San Bernardino Personal Injury Attorneys with 30+ Years of Experience

Suffering a physical and/or emotional injury due to another’s negligent or intentional conduct can have a devastating impact on your life. Civil litigation can be stressful. At Bullard & Powell, our approach is to treat you as the unique person that you are, not just a file. Keeping that in mind, our strategy is to work closely with you to determine your goals and to develop a strategy to achieve the most positive result. We advocate for you both in and outside the courtroom.

At Bullard & Powell, we handle civil litigation matters on a contingency fee basis. As such, we only receive compensation, if we are able to achieve compensation for you. We have helped many injured people obtain payment for their injuries, including payment for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Understanding the Time Limits for Personal Injury Claims in California

How long an injured individual has to file a personal injury claim in California is determined by a law called the statute of limitations. According to the California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, the timeline to file is two years. 

More specifically, this means you have two years from the date your injury occurred to file a personal injury claim, or you risk losing your right to file and pursue compensation altogether.  It’s important to note that there are exceptions that can change this two-year time limit. Some examples of these exceptions include:

• If you claim is against a government entity
• If the injury victim is under the age of 18 
• If the injury victim did not discover their injury right away
• If the alleged negligent party leaves California before a claim can be filed

The statute of limitations has a big impact on your ability to file a claim so it’s crucial to speak to an experienced San Bernardino personal injury attorney about the specifics of your case as soon as you can. 

Types of Damages You Can Recover in a Personal Injury Claim

In a personal injury case, the injured party may seek compensation, often referred to as damages, for the losses and harms they have suffered due to the negligence or intentional actions of another party. The types of damages that can be recovered in a personal injury case can be broadly categorized into two main types: economic damages and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages:

• Medical Expenses: This includes costs associated with medical treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, medication, rehabilitation, and any other necessary medical care.
• Lost Earnings: If the injury prevents the plaintiff from working, they may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, including past and future earnings.
• Property Damage: In cases involving motor vehicle accidents, the plaintiff may seek compensation for the repair or replacement of damaged property.

Non-Economic Damages:

• Pain and Suffering: This category encompasses physical pain and emotional suffering caused by the injury. It is a subjective form of damage that is challenging to quantify but is often a significant component of personal injury claims.
• Emotional Distress: In addition to pain and suffering, emotional distress damages may be awarded for psychological impact, such as anxiety, depression, or sleep disturbances resulting from the injury.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If the injury significantly diminishes the plaintiff's ability to enjoy life or engage in activities they previously enjoyed, they may be entitled to compensation for this loss.
• Disfigurement or Scarring: Compensation may be sought for any visible and permanent disfigurement or scarring resulting from the injury.

Punitive Damages Explained

In certain cases where the defendant's actions were particularly egregious or involved intentional misconduct, punitive damages may be awarded. Punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct in the future. It's important to note that the specific damages available can vary based on jurisdiction and the circumstances of the case. Some states have caps on non-economic damages or other limitations on the types and amounts of compensation that can be awarded.

To determine the appropriate compensation in a personal injury case, various factors are considered, including the nature and severity of the injuries, the impact on the plaintiff's life, the degree of negligence or fault on the part of the defendant, and any economic losses incurred. If you are involved in a personal injury case, it's consult with an experienced personal injury attorney from our firm. We can assess the details of your case, help you understand the potential damages, and advocate for your rights in seeking fair compensation.

Bullard & Powell, APC offers free, no-obligation consultations so you have nothing to lose by contacting our firm. Call (909) 771-2304 today. 

Commonly Asked Questions