Personal Injury Information Center

Frequently Asked Questions about Personal Injury Law

Q: How can I determine if I have a personal injury case?
A: The initial criteria to determine if you have a personal injury case is whether you have suffered an injury to your person or property. Next you should determine whether the injury was someone else's fault.

Q: What is the time frame to file a lawsuit if I have been injured?
A: Based on each state’s time limits or "statutes of limitations," you have a specified amount of time to file a personal injury case. There are certain states where you have up to one year to file an automobile accident lawsuit. You may lose your legal right to damages for your injury if you miss the deadline for filing your case. Therefore, it is imperative to speak with an attorney immediately after an injury.

Every year, more than 90,000 people die in the United States as a result of unintentional injuries. If you have been recently injured or diagnosed with an illness, contact our office to see if you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

George Gallegos is a distinguished Los Angeles personal injury attorney that has represented clients throughout East LA and the San Gabriel Valley injured or killed as the result of a motor vehicle accident with great success. Those individuals injured in an automobile, truck, motorcycle, train or bus accident are encouraged to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney before making any statements or signing documents that may affect their ability to receive damages for their personal injury case. George A. Gallegos is a valued member of the community he serves and offers FREE initial consultations and contingency arrangements on personal injury cases including wrongful death. He guarantees personal attention and peace of mind for clients and their families and is capable to provide legal services in the languages of the surrounding community which include English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese as well as Taiwanese.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an accident, consult the personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of George A. Gallegos today for a FREE initial consultation.

Personal Injury - An Overview

When a person is injured due to the negligence of someone else, a personal injury lawsuit may be filed by the injured party (or their representatives). This injury can be physical, emotional or it may develop from specific types of conduct and from various sources. Typical personal injury cases include slip and fall, car accidents, assaults and battery, medical malpractice, as well as product liability. Most often, the goal of a personal injury action is to ascertain the responsible party and to hold the responsible party liable for losses sustained by the injured party. If you or someone you know has been injured by the actions of another, consult a personal injury attorney at our firm to determine what options you may have.

Personal Injuries from Dangerous or Defective Products

In those cases where someone is injured while using a defective product or one marketed in a dangerous way, the injured party may be able to recover the resulting damages from the liable party in a products liability-based personal injury lawsuit. When dealing with products liability law, the responsibility falls upon the manufacturer or other provider of goods to compensate end users of the goods for injuries caused by those dangerous or defective products placed into the marketplace. The premise of products liability law suggests that the companies providing the products are usually in the best position to prevent defective products from entering the marketplace, and if failing to do so, they should be held responsible.

Reasons to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney

When you’re injured, it is important to know your rights and get the help you need quickly. Many times, though, injury victims will pick the first attorney they find before making an informed choice. It is essential that before hiring a personal injury attorney, that you educate yourself to determine which attorney will best fit your needs. The following list can aid your search for an attorney that is right for your case.

Personal Injuries from Animal Bites or Attacks

Often times animal attack lawsuits involve dog bites, but there are several other types of domesticated animals, including ferrets, cats, and even birds, that can also bite or attack humans. There have even been cases of non-domesticated animals like large cats normally found in the wild, but owned by some people as pets that have attacked children and adults. Based on the jurisdiction, an owner's liability for injuries caused by his or her pet, if any, will vary greatly. An excellent source for legal advice and information when injured in an animal attack is an attorney from our firm that is experienced in handling these specific types of personal injury claims.

Slips, Falls, and Other Premises Liability Claims

Premises liability law corresponds to the legal responsibilities of property owners and occupants to prevent injuries to persons on their property. Slip and fall, such as on an icy sidewalk, a loose or uneven stair tread, or even a piece of debris or spilled liquid on the floor are the most common types of injuries. The liability of the property owner will vary based on the rules and principles implemented in the jurisdiction where the injury occurred. A personal injury lawyer experienced in premises liability law at the Gallegos Law firm can evaluate your premises liability claim and assist in the recovery process of damages for lost wages, medical bills, as well as pain and suffering.

When Personal Injuries Result in Death: Wrongful Death Cases

The definition of wrongful death case is a claim in which one is alleging that a person died as a result of another's negligence. In this circumstance, the deceased person’s surviving relatives, dependents, or estate may file a lawsuit against the responsible party, pursuing monetary damages for their losses. Wrongful death laws vary from state to state with each state having its own guidelines, principles, or rules regarding these specific personal injury claims. An experienced wrongful death attorney at our firm can assess your wrongful death claim and can guide you through the claim process against the responsible party or parties.

Selecting a Personal Injury Attorney

If you are someone that has suffered an injury due to the fault of another, you may be out of work, inundated with medical bills, or in constant pain and agony. Because of these extenuating circumstances, researching, locating, and retaining a lawyer to manage your personal injury claim can seem challenging. Certain guidelines can help you to select a personal injury lawyer best fitted to handle your case. With a personal injury lawyer from the Gallegos Law Firm on your side, you can rest assured and focus on your recovery while guide you through this process.

Personal Injury, General Resource Links

Practical Law: Personal Injury Claims
This Web site, made available to the public by the ABA Division For Public Education contains useful information about personal injury claims.

US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
The CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of property damage, serious personal injury, or death from consumer products such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children. The CPSC's Web site includes recalls and product safety news, information on reporting an unsafe product, and more.

Fact Sheet Library
National Safety Council (NSC) fact sheets are resource guides that provide statistics, tips, and suggestions to make life safer. This Web site contains over 80 topics in four categories: agricultural safety, healthy living, environment safety, and road safety.

Tort Law: An Overview
This Web site, maintained by the Legal Information Institute (LII) at Cornell University Law School, provides general information about tort law, including discussion of intentional torts, negligent torts, and strict liability torts.

Dog Bite Liability
This Web site contains an article from the Insurance Information Institute (III) about dog bite liability. The article discusses dog owners’ liability, recent developments in state legislation, important court decisions, and other related issues.

	Car Accidents Automobile and motor vehicle accident information.
	Brain Injuries Brain injuries, TBI's and head injury information.
	Dog Bites Animal attack and dog bite information.
	Medical Malpractice Physician, dentist, surgeon malpractice.
	Motorcycle Accidents Motorbike, chopper, cycle accident information.
	Spinal Injuries Spinal cord and back injury information.
	SUV Rollovers Sport Utility Vehicle, bus and van rollover accidents.
	Truck Accidents Trucks, big rigs, semi trucks and large vehicles.
	Wrongful Death Accidental and wrongful death information.
	Bus Accidents School bus and tour bus accident injuries.
The Gallegos Law Firm serves all of Los Angeles including the following cities: Alhambra, Arcadia, Baldwin Park, Bell, Bell Gardens, City of Commerce, Covina, Glendale, Hacienda Heights, La Puente, Maywood, Montebello, Monterey Park, Norwalk, Pasadena, Pico Rivera, Rosemead, San Gabriel, Temple City, West Covina, Whittier