At Maison Law, our attorneys offer representation to victims of accidents that occur at both national and state parks in California. Because many of these claims are brought against the government, we understand how overwhelming they can be to deal with. We have the experience and resources needed to take on these claims and help you obtain the best possible results in your case. Please contact us today for a completely confidential and free legal consultation.
Do I Need a Lawyer After an Accident at Yosemite National Park?
If you have been hurt in an accident at Yosemite National Park and you walked away with minor bruises or minor property damage, you may not need the assistance of a personal injury attorney. However, if you have suffered from serious injuries and immense property damage, it may be necessary to speak with a lawyer who has handled these types of claims in the past.
If you do not have an attorney on your side and you choose to bring a claim, you could be up against large insurance companies and entities who want you to obtain as little compensation as possible for your losses. Speaking with a lawyer can help you be taken seriously when it matters the most.
Accidents at Yosemite National Park
Full of breathtaking views, extensive trails, and waterfalls galore, Yosemite National Park is a chosen destination for many people in and traveling to California. Though the breathtaking national park is full of adventure, it also contains hazards around every corner. There are many reasons for serious injury and fatality accidents every year within the park’s limits.
In the popular summer months, Yosemite National Park hosts over half a million visitors at any given time. However, visitors are present all year round in the park, which means that safety should always be a top priority.
There are many reasons for accidents at Yosemite National Park each year, which include the following:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Drowning accidents
- Motor vehicle crashes
- Poisoning events
- Rockfalls
Any of these injuries are capable of causing a variety of medical expenses, as well as keeping you from work and your favorite daily activities for some time. Moving forward with a claim can help you get back on your feet during one of the most difficult things you have ever gone through.
Is Yosemite National Park Responsible After My Accident?
Determining that a national park is liable for your accident on its property or that their negligence caused your accident in the first place, is not always an easy thing to do. Because many national parks are government entities, you would have to file a personal injury lawsuit against the government. Government entities are protected what is known as “sovereign immunity” in California, which means that you are only permitted to sue if you get the government’s consent.
Luckily, you still have the option to sue after a national park accident. You will have to show that Yosemite National Park in general or one of its staff members acted in a negligent manner and it led to your accident. Here are some elements that you may need to prove:
- There was a dangerous condition on the park’s property that led to your accident.
- Your injuries were a direct result of the hazard on Yosemite property.
- The adverse condition that led to your accident was reasonably foreseeable under normal circumstances.
- Yosemite knew about or should have known about a hazard but did nothing to correct it in a reasonable amount of time.
Time Limits on Claims Against Yosemite National Park
In a regular personal injury claim in California, the statute of limitations applies. This means that you have two years from the time that you discover your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit before you are barred from doing so.
However, claims against the government are a bit different. This means that the statute of limitations is much shorter when you bring a claim against a national park such as Yosemite. You have six months to file your claim before you are barred from doing so. You will need to act quickly if you want to file your case before the deadline to receive any of the following damages:
- Coverage of your medical expenses
- Loss of income and future income
- Therapy-related costs
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
- Wrongful death damages if a life has been lost
Contact a California National Park Injury Lawyer Today
After you have been hurt in an accident at Yosemite National Park, you may receive calls or offers from an insurance adjuster. On top of this, you may find that claims against the government are incredibly complex matters that require a bit of legal knowledge to handle.
Because of this, our California national park injury lawyers at Maison Law believe that you can greatly benefit from speaking with an attorney after an accident on Yosemite property. You may be entitled to a wide array of damages and should not have to miss out on any financial opportunities at this time.
If you have been hurt in an accident at Yosemite National Park, you should never delay seeking assistance with your claim. We do not require any upfront money and do not get paid unless we win your case for you. Please contact us today for a completely free legal consultation so that you can get started and find out what your claim is worth.
