Proving Legal Liability in California Personal Injury Accidents
If you are the victim of a personal injury accident in California, Johnson Attorneys Group is here to help. You may be in pain as the result of the accident and would like nothing more than to have your case resolved quickly and easily. Unfortunately that is not always how the legal system works. The person, business, or legal entity responsible for causing your injury may deny their involvement. Several parties may be involved, and it can be difficult tracking down who is legally responsible. And insurance companies can make the picture even murkier, trying to minimize your settlement or disprove your claim altogether.
Our legal staff makes sure you receive appropriate compensation for your pain and suffering, and holds the responsible party or parties liable for their role in causing your injuries. Before any of this can happen, though, it is our job to help you prove who is at fault for your accident. Here are some general guidelines that will help you understand the process of proving fault in California personal injury accidents:
Determining Legal Liability for California Personal Injury Accidents
Although you may think it is obvious who is at fault for your injury, the actual process of proving legal liability can be much more complicated. It may be necessary to determine who owns the business or building, or to find out what their legal responsibilities are regarding maintaining their premises in a safe condition. Then it is usually necessary to prove that the responsible party was actually careless or negligent in such a manner as to cause your accident.
- Slip and Fall Accident: You will have to prove that you were in an area where the owner could reasonably expect foot traffic, and that unsafe conditions contributed to your accident. The sidewalk might be uneven, the floor could be wet, or there could be hazards which make walking difficult or unsafe:
- Premises Liability: Building owners and employers have the responsibility to safely maintain all parts of their premises where guests may reasonably be expected. The owner may be responsible, even through he or she did not directly cause the dangerous condition itself.
- Auto Accidents: In California, insurance companies pay based on the amount of fault assigned to their covered customer, but if the injured victim does not agree with the amount received, he or she may be able to file a lawsuit for uncompensated damages.
- Defective Product: The manufacturer or seller of a defective product may be responsible if you can show that you were using the product as directed, and that your injuries were the direct result of the product defect.
Proving Fault When More Than One Person is Responsible
Sometimes several parties may be responsible for your personal accident injuries. In California, the judge or the jury will be able to assign a percentage of the damages to each involved party.
Comparative Negligence in California Personal Injury Accidents
Comparative negligence means that you are partially responsible for the injuries you suffered in the accident. In this case you may still be entitled to compensation, but it will be reduced by a percentage assigned to your responsibility.
Contact Our California Injury Attorneys to See How We Can Help You Prove Fault in Your Case
Personal injury accidents can come in the form of a slip and fall injury, automobile accident, medical malpractice, product liability, or swimming pool accident. A loved one might have suffered from nursing home abuse or elder neglect. In the worst case scenario, someone close to you suffers a wrongful death due to the negligent actions of others. Whatever the cause of the accident, our legal professionals help you every step of the way.
Johnson Attorneys Group is experienced in representing clients in California personal injury accidents. We have 12 locations to serve your legal needs. Call us 24/7 at 800-208-3535 for a complimentary case evaluation. Remember, there are no legal fees unless we win or settle your personal injury accident case!