Car Accident FAQ
Can I Recover PTSD Damages in a Car Accident Personal Injury Case?
The most obvious result of a car accident may be a physical injury, but many motor vehicle accident victims also go on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This anxiety disorder can wreak havoc on the life of someone who was involved in or witnessed a traumatic event….
How are Paralysis and Nerve Damage Evaluated in a Car Accident Case?
Paralysis from a traumatic event such as a car accident results in severe physical limitations that present serious health challenges while often preventing the victim from holding a job, enjoying prior hobbies and activities, and being able to take personal care of him- or herself. Other types of nerve damage may lead to fewer restrictions while still impairing daily life…..
How Do I Locate the Hit-and-Run Driver That Caused My Accident?
Most of the time, drivers involved in a car accident will stop and stay on the scene until police arrive.
But sometimes, a driver involved in an accident speeds away before either the police or other drivers can obtain their name or insurance. They may not even get a good glimpse of the driver. It’s called a hit-and-run accident….
How Do You Get Disability Benefits After a Car Accident Injury?
Injuries resulting from vehicle accidents can leave victims with life-altering impairments. From herniated discs and broken bones to traumatic brain injuries, these types of physical trauma can impact every facet of one’s life, leading to anxiety, depression, lack of mobility and serious financial hardships…..
How Does Whiplash Occur?
Whiplash occurs when the human body is forced back and forth rapidly. Unfortunately, it is a common occurrence in automobile accidents, especially when a vehicle is struck from behind…..
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in California?
Your first order of business after being in a car accident will always be to get the medical attention you need and to replace any property that was lost or damaged in the accident…..
Is California a No-Fault Car Insurance State?
When working with clients who have been injured in Los Angeles, one of the questions we are often asked at the Salamati Law Firm is whether California is a “no-fault” state…..
My Car Was Hit While Parked – What Next?
Few things are as aggravating as coming back to your car, ready to slide in and turn on some music… and finding your car has been hit…..
My Lyft Driver Crashed, Can I Sue?
Ride-sharing services like Lyft have simplified transportation questions for people in California and across the nation. However, when a Lyft driver is involved in a crash, the logistics of a personal injury suit can be less than simple. Here are some factors that can affect the process…..
Should You Take Time Off Work After a Car Accident?
A car accident of any degree of severity can throw your life off track, and dealing with its aftermath can seem like a full-time job in itself. Before you make any major decisions, consider talking to a car accident lawyer…..
What Do I Do if My Uber Ride Crashes?
Uber and Lyft are gaining momentum as America’s largest and most popular ride-hailing companies, serving hundreds of cities throughout the country. Thousands of happy customers will attest that taking an Uber is…..
What Do I Do if the Other Driver Has No Insurance in California?
Driving without auto insurance in California has a number of dire consequences, but thousands of motorists continue to take this risk. According to the Insurance Information Institute, 15.2 % of…..
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Los Angeles?
The moments after any type of car accident are chaotic, stressful and confusing. When the unthinkable happens and you’re involved in a crash, whether a rear-end collision or…..
Slip & Fall Accident FAQ
Can I Still Sue For a Slip and Fall If There was a Wet Floor Sign?
If you suffered an injury in a slip and fall on a wet floor when a warning sign was posted, it could be more difficult– though not impossible– to sue for compensation. The property owner or manager has specific responsibilities, and a wet floor sign may fulfill them, providing a defense to your claim. However, every situation is unique, so discuss your case with a personal injury attorney to determine whether you have grounds to file a lawsuit….
Can I Sue After Falling Down the Stairs?
By one measure, more than one million people suffer injuries in the United States every year from falling on or around stairs. When those falls are the result of a property owner’s failure to keep them clean and free of hazards, the victim can sue the owner to recover compensation for their injuries. An individual might also have a claim against other parties for defective construction or installation…
Can I Sue for Loss of Income After a Slip and Fall Injury?
One of the often-overlooked areas of damages after a slip and fall accident is lost wages. Under California law, an injured party is allowed to sue to recover of both past income and future lost earnings. Contacting a Los Angeles personal injury attorney to help you better understand your rights and what you need to prove will help you secure full compensation for your lost wages…
Could Poor Lighting Have Caused My Slip and Fall Accident?
Poor lighting can be a hazard that may contribute to a slip and fall accident. It can also increase the defendant’s liability, making it more likely you will prevail on a personal injury claim…
How Do I Choose a Slip and Fall Lawyer in Los Angeles?
It’s a safe bet that everyone is prone to a little clumsiness from time to time. But sometimes, people fall and sustain serious injuries because of the negligence or recklessness of another person. If you were injured on someone else’s property, or on public property, you may have the basis for a personal injury lawsuit…
How Do I File a Slip and Fall Lawsuit in California?
When you’re hurt in a slip and fall accident in California, it’s in your best interest to seek legal counsel right away. Victims may be eligible to file a lawsuit for compensation, but there are deadlines and procedural requirements in place…
How Do You Prove Fault in a Slip and Fall Accident?
Plaintiffs in successful slip and fall lawsuits must establish the defendant’s duty of care, the existence of a dangerous condition, injury resulting in financial loss, and reasonable evidence to support the defendant’s knowledge of the hazardous condition. It’s not always easy to do this, but in most cases…
How Long Will My Slip and Fall Case Take?
While some slip and fall cases settle in a matter of weeks, others can drag on for years. By hiring a Los Angeles slip and fall lawyer, you can maximize your chances of obtaining the compensation you deserve without delay…
Should I See a Doctor After My Slip and Fall Accident?
Yes, the short answer is you should see a doctor after a slip-and-fall accident, even if it is only minor. You may be worried about co-pays and the cost of diagnostics at this time. Still, medical providers understand the necessity of providing service first and billing later to ensure the health of the patient…
What are the Defenses to Slip and Fall Claims in California?
In California, a property owner is not automatically liable for injuries in all slip and fall accidents that happen on their premises. Every experienced Los Angeles slip and fall lawyer will tell you that these claims can be derailed if the injured party ignored warning signs, took unnecessary risks that contributed to their injuries, or trespassed where the injuries occurred…
What are the Most Common Slip and Fall Accidents?
In the movies, someone slipping on a banana peel is a time-tested laugh-getter. In real life, slipping and falling can be serious indeed. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 33,381 people died as a result of unintentional falls last year…
What Evidence Do You Need in a Slip and Fall Case?
Briefly, you need evidence that you were injured, evidence of the nature of the injuries, and evidence that the conditions were dangerous due to negligence, and that it wasn’t simply your own carelessness or actions…
What if I’m Partially at Fault for My Slip and Fall Accident?
There is no crystal ball that determines who was most at fault for an injury. Instead, tlhe presentation of evidence and arguments by a Los Angeles personal injury attorney can make a significant impact. They can work with how a fact finder in a trial, a judge or jury, and in an insurance settlement, the claims adjuster, will interpret the division of fault…
What is the Average Slip and Fall Settlement in California?
While the average cost of a slip and fall injury is somewhere between $30,000-$60,000, slip and fall cases in California have known to settle for hundreds of thousands – and even millions – of dollars, based upon the severity of the injury, the extent of the negligence on the part of the premises owner, and the quality of the plaintiff’s personal injury attorney…
What is the Statute of Limitations for a Slip and Fall Case in California?
If you suffer a severe bodily injury after falling on another person’s property, you might have a valid claim for monetary compensation through the California legal system. However, there is a limited window of opportunity to do this. Like all civil cases, you must comply with the statute of limitations– which is two years for slip and fall accidents…
What Should I Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in California?
People who have slipped and fallen might not be sure what to do right after the accident happens. In fact, they may want to get to a doctor right away, especially if they are bleeding or feel they have broken a bone, twisted an ankle, or otherwise hurt themselves. A personal injury lawyer can help advise you on your next steps…
Who is Liable for Slip & Fall Accidents in California Hospitals?
Hospitals are a place to visit for medical care and healing but they can also lead to injuries. Both patients and visitors can experience on-site injuries from slip and fall accidents. When this happens, the next logical question is, who is liable? For a few reasons, the answer is not completely straightforward…
Who is Liable if I Slip and Fall in a Parking Lot?
If you fall as a result of broken pavement or accumulated debris, the lot’s owner or manager might be liable. Individuals should always confer with a Los Angeles slip and fall lawyer as soon as is possible to determine who is responsible, and how you can pursue a claim to recover the largest available damages award…
Who is Liable if I Slip and Fall on a Wet or Waxed Floor?
According to California law, the management of commercial establishments must keep their premises safe at all times. If they do not, they are responsible for accidents that occur as a result of unsafe conditions. They can be held accountable for injuries under premises liability statutes if…
Who is Responsible for Slip and Fall Accidents at the Airport?
Airport slip and fall cases can be particularly tricky, which is why it’s important to hire a personal injury lawyer who has extensive experience in this area. These cases are complicated by the presence of multiple businesses within the airport…
We are committed to negotiate your case aggressively, strategically and creatively. Personal injury lawsuits are retained on a contingency fee agreement, and plaintiffs will pay no legal fees unless the firm is able to recover damages on your behalf.
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Wrongful Death FAQ
Are Wrongful Death Settlements Taxable in California?
In California, in most cases, wrongful death settlements are not taxable. However, if your case goes to trial and you are awarded punitive damages on a related claim, that amount may be taxable. There are a lot of intricacies in processing these claims, so it pays to have….
Can I File a Wrongful Death Claim After a Suicide?
A wrongful death claim following a suicide is much more sensitive and difficult to prove than others, but in certain situations, the surviving family may file a lawsuit to hold the negligent party responsible. It is important to discuss your situation with an experienced lawyer…
Can I File a Wrongful Death Claim for My Unborn Child?
No, California does not permit wrongful death recovery for the death of an unborn child– even if the fetus is considered viable or “brought to term.” A wrongful death lawsuit allows the pursuit of compensation after “the taking of an individual life, resulting from the willful or negligent act of another person or persons.”…
Can You Get Punitive Damages in a Wrongful Death Case?
The state of California recognizes the rights of those left behind to file claims for economic and non-economic losses against those responsible. Punitive damages are not technically awarded in a wrongful death case unless a narrow exception applies…
Can You Sue a Doctor for Wrongful Death?
Doctors and other medical professionals are supposed to improve patients’ health, but sometimes they make mistakes. When a loved one dies because of negligent medical treatment, known as medical malpractice, you may be entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit…
How are Wrongful Death Settlements Distributed in California?
Every state has specific laws regarding the distribution of a wrongful death settlement, which generally includes reparations for losses including funeral and burial costs, hospital and medical bills incurred, loss of…
How Are Wrongful Death Settlements Paid Out?
Our lawyers believe that when you settle this type of lawsuit, the payment of settlement funds should not cause you or other survivors any further hardship. Accordingly, we are committed to helping our clients to understand the different structures that may be available for you and your family….
How Do You Prove Wrongful Death in California?
In order to file a wrongful death lawsuit, the plaintiff must present certain legal elements. The plaintiff must also supply adequate evidence to meet the burden of proof in California, which supports your allegations that the willful acts or negligence of another party caused or contributed to the wrongful death. These four elements are:..
Is Murder a Kind of Wrongful Death?
The distinctions between murder and wrongful death are more than just a matter of semantics. In broad terms, a murder conviction imposes a lengthy prison sentence on a criminal defendant, whereas a finding that a defendant is liable for another person’s wrongful death imposes a civil penalty of monetary damages…
What Evidence is Needed in a Wrongful Death Case?
Your wrongful death attorney will need certain pieces of evidence in order to obtain justice for you and your family. Evidence required by the court in wrongful death claims includes:..
What is a Survival Action?
Survival actions share many characteristics with wrongful death lawsuits. Both are filed by the survivors or personal representatives of the deceased. However, a survival action is more appropriate when the decedent is severely injured but does not die immediately, only later succumbing to their injuries…
What is Considered a Wrongful Death?
“Wrongful death” is a broad term that applies when a person has died due to someone else’s negligent or reckless actions. State statutes allow certain survivors to file a lawsuit…
What is Loss of Consortium?
A person’s physical, emotional, and psychological support within a family are all part of the consortium that they provide within that structure…
What is the ‘One Action’ Rule?
The ‘one action’ rule is a California legal mechanism designed to protect defendants in wrongful death cases from being sued over and over again by different family members. Rather than filing multiple lawsuits, the potential heirs must join together to file only one action in court…
What is the Statute of Limitations on Wrongful Death in California?
The California legislature has determined that surviving family members may only file a lawsuit against a negligent party for the wrongful death of their loved one if they do so before two years have passed. This two year statute of limitations is applicable…
What Should You Do When the Family Breadwinner Dies?
All of this can be hard enough, but if your family breadwinner died due to the negligence of another party, it can make your pain feel that much worse. There is a potential solution to the financial duress, however. A wrongful death suit claim can seek financial compensation associated with the death of a breadwinner…
What’s the Difference Between Wrongful Death and a Survival Action?
When a family member dies as a result of another person’s negligence or wrongful actions, California law allows you to file a wrongful death lawsuit (Civil Procedure §377.60) and/or a survival action lawsuit (Civil Procedure §377.30). Understanding the differences between the two claims will help you recover maximum compensation…
What’s the Difference Between Wrongful Death and Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice is one of the many potential causes of wrongful death, and both may be alleged in the same lawsuit. Wrongful death has many causes as well– but when it is the result of medical malpractice– special rules apply to the lawsuit…
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in California?
No event is quite as upsetting as the wrongful death of a loved one. But along with the emotional impact, wrongful death can bring financial upset and loss of daily support. In California, those most affected by the wrongful death of a loved one may be permitted to filed a lawsuit…
