Kern City, Bakersfield CA Personal Injury Lawyers

If someone harms you in any way, whether intentionally or unintentionally, the case falls under personal injury law, also known as tort law. It allows you to file a lawsuit or claim against one or more individuals that caused you some type of loss. Some common legal claims you can make under personal injury law include accidental injuries, strict liability claims and intentional torts. 

Why You Should Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

Hiring a lawyer is beneficial for many reasons besides the fact that they have the experience and expertise to walk you through every step of the process. These reasons include:

1. Respected lawyers who have gained good rapport through years in the civil court system know how the system works and the people who work in it. 
2. A lawyer can negotiate on your behalf to get your demands across and help get you a settlement that reflects the severity of your injuries.
3. They have skills to work with insurance companies, know how they try to reduce settlement offers and will take over working with insurance companies on your behalf. 
4. These types of lawsuits usually do not go to trial, but if yours does, a lawyer knows the legal strategies needed to make the case end in your favor.
5. If you suffered severe injuries in your accident, hiring an attorney to work on your behalf while you recover will help give you peace of mind.

Personal injury lawyers usually work on a contingency basis, making them work harder for you because they do not get paid if you lose. 

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases

These types of claims take many forms, and understanding the different types can help inform future decisions if you are injured, whether in a vehicle, at work, or in any other scenario. Here is a look at some common personal injury lawsuits we come across at Johnson Attorneys Group. 

Vehicle Accidents

Car collision, truck, and motorcycle accidents are some of the most prominent claims worldwide. These accidents usually occur because of distracted driving, speeding, reckless driving, or driving while intoxicated. No matter the type of vehicle you are driving, in a personal injury case, you will be seeking compensation from the at-fault party, whether it be another driver, the vehicle manufacturer, or even the government, due to poor road conditions.

Vehicle accidents usually depend on proving negligence, so gathering as much information at the scene can be crucial. If you are able, after an accident, gather as much information as possible from the scene, including contact information from the other driver and any witnesses. Photograph both vehicles and call the police as soon as possible. However, if you are injured, seek medical help right away. 

Slip and Fall Accidents

When it comes to slip-and-fall accidents, you usually have to prove that the owner of the property or the person in charge of the property was negligent. This means they knew about or should have known about the potential hazard and did nothing to rectify it. 

Potential hazards could include wet floors with no signage, poor lighting, uneven or unlevel surfaces, or any other hazard that could cause an accident. This can also include property owners knowing about potential risks and not warning customers through visual applications. 

Medical Malpractice

If your healthcare provider, whether a doctor, nurse or other technician, does not give you proper care and you are injured as a result, this is medical malpractice and a personal injury event. Several things can be included in medical malpractice claims, including surgical error, incorrect diagnosis, insufficient aftercare, or prescribing the wrong medication dosage. However, it is important to note that every mistake in treatment is not necessarily medical malpractice, so contact a lawyer to discuss what happened to see if you have a case. 

Workplace Injuries

These injuries can happen in many settings, from office buildings to construction sites to manufacturing facilities. Workplace injuries can include injuries from falls, machinery accidents, exposure to toxic chemicals or other substances, or repetitive stress injuries. 

When employers do not uphold their legal requirements to provide a safe work environment for their employees and an employee or employees are injured, they could be entitled to compensation. This is where workers’ compensation comes in, but filing a personal injury claim may be more appropriate. 

Dog Bites

Cases related to dog bites are quite common. Each state has its own law regarding dog bites, but in most instances, the dog’s owner is liable for your injuries. This can include dog bites and any other injuries sustained during the event. So, even if the dog has never been aggressive or bitten anyone before, the owner can still be held liable. 

Intentional Torts: Assault, Battery

Intentional torts, like assault and battery, are also classified under personal injury lawsuits. Intentional torts are when someone acts in a way that causes harm to you or another individual. Criminal charges are usually brought against the offender. However, you can still file a claim against them. The claim can help you get compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. 

Defamation: Libel and Slander

Defamation, or defamation of character as most people hear it, contains two aspects, libel (written statement) or slander (spoken statement), that harm your reputation as an individual or business owner. To win defamation lawsuits, you must be able to prove that the false statements were said or written as fact and caused harm to your reputation. 

Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home abuse is a disturbing and unfortunate aspect of personal injury. Older people in nursing homes should be well cared for and respected. However, this is not always their reality. Some common forms of nursing home abuse include the physical, emotional or financial abuse of older residents. 

Nursing home abuse suits can be pretty complicated, and for family members who want nothing more than to care for their older family members, hiring a knowledgeable lawyer like Johnson Attorneys Group can help. We will do the work so you can care for your older family member without worrying. 

What to Look for in a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you need a lawyer, you will want to consider several things to find the best one.

1. You want to seek a lawyer with experience and expertise in your type of injury case.
2. Ask the lawyer questions, such as what their success rate is, whether they work on contingency, etc.
3. Ask for referrals from family, friends or co-workers. 
4. You and the lawyer will spend much time discussing and preparing your claim for negotiations or trial, so make sure you get along.
5. Make sure the lawyer has a professional office. This will show you they are organized and can keep everything in order. 

Most lawyers offer free consultations. Take advantage of this and talk to multiple lawyers about your legal dispute so you can choose the best one. 

Johnson Attorneys Group Personal Injury Lawyers

When it comes to these kinds of claims, it can be challenging to navigate everything involved, from gathering information to discussions with insurance companies and more. By hiring an experienced lawyer, they can do all of this for you while you recover. Johnson Attorneys Group has the practical wisdom and expertise to get your lawsuit to the finish line. If you have questions or would like to discuss your case, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.