California Personal Injury Lawyers

After an accident, life can change quickly. You or a loved one may be dealing with serious injuries, medical care, missed work, and uncertainty about what comes next. If someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions caused your injuries, a California personal injury lawyer can help protect your rights and explain your legal options. Kermani LLP is here to pursue the compensation available for your losses while handling the legal side of your claim so that you can keep your attention on your health and recovery. 

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in California

Personal injury claims can arise from many different circumstances, and no two cases are exactly alike. That is why it is important to work with personal injury lawyers in California who have experience across a broad range of accident and injury claims. Since 2011, Kermani LLP has represented thousands of clients and handled cases involving everything from everyday traffic collisions to life-changing injuries and complex liability disputes.
Our California personal injury attorneys handle a wide range of accident and injury cases, including:

• Car Accidents: A car accident claim can be as simple as a single rear-end collision or as complicated as a multi-vehicle pileup involving several insurance companies, and how the crash happened often shapes how the claim gets built.

• Uber and Lyft Accidents: Rideshare companies carry different levels of insurance coverage depending on whether the driver had a ride accepted, was en route to a pickup, or had the app off entirely, and that distinction is often the first thing worth sorting out after a crash.
• Delivery Accidents: Whether a delivery driver for a company like Amazon or DoorDash was an employee or an independent contractor at the time of the crash can significantly change who is held responsible.
• Motorcycle Accidents: California is one of the few states where lane splitting is legal, and that alone can complicate how fault gets assigned when a rider is hurt while moving between lanes of slower traffic.
• Truck Accidents: A single truck crash can involve more potential defendants than almost any other car accident case: the driver, the trucking company, a separate maintenance contractor, or the company that loaded the cargo.
• Bicycle Accidents: California requires drivers to leave at least three feet of space when passing a cyclist, and a violation of that rule often becomes central to establishing fault.
• Pedestrian Accidents: Pedestrians generally have the right of way in California, but that doesn't make every case straightforward; poor visibility, unmarked crosswalks, and disputed sightlines come up regularly.
• Brain Injuries: Doctors typically classify a brain injury's initial severity using the Glasgow Coma Scale, and that early classification often plays a role in how the claim is evaluated, even though real-world recovery doesn't always follow the initial score.
• Paralysis and Spinal Cord Injuries: The level and completeness of a spinal cord injury drives nearly every other decision in the claim, from the home modifications a person will need to the kind of long-term care their recovery requires.
• Construction Accidents: Multiple companies are often present on the same job site at once (a general contractor, several subcontractors, an equipment supplier), which is part of why these claims frequently involve more than one potentially liable party beyond a person's own employer.
• Catastrophic Injuries: These are typically the cases that require a life-care plan, a detailed projection of a person's medical and support needs for the rest of their life, because the losses extend so far beyond the initial treatment.
• Wrongful Death: A wrongful death claim can arise from a fatal crash, a workplace incident, a defective product, or virtually any other situation where negligence caused someone's death, and California law allows specific surviving family members to pursue compensation on behalf of those left behind.

Whether your case involves a traffic accident, unsafe property, workplace incident, or another form of negligence, the right legal approach depends on the facts surrounding your injury. A California personal injury lawyer at Kermani LLP can evaluate your claim, determine who may be responsible, and explain the legal options available to you. Our goal is to build a case that reflects the full impact the injury has had on your health, finances, work, and daily life.

Type of Compensation Available in a California Personal Injury Claim

The compensation available after an injury depends on the circumstances of the accident, the extent of your losses, and how the injury has affected your life. In California, personal injury damages generally fall into two main categories: economic and non-economic damages. When an accident results in death, eligible family members may also be able to pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim.

Economic Damages

Economic damages compensate you for measurable financial losses caused by your injury. 

Depending on your case, these may include:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and income
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Rehabilitation and ongoing care
• Property damage
• Other accident-related expenses

These damages are intended to account for both the financial losses you have already experienced and certain losses you are reasonably expected to face in the future.

Non-Economic Damages

Not every consequence of an injury comes with a receipt. Non-economic damages address the personal impact an accident can have on your quality of life and well-being.

Depending on the circumstances, compensation may be available for:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Mental suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Physical impairment
• Disfigurement
• Inconvenience

There is no single formula for determining the value of non-economic damages. The nature of your injuries, the length of your recovery, and their effect on your everyday life can all play a role.

Wrongful Death Damages

When negligence results in the loss of a loved one, certain surviving family members may be able to bring a wrongful death claim in California. Compensation can address both the financial and personal losses created by the death.

Depending on the case, wrongful death damages may include:

• Loss of financial support
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of household services
• Loss of expected gifts or benefits
• Loss of love and companionship
• Loss of comfort, care, and assistance
• Loss of protection and moral support
• Loss of guidance

No amount of compensation can replace a loved one. A wrongful death claim can, however, help address the financial consequences of the loss and hold the responsible party accountable.

A California personal injury lawyer can evaluate the damages that may apply to your claim and help document the full extent of your past, present, and future losses.

California's official civil jury instructions recognize categories including physical pain, mental suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, impairment, inconvenience, anxiety, and emotional distress as potential non-economic damages. For wrongful death claims, California's instructions identify losses such as financial support, funeral and burial expenses, household services, and loss of love, companionship, care, assistance, protection, and guidance. 

Injuries We Have Seen in Personal Injury Cases in California

Personal injury cases can involve anything from temporary injuries that require weeks of treatment to life-changing conditions that affect a person for years. Our personal injury attorneys have represented clients dealing with a wide range of injuries caused by vehicle collisions, falls, construction incidents, unsafe properties, and other acts of negligence.

• Traumatic brain injuries: Head trauma can lead to concussions, brain bleeding, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, and other cognitive or neurological problems.
• Spinal and back injuries: Damage to the spine may cause herniated or bulging discs, chronic pain, reduced mobility, loss of sensation, or partial or complete paralysis.
• Fractures and orthopedic injuries: Broken bones and damage to joints, muscles, or connective tissue can require surgery, physical therapy, and extended periods away from work.
• Internal and nerve injuries: Blunt-force trauma may cause organ damage, internal bleeding, nerve compression, numbness, weakness, or loss of function.
• Burns, scarring, and disfigurement: Severe burns and traumatic wounds can require reconstructive procedures and may leave permanent scarring or changes in appearance.
• Crush injuries and amputations: Extreme force can damage muscles, blood vessels, nerves, and tissue, sometimes resulting in permanent disability or loss of a limb.
• Chronic and psychological effects: Serious injuries may also lead to persistent pain, sleep problems, anxiety, emotional distress, or difficulty returning to normal daily activities.
  

The severity of an injury can affect nearly every part of a personal injury claim, including medical expenses, time away from work, future treatment needs, earning ability, and quality of life. A California personal injury attorney at Kermani LLP can examine the full impact of your injuries and work to ensure those losses are properly documented when pursuing compensation.

How Liability Is Determined in a California Personal Injury Case

Determining who is responsible for your injuries is one of the most important parts of a personal injury claim. In some cases, liability may fall on one person. In others, several individuals, businesses, or organizations may share responsibility. A California personal injury attorney can investigate the circumstances of the accident, review the available evidence, and identify every party that may be legally responsible for your losses.

Depending on how the injury occurred, liable parties may include:

• Negligent drivers: Drivers who cause an accident by speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, or other careless behavior.
• Vehicle owners: Owners who negligently allow an unsafe or unqualified person to use their vehicle.
• Property owners: Owners who fail to maintain reasonably safe conditions on their property.
• Employers: Employers who may be responsible for negligent acts committed by employees while performing job duties.
• Businesses: Companies whose unsafe practices, conditions, or negligence contribute to an injury.
• Government entities: Public agencies responsible for unsafe roads, public property, or other hazardous conditions.
• Product manufacturers: Manufacturers that produce defective or unreasonably dangerous products.
• Product designers: Designers responsible for unsafe flaws in a product’s design.
• Maintenance or repair companies: Companies whose improper maintenance or repairs create dangerous conditions or contribute to an accident.

California also follows a comparative fault system. This means you may still be able to recover damages even if you were partly responsible for the accident. Your compensation can be reduced according to your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you were found 20% at fault and your total damages were $100,000, your recovery could be reduced by 20% to $80,000. California’s current civil jury instructions specifically provide that a plaintiff’s damages are reduced by the percentage of responsibility assigned to the plaintiff.

Because liability can become complicated when multiple parties are involved, working with a personal injury lawyer in California can help ensure the facts are carefully examined so that potential sources of compensation are not overlooked.

What to Do After an Accident in California

The moments following an accident can be confusing, especially if you are injured or unsure of what happened. If you are physically able, taking a few practical steps can help protect your health and preserve important information for a potential personal injury claim.

1. Stay Calm and Check Your Surroundings: Take a moment to assess the situation before moving. If there is traffic, fire, damaged structures, debris, or another immediate hazard, move to a safer location if you can do so without putting yourself or others at greater risk.
2. Check for Injuries and Seek Medical Care: Determine whether you or anyone else needs emergency assistance and call 911 when necessary. Even if you do not initially feel injured, consider getting medical attention as soon as reasonably possible. Some injuries may not cause noticeable symptoms right away, and medical records can also document the nature and timing of your injuries.
3. Report the Accident: Contact law enforcement or the appropriate authorities when the circumstances call for it. If police respond to a vehicle accident, ask how you can obtain a copy of the accident report. The report may contain useful details about the scene, the parties involved, witnesses, and other information connected to the incident.
4. Document the Scene: If it is safe to do so, take photographs and videos before conditions change. Capture your injuries, vehicle or property damage, road conditions, traffic signals, surrounding hazards, and the general accident scene. You should also note the date, time, location, and anything else you remember about how the accident occurred.
5. Collect Contact and Insurance Information: Exchange names, phone numbers, addresses, driver's license details, and insurance information with the other parties involved when applicable. If anyone witnessed the accident, ask for their contact information as well. Independent witnesses may provide valuable information later if the circumstances of the accident are disputed.
6. Be Careful About What You Say: Avoid apologizing, accepting responsibility, or speculating about who caused the accident. You may not yet know all of the facts, and statements made shortly after an accident could later be interpreted in ways you did not intend. When speaking with police or others at the scene, focus on providing accurate factual information.
7. Keep Records of Your Losses: Save medical bills, treatment records, prescription receipts, repair estimates, photographs, employment records, and correspondence from insurance companies. Keeping these materials organized can help show how the accident has affected your health, finances, work, and daily life.
8. Speak With a Personal Injury Attorney: Before accepting a settlement or making important decisions about your claim, consider speaking with a California personal injury lawyer. They can review the circumstances, identify potential sources of compensation, communicate with insurance companies, and help determine what steps may be appropriate for your case.

Taking these steps cannot undo what happened, but they can help protect important evidence and give you a clearer foundation for your claim. If you have questions about your rights after an accident, a personal injury lawyer at Kermani LLP can review your situation and explain the legal options that may be available to you.

California Laws That May Affect Your Personal Injury Claim

California personal injury law can affect everything from how long you have to file a claim to how compensation is divided when more than one person shares responsibility. Understanding a few of these rules can help you avoid mistakes that could affect your ability to recover damages.

California's Statute of Limitations

In most California personal injury cases, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. Missing the applicable deadline could prevent you from pursuing compensation through the courts. Certain circumstances can change the amount of time available, which is why speaking with a California personal injury attorney early can be important.

Comparative Fault

California follows a comparative fault system. If you share responsibility for an accident, that does not necessarily prevent you from recovering compensation. Instead, your damages may be reduced according to your percentage of fault. For example, if your damages total $100,000 and you are found 20% responsible, your recovery could be reduced to $80,000.

Claims Against Government Entities

Different deadlines may apply when a personal injury claim involves a California state or local government entity. For many claims involving injury or death, an administrative claim generally must be presented within six months of the claim arising. Additional deadlines can apply after the government responds, making these cases especially time-sensitive.

Because the laws that apply depend on how, where, and when your injury occurred, it is important to evaluate each claim individually. A personal injury lawyer at Kermani LLP can review the facts, determine which California laws and deadlines may apply, and help you understand your options for pursuing compensation.

Ready for Expert Legal Support? Contact Kermani LLP 

You have already been through enough. Let a California personal injury attorney help you understand your options and determine what comes next. Reach out to Kermani LLP today for a free case consultation and learn how our legal team can help protect your rights and pursue the compensation available to you.

Ready for Expert Legal Support? Contact Kermani LLP Today

Having already endured a great deal, it's essential to have the support of a qualified personal injury law firm in California by your side. Contact Kermani LLP today for a free case consultation.