Injured? We Fight for What You Deserve
An accident changes everything overnight. You're suddenly juggling hospital visits, missed work, and stacks of paperwork. Meanwhile, everyone wants something from you. Insurance companies are asking for recorded statements, and doctors need you to make important decisions about your medical care. My Lawyer Manwel has walked alongside Sylmar residents through the chaos that follows a serious accident. We know how vulnerable you feel right now. The support of a personal injury attorney in Sylmar protects you from making rushed choices that hurt your case and ensures that every responsible party is held accountable. Keep reading to learn about hit and run accidents, what independent medical examinations really mean, and why gaps in treatment can damage your claim.
A driver fleeing the scene doesn't automatically void your right to compensation. California law provides multiple routes to recover damages even when the at-fault driver vanishes. Your own uninsured motorist coverage exists for exactly this situation. Most California auto policies include UM coverage unless you specifically waive it in writing. A personal injury lawyer in Sylmar can review your policy declarations page and identify the coverage limits available to you. Investigation can help identify the fleeing driver through surveillance footage from nearby businesses, traffic cameras, witness statements, and vehicle debris left at the scene. Police reports create an official record that supports your claim. My Lawyer Manwel works with investigators who specialize in tracking down hit-and-run drivers using paint transfer analysis, license plate databases, and social media canvassing. If the driver is never found, your UM claim proceeds against your own insurance carrier. That process requires the same level of documentation and legal strategy as any third-party claim. Insurance companies scrutinize your medical records, question treatment choices, and look for reasons to reduce the payout. Having a personal injury law firm handle the UM claim puts you on equal footing with adjusters who are trained to minimize settlements.
The name sounds neutral, but an independent medical examination serves the insurance company's interests. When an insurer requests an IME, they're sending you to a doctor on their payroll to generate a report that contradicts your treating physician. The examining doctor reviews your records beforehand and conducts a brief physical evaluation that typically lasts fifteen to thirty minutes. Contrast that with the hours your own doctors have spent diagnosing and treating your injuries. The IME report will minimize your injuries, question whether they resulted from the accident, or suggest you've reached maximum medical improvement earlier than your doctors believe. California law allows insurers to request these examinations as a condition of processing your claim. You cannot refuse without consequences. Missing the appointment or declining to attend gives the insurance company grounds to deny your claim entirely. The personal injury attorneys in Sylmar at our firm prepare clients for an IME. We explain what questions to expect and what tests the doctor may perform. We also request copies of the final report and compare it against your own medical records. When the IME doctor's conclusions contradict objective evidence like MRI results or surgical notes, we document the discrepancies for use in negotiations or trial.
Adjusters can search your medical records for any period where you didn't seek treatment. A two-week gap becomes their evidence that your injuries weren't serious. A month without documented care lets them argue you must have recovered. The logic is that someone in real pain would see a doctor right away. Insurance companies ignore the actual reasons people delay treatment. Maybe you couldn't afford the copay or weren't able to take more time off work. You could have been caring for family members injured in the same accident. None of those explanations matters to an adjuster looking for reasons to reduce your settlement. A personal injury lawyer in Sylmar documents the reasons for treatment gaps and presents that context in demand letters. We also work with your medical providers to create a clear timeline showing how your injuries progressed. Consistent treatment records demonstrate the ongoing impact of your injuries. Each appointment creates documentation that the insurance company can't dispute. If you've already missed appointments or delayed care, contact a personal injury law firm before the gaps grow longer. We can help you establish a treatment plan that takes care of your injuries while building the strongest possible case.
Medical payments coverage pays your medical bills regardless of who caused the accident. Unlike liability coverage that only applies when another driver is at fault, MedPay kicks in immediately. Most California policies offer MedPay limits between one thousand and ten thousand dollars. That money covers ambulance transport, emergency room visits, diagnostic imaging, and initial follow-up appointments. You don't have to wait for the insurance company to determine fault. You don't have to fight with the other driver's insurer over pre-authorization. MedPay reimburses your out-of-pocket costs or pays providers directly. The personal injury attorneys in Sylmar at My Lawyer Manwel help clients access MedPay benefits within days of an accident. This coverage bridges the gap while your larger claim develops. Using MedPay doesn't affect your rates the way an at-fault claim would. Many clients don't realize they carry this coverage or assume it requires the same drawn-out process as liability claims. It doesn't. A quick call to your insurance company with the policy number and accident date initiates the MedPay process. We handle that call for our clients and ensure the claim is filed correctly. A personal injury attorney in Sylmar also tracks all MedPay payments against your total medical expenses to prevent overpayment or duplicate billing errors.
Insurance adjusters have training, resources, and experience on their side. They handle hundreds of claims each year and know exactly how to minimize payouts. My Lawyer Manwel offers representation for people who are injured through car accidents, motorcycle collisions, pedestrian injuries, and more. We take calls after hours because accidents don't happen on a schedule. Call our office to speak with someone today. We can answer questions, review your situation, and explain your options.
At My Lawyer Manwel, we fight for your rights in personal injury and employment law. See what our clients say about working with us.
I contacted My Lawyer Manwel for help with an employment dispute, and I’m very pleased with the service I received. He was knowledgeable, honest, and supportive throughout the entire process. Manwel kept me informed and handled negotiations with confidence and professionalism. He made a difficult situation much easier to manage and achieved a positive resolution. I would not hesitate to recommend My Lawyer Manwel to anyone needing experienced and reliable legal representation.
My Lawyer Manwel was incredibly helpful during my personal injury case. After my accident, I felt stressed and unsure of what to expect. Manwel explained everything in simple terms and was always available to answer my questions. He handled the legal details with professionalism and care, allowing me to focus on recovery. The settlement he secured helped cover my medical expenses and eased my financial worries. I truly appreciate his dedication and highly recommend his services.
I had a great experience working with My Lawyer Manwel on an employment law matter. He listened carefully to my concerns and provided clear, honest advice. Manwel was always responsive and made sure I understood every step of the process. He handled my case professionally and worked hard to protect my rights. The outcome was fair and allowed me to move forward with confidence. I’m very grateful for his help and would recommend My Lawyer Manwel to anyone facing workplace legal issues.
My Lawyer Manwel provided excellent support during my personal injury case. From the beginning, he was professional, patient, and very knowledgeable. He took the time to explain my rights and the legal process clearly, which made me feel confident and informed. Manwel handled all communication with the insurance company and kept me updated throughout the case. His dedication and attention to detail truly stood out. Thanks to his hard work, my case had a positive outcome. I highly recommend My Lawyer Manwel to anyone needing a trustworthy personal injury attorney.
Don't sign without carefully reviewing all of the terms, including release of claims, non-disparagement clauses, and confidentiality provisions. You usually have the right to consult with an attorney who can negotiate better terms on your behalf.
Enforceability varies dramatically by state, with some banning them entirely and others enforcing them when reasonable in scope and duration. Recent legal trends have moved toward limiting these agreements. Having an attorney review your specific agreement is essential.
Most discrimination claims must first be filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or your state's equivalent agency before pursuing a lawsuit. Strict deadlines apply, often within one hundred eighty to three hundred days of the discriminatory act.
Misclassification occurs when employers label workers as contractors to avoid providing benefits owed to employees. The determination depends on factors like company control over your work, schedule flexibility, and who provides tools and equipment.
Numerous federal and state laws protect employees who report illegal activity, safety violations, or fraud from employer retaliation. Whistleblowers may be entitled to reinstatement, back pay, and other remedies if they face adverse employment actions.
Generally speaking, employers have some flexibility to modify duties and compensation, but they can't make any changes that violate contracts, discriminate, or constitute retaliation. Sudden changes following a complaint or protected activity may raise legal concerns.
A hostile work environment exists when unwelcome conduct based on a protected characteristic is pervasive or severe enough to create an intimidating or abusive workplace. This goes beyond occasional rudeness and must materially affect your ability to do your job.
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the majority of employees working more than forty hours per week must receive overtime pay at one and a half times their regular rate. However, certain exemptions apply based on salary level and job duties, which employers sometimes misapply.
Wrongful termination happens if an employee is fired in a way that violates federal or state laws, employment contracts, or public policy. Examples include being fired due to discrimination, retaliation for whistleblowing, or refusing to engage in illegal activities.
Federal and state law prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who report illegal conduct or file discrimination complaints. Retaliation can include termination, demotion, or creating a hostile environment. If you experience retaliation, you may have an additional legal claim.
Document every incident in detail. That includes dates, times, witnesses, and what occurred. Report the harassment through your company's internal complaint process and keep copies of all communications. If internal channels don't resolve the issue, consulting with an attorney is an important next step.
Workplace discrimination occurs when an employer treats someone unfavorably because of a protected characteristic like race, gender, age, religion, disability, or national origin. This can include hiring and firing decisions, promotions, pay, job assignments, and harassment.
If your health insurance paid for any treatment that's related to your injury, they may have a right to reimbursement from any settlement through a process called subrogation. Your attorney can often negotiate these liens down to maximize what you keep.
A settlement is an agreement that is reached outside of the court, where the at-fault party agrees to pay compensation in exchange for releasing liability. A verdict is a decision that's made by a judge or jury after a trial determines the outcome.
While you can represent yourself, insurance companies often take advantage of unrepresented claimants with lowball settlements. Studies show that injured individuals who hire attorneys recover significantly more compensation even after paying legal fees.
The timeline varies depending on the complexity of your case, the severity of injuries, and whether it settles or goes to trial. Simpler cases may resolve in a few months, while complex litigation can take several years.
You may still have options, including your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage if the incident involved a vehicle. An experienced attorney can identify all of the potential sources of compensation available to you.
Fault is normally established by examining evidence like police reports, medical records, witness statements, and expert testimony. Your attorney will investigate the circumstances to build a compelling case. In some states, you may still recover damages even if you were partially at fault.
First, get medical attention even if you feel okay, as some injuries don't show symptoms right away. Document everything, including photos of the scene and witness contact information, and avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies before talking to an attorney.
Most personal injury cases are settled out of court via negotiations with insurance companies or the opposing party. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, taking your case to trial may be necessary to obtain the compensation you deserve.
Most personal injury cases are settled out of court via negotiations with insurance companies or the opposing party. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, taking your case to trial may be necessary to obtain the compensation you deserve.
Victims can recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress, pain, and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving egregious conduct, punitive damages may also be available to punish the wrongdoer.
Every state has a statute of limitations that sets a deadline for filing personal injury lawsuits, typically ranging from one to four years depending on where you live. Missing this deadline almost always means losing your right to pursue compensation, so consult with an attorney as soon as possible after your injury.
A personal injury case is when someone suffers harm because another party was negligent, reckless, or engaged in intentional misconduct. A few examples include car accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice, and workplace injuries. If someone else's actions led to your injury, you may have grounds for a claim.