Personal Injury Lawyer in Cerritos

Hiring a personal injury lawyer in Cerritos is a safe, smart move. Lawyers can guide you through the claim process, give you qualified advice on the next steps to take, and use all their experience and knowledge to obtain the maximum compensation for your damages. You have a higher chance of success with a lawyer by your side, especially if you choose Broadway Law Firm.

Broadway Law is a personal injury law firm in Los Angeles that stands out from the rest for combining fierce representation and humane, empathic treatment toward its defendants. At Broadway Law, you’re not just another client: you’re family. And we use all our expertise, knowledge, and resources to win your claim.

Schedule a free consultation by calling (866) 845-1350. 

Reasons to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Cerritos

Hiring a personal injury attorney is a smart decision that can significantly impact the outcome of your case, ensuring that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve. Here are several good reasons why you should consider hiring a personal injury lawyer in Cerritos:

1. Expertise in Personal Injury Law: Personal injury lawyers specialize in this area of law and understand the nuances, legal processes, and strategies needed to maximize your claim. They know how to navigate complex legal procedures and insurance issues.
2. Accurate Valuation of Your Claim: A personal injury lawyer can accurately assess the value of your claim, considering all factors, such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future rehabilitation costs. This ensures you don’t settle for less than you deserve.
3. Negotiation Skills: Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts. A personal injury lawyer is skilled in negotiating with insurance adjusters and will work to secure the best possible settlement for you.
4. Understanding of the Legal Process: The legal process can be complicated, involving filing claims, gathering evidence, dealing with paperwork, and meeting deadlines. A lawyer handles these tasks for you, ensuring everything is done correctly and on time.
5. Experience with Similar Cases: An experienced personal injury lawyer has likely handled cases similar to yours. This experience allows them to anticipate challenges and develop effective strategies to address them.
6. Contingency Fee Basis: Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you win your case. This arrangement allows you to access legal representation without upfront costs. Lawyers are also motivated to maximize your compensation because their fees are tied to the settlement amount. They will fight to ensure you get the best possible outcome.
7. Representation in Court: If your case goes to court, having a lawyer by your side is essential. They can present your case effectively, cross-examine witnesses, and argue on your behalf, increasing your chances of a favorable outcome.
8. Objective Perspective: Dealing with an injury can be emotionally taxing. A lawyer provides an objective perspective, helping you make informed decisions without being clouded by stress or emotions.
9. Investigation and Evidence Gathering: Personal injury lawyers have the resources to conduct thorough investigations, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and consult experts if necessary, all of which are crucial in building a strong case.
10. Peace of Mind: Knowing that a professional is handling your case allows you to focus on your recovery rather than worrying about legal complexities and negotiations.
11. Avoiding Common Pitfalls: Without legal representation, you might make mistakes that could harm your case, such as giving recorded statements to insurance companies or accepting an early, low settlement offer. A lawyer can help you avoid these pitfalls.
12. Access to Medical Care: Our personal injury lawyers can help you get access to top-notch medical care through their networks, which is crucial for your recovery and for documenting your injuries effectively.

Accidents and Injuries We Work With

Accidents

• Car Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Truck Accidents
• Uber/Lyft Accidents
• Wrongful Death
• Dog bite injuries
• Pedestrian accidents
• Premises liability
• Slip and fall

Personal Injuries

• Catastrophic injuries 
• Amputations
• Burn Injuries
• Paralysis
• Spinal Chord Injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

How to Know If You’re Eligible To File a Personal Injury Claim

Several key factors must be considered to determine if you’re eligible to file a personal injury claim. 

First, due to another party’s actions, you must have sustained some form of injury, whether physical, emotional, or property damage. The person or entity responsible must have had a legal duty to act with care toward you, such as a driver following traffic laws or a property owner maintaining safe premises. 

You may have a valid claim if this duty was breached through negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct, and this breach directly caused your injury.

In addition to proving causation, you must demonstrate that you suffered actual damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, or emotional distress due to the injury. It’s also essential to file your claim within the statute of limitations, which varies depending on the jurisdiction and type of injury.

 If you were partially at fault for the incident, the comparative or contributory negligence rules in your state may impact your ability to recover compensation. 

Lastly, you must have sufficient evidence, such as medical records and witness statements, to support your claim and have the legal standing to file it, either as the injured party or a legal representative.

How Much Time Do I Have to File My Claim?

In California, the time you have to file a personal injury claim is governed by the statute of limitations, which is generally two years from the date of the injury. This means you must initiate your lawsuit within these two years. If you fail to file within this timeframe, you may lose your right to seek compensation.

There are some exceptions and variations to this rule:

1. Discovery Rule: If you did not immediately discover your injury, the statute of limitations may begin from when you discovered or should have discovered the injury.
2. Minor Claims: If the injured party is a minor (under 18 years old), the statute of limitations is extended. A minor must file a claim until their 18th birthday plus the standard two years.
3. Government Claims: If the claim is against a government entity or employee, you generally must file a claim with the appropriate agency within six months of the incident. After this, you may have six months to file a lawsuit if the claim is denied or unresolved.

Types of Damages You Can Recover

In a personal injury claim in California, damages can be categorized into economic and non-economic damages. Both types of damages are considered when determining compensation in a personal injury claim. The overall goal is to make the injured party whole by covering all losses incurred due to the injury.

Economic Damages

These are tangible losses that can be quantified with receipts, bills, or records. They include:

• Medical Expenses: Costs for medical treatment, surgeries, hospital stays, medication, physical therapy, and other healthcare-related expenses.
• Lost Wages: Income lost due to time off work for recovery. This includes future lost earnings if the injury impacts the ability to work long-term.
• Property Damage: Costs to repair or replace property damaged in the accident (e.g., vehicle damage).
• Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Any additional expenses related to the injury, such as transportation costs to medical appointments or home modifications for accessibility.

Non-Economic Damages

These are more subjective and not as easily quantifiable, but still significant. They include:

• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury.
• Emotional Distress: Mental anguish, anxiety, depression, or other psychological effects resulting from the injury.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the loss of enjoyment of activities and hobbies previously enjoyed.
• Loss of Consortium: Compensation for the impact on relationships with spouses or family members, including loss of companionship or support.

How Much Will My Personal Injury Settlement Be?

Personal injury Settlements can range from a few thousand dollars for minor injuries to millions of dollars for severe cases. In California, the value of a personal injury (PI) settlement can vary widely depending on several factors, including:

1. Severity of Injuries: More severe injuries typically result in higher settlements due to increased medical expenses, pain and suffering, and potential long-term impacts on quality of life.
2. Medical Expenses: The cost of medical treatment, including hospital bills, surgeries, physical therapy, and future medical needs, is a significant factor.
3. Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost due to the injury, including potential future earnings if the injury affects your ability to work.
4. Pain and Suffering: Non-economic damages for physical pain and emotional distress.
5. Liability: The degree to which the other party is found to be at fault can influence the settlement amount.
6. Insurance Coverage: The amount of insurance coverage available can impact the final settlement, especially if the liable party is underinsured.
7. Comparative Negligence: If you are found partially at fault, your settlement may be reduced proportionally.

I Was Partially At Fault. Can I Claim Compensation? 

Yes, you can still claim compensation even if you were partially at fault in a personal injury case. California follows a comparative negligence system, which means that your compensation can be reduced based on your percentage of fault. Here’s how it works:

• Determination of Fault: The court or insurance company will determine the degree of fault of all parties involved in the accident.
• Reduction in Compensation: Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found to be 20% at fault, your compensation award would be reduced by 20%.
• Minimum Fault: As long as you are not more than 50% at fault, you can still recover damages. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you may be barred from recovering any damages.

Accident Statistics in Cerritos

For Cerritos, CA, the accident statistics show a specific range of data, including total accidents, types of accidents, and injury severity:

• Total Accidents: Cerritos experienced a moderate number of traffic accidents in 2023, consistent with previous years’ averages for the area.
• Types of Accidents: Common types included rear-end collisions, intersections crashes, and single-vehicle accidents. Specific numbers can vary based on the month and other factors.
• Injury Severity: The majority of accidents resulted in minor to moderate injuries. There were also cases involving serious injuries, though these were less frequent.
• High-Risk Areas: Certain intersections and roadways in Cerritos were identified as having higher accident rates, often due to factors like traffic volume, road conditions, or visibility issues.

Streets and Intersections with Most Accidents in Cerritos

In Cerritos, some streets and intersections have historically seen a higher number of accidents. While the specific numbers can vary year by year, the following locations have been identified as areas of concern based on general traffic patterns and past accident data:

• Gridley Road and South Street: This intersection has been noted for frequent accidents due to high traffic volume and its proximity to major retail areas.
• Cerritos Avenue and 183rd Street: This area is busy with both residential and commercial traffic, contributing to a higher incidence of accidents.
• Palo Verde Avenue and 166th Street: This intersection has seen a number of accidents, possibly related to its location near schools and residential neighborhoods.
• Studebaker Road and South Street: This intersection, near Cerritos College, experiences heavy traffic, which can lead to a higher number of accidents.
• Norwalk Boulevard and 183rd Street: As a major thoroughfare, this intersection handles a significant volume of traffic, which can result in more accidents.

What To Do After an Accident, Step by Step

1. Ensure Safety: Check if you or anyone else is injured. If it’s safe, move to a secure location away from traffic.
2. Call Emergency Services: Dial 911 to report the accident, especially if there are injuries or significant damage.
3. Exchange Information: Get the names, contact details, and insurance information of all parties involved. Also, collect contact information from any witnesses.
4. Document the Scene: Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any relevant road conditions or traffic signs. If possible, sketch the scene and note the details.
5. Avoid Admitting Fault: Don’t admit fault at the scene. The determination of fault should be left to the authorities and insurance companies.
6. Get Medical Attention: Even if you don’t feel injured, see a doctor. Some injuries might not be immediately apparent.
7. Keep Records: Maintain a file with all related documents, including medical bills, repair estimates, and correspondence with insurance companies.
8. Consult a Lawyer: Consider consulting with a Southern California car accident attorney.
9. Follow-up on Medical Care: Keep track of any ongoing treatment or therapy needed for your recovery.

Useful Links if You Have an Accident in Cerritos

• DMV
• Cerritos Police Department
• Cerritos Fire-Rescue Department
• Los Angeles County Sheriff
• Hospitals in Cerritos
• Triple A Cerritos

How Much Does Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer in Cerritos Cost?

In California, contingency fees are a common arrangement for paying legal fees in personal injury cases. Under this arrangement, a lawyer agrees to represent a client without requiring upfront payment for their services. Instead, the lawyer’s fee is contingent upon the outcome of the case. This means that the lawyer only gets paid if the client wins or settles the case.

The lawyer’s fee is typically a percentage of the amount awarded to the client. This percentage is agreed upon before the lawyer begins work on the case and is outlined in a written agreement known as a contingency fee agreement.

If the case is successful and the client receives a monetary award or settlement, the lawyer’s fee is deducted from the total amount. If the case is unsuccessful, meaning no recovery is obtained, the lawyer generally does not receive any payment for their services. 

Contingency fees can make legal representation more accessible to individuals who might not have the financial means to pay for legal services upfront.

Free Consultation With a Personal Injury Lawyer in Cerritos

If you’re looking for a personal injury lawyer in Cerritos, call Broadway Law Firm at (866) 845-1350 and schedule a free consultation. We’ll evaluate your case, determine if you’re eligible for compensation, and work with you to obtain the maximum compensation you deserve by law. Choose the safest, most successful-driven option available for your claim.