Negligence concerns conduct that falls short of reasonable care in the circumstances. In a California injury matter, the review also considers the harm and whether the conduct contributed to it. An accident or injury alone does not answer every question about legal responsibility.
Victory Law Group LLP offers a free initial consultation about California personal injury matters. The information below can help you prepare for that conversation.
What does an attorney review in a negligence claim?
A negligence review considers the applicable duty and standard of care, whether conduct fell short of that standard, the injury or other harm, and the connection between the conduct and the harm. Which rules apply depends on the circumstances.
The California civil jury instructions discuss negligence and harm in CACI 400 and reasonable care in CACI 401. These Judicial Council instructions are reproduced by Justia. They provide general background and do not determine the outcome of an individual matter.
Which incidents may raise negligence questions?
The questions depend on what happened and who was involved. Explore the page that matches your incident, then ask the attorney how the facts and applicable law should be reviewed:
- Car crashes, including intersection collisions and hit-and-run incidents.
- Truck and commercial vehicle collisions.
- Unsafe-property incidents, including slip-and-fall injuries.
- Pedestrian injuries and motorcycle crashes.
What information should I bring?
Start with a short timeline, the location and date, the people or companies involved, and your questions. Bring records you already have, such as photographs, report numbers, witness information, insurance correspondence, treatment dates and medical bills. Tell the attorney which facts you observed directly and which remain uncertain.
You can request a consultation before every document is available. Ask the firm how to provide sensitive records securely. See the personal injury case-process guide for more questions to ask about the initial review, representation and next steps.
How soon should I ask about deadlines?
Ask promptly about the exact deadlines for your circumstances. A claim involving a government agency may require earlier steps, and requesting a consultation does not extend a deadline. The California Courts guides explain filing time limits and government claims.
Discuss your circumstances with Victory Law Group
Call (323) 426-4878 or request a free initial consultation. The firm has offices in El Segundo, Newhall, Los Angeles and Oakland.
Before hiring the firm, ask for a written agreement explaining the scope of representation, attorney fees and case costs, including what happens if there is no recovery.
General information only. A website cannot determine whether you have a claim, its value or a particular outcome. An attorney must review your circumstances.