The Manhattan Beach personal injury attorneys at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers have seen firsthand just how challenging it can be to cope with the physical, psychological, and financial effects of a serious injury or death in the family. Nothing can undo the trauma you have suffered, but by filing a claim against the liable party, it may be possible to recover the compensation you need to pay for medical bills, emotional distress, and other damages. Our accident lawyers have helped thousands of clients fight for justice and the maximum compensation from those who have wronged them. We have many decades of combined experience and have won more than $300 million in settlements and verdicts. Don’t take on the insurance company alone. Call our law firm today at 1-800-GO-HARRIS to arrange a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

Types of Cases We Handle at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers in Manhattan Beach

It is important that you enlist the help of a law firm that specifically handles cases like yours. Our Manhattan Beach personal injury attorneys have a track record of success handling a variety of cases including:

• Truck Accidents
• Car Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Bike Accidents
• Rideshare Accidents
• Premises Liability
• Slip and Falls
• Boat Accidents
• Plane Accidents
• Bus Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Bird Scooter Injuries
• Train Wrecks
• Turo Vehicle Accidents
• Dog Bites
• Burn Injuries
• Spinal Cord Injuries (SCIs)
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
• Wrongful Death
• Other Personal Injuries

What Must I Prove to Win My Personal Injury Case?

There’s no universal answer to this question because each personal injury case is unique, but in general, claimants must be able to prove the following elements to recover compensation:

• Duty of Care: Your Manhattan Beach personal injury lawyer must be able to demonstrate that the defendant owed you a duty of care, which means that the defendant had a legal obligation to behave with a certain standard of care. For example, a driver owes a duty of care to other motorists and pedestrians to obey the speed limit and other traffic laws.
• Breach of the Duty of Care: Your attorney will have to show that the defendant breached the duty of care owed to you. For example, drivers break the duty of care owed to other motorists and pedestrians when they violate traffic laws.
• Causation: Just because the defendant was negligent does not necessarily mean that you have grounds for a claim. Your lawyer must also be able to show that the breach of duty caused your injury or loss. For instance, if a driver ran a red light, hit your vehicle, and injured you, proving causation might be relatively straightforward. In other cases, though, multiple defendants share liability, and it is also possible for the claimant to be partially responsible for his or her injury.
• Damages: If you cannot prove liability, you won’t have a case, but if you cannot prove damages, you won’t be able to recover a settlement. Damages include medical expenses, lost income, emotional distress, and other losses you incurred as a result of the defendant’s breach of the duty of care. Calculating damages can be quite complicated in cases that involve severe injuries. Your lawyer might need to consult medical, financial, and vocational experts to arrive at a fair settlement amount.

How Will My Manhattan Beach Personal Injury Lawyer Prove Liability?

Unless your case involves strict liability, you will need strong evidence to demonstrate that the defendant’s negligence or wrongful act caused your injury or loss and is therefore liable for your damages. There are only two circumstances when strict liability applies, in which case you will not have to prove negligence to recover compensation. Those circumstances are:

• You were hurt by a defective product that the defendant manufactured, distributed, or sold; or
• You were injured by a domestic animal that had known dangerous tendencies.

In all other cases, the claimant must be able to prove that the defendant’s wrongful act or negligence contributed to the injury or loss. There are many types of evidence that your attorney might use to prove liability after a personal injury or wrongful death. The most valuable evidence will depend on the cause of your injury or your loved one’s death, but generally speaking, the following evidence often plays an important role in proving liability:

• The police report;
• Video footage of the incident;
• Eyewitness testimony;
• Expert witness testimony; and
• Photos of the accident scene.

Of course, there are many other kinds of evidence that might be relevant to your specific case. A Manhattan Beach personal injury lawyer from Harris Personal Injury Lawyers can assess the circumstances of your injury or your loved one’s death to determine which types of evidence can be gathered to strengthen your claim.

Speak with a Manhattan Beach Injury Lawyer About Your Case Today!

At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, we are proud to offer superb legal representation to victims of personal injury and their loved ones. To discuss your case with a member of our team, call 1-800-GO-HARRIS or fill out our contact form.