Santa Monica Personal Injury Lawyer

Trusted Personal Injury Attorney in Santa Monica, CA

If you’re injured due to another party’s negligence or intentional misconduct, you may have grounds to file a personal injury claim and recover damages for your losses. Navigating an injury claim can be complicated, especially if you’re dealing with serious injuries. A Santa Monica personal injury lawyer can help you understand your rights and legal options for recovery based on the facts of your case.

For decades, Californians throughout Los Angeles County and beyond have trusted Shaffer Law to represent them through complex personal injury cases. Over the years, our firm has successfully recovered more than $100 million for our clients through successful negotiations and aggressive litigation.* We know what to expect from California insurance companies and judges, and we’re prepared to advocate for you throughout the claims process.

California Personal Injury Laws

It’s not enough simply to suffer an injury to be able to file a personal injury claim in California. You must also establish fault by proving another party’s negligence or intentional misconduct. In a single year, there were a total of 288,237 hospitalizations from unintentional injuries in California. Accidents like these are the third leading cause of death across the state.

These types of incidents can occur anywhere in California, and it’s helpful to have a Santa Monica personal injury attorney on call when they do. Common types of personal injury cases our local law firm has handled include:

Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Santa Monica Who Understands California Injury Law

Recovering from an injury is difficult enough on its own. Unfortunately, there’s much more for you to do if you plan to pursue legal action against the at-fault party in an accident. You must act quickly in the wake of a personal injury accident to gather the evidence you need to support your claim. Shortly after an accident, it’s wise to contact a Santa Monica personal injury lawyer.

Shaffer Law brings decades of experience navigating complex personal injury claims for Californians throughout Los Angeles County. Santa Monica is home to over 90,000 people alone. Our firm is committed to representing our friends and neighbors in need after a serious accident.

Attorney Douglas D. Shaffer has personally litigated over 60 catastrophic injury cases to verdict and has helped countless other clients secure fair settlements. Over the years, our firm has earned a stellar reputation. We’re a part of the American Board of Trial Advocates and the American Association for Justice. We’ve also earned the following accolades:

FAQs

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Santa Monica?

How long you have to file a personal injury claim in Santa Monica can vary depending on the nature of the incident. Under California law, injured parties typically have two years from the date of the incident to file a claim. However, there are exceptions.

For example, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims is slightly longer than that for standard injury claims. Additionally, there are special rules for filing against government employees or agencies. It’s important to understand these nuances.

How Do I Prove Fault in a Personal Injury Case in Santa Monica?

How you prove fault in a personal injury case in Santa Monica is determined by the details of the incident and the evidence available to you after the incident. To prove fault and file a personal injury claim, you must establish:

Do I Have to Go to Court to Settle a Personal Injury Claim in Santa Monica?

No, you do not have to go to court to settle a personal injury claim in Santa Monica. In fact, the majority of personal injury claims settle out of court through direct negotiations and other dispute resolution methods.

You can expect to pursue formal legal action if you’re unable to reach a settlement agreement through other means. If you’re in Santa Monica, your case may be handled through the Los Angeles Superior Court located at 111 N. Hill Street.

How Long Does It Take to Settle a Personal Injury Claim in Santa Monica?

How long it takes to settle a personal injury claim in Santa Monica depends on a number of different factors, including whether or not the case goes to trial. Generally speaking, settling personal injury claims through negotiations or mediation is much faster than litigation.

That said, resolutions out of court can take time, too. Under California law, insurance companies are obligated to issue a check within 30 days of all parties agreeing on a settlement.

Talk to a Santa Monica Personal Injury Attorney About Your Claim Today

California’s personal injury laws exist to protect injured parties in accidents involving negligence or intentional harm. That said, you’re not automatically going to receive a fair settlement simply because you file your claim. If you’re injured and wish to recover compensation for your losses, it’s wise to hire a personal injury lawyer to help keep you on the right track throughout the claims process.

Los Angeles County residents don’t have to look any further than Shaffer Law. We are prepared to take on any challenge in and out of the courtroom. If you wish to talk about the specifics of your case, our team is here to listen. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

You can find us right here in Santa Monica on Wilshire Boulevard. Our office is conveniently located near where I-10 turns into the Pacific Coast Highway.

*Past settlements do not guarantee future case results. Every case is different.

**Criteria for ratings and industry accolades can vary by organization.