Getting injured in an accident can change your life in a big way. It’s not just about dealing with physical pain and health problems; it can also cause significant emotional and psychological issues.
On top of that, it can cost you a lot of money for medical treatment and ongoing care to help you recover. And the more extensive your injury is, the longer you’ll need treatment–and the more money you’ll have to pay in hospital bills. So, it’s really important to know what you can do legally to get help.
Experienced Fresno Personal Injury Lawyers
At Maison Law, our Fresno personal injury lawyers are here to help you. We’ll look closely at your situation to see if someone else was responsible for the accident and figure out how much money you should get to compensate for your injuries. Our lawyers will be there for you throughout the legal process, so you can focus on getting better.
We are committed to helping you and others who got hurt by making sure the responsible people take responsibility. If you want to get started, contact us today for a free consultation, and let us go to work for you.
What is a Fresno Personal Injury Case?
A personal injury case might not always be as straightforward as it seems. Essentially, if you suffer harm due to someone else’s negligence, it can be considered a personal injury. To have a valid personal injury claim, you generally need to show that someone else was negligent, and that you experienced financial or emotional damages as a result.
At Maison Law, we have extensive experience in handling various types of personal injury cases throughout Fresno, including
- Motor vehicle accidents – Whether it’s a car, motorcycle, or truck accident if a reckless or negligent driver caused your crash, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
- Product liability – If you were injured by a defective product, the product’s manufacturer could be held responsible for your injuries.
- Premises liability – If you were injured due to a fall on someone else’s property (a home or a business), the property owner might be held liable if negligence is proven.
- Construction accidents – Construction sites can be hazardous, and accidents may occur. If someone other than your employer caused your injuries, you could file a claim outside of the worker’s compensation system.
- Other workplace accidents – Workplace injuries are common, and in certain egregious circumstances, the company can be held responsible for your injuries.
- Dog bites – If a dog has bitten you, the dog’s owner may be liable to compensate you for your injuries.
Common Injuries
Accidents in Fresno are unique, causing different injuries and damages to victims. The type of injury you experience depends on the nature of the accident and other factors. Common types of injuries in Fresno accidents include:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Cuts and lacerations
- Whiplash
- Sprains and strains
- Back and spinal injuries
- Head injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Torn muscles and ligaments
- Psychological trauma
Understanding that injuries can vary in extent and severity based on individual accident circumstances is crucial. When you work with our skilled Fresno personal injury attorneys, we take charge of dealing with the insurance company for you and work tirelessly to secure the rightful compensation you deserve.
What Types of Hospital Bills Are Involved in Fresno Injuries?
Injuries in Fresno, like in any other place, can result in various types of hospital bills. The specific bills involved may depend on the nature and severity of the injury, the medical treatment required, and the length of hospitalization. Some common types of hospital bills involved in Fresno injuries may include:
- Emergency Room (ER) Expenses – Costs associated with initial treatment in the emergency room, including medical evaluation, diagnostics, and immediate care.
- Hospitalization Costs – Charges for staying in the hospital, including room charges, nursing care, and medical supervision.
- Surgical Expenses – Costs related to any surgical procedures performed to treat the injury.
- Diagnostic Tests – Charges for various diagnostic tests such as X-rays, MRI scans, CT scans, and blood tests.
- Medication Costs – The price of medications administered during the hospital stay or prescribed for post-discharge recovery.
- Rehabilitation and Therapy – Expenses for rehabilitation programs, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other treatments aimed at aiding recovery.
- Medical Supplies – Costs of any medical supplies or equipment used during the treatment and recovery process.
- Ambulance Services – Charges for ambulance transportation to the hospital, if applicable.
- Specialist Consultations – Fees for consulting with specialists or medical experts during the course of treatment.
- Follow-up Visits – Costs of post-hospitalization follow-up visits with doctors or specialists.
- Miscellaneous Charges – Additional fees for services or items not covered in other categories.
Again, particular hospital bills can differ based on how bad the injury is, how long you stay in the hospital, the kind of medical care you get, and where you receive treatment. If someone else caused your injury, you can try to get compensation for these expenses by making an insurance claim or going to court. That’s why even though it’s not a requirement, it’s a good idea to have a skilled personal injury attorney to help you with the legal process and protect your rights.
Should You Hire a Fresno Personal Injury Attorney If You Can’t Afford Your Hospital Bills?
Even if you can’t afford your hospital bills–and if your injury is extensive, medical care can get extremely expensive–it’s important to fully explore your legal options. Still, often the most crucial concern for potential clients when they’ve been injured and want to go through the legal process is how to pay for their lawyer.
Fortunately, our firm works on a contingency basis, which means you won’t have to pay upfront costs. Instead, our fee comes from a percentage of the settlement or trial verdict. There are pros and cons to this agreement, but it benefits both you and us. You avoid expenses you might not be able to afford, while we have a strong incentive to work hard to maximize the value of the case and cover their costs.
With that aspect taken care of, you should certainly consider moving forward with your legal options, which include certain steps that you can recover compensation from the at-fault party. The responsible party is generally held liable for damages if they acted negligently, resulting in injury. However, it is essential to consider California’s “comparative negligence” system, which means that any role you played in the accident can reduce the awarded amount proportionately.
Another significant aspect of the personal injury claim process is California is the “statute of limitations,” which sets a two-year deadline from the injury date to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline means forfeiting the opportunity to pursue a lawsuit.
When initiating a claim, you have three main options: filing a claim with your own insurance company, filing a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance, or filing a lawsuit.
- Filing a Claim with Your Insurance Company – The first step after sustaining an injury is to file a claim with your insurance company. This process allows you to provide essential documentation, such as medical records, insurance estimates, and police reports. This information becomes crucial should the case progress into litigation.
- Filing a Claim Against the At-Fault Party’s Insurance Company – Typically, the next phase involves making a demand to the at-fault party’s insurance company and attempting to settle the case before resorting to a lawsuit. This approach may be more suitable for smaller claims or those likely to be resolved quickly. However, for cases involving substantial damages or severe injuries, a pre-lawsuit settlement might not be possible. Ultimately, the decision to settle or proceed to a lawsuit rests with you.
- Filing a Lawsuit – Personal injury cases can be intricate and involve various stages of negotiation, litigation, and potentially a trial. Upon filing a lawsuit, the discovery process commences, which can be complex and time-consuming. Both sides may object to specific questions or requests for information, prolonging the process.
If the case does proceed to trial, it can be a lengthy and costly endeavor, with jury decisions sometimes being unpredictable. Throughout this entire process, our firm will ensure you are kept updated and collaborate with you to achieve the best possible outcome.
Damages
When filing a personal injury claim in Fresno, the ultimate goal is to recover compensation for your injuries, including your hospital bills. The compensation you can receive, called “damages,” is meant to cover your losses resulting from the accident or injury. These usually include:
- Medical expenses (such as hospital bills)
- Lost income
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
Legal Guidance From Fresno Personal Injury Lawyers
Dealing with personal injury can be challenging, especially without the financial means to cover your hospital bills. However, Maison Law is here to ease your burden. Our team of experienced Fresno personal injury lawyers has assisted numerous clients with their personal injury cases and will ensure you receive the compensation you need to aid your recovery.
Don’t wait to get the help you need. Set up your free consultation by contacting us today.
