Injured? We Fight for What You Deserve
After an accident, you're stuck dealing with insurance adjusters, medical bills, and lost wages while trying to recover. At My Lawyer Manwel, we've spent years helping injured people fight for fair compensation. A personal injury attorney in Woodland Hills can be the reason you walk away with fair compensation instead of a lowball settlement. Read more for a breakdown about how to protect your rights after an accident, how the claims process works, and what to look for when choosing legal representation.
Car accidents make up the bulk of legal caseloads. Rear-end collisions, sideswipes, and intersection crashes happen in the area every week. Motorcycle riders are vulnerable because drivers don't check blind spots or yield properly. Pedestrians and cyclists have it even worse when a distracted driver runs a red light or rolls through a crosswalk. We also take on premises liability cases where property owners failed to fix hazards. A wet floor in a grocery store, a broken handrail in an apartment complex, or a pothole in a parking lot are all common causes of serious injuries. Dog bites fall under premises liability, too. California holds dog owners strictly liable when their animals attack someone. Rideshare accidents involve more complications because Uber and Lyft carry commercial policies with higher limits, but those companies use every tactic available to limit their exposure. A personal injury law firm with experience in these specific case types knows which evidence to gather and which experts to consult for each situation.
The first 24 hours are critical. What you do during that window shapes the entire trajectory of your case. Call 911 and make sure officers respond to the scene. The police report becomes an official record of what happened, and it captures witness statements along with the responding officer's observations about fault. Take photographs of everything. Capture vehicle damage from multiple angles, skid marks on the pavement, traffic signs, weather conditions, and visible injuries on your body. Exchange information with the other driver, but don't get into detailed discussions or apologize. Insurance companies will twist your statements into an admission of responsibility. Get medical attention the same day, even if you think you're fine. Adrenaline is known to mask pain, and soft tissue injuries like whiplash may not show symptoms for 48 to 72 hours. When you delay treatment, the insurance adjuster will argue your injuries came from something else. Save every document you receive. Medical records, receipts, and correspondence with insurance companies all become evidence. Talk to a personal injury lawyer in Woodland Hills before you give any recorded statement. One wrong answer can reduce your settlement by thousands of dollars or eliminate your claim.
Insurance adjusters are supposed to close claims for as little money as possible. They're trained negotiators who are working against your interests from the moment you file. The first tactic involves quick settlement offers. Within days of your accident, an adjuster may call with a check for a few thousand dollars. They know you're stressed about bills. They also know your injuries haven't fully manifested, and your medical costs will climb. Once you accept the payment and sign a release, you can't pursue additional compensation. Recorded statements are another trap. The adjuster asks questions in a specific sequence designed to create contradictions or admissions they can use against you later. They'll ask about prior injuries, medications, and your activities before the accident. Personal injury attorneys in Woodland Hills recognize these tactics because we've seen them hundreds of times. Adjusters also delay processing claims and hope you'll accept less out of desperation. They'll request redundant documentation, claim they never received paperwork, or transfer your file between representatives. When you have legal representation, adjusters take your claim more seriously because they know you won't fall for these games.
California law allows injured people to recover economic damages, non-economic damages, and, in rare cases, punitive damages. Economic damages include every dollar you spent or lost because of the accident. Medical expenses cover emergency room visits, surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, prescription medications, and future treatments your doctors recommend. Lost wages compensate you for time away from work. If your injuries reduce your earning capacity permanently, you can claim those future losses too. Non-economic damages focus on the parts of your life that don't show up on a receipt. Pain from your injuries, emotional distress, anxiety about driving, and inability to participate in activities you enjoyed before all have value. California doesn't cap non-economic damages in most personal injury cases. When the defendant acted with malice or extreme recklessness, courts may award punitive damages to punish the behavior. A drunk driver who caused a crash while three times over the legal limit might face punitive damages. Every case has different variables. The severity of your injuries, the clarity of fault, the defendant's insurance limits, and the quality of your documentation all affect your final recovery. A personal injury attorney in Woodland Hills will calculate the full value of your claim and refuse to accept anything less.
Time limits apply to every personal injury case in California. The statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit. If you miss the deadline, the court can dismiss your case permanently. Evidence disappears too because witnesses forget details, surveillance footage gets recorded over, and physical evidence at the scene changes or vanishes. Starting the legal process early preserves your options and strengthens your position. My Lawyer Manwel investigates your accident, documents your injuries, negotiates with insurance companies, and takes your case to trial if necessary. If you've been hurt in an accident, call our office today for a consultation. Our personal injury attorneys in Woodland Hills will review your case, explain your options, and give you honest advice about what to expect. Every day you wait gives the insurance company more time to build its defense. Contact a personal injury lawyer in Woodland Hills and let our personal injury law firm fight for what you're owed.
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.