Dealing with the aftermath of a personal injury can be a stressful experience, as you may be facing medical bills, lost wages, and a long road to recovery. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident in Fullerton, California, it can be a difficult and overwhelming time. Fortunately, you don’t have to go through this process alone.
At Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian, our Orange County personal injury attorneys are dedicated to helping injured individuals get the compensation they deserve. With years of experience handling personal injury cases, our Fullerton personal injury lawyers have the knowledge and expertise necessary to help you get back on your feet. Contact us today for your free consultation.
Why Choose Us?
- We have recovered over $1 billion in financial compensation for our clients. Our long track record of success includes groundbreaking settlements and jury verdicts.
- Our Fullerton personal injury lawyers have more than 75 years of combined legal experience. We will use our in-depth knowledge of the law to build and strengthen your case.
- We will provide the legal representation you deserve, with personalized care and attention every step of the way. We are a client-focused personal injury law firm.
- There are no fees unless we win. We accept all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means we don’t charge any fees for our services upfront.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer in Fullerton Can Help
Handling your personal injury claim alone can put you at risk of being taken advantage of by an insurance company, which will want to protect its profits above everything else. A Fullerton personal injury lawyer can negotiate the value of your settlement to reach a fair amount. This will help ensure you have enough to pay for your past and future medical bills and other losses.
An accident lawyer in Orange County can investigate your accident, preserve and collect evidence, identify the at-fault party or parties, handle confusing legal paperwork, and file your claim before California’s deadline. If your claim cannot reach a settlement, an attorney can take it to trial. A lawyer will handle all the legal legwork of your case while you focus on healing and recovering.
What is Personal Injury Law?
Personal injury law refers to a specific area of law that deals with those who have been injured due to the negligence or wrongdoing of another party. Personal injury can result from a wide range of accidents, such as car accidents, slips and falls, dog bites, and more. When someone is injured in such an accident, they may face significant medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. A personal injury claim can reimburse the victim for these losses by holding the at-fault party or parties financially responsible (liable).
Elements of a Personal Injury Claim
When an accident victim files a personal injury claim, he or she becomes the plaintiff and bears the burden of proof. It is the plaintiff’s responsibility to prove that what he or she is claiming is more likely to be true than not true. This is known as a “preponderance of the evidence.”
Most personal injury cases are based on the legal doctrine of negligence, or the failure to use reasonable care. Negligence contains four elements:
- Duty of care: a legal or ethical obligation to act in a manner that a reasonably prudent person would in the same or similar circumstances.
- Breach of duty: committing an act or omission that does not meet the duty or standard of care based on the situation.
- Causation: a direct connection between the breach of the duty of care and the plaintiff’s injury or harm.
- Damages: specific losses suffered by the plaintiff due to the breach of duty, such as injuries, medical bills or lost wages.
Proving a personal injury case requires clear and convincing evidence of the four elements of negligence. An attorney can help you collect evidence to establish that an accused party, or defendant, is at fault for your accident and injury. Available evidence to prove your case may include police reports, medical records, eyewitness statements, and photographs or videos.
Examples of Personal Injury Claims in Fullerton
Here are some common examples of personal injury cases we handle at Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian:
- Car accidents: Fullerton has busy roads and highways, and car accidents are a common occurrence. Personal injuries from car or truck accidents can range from minor injuries like cuts and bruises to more serious injuries like broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries.
- Slip and falls: Slip and fall accidents can occur in various locations such as supermarkets, restaurants, malls, and other public places. These accidents can be caused by wet floors, uneven walkways, or other hazards. A slip and fall accident can result in injuries such as broken bones, head injuries, and spinal cord injuries.
- Dog bites: Dog owners have a responsibility to ensure that their pets do not pose a threat to others. When a dog bites or attacks someone, the victim may suffer from physical and emotional injuries.
- Product liability: Defective products can cause serious harm to consumers, including injuries from faulty machinery, dangerous drugs, and defective medical devices.
- Medical malpractice: Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional fails to provide the appropriate standard of care, resulting in injury or death. Examples of medical malpractice include surgical errors, misdiagnoses, and medication errors.
This is not a comprehensive list of every type of personal injury case we handle in Fullerton. To discuss a specific case, contact our lawyers for a free consultation.
Types of Injuries We Handle
An unexpected accident can result in many different types of injuries that interfere with your daily life. You may require surgery, physical therapy, rehabilitation, medications and other treatments to recover. At Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian, our attorneys handle all types of personal injury cases, including catastrophic injuries.
We can help if you suffered any injury in an accident in Fullerton, including:
- Back injury
- Burn injury
- Facial trauma
- Internal injury
- Loss of limb
- Neck injury or whiplash
- One or multiple broken bones
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Soft-tissue damage
- Spinal cord injury
- Traumatic brain injury
Our lawyers will help you get the medical care you need to begin your physical recovery. Then, we will guide you through the process of filing a personal injury claim to ensure that your rights are protected every step of the way.
Personal Injury Laws in California
As you attempt to recover compensation for a harmful accident in Fullerton, it can be helpful to have a basic understanding of the laws that pertain to your case. Knowing the law can help you avoid making a major mistake, such as missing your statute of limitations and losing the right to file.
Our lawyers can explain all of the laws that are relevant to your case, which may include:
- Statute of limitations: California Code of Civil Procedures Section 335.1 gives an individual no more than two years to file a civil cause of action for “assault, battery, or injury to, or for the death of, an individual caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another person.” In general, if you fail to file a claim within two years, you will lose the right to seek compensation.
- Fault law: car accident cases in California abide by a fault insurance law, which holds the person or party that is at fault for causing the crash liable. Car accident victims can file claims against the at-fault driver’s car insurance company rather than seeking benefits from their own insurers if they can prove fault.
- Strict liability dog bite law: California law holds dog owners responsible for injuries caused by their dogs, regardless of whether or not they knew about the dog’s propensity for viciousness. Unlike a one-bite rule, the strict liability law does not require proof that the dog had bitten someone before.
- Pure comparative negligence: Civil Code Section 1714 allows an accident victim to recover partial financial compensation even if he or she is found responsible for an accident. However, the amount awarded will be reduced by the victim’s percentage of fault.
These are just four examples of dozens of laws that may affect your personal injury case. The laws you need to know will depend on your type of case and the surrounding circumstances. Working with our lawyers early on in your case can allow you to successfully navigate these laws.
Types of Financial Compensation Available
A plaintiff may be entitled to receive various types of financial compensation, also known as damages, to recover from their injuries and losses during a personal injury case in Fullerton. The types of damages available vary based on the circumstances of the case and the severity of the injuries.
Common examples include:
- Past, current and future medical costs necessary to recover from the injury
- Lost wages, income or employment benefits (now and in the future)
- Physical pain, emotional suffering, distress and loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disfigurement or disability
- Loss of consortium, or the loss of a loved one’s companionship and support
- Wrongful death damages if the accident is fatal
- Punitive damages if the defendant is guilty of oppression, fraud or malice
Hiring an attorney can ensure that you pursue maximum financial compensation for the full extent of your losses. This includes estimated or foreseeable losses that you will experience in the future due to a serious or long-term injury.
How Does The Statute of Limitations Affect Your Lawsuit?
In Fullerton, California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the injury or accident. This means that you have two years from the date of the accident or injury to file a lawsuit in court.
It is important to note that there are some exceptions to this general rule. For example, if the victim was a minor at the time of the accident, the two-year statute of limitations may not begin until the victim reaches the age of 18. Additionally, if the injury or accident was not immediately discovered, the statute of limitations may be extended to allow for a reasonable discovery period.
Failing to file a lawsuit within the applicable statute of limitations can result in the dismissal of the case, and the injured party may lose the right to seek compensation for their damages.
How to Choose a Personal Injury Attorney
It is important to take your time when choosing a personal injury lawyer to hire the right one for you and your case. You should research attorneys until finding the one that will represent you best based on past experience, knowledge and case results.
Below are a few steps that can help you choose the personal injury attorney who is best suited to handle your particular case:
- Research personal injury lawyers in Fullerton. You can use online resources, referrals from friends or family members, and Bar Association websites to help you with your search.
- Evaluate each lawyer’s experience. Look for significant experience handling personal injury cases; specifically, cases that are similar to yours.
- Look at past results. Although past results do not guarantee future success, a history of positive settlements and jury verdicts can show you that an attorney has what it takes to win your case.
- Assess communication style. Ask the attorney how he or she communicates and whether you will be kept updated about the status of your case along the way.
- Find out who will be handling your case. Some law firms pass cases off to paralegals and assistants. Ask if the lawyer you are speaking to will be directly involved in your case.
- Ask about attorney’s fees. Discuss the attorney’s fee structure and whether the law firm works on a contingency fee basis. This type of fee can protect you financially, as you will only pay if the lawyer wins your case.
During a consultation with a prospective personal injury attorney in Fullerton, you should get a good idea of his or her skills, experience and representation style. Overall, look for a lawyer who is equipped to handle your specific type of case and who you feel confident having as your representative.
Need Help with Filing a Personal Injury Claim? Contact Us
If you or a loved one has suffered a personal injury in Fullerton, California, don’t hesitate to contact our experienced Fullerton personal injury lawyers today. We have a track record of success in handling a wide range of personal injury cases and are committed to providing personalized and compassionate representation to each of our clients.
At Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian, we are dedicated to helping injured individuals recover the compensation they deserve for their damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Let us help you navigate the legal process and obtain the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your legal options.