Los Angeles and Riverside Personal Injury Lawyers

Personal Injury

Accidents that cause injuries are common, but in most cases, they are preventable. Most accidents arise out of the reckless or careless acts of a person or entity, and people hurt in incidents brought about by negligence have the right to pursue damages from the party responsible for their harm via a personal injury lawsuit. If they successfully prove liability, they may be awarded damages for the cost of any medical expenses they incurred and for the loss of earnings they suffered due to their injuries. They may also be able to recover damages for the pain and suffering caused by the accident. It is important for anyone contemplating pursuing claims against the party that caused their harm to act quickly, though, as in most cases, personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the date of harm. 

Premises Liability

People throughout Riverside and Los Angeles regularly enter property owned by someone else for business, recreational, or social purposes. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for people to encounter dangerous conditions after they enter a property, and in many instances, such hazards cause substantial harm. In California, whether property owners are liable for harm caused by a dangerous condition on their property depends in part on the nature of the injured party’s entry into the property. For example, business invitees are owed a greater duty than trespassers. Property owners will often attempt to avoid liability by arguing that the condition that caused a harmful incident was obvious and open and, therefore, that the injured party knew or should have known of the condition prior to the injury. As such, it is critical for people hurt in accidents on other people’s property to consult a personal injury lawyer in Riverside and Los Angeles to determine what measures they can take to protect their rights.

Car Accidents

Most people in Riverside and Los Angeles will be involved in a car accident at some point in their lives, and while many are fortunate to walk away unharmed, some sustain serious and lasting harm. Car accidents are frequently caused by unsafe driving, but they can also be caused by dangerous roads, defective vehicles, or a combination of factors. Regardless of the exact cause of an accident, in most cases, lawsuits arising out of collisions allege that the defendant should be liable under a theory of negligence. In California, to prove liability based on negligence, a plaintiff must prove that the defendant owed them a duty of care and that the defendant’s acts or omissions constitute a breach of the duty owed. The plaintiff must then show they suffered an injury that was proximately caused by the breach and actual damages arising from the injury. A plaintiff who successfully demonstrates a defendant’s liability may be awarded compensation for their economic and non-economic harm.

Pedestrian Accidents

People in Riverside and Los Angeles frequently walk both for pleasure and as a means of travel. Unfortunately, drivers do not always provide pedestrians with the respect they are due, and it is not uncommon for people walking to be stuck by careless motorists. The injuries caused by such accidents are often catastrophic and not only cause physical and mental pain and suffering but substantial economic losses as well. In many cases, pedestrian accidents are caused by a violation of the law, such as the requirement that drivers yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.  As such, the person injured may be able to assert a negligence per se claim against the driver that caused the accident based on the theory that the driver breached a duty imposed by law. They may be able to pursue other claims as well; as such it is smart for people hurt in pedestrian accidents in Riverside and Los Angeles to contact a personal injury attorney.

Ride-Sharing Accidents

The use of ride-sharing applications like Uber and Lyft is prevalent in the Riverside and Los Angeles area, and while they offer a convenient means of transportation, their popularity has led to an increase in collisions involving ride-sharing drivers in recent years. Uber and Lyft accidents are like other crashes in that people hurt in such incidents will typically set forth negligence claims against the responsible party and bear the same burden of proof with regard to demonstrating fault. They differ, though, in that the insurance coverage available to compensate the injured party for their losses may vary depending on when the accident occurred. While ride-sharing drivers may be deemed at fault for Uber and Lyft accidents, it is unlikely that the company they drive for will be accountable. Cases arising out of ride-sharing accidents are complex, and it is critical that anyone harmed in such a collision seek the assistance of a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer in Riverside and Los Angeles adept at handling complicated matters.

Brain Injuries

Although all injuries should be addressed and treated in a serious manner, brain injuries typically cause more severe and lasting damage than other injuries. Car accidents, construction accidents, and slip and trip or fall accidents are common causes of brain injuries, such as concussions, hematomas, and hemorrhages. Brain injuries can require hospitalization, surgery, and occupational and physical therapy and may impair a person’s ability to earn a living. Recovering damages for a brain injury in a civil lawsuit can be challenging and often requires the injured party to retain one or more experts to offer opinions on the cause and extent of the injury and the magnitude of the damages caused by the injury.

Truck Accidents

Commercial trucks weigh several tons and have numerous blind spots, and even the safest truck drivers cannot avoid collisions in some cases. Numerous truck accidents are caused by hazardous driving, however, and could have been avoided if the truck driver complied with the obligations imposed by state and federal laws and regulations. If a driver fails to uphold their obligations, it can lead to disastrous results, and in many cases, the driver will be held liable for any harm they cause. If the driver was working for a trucking company at the time of the accident, the company may also be held liable. If you or a loved one were injured in a truck accident, it is in your best interest to contact a Riverside and Los Angeles personal injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss what damages you may be owed.

Motorcycle Accidents

Riding a motorcycle can be thrilling, but it poses greater risks than driving in a car. Motorcycle accidents are often caused by other drivers following too closely behind motorcycles and striking them from behind, passing motorcycles without adequate clearance, or improperly turning left in front of a motorcycle. Due to the lack of external protection, motorcycle accidents often cause fractures, brain injuries, organ damage, hemorrhages, and, in many cases, death. When a person is injured in a motorcycle accident, the other driver involved in the accident will often allege that the injured party was at fault, and therefore, the injured party should not be awarded damages. Under California law, however, any fault attributed to the injured party will not preclude them from recovering compensation but will merely reduce the damages they are owed.

Consult an Experienced Riverside and Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney

People who fail to act responsibly and recklessly injure other parties should be held accountable for any harm they cause. If you suffered harm through no fault of your own, you should speak with a personal injury attorney in Riverside and Los Angeles about your right to pursue damages. At Melo Law, our Riverside and Los Angeles personal injury lawyers take pride in our boutique size, which allows us to truly focus on each client and understand their specific circumstances. At our firm, you can expect to speak directly with an experienced attorney who not only knows the ins and outs of your case but is also genuinely invested in seeking the best possible outcome for you.  We regularly represent parties in cities throughout Riverside County, Los Angeles and Southern California. You can contact us at 888-MELO-LAW, via email at info@melolaw.com or through the online form to set up a consultation.