San Bernardino Personal Injury Lawyer

San Bernardino Personal Injury Attorney

Being injured can be irritating, confusing, and even catastrophic in some cases. A personal injury claim arises when one party is either partially or wholly at fault for another party’s injuries. Personal injuries can result from negligence, intentional misconduct, or a failure to act appropriately. In the event of an injury, you must take the proper steps to protect yourself by hiring a San Bernardino personal injury lawyer.

Personal injury law is a broad field that encompasses many different types of injuries, such as car accidents, slip and fall accidents, or even dog attacks. Regardless of the cause of your injury, the team at The Law Offices of Christian J. Amendt is prepared to assist you.

We have many years of experience in helping clients receive compensation for their injuries. We understand the pain, financial difficulties, and medical complications that a personal injury can cause, and we’re determined to help you recover. Our team can provide compassionate legal support to minimize your stress throughout the legal process. Reach out to our office today to discuss your case.

Important Traits to Look for in a Personal Injury Lawyer

An experienced personal injury lawyer in San Bernardino, California, can assist you throughout the entire process, from the initial consultation to the settlement. Here are some important qualities to look for when deciding on which lawyer to hire:

• Solid Experience: If you find yourself deciding between a seasoned lawyer with a wealth of experience or a fairly new lawyer who is just starting out, go with the seasoned lawyer. An experienced attorney has a great deal of past experience and knowledge, and they can apply past lessons or strategies to your case.
• Investigative Skills: When you hire a personal injury lawyer, one of the first things they may do is conduct their own independent investigation into your case. They may want to seek additional evidence, including any videos that may be available, and interview witnesses themselves to build a better picture of the case for your benefit. They may also review things like police reports.
• Negotiation Skills: A great deal of personal injury cases never make it to court and are settled between your lawyer and the opposing counsel. Negotiation skills are crucial for winning cases and ensuring that you are not taken advantage of during the settlement process. A good negotiator knows how and when to stand up for their client. You can’t get your desired settlement if your lawyer can’t negotiate for it.
• Litigation Skills: Many personal injury cases are settled out of court with no need for litigation. However, some do end up in court. If that happens, you will need a seasoned trial lawyer with serious litigation skills and experience who can advocate for you in a court of law. A good lawyer has both trial and mediation experience, and they know when to use each skill for your case.
• Communication Skills: Seasoned attorneys should have excellent communication skills. They have the ability to listen in order to determine the details of the accident and understand what kind of compensation the client is seeking. They also have the ability to negotiate with other attorneys fairly and to present your case clearly and convincingly in court.
• Compassion: When you are seeking a personal injury lawyer, you are likely also dealing with a severe injury that could be detrimental to your daily life. Recovering from an accident is not always easy. A good personal injury lawyer brings compassion to your case by taking on the brunt of the legalities while allowing you to focus on your recovery during this time.
• Assertiveness: A strong lawyer should be assertive at certain times. An assertive lawyer stands up for their clients when they need to be heard, whether it be during trial or in the midst of settlement negotiations. They won’t agree to a settlement that’s unfair to you. Assertiveness is an incredibly valued trait in a lawyer.
• Honesty: A good personal injury lawyer informs you of everything you need to know about your case in a calm, transparent, and honest way. If your claim is not viable, your lawyer should inform you as soon as possible.

On the other hand, if your case is quite strong, that’s something you need to know in a timely manner so that proceedings can move forward and deadlines are not missed. Honesty is paramount in a respectful lawyer/client relationship.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases

A personal injury case allows an injured person to pursue financial compensation from the party whose negligent or willfully destructive behavior caused their injury. While not every accident involves civil liability, it is important to pursue legal action when it does. Here are some of the more common types of personal injury cases that occur in California:

• Car Accidents: Car accidents remain one of the most common types of personal injury cases that occur nationwide. They happen every day and can range from a minor inconvenience to a horrific tragedy. In a personal injury case, the party who was injured in a car accident would attempt to seek compensatory damages from the party who caused the accident. A thorough investigation would determine who was at fault.
• Slip-and-Fall Accidents: A slip-and-fall accident is often considered to be a “premises liability” case, in which the owner of the business where the accident occurred is held liable for the injury at hand. A wet floor, poor lighting, misplaced debris, or unmarked hazards can all cause an injury to occur. At that point, an investigation can determine whether or not the accident was caused by negligence on the part of the premises owner.
• Motorcycle Accidents: While driving a motorcycle can be an enjoyable hobby, it also holds risks for substantial injuries if an accident occurs. Because motorcycles are typically smaller than the other vehicles they collide with in an accident, and because the motorcycle driver is exposed, motorcycle accident injuries can often be catastrophic.

If you are injured in a motorcycle crash, you may be able to pursue compensatory damages from whoever was responsible for the accident.

• Dog Bites: If you are ever bitten or attacked by someone else’s dog, they can be held liable for your injuries. California takes pet injuries very seriously. In the event of a dog bite in a public place or in a private place that you were invited to, you can pursue compensatory damages through a personal injury case.
• Pedestrian Accidents: Sometimes, a pedestrian standing on the side of the road can be part of a car accident inadvertently. Those walking in a crosswalk could also be hit by a car. These types of injuries can be substantial and can cause lifelong health problems for survivors. If you are hit by a vehicle and seriously injured, you will likely want to pursue legal action against the responsible parties, which you can do by filing a personal injury claim.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Few injuries are as devastating and life-altering as a spinal cord injury. The spinal cord is responsible for sending important messages to and from the brain. If that cord is injured or severed, it can result in permanent and total paralysis, among other health problems. Since the spinal cord cannot heal itself, you will likely have a very strong case if you wish to pursue compensatory damages for your injury.
• Construction Accidents: Construction sites have the potential to be very dangerous locations. These areas are often blocked off for important reasons: debris falling from buildings and machinery, as well as various other hazards unique to the area. If you suffer an injury on a construction site, you may be able to seek compensation by filing a personal injury case.
• Bicycle Accidents: A bicycle accident has the potential to be devastating, especially if you are struck by a larger vehicle, like a car or a truck. Like motorcyclists, bicyclists lack protection. While helmets may reduce the risk of severe injuries, they still occur. If you are involved in a bicycle accident, you may be able to seek compensation from the responsible parties for your medical bills and property damage, among other damages.
• Wheelchair Accidents: Wheelchair accidents can be particularly devastating. If you are in a wheelchair, you may already be disabled or dealing with health problems, which can be further exacerbated by a serious accident. A poorly built ramp, a slippery surface, or some other unforeseen hazard can all lead to wheelchair accidents. You may be able to seek compensatory damages for a wheelchair accident with the help of a personal injury lawyer.
• Wrongful Death: Sometimes, an accident can be so severe that the victim does not survive. In that event, the victim’s family may have the right to seek a wrongful death claim and hold the responsible party financially liable for the family’s pain and suffering. Wrongful death claims can be personal and emotional, but they are often necessary in the event that a loved one dies in a tragic, avoidable accident.

The Law Offices of Christian J. Amendt focus primarily on personal injury law. We understand how to pursue compensation and develop a strong case on your behalf.

FAQs

Q: How Much Do Personal Injury Lawyers Charge in California?

A: It’s difficult to quantify how much personal injury lawyers charge in California. Every law firm is different, takes on different kinds of cases, and charges different amounts for their services. Some firms may charge hourly; others may charge a flat rate. However, most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. Legal fees depend entirely on the lawyer and the specific details of your case. In the first consultation, an experienced lawyer will go over projected costs with you.

Q: How Long Does a Personal Injury Claim Take in California?

A: How long a personal injury claim takes to be resolved in California is dependent on a number of important variables. Those variables include the complexities of the case, the severity of your injuries, the willingness of both parties to reach a compromise, and whether or not the case has to go to court. In the case of a trial, a settlement was presumably not reached, and the case may take a longer time to resolve.

Q: What Is Personal Injury Law in California?

A: Personal injury law in California allows victims of negligent accidents or intentional attacks to seek compensatory damages from the parties who are found to be liable for the accident.

In a personal injury case, you can seek compensation for your medical bills, any loss of income, pain and suffering you may be feeling due to the accident, property damages, and possibly punitive damages if the jury sees fit to award them.

Q: What Is the Average Bodily Injury Claim in California?

A: There is no way to tell what the average bodily injury claim is in California, as each one is different due to the specifics surrounding the case. Many different factors have to be taken into account when deciding on how much compensation to pursue, such as the severity of the injury, the body part that was injured, the circumstances of the accident, and the willingness of both parties to reach a settlement.

Reach Out to an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Today

The aftermath of a serious accident is never easy, and your road to recovery might be a difficult one. Seeking compensation for your medical bills, property damage, and pain and suffering could be a start toward closure and recovery. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you develop your case and seek compensation from the liable parties.

The Law Offices of Christian J. Amendt is prepared to assist you in building your personal injury case and ensuring that you are not taken advantage of by the liable parties. We can launch our own independent investigation into your claim, gather any necessary evidence that supports your case, advocate on your behalf with any insurance companies, and represent your interests in court if it comes to that.

Contact us to schedule a consultation with a valued team member and learn more about how we can help you.