If you or someone you love was seriously injured in an accident caused by another person, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. Unfortunately, the insurance company might try to take advantage of your vulnerability by offering a low settlement. A Lakewood personal injury attorney from Harris Personal Injury Lawyers can help you fight for the full compensation you deserve. Our personal injury and wrongful death lawyers have decades of experience negotiating with insurers and helping clients win substantial settlements and verdicts. More than 5,000 people have turned to our law firm for representation in their hour of need. If you are unable to come to our office for a consultation, we will gladly come to you. To schedule a free case review with a Lakewood personal injury lawyer, call 1-800-GO-HARRIS.

Types of Cases Our Lakewood Personal Injury Attorneys Handle

If you were severely hurt or lost someone close to you in a preventable accident, we want to hear your story. Our legal team has a track record of success in a wide array of tort claims including those arising from:

• Car Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Bicycle Accidents
• 18-Wheeler Accidents
• Brain Injuries
• Severe Burn Injuries
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Slip and Falls
• Premises Liability
• Rideshare Accidents
• Boating Accidents
• Bus Accidents
• Aircraft Accidents
• Bird Scooter Accidents
• Train Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Turo Accidents
• Dog Bites & Animal Attacks
• Wrongful Death
• Other Personal Injuries

Our Lawyers Are Respected by Insurance Companies in California

Insurance companies love handling claims filed by people who represent themselves, or by attorneys who are not willing to go to court. In either case, the insurer might be able to get away with offering a low settlement. But insurance companies in California know that Harris Personal Injury Lawyers won’t back down from a fight; we will aggressively represent your interests, and we are not afraid to take your case to trial if necessary. Having one of our Lakewood personal injury lawyers represent you tells the insurance company that you expect to be treated fairly. Our legal team has a reputation for preparing each case for trial—regardless of whether we believe it will be settled out of court. Before negotiations begin, we will take the time to investigate your case thoroughly, gather all available evidence, interview witnesses, and take any other measures we deem necessary to strengthen your case. We won’t be satisfied unless you recover the full compensation that you are owed.

Do I Have Grounds for a Personal Injury Claim?

To file a successful claim, you must be able to demonstrate that the opposing party is liable for your injury or loss. In cases involving “strict liability,” which include product liability and dog bite cases involving “dangerous” dogs, you do not need to prove the defendant was negligent to recover compensation; however, if your case does not involve strict liability, you must demonstrate that the defendant owed you a duty of care, breached that duty of care, and the breach of duty caused your injury or loss. To establish a duty of care, your Lakewood personal injury lawyer must be able to show that the defendant had a legal obligation to exercise reasonable care to avoid causing injuries or damage. For example, drivers have a duty of care to follow all traffic laws, and business establishments have a duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for customers. To prove a breach of duty, your injury attorney must demonstrate that the defendant failed to fulfill the legal obligation to exercise reasonable care. For example, motorists breach the duty of care owed to other people on the road when they speed and drive under the influence, and business establishments breach the duty of care they owe to customers when they fail to clean up spills and remedy other hazards in a reasonable amount of time. Your lawyer must then prove causation, or that the defendant’s breach of duty caused your injury or loss. The evidence needed to prove causation varies by case but might include photographs of the accident scene, pictures of your injuries, eyewitness testimony, and surveillance footage. After demonstrating the defendant is liable for your injury or loss, your lawyer must prove the value of your damages. In the state of California, the following damages may be recoverable in personal injury claims:

• Medical bills;
• Lost income;
• Loss of future earnings;
• Property repairs;
• Other objectively verifiable losses;
• Pain and suffering;
• Loss of consortium;
• Emotional distress; and
• Loss of enjoyment of life.

Punitive damages may also be awarded if the defendant acted with fraud, oppression, or malice. For instance, if you were hit by a drunk driver, punitive damages might be recoverable.

Set up a Free Case Assessment with our Lakewood Personal Injury Law Firm

During your free case evaluation, a member of our legal team will assess the facts of your case and provide honest answers to your questions. We are available 24/7 to take your call. Dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS or send us a message to schedule a consultation.