Personal Injury

Whether you've been injured in an accident, are dealing with a personal injury claim, or facing another legal issue, Mendez & Sanchez APC is here to fight for you. We handle a wide range of cases and focus on one thing—getting results. Our goal is to win the maximum compensation you deserve and help you get the justice you're owed in California or Nevada. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Call Us Now
By Admin
10/31/2020
Legal Expertise

It takes a split second for a serious accident to occur, but the resulting pain and emotional distress can last for months or even years. Some victims never make a full recovery. Beyond the physical and psychological trauma, the cost of medical care and lost income can threaten the financial future of the entire family. Our East Los Angeles, California personal injury attorneys understand the adversity you are facing, and we are ready to help you fight for the compensation you need to get your life back.

We have represented thousands of clients in a wide array of personal injury and wrongful death cases. Our track record of success speaks for itself from the millions of dollars recovered for clients. Insurance companies throughout California know that we never settle for anything less than our clients deserve, and we are not afraid to go to trial if they refuse to cooperate.

‍

__wf_reserved_inherit

Types of Claims our Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorneys Handle:

  • Driving Under Influence (DUI) accidents: When an individual is injured in an accident caused by a driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol, our attorneys can help them file a personal injury claim.
  • Distracted driving accidents: If an individual is injured in an accident caused by a driver who was distracted by their phone or other distractions, our attorneys can help them file a personal injury claim.
  • Motorcycle collisions: Our motorcycle accident attorney have experience handling personal injury claims for motorcyclists who have been injured in accidents caused by other drivers.
  • Semi-Truck accidents: Our attorneys can help individuals who have been injured in accidents involving semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles.
  • Car accidents: Our car accident lawyer can assist individuals who have been injured in car accidents due to the negligence of another driver.
  • Scooter injuries: Our attorneys can help individuals injured in accidents involving scooters, including those rented through ride-share companies.
  • Bike accidents: Our attorneys can help individuals who have been injured in bicycle accidents caused by other drivers.
  • Turo vehicle accidents: Our attorneys have experience handling personal injury claims involving accidents with Turo rental cars.
  • Boat accidents: Our attorneys can assist individuals who have been injured in accidents involving boats and other watercraft.
  • Airplane and other aircraft accidents: Our attorneys can help individuals who have been injured in aviation accidents.
  • Public, tour, and other bus accidents: Our attorneys can assist individuals who have been injured in accidents involving public transportation, tour buses, and other types of buses.
  • Pedestrian injuries: Our pedestrian accident attorney can help pedestrians who have been injured in accidents caused by negligent drivers.
  • Brain injuries: Our attorneys have experience handling personal injury claims involving traumatic brain injuries.
  • Spinal cord injuries: Our attorneys can help individuals who have suffered spinal cord injuries due to the negligence of another party.
  • Premises liability: Our attorneys can assist individuals who have been injured on someone else's property due to unsafe conditions or negligence.
  • Slip and fall accidents: Our slip and fall attorney can help individuals who have been injured in slip and fall accidents caused by unsafe conditions.
  • Train accidents: Our attorneys can assist individuals who have been injured in accidents involving trains and other types of railway transportation.
  • Ride-share vehicle accidents: Our attorneys can help individuals who have been injured in accidents involving ride-share vehicles, such as Uber and Lyft.
  • Accidents resulting in wrongful death
  • Other personal injuries

How Can I Strengthen My Personal Injury Case?

Many people assume that filing a personal injury lawsuit is a fairly straightforward process under injury law. Unfortunately, this is far from true. A dispute can arise at any moment of the proceedings and derail your entire case. Even if you have strong evidence to prove fault, there’s no guarantee that the insurance company will cooperate and pay a fair settlement.

It’s wise to prepare for all eventualities by taking steps to strengthen your claim such as:

  • Undergoing an Immediate Medical Evaluation: Your first step is to seek medical attention. No matter how minor your injury seems, getting an evaluation right away is essential if you intend to file a personal injury claim. Without official documentation of your injury and symptoms, it will be difficult to tie your injury to the accident and to prove its severity.
  • Preserving Evidence: It’s not uncommon for a seemingly insignificant piece of evidence to play a critical role in proving liability or damages. To avoid disposing of important evidence, it’s a good idea to speak with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
  • Calling an East Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer: The guidance of a skilled personal injury attorney can help you avoid critical mistakes that would lead to unnecessary disputes, delays, and complications. The sooner your lawyer can investigate your case, the better. The best time to contact an attorney is immediately after you undergo a medical evaluation, which should take place on the same day of the injury but certainly no later than 48 hours afterward.
  • Not speaking to the Insurance Company: Do you remember what you were doing in the moments leading up to the accident? Which parts of your body are in pain? Have you been able to return to work? These questions might seem simple and straightforward, but your answers may be taken out of context to dispute your claim. The bottom line: Your lawyer should handle all correspondence with anyone affiliated with the insurance company.
  • Limiting Your Social Media Activity: Social media posts are often used by insurance companies to dispute liability or damages. To protect your claim, it’s a good idea to disable your social media profiles until the conclusion of the proceedings.
  • Following Your Doctor’s Orders: If you do anything that might cause your injuries to worsen, the insurance company may refuse to pay for 100 percent of your damages. By following your doctor’s orders, you’ll be less likely to face a dispute regarding a failure to mitigate your damages.

‍

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in California?

In California, most personal injury victims have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. If your injury wasn't discovered right away, the clock may start from the date you discovered — or reasonably should have discovered — the harm. Missing this deadline almost always means losing your right to compensation permanently, so contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to protect your claim.

I was hit by a drunk driver in East Los Angeles — who is liable for my injuries?

The drunk driver is directly liable for your injuries, but California's dram shop laws and social host liability rules may also allow you to pursue compensation from a bar, restaurant, or even a private party that knowingly served alcohol to someone who was visibly intoxicated. On top of your personal injury claim, you may be entitled to punitive damages against the drunk driver under California Civil Code Section 3294, which are designed to punish especially reckless behavior. An experienced East Los Angeles personal injury attorney can identify every liable party and maximize the compensation available to you.

What's the first thing I should do after a serious car accident in California?

Your very first priority is to seek immediate medical attention, even if you feel fine — some serious injuries like traumatic brain injuries or spinal damage don't produce obvious symptoms right away, and a prompt medical evaluation creates the official documentation you'll need to connect your injuries to the accident. While still at the scene, call 911, photograph the vehicles and any visible injuries, and collect the other driver's insurance and contact information. Avoid giving recorded statements to any insurance company before speaking with a personal injury lawyer, as those statements can be used to minimize or deny your claim.

How much compensation can I recover from a personal injury claim in California?

California personal injury victims can recover economic damages — including all past and future medical bills, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity — as well as non-economic damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life, which have no statutory cap in most personal injury cases. In cases involving extreme misconduct, such as a DUI accident, punitive damages may also be available under California Civil Code Section 3294. The specific value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries, the strength of the evidence, and the insurance policy limits involved — our firm has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients throughout Los Angeles County.

Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault for my accident in California?

Yes — California follows a pure comparative fault rule under California Civil Code Section 1714, meaning you can recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for the accident. Your total award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault; for example, if you were found 30% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would still recover $70,000. Insurance companies often try to inflate your percentage of fault to reduce their payout, which is why having an experienced personal injury attorney negotiate on your behalf is so important.

What mistakes do most people make after a slip and fall accident that hurt their case?

The most damaging mistake is waiting too long to seek medical treatment, which gives the property owner's insurance company grounds to argue that your injuries weren't serious or weren't caused by the fall. Another common error is speaking with the property owner's insurer without legal representation and unknowingly making statements that undermine your claim. Failing to photograph the hazardous condition immediately is also critical — property owners often fix dangerous conditions quickly after an incident, destroying the very evidence you need to prove liability under California's premises liability law.

Do I really need a personal injury lawyer, or can I handle my claim with the insurance company on my own?

While you are legally allowed to negotiate with an insurance company on your own, studies consistently show that represented claimants recover significantly more compensation than those who go it alone — even after attorney fees. Insurance adjusters are trained negotiators whose goal is to settle your claim for as little as possible, and they may pressure you to accept a fast, lowball offer before you fully understand the long-term costs of your injuries. At Mendez & Sanchez, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case, so there is no financial risk to having a skilled East Los Angeles personal injury attorney in your corner.