Vehicular Accidents
One of the most common types of personal injury claims are claims filed after accidents involving automobiles or other transportation means. Usually, most of us envision a car accident when we hear the term personal injury accident; however, there are numerous other types of transportation and other accidents that are very common. The liable party in these cases is the one who caused the accident, and the damages are proven by medical records, bills, and other evidence.
Recovering Damages
After being injured in the state of California, you or your loved one is entitled to both economic and non-economic damages, and sometimes even to exemplary (punitive) damages.
Economic damages might include past and future medical expenses, including expenses for physical, cognitive and / or psychological therapy, past and future lost wages, and replacement of destroyed personal property. In addition, if you need upgrades to your home to make it handicapped accessible, or if you need medical aids, including ambulatory aids, those items are also covered under economic damages.
Non-economic damages might include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship and / or consortium, inconvenience, loss of use of a bodily function or body part, amputation, disfigurement, paralysis, etc. The courts generally award non-economic damages to those with long-term disabilities or injuries that lead to permanent disability or could result in premature death.
California does allow punitive or exemplary damages in certain circumstances, but it is often difficult to prove that the defendant’s actions were grossly negligent. You can always discuss the details, possibility, and process of petitioning for such punitive damages with your attorney.
Common Topics Related to Vehicular Accidents
If you need detailed information about your legal matter, click on one of the following links related to your situation:
- Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Car Accidents
- Types of Car Accidents
- Self-Driving Vehicle Accidents
- Rideshare Accidents (Uber/Lyft)
- Motorcycle and Moped Accidents
- E-Scooter, Bicycle, or Other Micromobility Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Commercial Vehicle Accidents
- Bus Accidents
- Train Accidents
- Boating or Cruise Ship Accidents
- Airplane or Other Aviation Accidents
- Hit & Run Accident Injuries
- Single-Vehicle (or Hitting Objects) Accidents
- Multi-Vehicle Accidents
- Auto Accidents – What to Do & What Not to Do?
Do You Have a Personal Injury Claim in Los Angeles?
If you have been involved in any of the above-referenced accidents, you typically have a personal injury claim if:
- You were owed a duty of care;
- That duty of care was breached;
- The breach caused you an injury; and
- The injury resulted in economic and/or non-economic damages.
This may sound simple enough, and in many cases it is, but in other cases, the link between each element of a personal injury claim can be blurred. Sometimes, personal injuries may go well beyond claims derived from negligence of others, and may be caused by various other types of grossly negligent, reckless, strict liability and intentional acts.
Contact an Attorney for Free, Confidential, and Individualized Case Evaluation
Whatever the case, always speak to a personal injury attorney to discuss your needs, learn your options, and make an informed decision. After all, if you have been injured, and it is the fault of another person or entity, you deserve fair and just compensation regardless of how small or big that injury is.
