Weather and Road Conditions — Weather, the condition of the roads, and visibility may all play a role in an accident.
- Comparative Negligence — When state comparative negligence laws apply, calculating each party’s percentage of fault is essential. Under California law, you can still pursue damages even if you are partly to blame in an accident.
- Medical Reports — It is possible to gain insight into the severity of the impact of an accident by examining the injuries sustained by individuals involved. Assessing medical records can be important in this regard.
- Insurance Investigations — Reviewing the statements and investigations made by the insurance companies can prove beneficial in the claims process.
Common Types Of Personal Injury Claims
Our Lake County personal injury attorneys are experienced in multiple practice areas and can offer support to victims in accordance with the area they need help with. Arash Law can assist victims with the following claims:
Car Accidents
Anyone who suffers an injury or loses a loved one in an auto crash can consult our car accident lawyers to learn whether they can pursue compensation. A police report detailing the events of the accident, medical documentation, and insurance information can all help them investigate your case.
Wrongful Death
Wrongful death claims can be filed by surviving family members of victims who passed due to the negligence of someone else. They can potentially seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses, medical costs, and intangible damages like pain and suffering.
Slip-And-Fall
Anyone who is injured due to a slip-and-fall incident on public or private property may have grounds to seek compensation for their injuries. Their case may be bolstered if the property was unreasonably or unexpectedly dangerous.
Product Liability
In the event that a person is injured while using a defective product from Walmart or any other shop in the area, they may be able to pursue compensation for their injuries. Our personal injury lawyers in Lake County can evaluate whether legal action against the manufacturer or distributor may be appropriate.
Truck Accidents
Oversized vehicles such as tractor-trailers and delivery trucks can cause significant damage to passenger cars and catastrophic injuries to the occupants. Many accidents occur due to truck drivers not paying attention to the road or failing to adjust their speed. In addition, the victims may be able to hold the trucking company and other parties accountable for damages.
Workplace Accidents
One aspect of workers’ compensation claims is that they typically do not require proving employer fault. However, you cannot claim non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. Your lawyer can help you better understand these complex legal matters.
Dog Bites
Dog bite cases are surprisingly common. Laws around dog bites vary, but most jurisdictions hold dog owners strictly liable for bites and other injuries caused by their pets.
Establishing Negligence In A Lake County Personal Injury Claim
You must be able to prove that the other party was negligent to seek damages. In a car accident, for instance, you need to show that the other driver failed to use reasonable care while driving. As a result, you were injured.
The act of negligence occurs when you fail to use reasonable care to prevent harm to another person. Our personal injury attorneys in Lake County can help prove negligence by demonstrating that the at-fault party:
- Owed You a Duty of Care — Some of the most common relationships that give rise to a duty of care are driver-road user, employer-employee, and landlord-tenant. Other relationships can also give rise to a duty of care, depending on the circumstances.
- Breached Duty of Care — This is typically proven by showing that the defendant did not meet the appropriate standard of care. This can be done by introducing testimony or by using evidence from the accident scene itself.
- The Breach of Duty Was the Proximate Cause of Your Injuries — To prove proximate cause, you must show that the defendant’s actions were the direct cause of your injuries.
- You Suffered Damages — You suffered injuries as a result of the accident. These can include economic damages, such as medical bills, and non-economic damages, including pain and suffering.
How Much Might My Claim Be Worth?
Keep in mind that we can only provide an estimate of how much your claim might be worth after reviewing your case. However, certain things are standard, such as the two types of compensation victims can pursue. These can include economic and non-economic damages. In rare cases, punitive damages can also be awarded.
Economic Damages
A bill or receipt is usually required to prove these tangible and measurable losses. Examples include:
- Medical Bills — Hospitalization, ambulance fees, physical therapy, doctor’s visits, and rehabilitation costs.
- Loss of Earnings or Income — The loss of benefits and earnings due to one’s injuries.
- Property Damage — Vehicle repairs and replacements.
- Other Economic Damages — Home care, domestic help, child care, and home or vehicle modifications.
Non-Economic Damages
The calculation of non-economic damages is challenging because it involves things that cannot be measured easily. This includes:
- Pain and Suffering — An accident can have both physical and psychological effects.
- Loss of Quality of Life — Injuries you sustain in an accident that lower one’s quality of life, especially if they are severe.
- Loss of Consortium — The injured spouse may not be able to provide the same love, support, and services as before.
Punitive Damages
A court may award punitive measures when the at-fault party acted with extreme negligence or willful misconduct. This type of compensation is rarely rewarded and does not aim to compensate the victim but rather deter similar behaviors from the defendant in the future.
Our Lake County personal injury attorneys at Arash Law are skilled in assessing the scope of potential damages for injured victims. They can use their findings to advocate for fair settlement.
Does v. California Farm (confidential) –settlement for a group of farmworkers who were killed when the car they were transported in to work flipped over in Merced County.
– BENNY KHORSANDI
How Long Do I Have To File My Personal Injury Claim In Lake County?
In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims and lawsuits is generally two years from the date of your injury. This means that you have to follow this deadline to bring legal action. Otherwise, a court could bar you from pursuing compensation, even if you have a valid claim. However, some exceptions may extend or shorten this timeframe for your case.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the statute of limitations in California:
- Claims for personal injuries must be filed within two years of the accident or the discovery of the injury.
- Property damage claims and lawsuits have a three-year statute of limitations.
- Claims involving a government agency have a shorter deadline of six months.
It’s crucial to be aware of your case’s statute of limitations and swiftly act if you need to take legal action. Consulting with our personal injury attorneys can help you understand how it applies to your case. Afterward, we may be able to assist you with filing a claim on time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lake County Personal Injury Claims
What Do I Do If An Insurance Adjuster Calls Me?
It’s generally ideal to consult with an attorney before speaking with insurance companies or other parties involved in your claim. They may evaluate your claim based on the statements you make, which may be detrimental if you accidentally say something that sounds like you’re admitting fault for your accident. If you choose to work with our Lake County personal injury lawyers, you can tell the insurance adjuster to contact them instead.
How Long Will It Take To Settle My Claim?
Very few personal injury cases actually go to trial. The majority of claims end when negotiating with the defendant or an insurance company. Generally, however, the time it takes to conclude a case is hard to predict and can vary based on several factors.
For example, a claim that involves substantial injuries, is complex, or requires liability to be clarified may take longer to process. You can ask one of our attorneys to draft a rough timeline for your case during your free initial consultation.
Call Our Lake County Personal Injury Lawyers To Evaluate Your Case
If you’re wondering whether you can seek compensation after an accident in Lake County, our personal injury lawyers can offer legal clarity for your case. Arash Law is an established firm that focuses on handling these types of claims. We work to support our injured clients throughout the process of filing a personal injury claim, even when it’s necessary to escalate a case to trial.
Our personal injury attorneys also extend their services to Lake County’s neighboring communities, including Yuba City, Santa Rosa, Sacramento, Sonoma, Napa, Ukiah, Mendocino, Fort Bragg, Oroville, Roseville, Elk Grove, Stockton, Placerville, Auburn, Lincoln, Chico, Folsom, Willows, Orland, Red Bluff, Laytonville, and Concord. You can also consult with us from anywhere in California. Contact us at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation.
