Personal Injury Claim: Four Facts To Establish When Filing A Claim
Personal injuries typically happen due to accidents for which others are to blame. You have the right to hold those responsible liable for medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs you incur as a result. Our Monterey personal injury lawyer explains four facts you need to establish in filing a claim.
What Is Involved In Filing A Personal Injury Claim In Monterey
Car accidents involving motorists, motorcyclists, bicyclists, or pedestrians and slips and falls are among the most common causes of personal injuries in Monterey. They can also happen due to dog bites, construction site accidents, and accidents that occur while engaged in sports or recreational activities.
Even in seemingly minor cases, injuries you suffer can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills and other costs. When negligence on the part of others is responsible, you have the right to hold them accountable, either through an insurance claim or by filing a personal injury lawsuit in the Monterey County Civil Court. In order to get compensation, there are four basic facts you will need to prove:
- You were involved in some type of accident.
One of the first things you should do when any type of incident happens is to notify the police, onsite security, or other authority immediately. They will fill out an accident report, detailing how and when it happened and who was involved.
- It happened due to negligence on the part of others involved.
Under the California Civil Code, everyone is responsible for their behavior. The other party or parties involved can be held accountable if they were negligent. Negligence refers to actions or inactions people take that put others at risk. You will need evidence to back up your claims, which may include witness statements, footage from nearby surveillance tapes, and testimony from accident reconstruction experts.
- You suffered personal injuries as a direct result of their actions.
You should always seek medical attention immediately after any type of accident, even if your injuries appear relatively minor. Symptoms can take days or weeks to fully appear in some cases. Keep copies of all medical records documenting your injuries and follow all doctor instructions regarding aftercare and activity or work restrictions.
- Your injuries resulted in financial losses and other impacts.
Keep records of all medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs you incur. In addition, keep a journal detailing any discomfort you experience and the impact your injuries have on your family, and your ability to perform household tasks or engage in your usual hobbies and activities.
Discuss Your Case With Our Monterey Personal Injury Lawyer
When personal injuries happen, you have only one chance to get compensation in a claim. To help in ensuring the success of your case and that you get the maximum amount you are entitled to, call or contact the Allen Law Firm online. Request a consultation to discuss your case with our Monterey personal injury lawyer today.
Sources:
monterey.courts.ca.gov/
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=1714.&lawCode=CIV