Sadly, personal injuries can happen at any time, under any circumstances. For example, car accidents, slip and falls, and burns are all examples of injuries that are another party’s fault. Unfortunately, because many defendants are only responsible under certain situations, collecting compensation for these injuries can be complex.
A Modesto personal injury lawyer can provide valuable guidance. Our skilled legal representatives are dedicated to investigating how your injury occurred, proving that a defendant caused your harm, and demanding appropriate compensation for all your losses.
Common Examples of Personal Injury Cases
Most personal injuries are the result of accidents. However, something as simple as a driver who fails to check a blind spot before changing lanes can have disastrous consequences. In this scenario, the at-fault driver is responsible for compensating injured victims, whether passengers, pedestrians, or bicyclists. Other examples of accidents that result in injury claims include:
- Slips and falls or premises liability injuries
- Dog bites
- Defective products
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse
To win these cases, plaintiffs must prove that a defendant was negligent—however, negligence changes based on the type of case. For example, a negligent property owner in a slip and fall case may be at-fault for failing to address a hole in their floor. On the other hand, negligent doctors in medical malpractice cases are responsible for a person’s injuries if they fail to provide a reasonable standard of care.
The Concept of Comparative Negligence
Additionally, many defendants may argue that a plaintiff shares partial blame for an accident. The concept of comparative negligence states that a plaintiff cannot recover the total value of their claim if they are partially responsible for an incident.
According to the case of Pfeifer v. John Crane, Inc. (2013) 220 Cal.App.4th 1270, the court will reduce the awarded damages based on how responsible a plaintiff was for their own injuries. A knowledgeable attorney in Modesto could examine the facts behind a person’s injuries and select the appropriate legal path that demonstrates a defendant is at fault for an incident.
How Can a Personal Injury Affect a Person’s Life?
The primary concern for any personal injury plaintiff in Modesto is receiving compensation for their medical bills. Often injuries resulting from these incidents require extensive medical care and rehabilitation. For example, even something as simple as a slip and fall can have disastrous consequences if an individual lands on their head or neck. A successful personal injury claim will allow individuals to collect compensation to cover the costs of their medical treatment.
A personal injury lawyer can also help plaintiffs recover lost wages from the accident. For example, a civil claim could list these losses as damages if a person missed several shifts to attend physical therapy appointments or suffered a permanent reduction in earning capacity.
Finally, many victims of personal injuries suffer mental anguish in addition to physical harm. For example, it is common for people to need psychological therapy following an incident. With help from a dedicated lawyer, injured plaintiffs can also demand payments for pain and suffering.
Contact a Modesto Personal Injury Attorney Today
No person should have to endure the physical pain, economic losses, and mental anguish that result from a personal injury. Unfortunately, however, thousands of people around Modesto are victims of these incidents yearly. These people have the right to demand compensation for their losses.
Our Modesto personal injury lawyers could help you pursue your case. However, there is a strict time limit to file a lawsuit, so call our experienced and energetic attorneys today.
