Berkeley Personal Injury Attorneys
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Berkeley Personal Injury Attorneys Who Guide Accident Victims Through Their Legal Options
Motor vehicle collisions and other types of accidents are inevitable in a populous city such as Berkeley. If you suffered bodily injury in an otherwise preventable accident, consider consulting one of our Berkeley personal injury attorneys. Contact us at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation during which we can discuss the facts and see if you have a case.
Any individual injured in an accident should first seek immediate medical treatment before performing any other actions. Afterward, you may have questions regarding your accident and which party might be liable for your injuries. If you want to understand details regarding personal injury law in California, reach out to Arash Law for a no-cost, no-obligation first meeting with one of our attorneys.
What Can Our Berkeley Personal Injury Attorneys Do
You likely have specific concerns regarding your personal injuries. For instance, serious injuries may require ongoing treatment and long-term rehabilitation for disabilities or complications that will never fully resolve. In these cases, our team can offer a synopsis of your physical recovery and how your injuries may continue to affect your life in the future.
Arash Law began with the purpose of helping injured victims answer these kinds of questions. Our commitment lies in assisting them as they decide on the legal course of action they wish to take. Contact our team of lawyers to learn how we can help you pursue financial compensation for your losses.
Seeking Compensation For Injured Victims In Berkeley, CA
Physical therapy, surgeries, and other forms of treatment can create escalating medical bills. Some injured victims may no longer be able to work due to their injuries, and these individuals may risk losing adequate housing and savings. Pursuing compensation may thus be helpful for victims facing financial difficulties after an accident.
By filing a valid personal injury claim, you may be able to pursue monetary compensation for medical bills and lost earnings. You might also be eligible to seek damages for the pain and suffering caused by another party’s negligence. Although financial compensation does not heal the injured victim, it may pave the way for them and their families to move on following an accident.
Sometimes an injured victim will die during an accident. A wrongful death attorney can assist surviving family members with pursuing the monetary compensation available to them. If you have questions regarding which parties can actively participate in wrongful death cases or how settlement amounts may be allocated, contact our Berkeley firm.
Contact A Berkeley Personal Injury Attorney And Protect Your Legal Rights
Disputes may arise when negotiating with insurance companies during the claims process. These may delay the resolution of your claim.
In some situations, delays could put you at risk of running up against the statute of limitations. Under California law, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years from the date of the injury. If you attempt to file a lawsuit after the statute of limitations period has passed, you will be barred from doing so.
As such, you might want to speak to a personal injury attorney before communicating with third parties after an accident. Contact Arash Law if you need assistance negotiating with insurance companies and pursuing compensation for your injuries and other losses.
The Popularity Of Berkeley Is Clear
Berkeley is one of the most notable cities in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. The University of California, Berkeley, is one of the most renowned universities in the United States. The city of Berkeley is home to approximately 120,000 residents. Being the 52nd most populous city in California means that there is an increased likelihood of you coming into contact with negligent parties who cause accidents.
Berkeley is a unique city. Those people who reside in Berkeley admire its charm and diversity; tourists enjoy shopping and dining on famous thoroughfares, such as Telegraph Avenue.
The campus of the University of California in Berkeley offers intellectual and cultural activities, while the Arts District and Tilden Park provide art galleries and outdoor attractions.
The city has a larger number of motor vehicle accidents compared to other cities of its size in California. Pedestrians walking in Berkeley may also be at risk of suffering serious bodily injury.
Pedestrian, Motorcycle, Bicycle, And Car Accidents In Berkeley
Approximately fifteen percent of the people who live in Berkeley walk to their jobs, while ten percent travel to work on bicycles. These factors contribute to Berkeley’s high rate of pedestrian and bicycle accidents.
During any traffic collision involving bicyclists and pedestrians, it is more common for the bicyclist or pedestrian to suffer more severe injuries. Also, motorcyclists are more likely to suffer serious bodily injuries when they are involved in traffic collisions with automobiles.
Drivers and passengers of vehicles may suffer whiplash, damaged joints, back injuries, and traumatic brain injuries, among others. Motor vehicle accidents can potentially produce catastrophic injuries and multiple fatalities.
Do You Need Help With A Personal Injury Case? Here Are Some Common Questions And Answers.
We can help you understand your legal options. If you or a loved one suffered a serious bodily injury during an accident, you can consult with a personal injury lawyer in the city of Berkeley.
These attorneys represent injured victims who have suffered bodily injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and fractured bones. In filing personal injury cases, they may also assist with pursuing non-economic damages such as emotional trauma, pain, and suffering. For claims involving fatal accidents, personal injury attorneys can help a victim’s surviving relatives seek compensation for the likes of funeral expenses and medical bills.
How Will I Pay For My Medical Treatment?
At the beginning of your medical treatment, you and your insurer will pay for your medical treatment. However, if another party is liable for your injuries, and their negligence causes your injuries, they may be held responsible for covering the medical treatment you require after an accident.
If you decide to work with Arash Law on a valid case, our personal injury attorneys can help tabulate and organize your medical bills as a component of the economic damages you are claiming in your case. If you receive long-term care or rehabilitation, the cost may also be included in any settlement agreement.
What Can I Do About My Lost Wages?
If you suffered serious injuries and you were unable to work for a period of time, then you can potentially pursue monetary compensation for lost wages. Under California law, these are considered economic damages in personal injury cases. The negligent party that caused your injuries may be held responsible for compensating you for lost wages. If your injuries cause you to miss more work in the future, you can potentially claim lost future earnings as additional damages in your personal injury case.
How Can I Pay For Continuing Medical Services?
Ongoing or continuing treatment under California law is categorized the same way as lost earnings and medical bills. When you claim economic damages, you can claim ongoing treatment. This means the total cost is compensable as part of a final settlement agreement.
It is important that you document in writing that your injuries require continuing medical treatment. These facts need to be discussed during all settlement negotiations. Our Berkeley personal injury attorneys at Arash Law can help advocate for your right to pursue compensation related to your continuing medical treatment.
Will My Insurance Company Be Fair With Me?
Not all insurance companies operate in the same manner. However, most insurance companies formulate settlement offers based on how well you can demonstrate the extent of your damages. Having a personal injury attorney communicate with them on your behalf may help you better uphold your interests when negotiating for a fair settlement.
Does The Settlement Negotiation Process Take A Long Time?
There is no set answer to this question. All accidents and injuries are unique because they occur under specific conditions and circumstances. These differences can influence how long it will take to negotiate a settlement for a particular personal injury case.
If one of our Berkeley personal injury attorneys cannot come to an agreement with insurance companies, however, your case may go to trial. This could significantly extend the timeline for your claim. Regardless of how long it takes to resolve a case, however, our firm works to update clients on our progress.
The Most Common Accidents In Berkeley
As documented by the U.S. Census, Berkeley’s population was approximately 121,240 in 2016. Many workers who commute to areas near the San Francisco Bay for work choose to live in Berkeley.
A majority of Berkeley residents are active cyclists and walkers who enjoy spending time outdoors. Transit systems also operate in Berkeley, and many accidents occur due to the number of pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers interacting with one another.
In 2022, the Transportation Injury Mapping System reported that approximately 621 collisions occurred in Berkeley. One of the most common causes of personal injury accidents in Berkeley results from a driver failing to yield to pedestrians using crosswalks.
Among others, our personal injury attorneys have defended victims of trucking, bus, and pedestrian accidents. Yet some types of accidents are more common than others.
What follows are some of the most common types of accidents in Berkeley:
- Medication Errors
- Defective Products
- Defective Medical Devices
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Car Accidents
- Bus Accidents
- Boating Accidents
- Uber Accidents
- Lyft Accidents
- Dog Bite Accidents
- Wrongful Death
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Slip And Fall Accidents
- Trucking Accidents
- Train Accidents
- Electric Scooter Accidents
- Brain Injury Accidents
These types of accidents often result in serious bodily injuries. The personal injury attorneys at Arash Law have represented clients who suffered a catastrophic injury.
The most common severe injuries include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Wrongful Death
- Fractured Bones
- Lacerations
- Severe Concussions
Our attorneys work with medical professionals who can treat injuries caused by such accidents. We may connect clients with them if their injuries necessitate it. We can also refer them to a trauma counselor if needed.
Our Berkeley Personal Injury Attorneys Handle Many Different Claims
Our personal injury attorneys handle the following types of claims:- Wrongful Death
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Severe Burn Injury
- Turo Accident
- Dog Bite
- Train Collision
- Scooter Injury
- Bus Accident
- Pedestrian Accident
- Airplane Crash
- Boat Accident
- Premises Liability
- Slip and Fall
- Rideshare Accident
- Bicycle Accident
- Motorcycle Accident
- Car Accident
- Truck Accident
Berkeley’s Most Hazardous Intersection
The western end of Gilman Street is likely the most dangerous intersection in all of Berkeley. Gilman proceeds through to a section where eight lanes pass through Interstate 80. The Bay Trail is on the western side of this intersection and is often filled with cyclists and runners.Which Types Of Damages May I Seek After An Accident?
No two accidents are alike. Every case will produce a unique set of damages that can be claimed by an injured party. Arash Law’s Berkeley personal injury attorneys can help you understand which damages you can claim as part of your personal injury case. Damages are categorized into economic damages and non-economic damages under California law. Economic damages are often capable of being quantified. Medical costs, lost earnings, emergency room bills, and property damage are all forms of economic damages. Non-economic damages are often harder to quantify. However, this does not mean that you cannot claim a dollar figure associated with non-economic damages, such as loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and emotional trauma. Although it is impossible to put a monetary value on these experiences, the law compensates injured victims for these types of losses. Our skilled lawyers can help you discover which specific economic damages you can claim in your case. Our personal injury attorneys in Berkeley can guide you through every step of the personal injury process. If you have a case, we can help you gather evidence, request medical records, and subpoena important documents.How Many Personal Injury Claims End Up Going To Trial?
Only 5% of all personal injury cases go to trial. Most cases are resolved through settlement, arbitration, and mediation.Many Consequences Of An Injury May Not Be Immediately Apparent
Some injuries may produce symptoms that are immediately noticeable after an accident. However, others can go unnoticed for weeks or months. Medical treatment may be complicated or delayed due to injuries having different symptoms. The financial cost of extensive medical treatment can be challenging for victims and their families to bear. The potential settlement awarded in a case may be reduced if it is resolved before latent symptoms become noticeable. As such, our team at Arash Law often advises clients to hold off on settling or going to court. Once a settlement offer is signed, the client signs a waiver stating that no further litigation is possible. Consider waiting until all of your injuries are documented and analyzed before accepting a settlement offer.Establishing And Proving Pain And Suffering
The following documents can help you prove that your pain and suffering are immediate and apparent:- Psychiatric Records
- Photographs Of Your Injuries
- Expert Testimony
- Medical Impressions
- Medical Records
- Medical Bills
What Is The Amount Of Compensation For Pain And Suffering In A Whiplash Case?
There is no true answer to this question, as each whiplash case is different. Though victims with injuries that cause more pain and suffering may potentially be awarded a higher settlement amount, this is not always the case. That’s because the extent of one’s damages isn’t the only factor that influences the value of the compensation you can pursue. You can ask one of our attorneys to estimate the potential worth of your case during your free initial consultation.
May I Claim Anxiety Following An Automobile Collision?
If you have not suffered any physical injuries, you may be eligible to seek compensation for non-economic damages like anxiety. In some cases, this condition may produce emotional trauma.
If I Get An MRI, Will This Make The Amount Of The Settlement Greater?
An MRI will likely make the value of your case greater. An MRI is expensive, and this will increase the settlement amount. The scan may reveal additional injuries you can add to your other claims. However, take note that the extent of the physical damage you’ve endured is not the only factor that affects the amount of compensation you can pursue. That said, getting an MRI is not a surefire way to “boost” the amount of a potential settlement.
Do I Accept The Initial Compensation Offer?
In many cases, it’s not ideal to accept the first offer from an insurance company unless you have been advised by your attorney. Before doing so, consider seeking legal opinions on whether the offer reflects the value of your losses.
What Should I Do When Retaining An Attorney?
Consider these facts when choosing an attorney to handle your case:
- Physical Location — How far away is the lawyer’s office? How often can you see and speak with them?
- Total Cost — Does the attorney charge an hourly fee or a retainer? Do they work on a contingency basis? How much will your particular case cost?
- Credentials — How long has the attorney practiced? Have they worked on other cases similar to the one you are bringing to their office?
- Comfort Level — Do you feel comfortable telling the attorney personal information? Do they seem genuinely interested in helping you solve your problem?
Which Questions Should I Ask A Potential Berkeley Injury Attorney?
Asking these questions may help you make the most out of your first meeting with an attorney:
- How long have you been practicing?
- What are the next steps in my case?
- What are your fees?
- How many previous cases similar to mine have you handled?
Checking Disciplinary History
Consider researching your attorney before deciding to work with them. For example, you can check whether the attorney is licensed to practice law in your state. You can also review their disciplinary record and see if the complaints on file are serious or frivolous.
Schedule A Free First Consultation With Our Personal Injury Attorneys In Berkeley
Our Berkeley injury attorneys at Arash Law offer legal representation rooted in transparency and advocacy. We are dedicated to helping you understand and uphold your rights. Contact us at (888) 488-1391 to learn more about our services.
