Car Accidents - The Justice Firm

WHAT DOES PERSONAL INJURY MEAN?

The Justice Firm — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 18:33:02 GMT

California Personal Injury

WHAT DOES PERSONAL INJURY MEAN?

Under California law, an individual who has been the victim of an accident or injury can take action against those responsible. As a personal injury victim – or plaintiff in the case – there are options for the types of claims and lawsuits that can be brought against the wrongdoers responsible for causing the harm. Given the complexity of personal injury law – including differences in statutes of limitations, injuries, and losses – skilled personal injury attorneys are necessary to navigate the process.

As a personal injury victim it is important to remember that financial losses resulting from the injury can be extreme. The bills pile up. Personal injury lawyers typically work on a contingency fee basis. This means victims do not need to pay for legal expenses out of pocket. Lawyers are paid as a percentage of the personal injury settlement after it is paid out to the victim. In this way, as a victim of an accident or injury you can focus on your health while your lawyer advocates on your behalf. Effective legal representation does not need to be an additional burden.

What Types Of Injuries Are Personal Injuries And What Losses Can We Recover?

If you or a loved one has suffered an accident or injury due to someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or an intentional wrongful act; California law allows you to recover money for both physical and emotional injuries. Physical injuries can range from bicycle and car accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, workplace injuries, to fitness center and gym accidents, equipment malfunctions, and pedestrian injuries. Emotional injuries include pain and suffering, trauma, and distress including injury to self-esteem and reputation.

The losses that you are able to recover in a personal injury case in the form of money – or compensatory damages – that the wrongdoer pays fall mostly into two categories: economic damages such as medical bills, property damage, lost wages; and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, impairment, disfigurement, and inconvenience or loss of quality of life and enjoyment. These general damages can be difficult to quantify and your personal injury lawyer will advise on the best record-keeping method to ensure all of your losses are recovered.

What Do I Do Now?

Remember that no legal fees will be paid until we settle or win your case and you are paid. If you or a relative or friend has been a victim of an accident or personal injury, there are remedies available to you. It is critical you consult with an experienced and qualified Personal Injury Lawyer. Our California team has years of experience fighting for you. Remember, you cannot let wrongdoers get a pass. You must be prepared, organized, and with your personal injury team you have the best opportunity to recover all of your losses. Contact us now for a Free Consultation.

One Dead, Six Injured in Coronado Crash – DUI Suspected

The Justice Firm — Sat, 26 Aug 2017 00:10:34 GMT

On August 20, six people were injured and one killed as the result of a crash that took place in Coronado. According to reports, two of the injured victims were children. The accident occurred on Silver Strand State Highway after a Jeep crossed the center line near Pomona Avenue, crashing into two vehicles driving in a southbound direction. One of those involved died at the scene before first responders arrived.

News reports claim police believe alcohol was a factor in the deadly crash. The driver of the Jeep who crossed the center line was said to be in critical condition at an area hospital at the time of reports.

Driving under the influence, or DUI, is a serious offense in California. However, when someone operates a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol and causes a wreck in which someone sustains injuries or loses his or her life, the situation becomes far more serious. In this case, an individual may be charged with DUI causing injury according to California Vehicle Code 23153 VC. The prosecutor may charge this offense as a misdemeanor or felony; felony charges leave those found guilty facing harsher punishment.

Depending on whether you are charged with California Vehicle Code 23153(a) or 23153(b) which involves driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or higher, the penalties may include fines, jail or prison time, driver’s license suspension, probation, the attendance of a court-imposed alcohol program, DUI school, restitution and more.

Should the prosecutor charge you with a misdemeanor DUI with injury, the fine may be as much as $5,000 and jail time may be anywhere from five days to a maximum of one year. However, a third DUI causing injury is charged as a felony and will result in a fine of up to $5,000 and a prison term of between two and four years for those convicted. Additionally, a conviction will result in a 5-year driver’s license revocation and an additional three years in prison if any victim sustained serious or significant bodily injury.

Defending someone charged with DUI causing injury is very similar to defending an individual charged with driving under the influence; whether it can be proven the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol and whether the BAC was above the legal limit is critical to the outcome. In the event your BAC is below the legal limit of .08%, you may still be charged if police believe you cannot operate a vehicle safely because of the degree to which you may be impaired either physically or mentally.

Potential defenses include you were not under the influence of alcohol or any substance that could impact your ability to safely operate a vehicle, that you were not acting in a manner that would be considered negligent or breaking any laws, that tests indicating your BAC was .08% or above were inaccurate, or that injuries sustained by a person or persons were not caused by an unlawful act or negligence on your behalf.

All DUI offenses should be taken seriously, whether an accident occurred and someone was injured or not. If you have been charged with any DUI offense the most critical step you can take to protect your legal rights and freedom is to consult with a skilled Los Angeles DUI defense attorney.

Chino Three Vehicle Accident Leaves Five Dead

The Justice Firm — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 13:47:05 GMT

Five days ago, a fiery three car collision ended with the tragic loss of five lives in Chino. According to a news article at CBS Los Angeles, four of the deceased victims were friends who graduated from Roosevelt High School.

Crews were dispatched to the scene at Pine Avenue between 8:30 and 9:00 p.m. on Friday, according to the Chino Police Dept. The vehicles involved included a 2013 Honda Accord, a 2002 Honda Civic, and a 2000 extended cab Chevy truck; authorities reported that two of the vehicles were engulfed in flames.

The speed limit in the area is 25 mph. News reports indicate that the roadway in the area where the accident occurred is rough, narrow, and extremely busy. Police stated that there were four men in the Chevy truck, and that it crashed into the k-rail before catching fire and causing a chain reaction with the other two vehicles.

Considering the speed limit and road conditions, it would be very dangerous for a sizeable truck to speed in what appears to be “tight” driving conditions. Although news reports do not indicate the cause of the accident or why the Chevy crashed into the k-rail, motorists must be extremely cautious and aware when driving in conditions such as those around the Mill Creek Avenue and Chino Corona Road area.

It was mentioned that one of the people involved sustained only minor injuries. Depending on who was at fault in the accident, surviving family members may decide to file a wrongful death claim. For instance, if the driver of the Chevrolet extended cab pickup was to blame, families of the passengers in his vehicle, along with any others who lost their lives in the other vehicles, may wish to pursue monetary damages.

No amount of money can make up for the loss of life; however, it is important to keep in mind that when a family member dies who may have been the sole or primary income provider for the family, financial issues can cause further stress and anxiety on top of the grief you are experiencing.

At The Justice Firm, our Los Angeles wrongful death attorneys are compassionate and dedicated to helping you get your life back on track after tragedy strikes. If someone else’s negligence has resulted in the loss of a loved one, give us a call today.