Personal Injury Law: 5 Frequently Asked Questions

Being injured because of someone else’s actions or inactions can be extremely distressing, especially when the injuries have significant impacts on your life. Luckily, you may be able to seek compensation through personal injury law, which is intended to provide justice to victims in the form of financial awards. While no amount of money will undo your injuries and suffering, it can help you focus on your recovery without worrying about money during the process of getting your life back on track.

Here are five common questions that are asked by people who are preparing for a personal injury case. The best way to get specific answers to these questions, though, is to work with an attorney in Fresno, like the team at Grossman Law Office.

1. Will an insurance company properly compensate me for my injuries?

When you are injured by a party in a way that their insurance company will cover, you will need to file a claim and go through the claims process with a representative of the insurance company known as an insurance adjuster. At the end of their investigation, the insurance company will make a settlement offer. This amount is rarely—if ever—remotely near the amount that you truly deserve. At this point, a personal injury attorney will begin a process of negotiations in order to reach an agreement with the insurance company that actually covers your injuries, and if you are unable to reach an agreement you will then move forward with litigation.

2. How do I know if I have a personal injury case?

The best way to determine whether or not your specific situation qualifies you for personal injury damages is to speak with an experienced attorney. Many law offices and personal injury lawyers in Fresno offer initial consultations so that you can speak directly with someone about your accident and injuries in order to get a specific understanding of your options and rights. Since no two accident is alike, no two personal injury cases are alike, either. The laws around personal injuries in California are complex, and you will benefit greatly from the support of a professional.

3. How much is my case worth?

There is no simple answer to this question. In order to determine the amount that a victim is rightfully owed in a personal injury case, you will want to work directly with an attorney who is experienced with calculating these damages. Not only do you deserve to be repaid for losses relating to medical expenses and missed work, you are also owed compensation for things like the pain and suffering that you had to endure.

4. Will I have to go to trial to get the personal injury damages I deserve?

There are many steps to take before you and your attorney are able to decide whether or not you will need to go to trial. Attorneys will almost always attempt to deal with a series of direct negotiations in order to reach a settlement agreement before opting for a trial since this will add to the complications of the process and likely extend the amount of time it will take in order to get the money you deserve. However, there are many times where you will be unable to come to an agreement for an out-of-court settlement, and if the difference between what you deserve and what they will offer is large enough, then a full lawsuit may be the best option.

5. How long does a trial take?

As with nearly all other questions pertaining to a specific personal injury, the length of time that a trial takes has a lot of different factors that go into determining it, most of which are out of your control. Cases can be very quick, or they may take years to reach a final decision on, depending on things like the number of variables that go into the case, the court schedule, the number of witnesses, and more.