Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorneys

Why Farar & Lewis – Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyers

Farar & Lewis LLP is a top rated group of Los Angeles personal injury attorneys with over 40 years of combined experience. Our attorneys have won over $100 million in verdicts and settlements for our clients. Our firm was founded on the principle that every client deserves concierge customer service. Virtually everything we do revolves around getting our clients the highest level of service and results. All of our clients work with one of our founding partners, which means you consistently get great service. By working with us, you’re trusting us with your future – and we take this seriously. We take on fewer clients than our competitors, and consistently get great results. Our personal injury lawyers have recognized as Top Rated Super Lawyers, and have been selected as some of the Top Trial Lawyers in America. We offer a risk free consultation in person or over the phone. In many circumstances, we can come to you – at your home, or place of business to explain how we can help you and sign you up. Our goal is to help you. There are no upfront fees, and we work on a contingency fee basis – meaning if we don’t win, we don’t get paid. Each and every client at Farar & Lewis LLP gets personal service. Our goal is to be there for 24/7. When there’s an issue, or questions arise, we are here to help you. Every single client has access to their assigned Los Angeles personal injury attorney 24/7. We regularly encourage our clients to call us, and speak to us about their problems. Many consider us family – and we feel the same about them!

How much do our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers charge?

Farar & Lewis LLP works on a contingency fee basis. This means we don’t charge any upfront fees. If we don’t win your case we don’t charge anything at all. We handle all the costs associated with litigating your case, and as a result you’re able to focus on recovering – instead of worrying about legal fees.

What happens after i’m injured?

After your injured your first step should be to get medical treatment. It means going to the E.R., and getting an immediate thorough medical evaluation. The opposing insurance company might argue you’re not really hurt if you don’t get this treatment ASAP. It’s in the interest of the insurance company to pay you as little as possible. The only way they can do that is by proving your injuries aren’t serious.

What is the statute of limitations?

If you’re the victim of an accident, then you can possibly get financial compensation. In order to get this compensation you have to file a lawsuit. You have to file this lawsuit within a certain period of time after the accident. If you don’t – then you forfeit your right to file a personal injury claim and get the compensation. California has different deadlines depending on who you’re suing. The statute of limitations is STRICT and there are no exceptions. Many victims lose their chance to receive compensation because they didn’t file a lawsuit in time. This statute is applied to your case from the day you first get injured. If you intend on suing protected entities like the government, then the statute of limitations is much shorter. In some cases, the statute can be extended. For example, with the discovery rule the deadline to file a personal injury claim in Los Angeles can be extended if the person who is injured wasn’t aware of the injury. For example, if it’s only discovered after the statute of limitations that a party was responsible for causing the injuries – this can be a reason for which the statute of limitations can be extended.

How much money can I expect to get in a settlement?

Having a personal injury issue is one of the most common cases that people have to deal with today. Over time, a personal injury can cost a lot of time and money. You need to have a plan to deal with any issues that you have. Hiring a quality Los Angeles personal injury lawyer is one of the best ways to have success in this area. A lot of people today are excited about all of the options that they have when it comes to getting money for their injuries. However, some people want to know what they can expect to win in a case before they get started. Going to court costs a lot of time and money. It is vital for these people to understand how they can win the biggest amount possible.

Here are some of the keys to understanding your case.

Initial Consultation

Before hiring a lawyer for your services, you need to make sure you have a firm plan in place to win your case. Sitting down with several lawyers will give you great exposure to how different people think within the industry. The more opinions you get, the better the understanding that you will have of how to win your case. There are so many personal injury lawyers to choose from that it can be overwhelming. You need to make sure you have a plan in place to take your life to a new level whenever you can. If you can hire a great lawyer and win your case, you can get your life back on track. This is one of the most important things that you can do in your life. The initial consultation should be detailed. This should be the time that you are able to figure everything out with your finances and medicals costs. How Much? The big question that everyone wants to know is how much they could potentially win in a case. There are a lot of people who do not even like to think about suing someone else. However, in the case of a personal injury, this is often the only chance you have to receive financial help. One of the most important aspects of determining the total damages is the shape you are in today. If you can no longer work and are a burden on your family, you are going to struggle with things until you get financial assistance. The more the jury sees that you are in pain, the more likely that they will give you the amount that you are asking for. A lot of people need help with medical bills and the pain and suffering that was caused by the actions of someone else. Once you have your initial consultation with your personal injury lawyer, you will be able to figure out the amount you need. This is one of the most important aspects of having a winning case. Winning the Case Hiring a lawyer is one of the most important parts of this process. You need someone who has experience in the field, and someone who wants to see justice served. There are a lot of people who are struggling to figure out the right plan for their case. If you want to win your case, you need to bring a lot of strong evidence. The more evidence you have, the higher your chances of winning the case. Over time, there are a lot of people who have been able to win their case simply by showing how much pain they are in and the medical bills incurred. Some companies will try to settle the case out of court. Not only does this help them avoid paying for lawyer fees, but it also helps them to keep the company image in a positive light. However, some companies will try to offer a very low amount of money to settle out of court. Instead of taking this option, you need to make sure you have a plan to go in and win your case to get the money that you deserve. Now is the time to take back control over your life. Does whiplash occur right away at the accident? Whiplash injuries have the reputation of being among some of the most difficult injuries to correctly diagnose and treat. In some cases the type of injury is obvious from the history and physical examination while in other cases a severe whiplash injury can be missed, even with modern diagnostic imaging technology. The answer depends on what is meant by “whiplash.” If you mean the actual whiplash injury that is caused by the violent back and forth motion of the head and neck caused by the force of a collision, then the answer would be yes. A whiplash injury is present within seconds after the accident occurred. If you mean the symptoms of a whiplash injury, the answer is no. The symptoms of a whiplash injury can occur at any time from seconds after the accident until days, weeks, and even months after the accident that was responsible for the injury.

How can symptoms of an injury not appear until some time later, often months later?

It isn’t uncommon for an injury to cause delayed symptoms. One of the most often used examples is that of a long distance runner who subjects his ankles to repetitive stress each time that he trains and when he competes. This repetitive trauma causes no problems early on, but emerges as arthritis years after the runner retires. Whiplash injuries produce an unnatural strain on the muscles of the neck, including the muscles that help keep the spine in its normal position. When these muscles are first damaged, they usually go into a spasm that pulls the spine out of its normal position but later, as the muscles heal, they do not return to their original strength, This allows the vertebrae to again move out of position. This abnormal movement can eventually result in changes similar to arthritis. Once these arthritis-like changes occur they can restrict neck movement and can even cause the channels where nerves attached to the spinal cord emerge from the neck to become narrowed. This narrowing, which can occur years after the original injury, can lead to pain and weakness in the arms and shoulders. Is there any way to tell which whiplash injuries will go on to cause problems later? No. Whiplash injuries that cause significant discomfort early after an accident can heal completely after only a few days, while those that cause only minor aches and pains early on can require spinal surgery at a later date. Doctors that specialize in spinal trauma that occurs in whiplash injuries have a slightly better record at predicting what injuries will be the most problematic later on, but even these specialists are unable to maintain a very high rate of accuracy.

Are whiplash injuries hard to diagnose?

A: Whiplash injuries are notoriously hard to diagnose, even immediately after an accident, because the damage done may be too small to see on x-rays or even MRI scans. Treatment decisions are often made on the basis of the patient’s symptoms and the physical exam in the days and weeks after an injury. After that time a clearer clinical picture usually emerges and a better estimate of the long term prognosis can be made.

What treatments seem the most effective in whiplash injuries?

Since whiplash injuries can be so unpredictable there are no hard and fast rules for their treatment. Most spinal injury specialists will suggest a period of immobilization using a hard or soft cervical collar, with a non-steroidal ant-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen for pain control and a muscle relaxation drug such as Flexaril to combat muscle spasms. After the acute phase of the injury has passed, most will recommend a course of physical therapy to strengthen the neck muscles. Beyond that point, treatment is guided by the patient’s symptoms.

How can a personal injury lawyer help someone with a whiplash injury?

As in any accidental injury, working with a Los Angeles personal injury attorney is the best way to protect your legal right to be treated fairly after an injury. Los Angeles personal injury attorneys understand how unpredictable whiplash injuries can be and will work with insurance companies to insure that you are treated fairly and not pushed into accepting an early settlement that is favorable to the company rather than to you. Need legal help? Our Los Angeles car accident attorneys and Los Angeles personal injury lawyers are available to help whenever, and wherever, you need it.

Many injuries can appear to be minor, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t serious. It also doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pursue medical treatment and compensation.

Many people avoid hiring attorneys because they think their injuries are minor, or because they think attorneys charge money upfront. Many people avoid treatment, and then their injuries get worse and so does the pain. Many injuries have symptoms that only come forth later. It’s crucial you get medical attention as quickly as possible. After you do that, we recommend you speak to a personal injury lawyer who can help you. Our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys are some of the most respected personal injury attorneys in Los Angeles. We’ve won tens of millions in compensation for our clients and have been ranked by major platforms like Super Lawyers, Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and many others. Our partner Joel Farar was named a 2012-2016 Super Lawyers Rising Star, which is an honor given to only 2.5% of top attorneys in California. One of the benefits of working with us is we never charge a fee unless we win your case. It means we’re on your team 100% of the time. There are no upfront fees, and we only get paid if we win your case. If we don’t win, we don’t get paid. By working on a contingency fee basis – we prove that we’re on your team and are “in it, to win it.”

How long does a personal injury case take

This is a popular question we often hear. Many people wonder about this. On average, the length of time it’ll take will depend. If your attorney is super busy, the harder it is for him to expedite your case and handle the legal issues surrounding your case. Many sole practitioners take longer to handle cases because they don’t have the staff they need. Because the attorney has fewer resources, he spends time doing basic stuff instead of focusing on your case. If you hire a bigger firm, they likely have enough resources to handle your case. Another factor is medical treatments. Personal injury cases can’t be settled until medical treatments are over. It means the bulk of your case, time is spent waiting for treatments to conclude. Depending on the seriousness of your injuries, this can take a long time – and it cannot be rushed. If your medical bills are continuing to grow, this potentially increases the value of your case. Establishing fault is another potential area that takes time. In some cases, liability isn’t clear. Your attorney may need to conduct an investigation. When liability is clear, it’s easy to assign blame and collect funds. In some cases, where liability isn’t clear – your attorney will need to conduct an investigation. It means finding witnesses who can support your attorney’s claim. It also means hiring experts where necessary.

Should I accept the insurance companies settlement offer?

Often, opposing insurance companies will offer money to make a potential case go away. Companies do this when they think you’ll take the money, and to avoid your case from becoming larger. They will usually offer you the minimum amount of money possible – simply to appease you. We do not recommend you take any money, without speaking to a personal injury lawyer first. There are many reasons to avoid taking an insurance settlement offer immediately. Future medical bills: Some injuries manifest immediately, but often there are long-term repercussions. Some injuries don’t appear until years later. IF you take an immediate settlement offer, you forfeit your right to future treatment for injuries. Loss of income: If you take an immediate settlement offer, you could lose the ability to get compensated for loss of income in the future. In some cases, injuries are so bad that clients cannot continue to work. Settlements often don’t cover the future income. As a result, you should speak to a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer first.

How long does it take to resolve a personal injury case?

There’s an old saying that the wheels of justice turn slowly. When you’re hurt in a personal injury accident, any amount of waiting for justice can seem like too long. As you make the decision to bring a case in order to recover for your losses, you may wonder how long your case is going to take. The answer is that each case is different. No attorney can promise you that your case is going to be over in any certain amount of time. There are a number of factors that are out of your attorney’s control such as how the other party responds to the case and the court’s scheduling procedures. However, there are things that you can do in order to make the litigation move as quickly as possible.

Faster is not always better

Although it might seem tempting to resolve the case as quickly as possible, the fastest resolution may not be the best resolution. If the other side makes a fast settlement offer, they may hope that you’ll bite in an effort to dispose of the case quickly. That offer may not fairly represent all of your losses. Taking the time to thoroughly prepare your case can ultimately mean a larger recovery. If you take the time to obtain medical evaluations to document your injuries and work with analysts and accountants to value your damages, the other side may be more willing to offer you an amount that helps you recover and rebuild your life. Your personal injury attorneys can give you guidance about any settlement offers that you receive. They can help you determine if it’s best to accept a settlement offer or to continue to build your case in anticipation of trial. How much time? A case can resolve in as little as a few months, but it’s unusual for a case to resolve that quickly. Most cases take several months or even a year or more. If your case goes to trial, there may be appeals that extend the total length of the case. Each case is different. Ultimately, if a case is complicated or complex, it’s more likely to take longer to sort out the issues. Your personal injury lawyer can evaluate the details of your case in order to give you a realistic idea of what to expect in your specific case.

You have control

It’s important to remember that you have some say in how long your case takes. If you receive a settlement offer, you get to decide if that’s how you want to resolve the case. You can say yes and end the case, or you can say no and the case goes forward. Your attorney can tell you what they think about the settlement offer. However, you’re the one who has the final say in whether to continue to pursue the case. This can make you feel as though you have some ownership in the process and the amount of time it takes to resolve.

Working with your attorney

Your personal injury lawyers can work with you to help your case move as quickly as possible. You can help them by making sure that they have all of the information that they need. They need to know when the accident occurred, who may be responsible and what happened. Your attorney wants to hear you tell your story so that they can apply their training and experience in order to help you maximize your recovery. That means, when your attorney has questions, it’s important to get the answers as quickly as possible. As the case proceeds, you may need to provide additional information. You may have written questions to answer or documents to provide. You may need to have a medical appointment with a professional that the other party chooses. Doing all of these things when you’re asked can help you keep your case on track and moving towards your fair recovery.

Can pre-existing conditions be covered after being involved in a car accident in California?

Many people live with pre-existing medical conditions. It might be a bad back after a long-ago injury playing sports as a child. It might be a health condition such as anxiety or depression. When you’re involved in a car accident in California, you might want to know if your pre-existing conditions are covered while you’re receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the accident caused by someone else. The answer to this question is one that’s very clear according to the law. No pre-existing medical condition is covered by the at-fault party following a car accident. However, there are a few things to keep in mind before you resign yourself to paying for your own medical bills following an accident. Insurance Claims When you are the victim of an accident that caused you injury, you’re going to receive payment from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. That insurance company will do everything in its power to limit the amount of money they’re required to pay to you following the accident. Their legal team works to prove your injuries are not severe, that they are pre-existing, or that the driver at-fault shouldn’t be charged with the accident. They don’t want to pay you the kind of money you deserve, so they’re going to do everything to prove you aren’t in need of a large settlement. Many insurance companies will look for a way to argue your injuries or health issues are pre-existing to remove the financial burden from their responsibility. When this occurs, the driver’s insurance company will probe into your medical history. A judge might require you provide a full medical history to the insurance company to prove you’re not someone who lived with a pre-existing condition. This either works in your favor, or it doesn’t. The insurance company might request proof your injury was a result of the accident, and this might mean your doctor must come to your defense. It can become a long, drawn out, messy process. If it comes to this, the law requires the at-fault party’s insurance company issue a subpoena for your medical records. They’ll go over your records looking for anything to indicate your injuries are pre-existing. If they find any conceivable evidence and/or proof your injuries are partially to blame on a pre-existing condition, they’ll work to reduce the amount you’re owed. Unknown Conditions There’s always find print and gray areas associated with insurance and medical law. In this case, many victims are unaware they suffer from a pre-existing condition. If a victim seeks medical treatment following an injury and it’s discovered the victim suffers from a condition they were unaware of, it becomes a different story. California law refers to this as an incidental finding, and it has nothing to do with the amount of money you’re owed by the at-fault party’s insurance company. You’ll need to provide your medical records, testimony from your primary care doctor, and testimony from the doctor who treated you following the accident. Legally, the at-fault party’s insurance company an drag this process out for months on end, which is frustrating for the victim. Aggravated Injuries Just because you suffer from a pre-existing condition doesn’t mean you are automatically going to lose out on your settlement following an accident. Many people suffer from conditions their entire life without any issue until they’re the victim of an accident, and the other driver’s insurance is still financially responsible for your injuries. A personal injury attorney knows the law in California, and they can help you file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver for aggravating your injuries. For example, if you suffer from osteoporosis and a car hits you, you might suffer from broken bones. It’s not your fault or the fault of your condition your bones broke. It’s the fault of the driver’s negligence, and you’re owed compensation. A lawsuit is often the only way to seek payment from the at-fault party’s insurance company. The law is complex and often confusing to those suffering injuries. California law was created to protect all parties, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t work for you when someone else’s negligence is to blame. Call our personal injury attorneys today to discuss your case, your rights, and what happens next. You shouldn’t suffer medically because someone else was negligent. You have rights, and it’s time to exercise those rights. Need legal help? Our Los Angeles car accident attorneys and Los Angeles personal injury lawyers are available to help whenever, and wherever, you need it.