San Francisco Injury Law Resources
If you have recently been in an accident in San Francisco or throughout the Bay Area of California you may have questions regarding your hospital bills, legal rights, medical treatment and what steps to take. This website was assembled to assist you with your search by providing links to valuable resources and information in your time of need.
|
Police Information:
File for a copy of the police report in San Francisco: Direct Link How to avoid a lawsuit after a car accident. |
Personal Injury FAQs
What is a Personal Injury?
Personal injuries can occur in a wide variety of ways. A personal injury is any physical or mental injury to a person as a result of someone's negligence or harmful act. Sometimes personal injury may be referred to as bodily injury. The following are some of the most common accidents resulting in personal injury:
What financial compensation can I get in a personal injury claim?
Personal Injury victims are entitled to recover money damages for all losses and expenses they incur as a result of an accident. The damages may include the following.
How do I know if I have a Personal Injury claim?
To have a personal injury case, you must be able to show that someone else (the defendant) is at fault for your injury under a negligence, strict liability or intentional misconduct theory and you must be able to show that you have been injured. This may be a physical injury or it may be an emotional injury. In some cases, it may be necessary for you to show that the other party is more at fault for the injury than you are.
What if the accident is partly my fault can I still have a claim?
Even if an accident of injury was partially your fault you still may have a Claim based on the concept of Comparative Negligence or Contributory Negligence. You should speak to an attorney regarding the specifics.
How do I know if I may need an attorney?
Most law firms offer a free legal consultation, with no obligation. If you have been injured or are unsure as to the outcome of your injury, then an experienced accident lawyer should always be consulted before you give any statements or sign any papers of any kind and as soon after your injury as possible. In a catastrophic injury case, you are better off hiring a lawyer ASAP. There is a statute of limitations that requires you to file suit within a specific period of time, depending upon the circumstances of your case, or else you will be prohibited from obtaining any compensation for your injuries. An attorney will be able to help you keep within the statute of limitations.
What is a Contingency Fee?
A contingency fee is a fee that is used by lawyers in most personal injury cases. It is contingent when the fee is conditioned upon your attorney's successfully resolution of your case. A contingent fee is paid as a percentage of your monetary recovery. A contingent fee is what is meant when you hear "there is no fee unless there we recovery". The client is generally responsible for the out-of-pocket costs of litigation. Contingency fees are usually one third of what you win from the case.
If I have a personal injury claim do I have to go to court?
Nearly all personal injury cases are settled out of court between opposing lawyers or by the insurance company. If a case does go to trial you most likely will have to appear so that your testimony can be heard.
How long do I have to make a claim for Personal Injuries?
Every state has certain time limits, called "statutes of limitations," that govern the period during which you must file a personal injury lawsuit. In some states, for example, you may have as little as one year to file a lawsuit from an automobile accident. If you miss the statutory deadline for filing a case, your case is thrown out of court.
What is the Statute of Limitations?
The statutes of limitations are time frames in which you have to file a lawsuit. When the statute of limitations expires on your case, you simply don't have a case anymore. You should consult a personal injury lawyer in the Bay Area regarding your unique case.
Personal injuries can occur in a wide variety of ways. A personal injury is any physical or mental injury to a person as a result of someone's negligence or harmful act. Sometimes personal injury may be referred to as bodily injury. The following are some of the most common accidents resulting in personal injury:
- Auto accidents
- Home Accidents
- Wrongful Death
- Dangerous or Defective Product Injuries (Product Liability)
- Aviation Disasters
- Professional Malpractice
- Toxic Exposure
- Dog Bites
What financial compensation can I get in a personal injury claim?
Personal Injury victims are entitled to recover money damages for all losses and expenses they incur as a result of an accident. The damages may include the following.
- Medical bills
- Mental Disability
- Emotional Trauma
- Lost Wages, including overtime
- Pain & Suffering
- Property Damage
- Physical Disability
- Permanent Scars
- Mental Anguish
- Loss of Enjoyment
- Loss of Love & Affection
- Embarrassment
- Disfigurement
- All out of pocket expenses
How do I know if I have a Personal Injury claim?
To have a personal injury case, you must be able to show that someone else (the defendant) is at fault for your injury under a negligence, strict liability or intentional misconduct theory and you must be able to show that you have been injured. This may be a physical injury or it may be an emotional injury. In some cases, it may be necessary for you to show that the other party is more at fault for the injury than you are.
What if the accident is partly my fault can I still have a claim?
Even if an accident of injury was partially your fault you still may have a Claim based on the concept of Comparative Negligence or Contributory Negligence. You should speak to an attorney regarding the specifics.
How do I know if I may need an attorney?
Most law firms offer a free legal consultation, with no obligation. If you have been injured or are unsure as to the outcome of your injury, then an experienced accident lawyer should always be consulted before you give any statements or sign any papers of any kind and as soon after your injury as possible. In a catastrophic injury case, you are better off hiring a lawyer ASAP. There is a statute of limitations that requires you to file suit within a specific period of time, depending upon the circumstances of your case, or else you will be prohibited from obtaining any compensation for your injuries. An attorney will be able to help you keep within the statute of limitations.
What is a Contingency Fee?
A contingency fee is a fee that is used by lawyers in most personal injury cases. It is contingent when the fee is conditioned upon your attorney's successfully resolution of your case. A contingent fee is paid as a percentage of your monetary recovery. A contingent fee is what is meant when you hear "there is no fee unless there we recovery". The client is generally responsible for the out-of-pocket costs of litigation. Contingency fees are usually one third of what you win from the case.
If I have a personal injury claim do I have to go to court?
Nearly all personal injury cases are settled out of court between opposing lawyers or by the insurance company. If a case does go to trial you most likely will have to appear so that your testimony can be heard.
How long do I have to make a claim for Personal Injuries?
Every state has certain time limits, called "statutes of limitations," that govern the period during which you must file a personal injury lawsuit. In some states, for example, you may have as little as one year to file a lawsuit from an automobile accident. If you miss the statutory deadline for filing a case, your case is thrown out of court.
What is the Statute of Limitations?
The statutes of limitations are time frames in which you have to file a lawsuit. When the statute of limitations expires on your case, you simply don't have a case anymore. You should consult a personal injury lawyer in the Bay Area regarding your unique case.