Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer

If you’re dealing with serious injuries in the aftermath of an accident that wasn’t your fault, you shouldn’t have to deal with them alone. Contact Steinger, Greene & Feiner, trusted personal injury lawyers in Los Angeles, to take the first step in getting the compensation you deserve.

Personal Injury Law in Los Angeles

If you were injured because of someone else’s negligent behavior, you can benefit greatly from hiring an attorney. Everyone has the responsibility to act with reasonable care to prevent causing harm to others, and when they choose not to do so, they should be held accountable.

Whether you were involved in a car accident, a slip and fall accident, a dog bite incident, a workplace accident, or something else, a personal injury lawyer will identify all parties who contributed to the accident, hold them accountable, and get you the compensation you need to recover physically, emotionally, and financially. 

Why You Need a Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer

Dealing with a sudden injury is stressful enough, and you should not have to worry about dealing with insurance companies and navigating the legal system. Data has shown that working with a lawyer increases the likelihood of receiving thousands or millions of dollars in your settlement compared to working with insurance companies alone. 

Personal injury lawyers know that your injuries may be more severe and far-reaching than you think, and they can use the facts of your case to get you the highest possible settlement. Even small injuries can cause massive short-term and long-term costs from medical bills, lost wages, and more. 

Lawyers can also identify factors that contributed to your accident but are not immediately apparent. For example, if a defective part causes a car accident, it won’t be obvious right away. One of the first steps of your claim is collecting and preserving all relevant evidence, interviewing witnesses, and documenting your injuries. All of this information will be submitted to the at-fault party’s insurance company to advocate for the injured party and secure a fair settlement. Too often, insurance companies try to pressure victims into accepting small settlements right after their accidents, but an expert personal injury lawyer will not let this happen.

Selecting the Right Personal Injury Lawyer

When looking for a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, you should choose one who has experience handling your specific claim type and bringing cases to court. Your lawyer also needs to be familiar with all California laws that may apply to your case, such as the concept of comparative negligence.

At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, our expert personal injury lawyers have been handling a wide variety of case types for decades, and we’ve secured millions in compensation for our clients. We know the ins and outs of California law, and we don’t back down from negotiating with insurance companies, trucking companies, pharmaceutical companies, and other parties who may be responsible for your injuries.

We’re committed to representing the best interests of our clients, which is why we operate on a contingency fee basis. You don’t pay until we win your case.

The Personal Injury Claim Process

If you have been injured because of the negligent behavior of another person or a third party, you may qualify to file a personal injury claim. 

Here are the elements that make up a successful personal injury claim:

1. Duty of care: The party responsible for causing injuries must have owed the injured party a legal duty of care. For example, drivers have the duty to operate their vehicles safely.
2. Breach of duty: The at-fault party must have breached this duty of care, failing to meet this legal obligation. For example, a driver who runs a red light and causes an accident has breached their duty of care.
3. Causation: The breach of duty must directly cause the injury or harm suffered by the victim. This means that if it had not been for the negligent actions of the responsible party, the injury would not have occurred.
4. Damages: The injured party must have suffered actual damages, such as physical injuries, emotional distress, medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. 

Using evidence and legal arguments, the injured party must prove the negligence and liability on the part of the responsible party. This is why it’s so important for injury victims to consult an experienced lawyer who knows the ins and outs of California personal injury law to handle your case. 

Most personal injury cases are settled out of court, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is a way to reach a mutual agreement without going through a long, costly trial.

Types of ADR include:

1. Mediation: Mediation is a voluntary process where a neutral, third-party mediator helps facilitate settlement negotiations between the parties. The mediator helps identify common interests, explore possible solutions, and assist the parties in reaching a mutually agreeable settlement. Unlike a judge or arbitrator, a mediator does not make decisions but guides the parties to a resolution.
2. Arbitration: Arbitration is a more formal process than mediation. It involves presenting the case to one or more arbitrators who act as private judges. The arbitrators review evidence, listen to arguments from both sides and deliver a binding decision known as an arbitral award. Arbitration can be binding or non-binding, depending on the parties’ agreement.
3. Negotiation: Negotiation is the simplest form of ADR. It involves direct communication between the parties or their attorneys, and it allows the parties to discuss settlement terms without the need for a third party. Negotiation can take place at any stage of the personal injury claim process from pre-litigation to trial.
4. Collaborative law: Collaborative law is a voluntary process in which the parties and their attorneys agree to resolve the claim through negotiation instead of litigation. They agree not to go to court and to work together to find mutually beneficial solutions. 

When you hire a lawyer to help with your personal injury claim, they will pursue any avenue necessary to obtain a fair settlement for your injuries, from negotiation to filing a lawsuit and taking your case to trial.

Because most cases end in settlements without going to court, personal injury attorneys are experts in negotiating with insurance companies for full and fair compensation. This expertise is key to your case because insurance adjusters often try to lowball accident victims and pressure them into accepting the offer. 

Your attorney will gather all the necessary evidence to prove that another party was at fault for the accident and that you deserve sufficient compensation to cover all your physical, emotional, and financial losses. Negotiation with insurance companies also delivers a settlement faster than a trial can, but if negotiation ultimately breaks down, your lawyer should be prepared to take your case to trial.

Types of Personal Injury Cases

Auto Accidents

Every year, millions of people are severely injured or killed in car accidents. We’ve handled countless auto accident cases, including highly complex accidents involving multiple vehicles and third parties, securing maximum compensation for victims and their families. 

Bicycle Accidents

Because bicyclists have little protection on roads, bicycle accidents can cause severe injuries leading to permanent disability and disfigurement. Our lawyers will identify the at-fault party and hold them accountable.

Birth Injuries

Severe complications during pregnancy or labor can cause lifelong consequences for children and mothers. If a mistake during labor and delivery caused injuries to your child, we will hold the doctor, hospital, and other care providers accountable to secure you the compensation you need for medical care and other losses.

Motorcycle Injuries

Motorcyclists are another group of motorists that are among the least protected on the road. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident caused by a negligent driver, we will hold them responsible and secure the compensation you need to recover. 

Truck Accidents

18-wheelers and other large trucks can cause tragic accidents, and trucking companies will do everything in their power to evade accountability. We will stand up for you against these companies and get you the compensation you deserve. 

Boating Accidents

If you were hit by a boat while swimming or operating a boat, the operator of the boat is legally obligated to pay for all injuries and property damage you sustained. We’ll investigate to find out what caused the accident and hold the operator responsible for their negligent actions.

Brain Injuries

Brain injuries can range from concussions to open head wounds, and the consequences can be lifelong. Our lawyers will make sure you have the compensation you need to get the medical treatment and rehabilitative care you need.

Defective Products

Every day, thousands of products can be recalled because they were found to cause harm, like cars with airbags that fail to deploy. If you were injured by a defective product, we will prove the negligence of the manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers and get you the compensation you need to recover.

Dog Bites

If someone else’s dog bit you, you shouldn’t have to cover the cost of your injuries. We will prove that the dog owner is liable and get the money you need to cover the cost of your medical care, pain and suffering, lost wages, etc.

Medical Malpractice

Healthcare providers must care for their patients. If they make a negligent mistake that causes harm, they should be held accountable, and you shouldn’t be left dealing with the consequences on your own.

Drug Injuries

All medications have side effects, but sometimes manufacturers are not transparent about the serious or even life-threatening side effects of their medications. If you experienced an adverse reaction to a drug, we will represent your interests against the pharmaceutical company and get you the compensation you deserve.

Pedestrian Accidents

Countless pedestrians are hit by reckless drivers every day, and many suffer from hit-and-run accidents. Our lawyers will identify the negligent driver and hold them responsible for your injuries. 

Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents often fall under premises liability cases, meaning that property owners can be held liable for injuries that occur on the premises of their properties. The injuries from slip and fall accidents can be especially severe for people 65 and older. We will secure compensation for injuries like broken hips, knee injuries, and traumatic brain injuries.

Social Security Disability

People with disabilities qualify for Social Security benefits, but these benefits are often wrongfully denied. Our attorneys will advocate for you so you can get the benefits you need.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Similar to brain injuries, spinal cord injuries are some of the most devastating injuries a person can suffer. They can have lifelong ramifications and require hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical treatment, rehabilitative care, in-home care, mobility aids, and more. We’ll ensure that you won’t be left dealing with these costs.

Workers’ Compensation

If you were injured at work because of unsafe working conditions or other negligence on the part of your employer, you’re entitled to receive benefits. If your employer denies these benefits, we will fight to get you the money you deserve.

Wrongful Death

If someone loses their life as a result of negligent behavior, it is categorized as a wrongful death. Surviving loved ones can file an injury and wrongful death claim to cover the emotional and financial losses they have suffered.

Compensation in Personal Injury Cases

If you’re injured because of the negligence of another party, you can claim damages for your physical, emotional, and financial losses. Damages can be categorized as either economic or non-economic. Economic damages are ones you can quantify in monetary terms, like medical bills and lost wages. Non-economic damages are intangible ones that are harder to calculate, like emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, etc. A personal injury lawyer can help place a fair value on all the damages you have suffered.

In a personal injury claim, you can secure financial compensation for:

• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Medical treatment expenses (doctors, hospitals, rehabilitation, therapy)
• Lost wages, past and future
• Loss of consortium and joy of life
• Punitive damages (designed to punish the at-fault party for particularly negligent behavior)
• Other costs related to the injury or accident

The compensation in personal injury cases is determined by tort law. In tort cases, the victim—the plaintiff—has suffered injuries or damages because of another person’s negligence. Tort cases are civil actions, not criminal cases, which means that the at-fault party is charged financially.

The specific amount that can be recouped depends on the particulars of your case, the severity of your injuries, and applicable California laws. An experienced personal injury attorney will help you understand your legal options and the potential damages available in your claim.

Statute of Limitations & Other Legal Considerations

According to the California Code of Civil Procedure (CCCP) § 335.1, you have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury claim. After that deadline, a judge will most likely throw your lawsuit out.

There are some exceptions to the statute, like discovering negligence after the fact or being under 18, but the sooner you contact a lawyer and file a claim, the better. Evidence can disappear, and memories can fade, so it’s best to start working on your case right away.

Client Testimonials

Our former clients reported complete satisfaction with how we’ve handled their cases. Hear why Steinger, Greene & Feiner is the #1 personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What If the Person Who Caused My Auto Accident Was Uninsured or Underinsured?

You can still recover compensation from your insurance policy through uninsured motorist coverage (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage if the at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured. UM and UIM coverage are optional to purchase, but they’re designed to protect you in these scenarios. Additionally, there may be other contributing factors to the accident, so you should consult an attorney to find out all your options for compensation.

Can I Still Recover Compensation If I Was Partially at Fault for My Accident?

Under the comparative negligence (or fault) standard in California, you can still recover compensation if you are found partially at fault for the accident. Your damages will be reduced by the amount you were found to be at fault. For example, if you were found 25% responsible for an accident, you are entitled to 75% of the case damages.

What Information Do I Need to Provide My Attorney?

You should provide your attorney with all information related to your accident. This includes the traffic collision report, photographs of the scene, vehicles, and/or injuries, insurance, and contact information for all parties and witnesses involved, medical records and billing related to your treatment, and any other relevant information. But don’t worry if you don’t have all of this information—the role of your attorney is to collect and preserve all this evidence to build your case.

Call a Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Don’t wait to get the compensation you deserve. Our expert Los Angeles car accident lawyers and personal injury lawyers are ready to take on your case, establish negligence, and help you recover and move on from your accident.

Contact us for a free, no-obligation case consultation today.

Steinger, Greene & Feiner Los Angeles
12100 Wilshire Blvd
8^th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90025