San Diego Personal Injury Lawyer

350 10th Avenue, Suite 1000

San Diego, California 92101

(760) 991-0000

If you have been injured in an automobile accident or another type of unfortunate incident, you probably have many questions about how to go about filing a claim for compensation. Lawsuits of this kind are often complex in nature, and for this reason it is in your best interest to contact an experienced, qualified San Diego personal injury lawyer in whose hands you can place your lawsuit. This allows you to avoid common mistakes that many litigants make when attempting to handle a personal injury suit without such assistance.

Facts About Personal Injury Compensation

There is a virtually unlimited number of locations where an individual can sustain a traumatic or life altering injury. In some cases, such events are the result of the carelessness or negligence of another person or a commercial establishment. If you played no role in the incident that led to your injuries, you are virtually guaranteed to win some type of compensation, provided you have a qualified, experienced attorney on your side. Regardless of whether you were victimized by a reckless driver, an irresponsible dog owner, medical malpractice, or a slip and fall accident in a commercial building, you deserve a monetary settlement for your pain and suffering, medical expenses and lost wages.

Typically a magistrate is the person who awards general compensation. Although some cases go to court, most are settled without a hearing if you are represented by an attorney. This is particularly true if the person or establishment responsible for the accident cannot prove you played any role in sustaining your injuries.

Documentation

The action taken by you immediately following the incident that caused your injuries is imperative. For instance, it is essential to gather the appropriate documentation for your lawyer, as this is an important step if you want a fast settlement for the maximum amount. Keep in mind that your San Diego personal injury attorney will do the difficult part, but your help is still needed.

Following your injury, do not make statements to anyone about how badly you were hurt. Instead, seek medical advice and tell your physician about each and every symptom you experienced following the accident.

Even if your injuries seem trivial immediately following the incident, it is important to understand that certain problems do not manifest immediately. For example, if your personal injury was the result of a car accident, you may have sustained whiplash, which often does not cause symptoms for up to 24 hours after the collision.

Ask for copies of all your paperwork from the doctor’s office or hospital where you were treated. Never assume that any type of paperwork, even bloodwork, may not be important. Rather, acquire copies of everything and let your personal injury attorney sort out which is most important.

If your injuries were the result of a car accident, a copy of the police report will certainly help your lawyer to build a good foundation for your case. Essentially anything that is not left to chance will only serve to enhance the ultimate outcome of your lawsuit.

Different Kinds of Compensation

Personal injury compensation can be awarded in one of several ways. For instance, you may receive cash in a lump sum or as a structured settlement, which is money for medical bills, and financial coverage for future help you may need, such as physical therapy.

Getting Advice From an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney

Personal injury lawsuits are not something that inexperienced individuals should attempt to handle without the assistance of a qualified lawyer. Although it may be tempting, proceeding without expert advice may harm your case, and even reduce or eliminate any compensation you may have been awarded if the case were handled by professionals. Once the case is over, it is very difficult to try to have it re-opened or file another lawsuit. This is why it is never in your best interest to proceed without counsel.

Your Appointment

After making your appointment for your initial consultation, gather all your paperwork and write down any questions you have so that you can address them with your attorney. You may even wish to consider bringing a family member or close friend with you who may remember things that have slipped your mind. The more information your lawyer is given, the easier it will be for him or her to build your case.

Personal injury lawsuit advice varies considerably from one person to another, depending on the type of injuries that occurred and the level of negligence of the responsible party. Allowing a highly qualified San Diego personal injury lawyer to handle your case is the best way to ensure the best possible outcome.