Petaluma Personal Injury Attorney

Every day, many people throughout California suffer injuries in unpredictable and unexpected accidents. Some of these incidents happen due to unforeseeable events that no one could anticipate, while others occur due to the negligence, carelessness, and intentional misconduct of others. If you believe another party is in any way responsible for a recent injury you or a loved one experienced, it is vital to know your rights and how to hold the at-fault party accountable for your damages.

A Petaluma personal injury lawyer is an ideal asset in this situation. Regardless of how or where your accident occurred, the average person may not know how to hold an at-fault party accountable for the damages they caused. Rush Injury Law can provide the comprehensive and compassionate legal counsel you need in this situation. Our team has years of experience we can put to work for you as you seek compensation for your damages.

Is it Worth Getting a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Many people in the Petaluma, CA area who experience personal injuries wonder whether they need legal representation to hold the at-fault parties accountable for their damages. Many plaintiffs may be unaware of the full scope of damages they can seek with their civil claims. Others worry about the potential cost of legal fees when they are already struggling with the substantial losses caused by the actions of negligent defendants.

Ultimately, while it is understandable to have concerns about the potential cost of legal fees, you must understand that you could lose considerably more than you would pay in legal fees if you do not secure legal counsel to represent you in your claim. The average person with no formal legal experience would struggle to meet the court’s procedural demands and filing deadlines. Even if they manage to successfully file their case and meet all procedural requirements, they risk settling for less than they should due to lack of awareness of the compensation available to them.

Hiring the right Petaluma personal injury lawyer to represent you will not only dramatically increase your chances of success with your claim, but your attorney will also likely secure more compensation than you may have initially expected. Rush Injury Law works closely with every client we represent in the Petaluma area to maximize our clients’ recoveries. We also offer contingency fee billing, meaning our clients pay nothing unless we win their cases.

Common Types of Personal Injuries in Petaluma, CA

Personal injury is a very broad area of civil law, and personal injuries occur in many ways for various reasons every day in Petaluma. Rush Injury Law has extensive experience handling various types of personal injury claims, including:

• Car accident claims. If another driver injured you due to negligence behind the wheel, we can help you hold them accountable. Distracted driving, drunk driving, illegal turns, and speeding are just a few examples of negligent behaviors and intentional misconduct that can potentially lead to not only civil claims for damages but also criminal charges.
• Premises liability claims. If you or a loved one sustained injuries while visiting someone else’s property, you could have grounds for a personal injury claim for premises liability. Property owners must address known safety hazards on their properties and make every effort to prevent injuries to lawful guests and visitors.
• Dog bite claims. California law imposes strict liability on dog owners whose pets injure others. If you or a loved one were bitten or otherwise injured by someone else’s dog, we can help you hold them accountable for your injury and economic damages.
• Catastrophic injuries. Some injuries result in permanent disabilities that prevent the victim from working or living independently. If someone else caused a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or other catastrophic injury, our team can help you secure appropriate compensation for both immediate and future damages.
• Product liability claims. If you were injured by an unreasonably dangerous or defective consumer product, the manufacturer is likely to be responsible for your damages. We can help you file a product liability claim and prove the unsafe nature of the product in question.

Rush Injury Law can also provide compassionate legal counsel when a victim does not survive their personal injury, helping their surviving family file a wrongful death claim in lieu of a personal injury claim. Ultimately, if another party is responsible for your recent injury and/or economic losses, you have the right to seek accountability and compensation for your damages through a civil claim.

Proving Fault for a Personal Injury Accident

To be successful with any personal injury claim means identifying the defendant and proving they are directly responsible for your damages. There are several facets involved in the process of proving liability for a personal injury. First, the plaintiff and their Petaluma personal injury attorney must identify the party or parties responsible for the plaintiff’s damages. The plaintiff must then show how the defendant or defendants failed to uphold a duty of care in the situation that led to the injury in question. Next, the plaintiff must prove the full scope of the damages sought in their claim.

The majority of personal injury claims filed in the US settle outside of court. When the plaintiff has sufficient evidence to clearly prove a defendant’s negligence, the defendant will likely seek to settle the case as quickly as possible. Swift settlement is beneficial to both parties. It allows the defendant to settle the issue and avoid future liability for related damages, and it allows the plaintiff to secure compensation for their losses much faster than litigation typically allows. However, if a defendant contests liability or disputes the scope of the damages sought by the defendant, settlement may not be possible. If settlement negotiations fail or the defendant refuses to settle, the case will proceed to a trial.

Damages and Compensation for a Petaluma, CA Personal Injury Case

The personal injury laws of California allow plaintiffs to seek full compensation for all economic damages they sustain due to the actions of defendants named in their claims. Plaintiffs also have the right to seek compensation for their pain and suffering. Economic damages in most personal injury claims include:

• Medical expenses, both immediately following the injury in question and those accrued over time due to the defendant’s actions. Many personal injury victims require intensive immediate medical care and ongoing treatment. The defendant is liable for any and all medical expenses incurred by the plaintiff due to their negligence or intentional misconduct.
• Lost income, including lost future earning capacity. Your personal injury may prevent you from working until you recover. If you suffered a serious injury, you could be permanently unable to resume your work due to disability. The defendant is liable for any income losses they cause, and your Petaluma personal injury lawyer will help you prove the exact extent of your lost income.
• Property damage. Some personal injuries result in the destruction of the plaintiff’s personal property in addition to physical injuries. You have the right to seek compensation for any property damaged or destroyed by the plaintiff’s actions.

When it comes to pain and suffering, the amount you can claim hinges on the severity of your injury and whether the defendant’s actions resulted in any permanent damage. Your Petaluma personal injury lawyer will likely calculate your pain and suffering damage by assessing the total amount of economic damages included in your claim and then multiplying this amount by two to five, depending on the seriousness of your situation. For example, if you claimed $100,000 in medical expenses for an injury that caused a permanent disability or medical complication, your attorney may seek up to five times this amount to reflect the long-term damage the defendant caused.

What to Expect from Your Petaluma Personal Injury Attorney

Every personal injury claim is unique, and there are potentially multiple strategies you might employ as you seek compensation for your damages. An experienced Petaluma personal injury attorney will help their client better understand their legal options so they can make more informed decisions as their case unfolds. Your attorney should begin handling your case by helping you gather as much evidence as necessary for accurately identifying the defendant or defendants responsible for your personal injury. Next, they will assist you in calculating the damages you can seek in your claim.

Depending on the nature of your personal injury, your attorney may need to consult with expert witnesses across various disciplines. For example, you may need the help of an accident reconstruction expert to prove exactly how a motor vehicle accident happened. You might need a medical professional to testify in support of your claim for pain and suffering compensation. An experienced attorney will know which expert witnesses to contact on your behalf.

You can rely on your Petaluma personal injury attorney for advice and support throughout the entire case as it proceeds. If the defendant named in your complaint is willing to settle, your attorney will guide you through the settlement negotiation process until you reach a favorable resolution. When you must go to court to resolve your case, your attorney will help you prepare for each phase of litigation and will assist you in approaching every courtroom appearance with confidence and peace of mind.

Rush Injury Law believes in client-focused legal counsel. We take time to learn as much as we can about every client we represent to ensure we address each client’s unique needs and concerns. We will carefully review the details of your claim and help you formulate a viable legal strategy for securing the compensation you legally deserve. Our team understands the stress and uncertainty that can follow any personal injury, and we want to provide you with reassurance and peace of mind in this challenging situation. Contact us today to schedule your consultation with a Sonoma County personal injury lawyer and learn more about the legal services our team can provide.