If your child has been injured in an accident in San Diego, CA, and it was caused by someone else’s negligence or intentional behavior, your family could be entitled to financial compensation. Securing legal representation can provide the guidance and support needed during this difficult time. An attorney with a focus on child accidents will understand both the emotional weight and complex nature of these cases, working tirelessly to ensure you receive what you and your child deserve.
Acting quickly is important to protecting your interests. Reach out today if your child has experienced an injury in San Diego, California. Contact the office of Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation with a San Diego child accident lawyer at (858) 551-2090.
How Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help If You’re in an Accident
If your child has been injured in an accident in San Diego, CA, we can offer support and dedicated legal services. Our team knows how to navigate these sensitive cases and can help in the following ways:
- We assess the specific details of your child’s injury case to determine exactly what happened and if you have a possible civil claim.
- We will investigate the accident, gathering critical evidence such as surveillance footage, witness statements, and police reports to build a strong case.
- Our team will work with medical professionals to understand the full extent of your child’s injuries so we can obtain the best settlement possible.
By taking on these tasks and more, we handle the complex legal matters, allowing you the space you need to prioritize the care of your child. For help in San Diego, California, reach out to Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation with a San Diego personal injury attorney.
How Common Are Child Accident Injuries in California?
There are a number of incidents that can lead to child injuries in the United States and California. Consider the following statistics:
- Injuries are the leading cause of death for children and adolescents 1 to 21 years of age.
- More than 3,000 children in the US are injured each year from falling out of windows.
- Drowning, the leading cause of unintentional injury death among California children younger than five, averaged 49 annual fatalities for the years 2010-2021.
- Of the 42,514 traffic fatalities in 2022 in the United States, 1,129 (3%) were children 14 and younger.
- Texas had the highest number of child traffic fatalities (156), followed by California (97).
If your child was injured in any type of accident, it’s important to reach out to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
What is My Child Accident Case Worth?
The value of your child’s accident case can vary greatly depending on several factors. Below are some considerations that may determine what the case is worth:
The Severity of the Injuries/Medical Expenses
More serious injuries generally lead to higher medical expenses, which then leads to a more significant payout due to current treatment costs and projected healthcare needs.
Long-Term Impacts
If injuries will likely impact your child’s future employment or education, your case might be valued higher. This accounts for the potential loss of earning capacity and the need for ongoing support.
Insurance Coverage Limits
The defendant’s insurance coverage limits can also influence the compensation amount. Your recovery could be constrained by how much is available under their policy unless you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit against the defendant personally.
Judge’s Discretion
Another factor when valuing a child accident injury case is the judge’s discretion. Settlements involving minors must be approved by the court to ensure they are in the best interest of the child. A judge will carefully review the proposed figures to guarantee they meet those standards before giving their final approval, ensuring a level of protection for your child’s interests throughout this process.
The specific value of a child accident claim will reflect not just immediate costs but also long-term consequences. Working with legal representation to identify all potential damages is instrumental in fighting for rightful compensation.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Child Accident Injury Victims?
Child accident injury victims may be eligible for a range of damages to cover their losses and suffering. These usually include:
Economic Damages
These damages are intended to cover financial losses directly related to the accident, including medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and any future medical treatment related to the injuries sustained.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages cover intangible losses, such as pain and suffering experienced by your child due to their injuries. It can also account for emotional trauma or a diminished quality of life following an accident.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages can be awarded when the defendant’s actions were particularly reckless or malicious. These are not meant to compensate for specific losses but rather to punish wrongful behavior and deter future conduct that is similar.
A knowledgeable attorney can help you assess the full extent of damages available to your child and work toward obtaining the compensation they deserve for all that they’ve endured.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed For a Child Accident Injury in California?
Even if a child is partially at fault for their own injury, compensation can still be recovered due to the state’s pure comparative negligence law. This rule allows for a reduction in the damages based on the percentage of fault attributed to each party involved. For example, if found 30% responsible, you and your child can still recover 70% of the total damages awarded by the court. You can recover for your child’s injuries even if the child was up to 99% responsible.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation For All Of Your Child Accident Injuries
Child injuries can result from a variety of events, with common injury types including:
- Fractures and broken bones
- Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Burns and scalding injuries
- Choking injury or suffocation
- Drowning-related injury
These kinds of trauma warrant immediate attention to ensure children receive the care they need.
What Causes Most Child Accident Injuries in San Diego, California?
In San Diego, California, child accident injuries can occur in numerous situations. The most common causes include:
- Playground accidents
- Swimming pool incidents
- Car and bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Accidental poisoning
- Dog bites
- Falls from heights such as windows or stairs
- Pedestrian accidents
Each of these causes poses a unique set of risks to children and requires careful safety precautions to prevent accidents.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Child Accident Injury in California?
Proving negligence after a child accident injury in California involves establishing four essential elements:
Duty of Care
The first step is proving that the defendant had a duty to act reasonably to prevent harm to the child, such as watching for children in a parking lot or ensuring playground equipment is safe.
Breach of Duty
Evidence must show that the responsible party failed to meet this duty by either doing something that put the child at risk or failing to do something that could have prevented an accident.
Causation
Causation requires showing a direct link between the negligent action or omission and the harm that came to your child. This can be a difficult step, but it is possible with the help of a lawyer.
Damages
It’s important to prove that tangible damages resulted from these actions. This could include immediate medical costs and long-term expenses related to medical treatment, therapy, and any additional care needed due to the injury. It might also include emotional damages like pain and suffering.
Successfully proving these elements generally requires an understanding of California law and the help of skilled legal representation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Child Accident Injury Accident in California?
In California, you generally have two years from a child’s 18th birthday to file a personal injury lawsuit for a child injury. However, different rules can apply, and there may be exceptions based on the case’s specifics. It’s important to consult with a lawyer quickly after an accident so that they can help you determine the timeline so you don’t miss out on the compensation you and your family are owed.
Contact Our San Diego Child Accidents Lawyer For a Free Consultation
As a parent, dealing with the injury of a child can be one of the most overwhelming situations you can face. If you’re currently facing this situation, please know that help is available. We can provide you with a free consultation, offering our advice and support. We will shoulder the legal burden so that you can focus on the well-being and recovery of your child. Contact Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation with a San Diego child accident lawyer.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in San Diego, CA
We proudly serve San Diego County and its surrounding areas:
835 5th Avenue #302, San Diego, CA 92101
(858) 551-2090
Highly Rated Emergency Rooms in San Diego
- UC San Diego Health ER – 200 W Arbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92103
- Sharp Memorial Hospital ER – 7901 Frost St, San Diego, CA 92123
- Scripps Mercy San Diego ER – 4077 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
- Naval Medical Center San Diego ER – Building 1, 34800 Bob Wilson Dr #200
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