Posted on Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 at 11:32 pm
Has a negligent party caused an injury to you or your family member? Are you unsure about what you should do? If so, you need to act now to protect your legal rights. Getting the legal advice you need from a trusted Sacramento injury lawyer can help you protect your right to fair and just compensation for your injuries.
When Do You Need to Call a Sacramento Injury Lawyer to Protect Your Legal Rights?
The simple answer to that question is whenever another party causes you to sustain an injury. Under California personal injury laws, you may receive substantial compensation for your injuries, financial losses, and other damages. However, if you do not take steps to protect your legal rights, you might not receive the compensation you deserve or an injury claim.
Incidents that often result in a personal injury claim include:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- DUI accidents
- Slips and falls
- Pedestrian accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Dog attacks
- Elder abuse and nursing home abuse
If a family member died in an accident, family members can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation from the party responsible for their loved one’s death.
While it can be in your best interests to call a Sacramento personal injury lawyer after an accident or injury, there are six situations that you should consider strong indications that you need a lawyer to help protect your legal rights.
1. You sustained severe injuries or permanent impairments.
Severe injuries increase the value of a personal injury claim. However, insurance companies tend to fight large claims aggressively. They do not want to pay full value for the claim. An attorney can help you fight for your legal right to full compensation for all damages caused by a negligent party.
In cases involving permanent impairments or disability, you may receive compensation for future damages. You could receive substantial amounts for future loss of income, ongoing medical care, future personal care, and permanent disabilities. However, proving future damages can be complicated. In many cases, medical experts, economists, and other professionals are needed to help with the case.
2. The insurance company is blaming you for the accident.
If the insurance company tries to blame you for the cause of your injury, call a lawyer immediately. The company may try to lower the value of your claim under California’s comparative fault laws.
Under comparative fault, your compensation can be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you for the cause of your injury. Insurance companies unfairly blame accident victims to avoid paying valid claims.
3. The insurance company denied your claim.
You may have a valid legal claim against the person who caused your injury. However, you must file a personal injury lawsuit to protect your legal rights. There are deadlines for filing personal injury lawsuits. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible to avoid missing the deadline.
4. The claim involves a government vehicle or government entity.
Claims involving government entities or vehicles have very short deadlines. You may have to file a notice of claim within 90 to 180 days after the injury. Suing a government entity is complicated. You need an attorney involved in the case as soon as possible to protect your legal rights.
5. The insurance company is delaying the claim.
The company may be trying to delay your claim so that you give up and go away. It also might be delaying the claim to get past the Statute of Limitations for your case. In most cases, accident victims have just two years from the date of the injury to file a claim.
However, in some cases, that deadline could be shorter. It is best to talk with a lawyer now to avoid losing your right to pursue a legal claim for damages.
6. Your child was injured in an accident.
Accidents involving children can be especially difficult. In addition to the current losses and damages, a childhood injury could have numerous consequences. An injury could delay development, cause future impairments, or have long-term emotional disorders.
Working with an experienced Sacramento personal injury lawyer can help ensure that your child’s rights and best interests are protected.
Contact a Sacramento Accident Lawyer for Help
If you have questions or want to discuss your claim further, call (916) 999-9000 now for a free consultation with one of our Sacramento accident lawyers.
