Villa Park Personal Injury Lawyer

Villa Park Personal Injury Attorney

If you sustained serious bodily injury after a traffic accident, slipping in a puddle at the store, or another accident that was somebody else’s fault, a Villa Park personal injury lawyer in northern Orange County can represent your case. You shouldn’t have to pay medical bills while recovering from your injuries and away from work, unable to earn an income. The Corrales Law Group can manage your legal proceedings and work towards recovering your damages.

Types of Common Personal Injury Accidents

Car accidents happen every day and have the potential to cause severe bodily damage, even permanent disfigurement. Collisions can occur from a multitude of causes, such as a drunk, fatigued, or reckless driver, weather conditions, or faulty vehicle parts. Serious injuries can happen from any type of vehicle collision, but when a driver is operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the consequences can be especially disastrous.

This also includes trucking accidents, which leave passenger car occupants particularly vulnerable to significant injuries. Personal injuries from riding in an Uber, Lyft, or any other ridesharing service can also be awarded compensation.

Several types of injurious incidents can result in the wrongful death of the affected individual. The person’s relatives can file a wrongful death claim in these instances if they believe another party’s intentional, reckless, or negligent behavior resulted in their family member’s death.

Slip and fall accidents are a type of personal injury that applies to premises liability. This liability means that a property owner — whether of an office building, a parking garage, a store or restaurant, or even private property — has a legal obligation to ensure the premises are kept in reasonably safe conditions for guests. Failure to do so, or lack of adequate effort to, leaves them liable to any injuries that occur on their property, such as spills, slick floors, broken stairs, etc.

What Does an Injury Attorney Do?

Your attorney in Villa Park can first determine if you have a strong injury claim, and if you do, they can assist you in filing an official claim. They will then conduct negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurance provider or legal counsel to argue for your right to compensation as well as the amount of recompense appropriate for your situation. Some cases are settled during this phase and don’t require going to trial. However, this is not always the case.

Your injury lawyer is also prepared to take your claim through the litigation phase, beginning with gathering evidence and building the arguments of your case. If the accused party refuses to accept responsibility or fair compensation is unable to be reached, your attorney can act as your legal representation during the court proceedings; they will present various pieces of evidence and supporting arguments and potentially provide witness testimonies.

Do I Pay My Personal Injury Lawyer Upfront?

With personal injury cases, clients do not need to pay their lawyer until the case has concluded — whether they earn you a compensation payout or not. If your attorney is unable to prove your right to financial compensation, you do not have to pay them for their legal services.

This system of operations is referred to as working on a contingency basis. This allows victims to pursue a settlement without putting themselves at further financial risk. If you do receive a compensation award, only then is your lawyer going to expect payment.

Lawyers fees for personal injury claims are paid from a percentage of the total awarded settlement. Typically, your attorney will discuss their percentage, or contingency fee, with you before you agree to hire them.

They will most likely request around a third of the total settlement award, depending on your case’s complexity, how much work is required, and the estimated amount. Then, the two of you will sign an agreement on the percentage so there are no changes or uncertainty as the case is ongoing.

FAQs for Personal Injury Attorneys

Q: Can the IRS Take Money From a Personal Injury Settlement?

A: Yes, a portion of your personal injury settlement is subject to taxation. In California, the only injury claims that are completely exempt from taxes are workers’ compensation and medical malpractice cases. Otherwise, the compensation you receive for economic damages (e.g., medical bills and lost income) is taxable.

Q: How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim?

A: You generally have two years from the date the personal injury occurs to file a personal injury claim. There are some exceptions to this rule, including if the liable party is the government or if there was a delayed discovery of your injuries. Your injury attorney can help you determine how long you have to file, given your circumstances. For this reason, it’s always wise to consult with a lawyer soon after your injury.

Q: Do I Have to Pay Medical Bills Out of My Settlement in California?

A: Yes, your outstanding payments for medical bills and ongoing treatment are paid using your settlement award. Your injury attorney can assist you with this; typically, the liable party’s insurance provider will put your compensation payout into an account to which your lawyer has access. They will ensure your medical bills, in addition to their legal fees, are paid before providing you the remainder of your settlement.

Q: What if My Medical Bills Are More Than My Settlement in California?

A: Most of the time, your settlement will sufficiently cover all your bills from medical treatment. The main goal of a personal injury settlement is to, at minimum, cover the costs of your past and ongoing medical care, and your attorney works toward this by pursuing full compensation for your accident.

If your treatment expenses exceed the settlement award, your lawyer can contact your own insurance to cover the difference and negotiate unnecessary costs from your medical providers.

A Skilled Injury Attorney Can Fight for Your Right to Compensation

At the Corrales Law Group, our compassionate injury lawyers work hard to earn our clients a settlement for their medical bills, pain, emotional suffering, lost wages, diminished quality of life, and other damages. Reach out to speak with a legal professional regarding your injury claim.