Los Angeles Car Accident Claims: Personal Injury Law Fundamentals
Personal injury law is the guiding set of principles and regulations which dictate how California car accident cases are handled. These types of cases are known as “civil” cases, which are distinct from “criminal” cases. This means that compensation is sought for damages owed, as opposed to infliction of criminal sanctions and penalties. There are many different ways to establish fault in Los Angeles auto accident cases. The number one theory is that of negligence.
To prove that an at fault driver was negligent, and therefore liable to you for damages stemming from an auto accident, you must prove the following-
- The driver owes you a duty of care;
- The driver breached his/her duty of care;
- The driver’s breach of his/her duty of care caused your injury; and
- You were in fact injured.
An example of how negligence works can be illustrated thusly:
If you were driving down a busy Los Angeles street, and an at fault driver made a left turn when there was a red arrow, smashing into the side of your car as you drove across an intersection, then you would have to prove that the at fault driver owed you a duty of care as another driver on the road to not make a left turn when there is a red arrow. You would then have to prove that making a left turn on the red arrow was in fact a breach of the duty of care owed to you. Next, you would have to show that the breach of this duty, by making a left turn on a red arrow, was the direct cause of injury to you and/or your vehicle. Finally, you have to prove that you were in fact injured. If all the elements of this test are met, then you have proven negligence and the driver is liable.
While this is a simple example, all Los Angeles car accident cases are unique, requiring a deep understanding of personal injury law and how it applies to the particulars of often complex cases. Having an excellent personal injury attorney is crucial if you wish to receive just compensation for damages owed. The exceptional Los Angeles personal injury lawyers at California Attorney Group deal with personal injury and auto accident cases on a daily basis. They can help you receive the compensation you are owed by fiercely negotiating for a proper settlement offer, or taking your claim to Court. Contact them today for a free consultation by calling toll free at (866) 650-0505 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (866) 650-0505 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (866) 650-0505 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
