$ 45 Million

Permanent Disability

$ 55 Million

Temporary Disability

$ 5 Million

Death Caused By Work

$ 100 Million

Industrial Accidents

What is a Personal Injury Lawsuit & Why Do You Need It?

Nobody likes getting seriously injured and missing out on life due to someone else's carelessness. A personal injury lawyer Bakersfield can help you get the maximum compensation to help you recover without financial worries.

A Personal Injury Lawsuit in Bakersfield is a legal instrument for grievously harmed persons to hold those who have harmed them accountable. However, since people mostly file such claims for the first time without expert legal assistance, they make mistakes that diminish their likely compensation or even outright dismiss their lawsuit.

The Law Office of Joseph Pluta has extensive expertise and experience handling tricky legal situations surrounding auto accidents, bicycle accidents, fires, explosions, slips and falls, premises liability, and other typical personal injury cases. The best part about our evaluation of your case is that your consultation is free!

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What Exactly Is A Personal Injury Case?

No matter your situation regarding a personal injury lawsuit, our skilled and experienced personal injury lawyer in Bakersfield, CA, can always help you win big. However, it will still help you to learn the basics of a personal injury case.

A personal injury lawsuit involves an injured person (the plaintiff) suing another person, business, organization, or all these (the defendant) for causing personal injury and even property damage. Some things to consider:

Deadlines (Statute of Limitations)

You must file your claim within two years of the accident’s occurrence (exceptions apply for suing the government).

Where to sue?

At the accident's site where the injury occurred or where the defendant lives or does business.

How much to ask for?

  • One-time medical expenses
  • Ongoing damages for post-treatment therapy and recovery
  • Compensation for causing disability
  • Emotional or psychological distress

Who to sue?

All parties involved in causing the accident may be liable. This may include the persons present during the accident or even the people they were working for.

Insurance

Check if your insurance provider can cover all costs of your recovery.

Causes of action

  • A minimum of one reason for suing, recognized by law, should be provided by the plaintiff. For example, the defendant injuring the plaintiff carelessly (negligence) or intentionally (battery)
  • The plaintiff should corroborate every element of the cause of action with solid evidence.

The evidence required

  • Pictures of the accident’s scene that caused the injury
  • Medical bills
  • Doctor’s diagnoses and reports
  • Witness accounts
  • Police reports

Our Personal Damage Attorney Can Help Maximize Your Compensation

We can help you recover what you are owed due to someone’s (un)intentional harm done to you, thanks to our experience of navigating the complicated legal process of personal injury settlements.

Our personal injury settlement lawyer can help you receive the following and more in damages:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Disability
  • Physical therapy costs
  • Property damage
  • Rehabilitation
  • Nursing care
  • Funeral expenses
  • General household, out-of-pocket expenses
  • Pain and suffering
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Psychological trauma
  • Embarrassment
  • Disfigurement and scarring
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of companionship & consortium

Compensatory damages seek to restore the victim financially, physically, and emotionally by placing a dollar amount on the victim's injuries. They may compensate for monetary losses (special damages) and non-monetary losses (general damages).

Punitive damages punish the defendant and deter others. They are awarded for egregious conduct and are limited to less than ten times the compensatory damages.

Recipients of large personal injury damage awards may choose structured settlements over lump-sum payments, as they offer benefits such as

  • reduced taxes
  • increased chances of recovery from the defendant.

Consult an attorney and a financial planning professional when considering a structured settlement.

When Can A Personal Injury Attorney in Bakersfield Help You Best?

You must act immediately if you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a Bakersfield accident to recover the most in damages.

You must file your personal injury lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires to be eligible to pursue it legally. However, the statute of limitations may expire earlier or be extended if:

  • The person(s) who caused your accident cannot be found
  • You were under 18 years old when you were injured
  • Your injury could not be discovered in time due to a legally sound reason
  • The government is responsible for your injuries

Do not worry if you think you've missed the bus for your personal injury lawsuit. Let our good personal injury attorneys evaluate the unique circumstances shaping your injury case, including available evidence in your support, to recover the maximum damages to help you recover.

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Personal Injury Claims We Handle

The Law Office of Joseph Pluta can guide you through the complex legal process of Personal Injury cases, navigating all deterrents and obstacles.

  • Car Accidents
  • Bicycle Accidents
  • Motorcycle Accidents
  • Truck Accidents
  • Pedestrian Accidents
  • Fires & Explosions
  • Malpractice
  • Premises Liability
  • Product Liability
  • Workplace Injuries
  • Wrong Death
  • Slips, Trips & Falls
  • Dog Bite Accidents
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Aviation Accidents
  • Boating Accidents
  • Uber & Lyft Accidents
  • Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect
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How You Can Benefit From Our Personal Injury Attorney in Bakersfield

While you may file a personal injury lawsuit yourself, let our experienced and highly knowledgeable personal injury lawyer, Bakersfield, assist you instead with their legal expertise. Here are other additional benefits you’ll get:

  • Calculate Your Case's Exact Compensatory Worth

  • Know Who Exactly to Blame For Your Injuries

  • Gather Solid Evidence and Eyewitness Statements

  • Delegate Paperwork, Court Procedures, and Deadlines to An Expert

  • We Win, Or You Pay Nothing!

  • Avoid Pitfalls By Thorough Compliance with Relevant Laws and Regulations

  • Avoid Taking the Blame In A Shared Fault Scenario

  • Know Who Exactly to Blame For Your Injuries

  • Get Expert Testimony From Medical Professionals & Accident Reconstructionists

  • Implement A Smart Legal Strategy Unique to Your Case

  • Make Informed Decisions Before Going to Trial

  • Handle the Opposition's Liability Claims and Evidence Admissibility

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Why Joe Pluta As Your Personal Injury Attorney Bakersfield?

The workplace accident attorneys at the Law Office of Joseph Pluta can leverage their years of experience handling personal injury lawsuits to ensure speedy justice for your family after your loved one’s death. The following are what we offer.

  • Proactive Legal Support
  • 57+ Years of Excellence
  • 6000+ Injured Workers Helped
  • We Win, or You Pay Nothing!
  • Se Habla Español!
  • Compassionate Support
  • Clear & Constant Communication
  • No Upfront Costs
  • Prompt Appointments are available including on Saturdays & Evenings
  • Assiduous Care with Handling Legal Documentation
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How Our Bakersfield Workers Compensation Lawyer Can Help ?

Don’t worry if you’re still confused about how we can step in to streamline your worker’s compensation case. Here’s a detailed outline that might help clear all your doubts

Case Evaluation

Our Personal Injury Lawyer in Bakersfield will first analyze the specifics of your case to assess the required medical and legal documentation, approaching deadlines, court procedures, and the exact details of your accident. This will help our firm predict your case's strength, duration, and outcome.

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Filing the Claims

Filing your personal injury lawsuit requires careful planning, consideration of all the necessary paperwork, awareness of deadlines, and detailed filing.

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Collecting Evidence

As the most crucial step in your case, our personal injury lawyer in Bakersfield, CA, will contact your healthcare provider and other key witnesses to collect all the necessary medical records and statements, which will act as undeniable evidence for your claim.

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Sending A Demand Letter

A “demand letter” is sent to ask for a certain amount of compensation from the defendant. Although they may not be legally obligated to respond, they or their insurer might sometimes send you your requested amount or start negotiations. You may not need to file your claim if they agree to pay your requested amount and other benefits.

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Negotiating Insurer Settlements

To combat possible insurer or employer fraud, our legal representative will negotiate insurance claims on your behalf to determine a sum that justifies the extent of your damages, including general, special, punitive, compensatory, and structured settlements.

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Head to Trial and Prepare for Victory!

With all the steps above, supplemented by 24/7 communication and empathetic coordination, we can clinch the trophy for maximum compensation in return for your injuries and other workplace-related health harms.

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What People Say

I was in a bike accident, and I didn't know what to do next. The Law Office of Joseph Pluta stepped in and made the entire process easy to understand. They fought hard for my case, and I ended up with a settlement that far exceeded my expectations. If you’re looking for a personal injury attorney in Bakersfield, look no further. This firm will take care of you and make sure you get the compensation you deserve!

Daren Steve

After my workplace injury, I was referred to Joseph Pluta, and I couldn’t be more thankful. As a personal injury lawyer in Bakersfield, CA, he showed a level of professionalism and dedication that truly impressed me. He and his team were always available for questions and provided the guidance I needed during a tough time. I’m so grateful for the settlement they achieved on my behalf!

George Petrik

I was injured in a bus accident, and the Law Office of Joseph Pluta took on my case with confidence and expertise. They were always available to discuss my options and walked me through the legal process step by step. If you need a personal injury lawyer in Bakersfield, CA, this is the team to call. They are dedicated, compassionate, and committed to getting the best outcome for their clients.

Mary Wilson

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to frequently asked questions about our firm for workers' comp lawyers, Bakersfield.

Personal Injury lawyers in Bakersfield typically charge a contingency fee, meaning there's no up-front cost. This means that you only pay a fee to your lawyer if you win, which is usually 25% - 33 1/3% of the compensation awarded. The exact compensation you receive and the contingency fee can vary based on factors such as the case's complexity, the severity of your injuries, and the stage at which a resolution was reached.

If you're partly at fault for an accident in California, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, if you're 25% responsible for a $100,000 loss, you can only recover $75,000. Additionally, you might be liable for a portion of the other party's damages based on your share of the fault.

In Bakersfield, California, you typically have a two-year window from the date of the injury to initiate a personal injury claim. This timeframe is determined by California's statute of limitations for personal injury cases. Please file within this timeframe to avoid the forfeiture of your right to pursue compensation. For claims involving government entities, the time limit is considerably shorter, usually six months from the date of the injury. Take prompt action and seek advice from a civil personal injury attorney to ensure compliance with all necessary deadlines and safeguard your compensation entitlement.

From a legal perspective, injuries to individuals fall under specific insurance policies related to property, home ownership, and automobiles. These policies ensure that the injured party will receive financial compensation in the event of harm caused by an individual. It is important to recognize that personal injury is a matter of civil law involving one party formally accusing another individual or organization of negligence that resulted in their injury. Meanwhile, "bodily injury" does not have a legal connotation and can simply mean any physical injury on a person's body.

To find the best personal injury attorney in California, you can undertake the following steps:

  • Search online through targeted search phrases like 'personal injury attorneys in my area' or 'personal injury law firms near me' for results relevant to your geographical location.
  • Search California's State Bar at calbar.ca.gov for a certified attorney in your area who can best represent your personal injury case.
  • Ask friends and family for referrals.
  • Use online directories explicitly made for finding lawyers for your case

Call Today For Your Free Initial Consultation At (661) 395-1031

DISCLAIMER: This website contains general information and is only intended for educational purposes. Because laws are constantly changing, the information is not guaranteed to be correct and/or current. Nothing contained on this website is intended to be a substitute for legal advice and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this website does not create, and should not be construed to create, an attorney-client relationship between the Law Office of Joseph Pluta and the reader. Nothing within this website should be considered as providing legal advice or a legal opinion. Sending an E-Mail to this website, or interacting with this website in any other way, does not create an attorney-client relationship.