San Pedro Personal Injury Lawyer

San Pedro Personal Injury Attorney

When an accident happens unexpectedly, the injured person is left dealing with medical treatment, lost time from work, and figuring out who should pay for the losses that resulted. A San Pedro personal injury lawyer can assess whether another individual, business, or entity may bear legal responsibility when carelessness causes harm. Injured people can seek compensation in California by proving negligence or other theories recognized by personal injury law.

San Pedro has many settings in which catastrophic injuries can take place. Major roads such as Gaffey Street and Pacific Avenue, alongside traffic connecting to the I-110 and SR-47, serve as busy areas within the community. You will often find commercial traffic heading to or from the Port of Los Angeles in town. Personal injury claims can result from car accidents, hazardous properties, defective products, and other preventable incidents that result in injuries.

Personal Injury

Contact Hobbs Law Group 24/7 to schedule a free case review with a personal injury lawyer. You will not pay us anything unless you win.

626-782-4520

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The Hobbs Law Group Way

Hobbs Law Group advocates on behalf of accident victims who have suffered significant harm due to someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or wrongful behavior. Our investigation team works to determine how an accident occurred and who may bear legal responsibility for the resulting harm. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency-fee basis for cases we accept.

What Must Be Proven in a Personal Injury Claim in San Pedro?

In personal injury cases, negligence is the most common basis for a claim. California Civil Code § 1714 creates the general rule that everyone has a duty to exercise ordinary care and is responsible for injuries they cause by failing to do so.

At a minimum, a negligence-based personal injury claim requires proof that the defendant owed the injured person a duty of care and breached that legal duty. The injured person also needs to prove that the breach caused them to suffer an injury resulting in monetary damages.

The circumstances of an accident determine how these elements fit into the specific case. A driver, for instance, must use reasonable care when operating a motor vehicle. A property owner has a duty to use reasonable care when managing their property.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases

In 2022, California reported 2,559,380 emergency room visits, 301,000 hospital admissions, and 27,974 injury-related deaths, stemming from various injuries. Personal injury law does not refer to just one type of injury claim. Many accidents can lead to civil liability, such as:

• Road accidents
• Slip-and-fall accidents
• Dog bites
• Defective products

Each type of case requires different evidence to support the claim. Car accident cases may rely on police reports and photographs from the scene. Premises liability claims may require access to a property’s maintenance records or surveillance videos.

The Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury in San Pedro, CA

In most cases, California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 allows two years to file a personal injury claim. The statute of limitations usually begins on the date of injury, or the date it reasonably should have been discovered.

Other statutes can alter the deadline to file a claim. Claims against a government agency, for instance, have to comply with additional procedural requirements and have much shorter deadlines to submit a claim. Missing a crucial filing deadline can prevent an injured party from receiving any compensation.

Compensation Available After an Injury

When a personal injury claim is successful, compensation can cover economic damages like medical bills and lost income. Future costs for medical treatment or lost earning capacity can also be considered when an injury may have long-term effects.

Injuries that cause physical pain, emotional distress, and other forms of noneconomic harm can also be compensable under California personal injury laws. The amount of compensation depends on the specific injuries and the evidence to support the losses.

Why Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

A person injured due to another party’s negligence should hire a personal injury lawyer in San Pedro, CA. An attorney can investigate the circumstances of the accident to determine liability, preserve evidence, identify insurance coverage, and record losses caused by the accident.

Should an insurance company refuse to pay a claim or offer a fair settlement, an attorney can handle negotiations on the injured person’s behalf. If necessary, your San Pedro personal injury attorney can file a legal claim and provide representation during trial.

FAQs About San Pedro, CA Personal Injury Laws

What Should I Not Say to a Personal Injury Lawyer?

When speaking to a personal injury lawyer, do not tell lies or leave out facts about the injury. Your lawyer needs the facts to know about potential problems with your case. Being as honest as possible also allows your lawyer to anticipate arguments the other side may raise and understand how the evidence impacts your legal rights and options.

What Is the Hardest Injury to Prove in a Personal Injury Case?

Injuries that are characterized by largely subjective symptoms can be harder to prove in a personal injury case because tests or imaging may not reflect the severity of the problem. Examples include chronic pain and some soft-tissue injuries. Medical documentation, consistent treatment, professional testimony, and proof of how symptoms limit activities can help demonstrate the existence of an injury and its repercussions.

What Are the Odds of Recovering Compensation in a Personal Injury Case in San Pedro?

The odds of recovering compensation in a personal injury case in San Pedro depend on the circumstances of your case, the amount of evidence you have, and the clear level of liability from the negligent party. The outcome depends on whether a plaintiff can prove liability and negligence, causation, damages, and various other factors. Additionally, many personal injury cases settle before a jury verdict is reached.

Can I File a Claim for Emotional Distress Damages in California?

Yes, you can file a claim for emotional distress damages in California. Plaintiffs may recover emotional distress damages in personal injury cases as a type of noneconomic damages when warranted by evidence and circumstances. This can include damages for anxiety, mental anguish, grief, or humiliation. California law does not use a fixed monetary value for calculating these damages.

Contact Us Today

Suffering a personal injury can cause great physical, emotional, and financial harm. When the injury is caused by another party’s negligence, you may be able to retrieve compensation for their actions, or lack thereof. Hobbs Law Group can help. Contact us today to get started.