If you have been hurt because of the negligent actions of another person, be it in a car accident or other type of accident, you may have a personal injury case. Because no one can undo their mistakes, we have a civil court system in place in California that allows injured people to seek payment for their injuries from person responsible for those injuries. A personal injury attorney can help you recover financially what was lost because of another person’s negligence.

A personal injury attorney should be contacted soon after you have been injured. The insurance company for the responsible party will try to quickly settle any claim you have. They are not acting in your best interests and it would not be wise to sign any papers before your attorney has reviewed your case. Personal injury lawyers are most often paid on a contingency basis and provide a free initial consultation. A contingency fee agreement provides that you will pay the attorney a percentage share of the final settlement in your case. Additionally, there are costs involved in the preparation of a personal injury case. Many attorneys will collect those costs out of your final settlement as well, but this can vary among law offices.

In a California personal injury case, a jury can use a comparative negligence model, reducing the damages paid to you if you are partially at fault for the injuries sustained. Additionally, California has a two year statute of limitations in which you have to file your case with civil court. A reputable and experienced California personal injury attorney can further explain the concepts of negligence and liability.

In any personal injury case, the most important thing is to do your best to follow the advice of your doctors and attorney. Your attorney can help you recover the medical costs, lost wages or earning capacity, personal property losses, and compensate you for your pain and suffering. By having an attorney on your side, you will be able to concentrate on healing, not medical bills.

Personal injury cases can take anywhere from months to years to settle, depending on the complexity of the case and the extent of your injuries. You will want to find a personal injury attorney and law office you are comfortable working with. During your initial consultation, you may want to meet the other people in the office who will help with the preparation of your case. Many offices have paralegals or nurse legal consultants who will help with your case and be your first point of contact for questions during this process.