If you plan to visit or move to the Inglewood, CA, area, it is vital to know a few key features. Unfortunately, Inglewood does not have a very positive reputation for safety compared to most California metropolitan areas. Recent statistics indicate that Inglewood, CA, ranks in the 20th percentile in terms of crime rate, meaning it is in the top 20% of the most dangerous cities in America. In addition, Inglewood’s violent crime rate is around 613 per 100,000 residents, and the property crime rate is above 2,121 per 100,000 residents.
Inglewood, CA, is home to the Hollywood Park Casino and horse racing track and La Casa de la Centinela Adobe, a cultural landmark in southern California. Inglewood generally isn’t considered a popular tourist destination, but it is a hub for collegiate activity in California as the seat of the University of West Los Angeles,established in 1966, and the City University of Los Angeles,established in 1974. Inglewood is also a manufacturing and industrial center of Los Angeles County, and there is currently an NFL stadium under construction in the Hollywood Park complex.
Whatever your reasons may be for visiting or moving to the Inglewood, CA, area, it’s vital to know the value of legal representation if you experience a personal injury or economic loss due to the actions of another party. A personal injury attorney can also help you recover when you have been victimized by a violent or property crime in the Inglewood area.
Personal Injury Risks in Inglewood, CA
Just like any other metropolitan area in southern California, residents of and visitors to the Inglewood, CA, area face various injury risks, and unexpected personal injuries can happen at any time. An experienced Inglewood, CA, personal injury lawyer can assist their client in recovering from various types of personal injuries, including:
- Motor vehicle accidents. These incidents are among the most commonly reported causes of accidental injuries and deaths throughout the country. When a car accident occurs, your attorney can help you prove liability for the incident and hold the at-fault driver accountable for damages.
- Dog bite injury claims. Dogs may be popular pets, but they can also inflict severe injuries when they attack people. As a result, California enforces strict liability on dog owners whose pets injure other people.
- Defective consumer products. Many personal injuries happen because of unreasonably dangerous or defective consumer products. If you or a loved one suffered a personal injury because of a specific product’s defect or malfunction, you could have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
- Slip and fall injuries. When property owners fail to properly maintain their properties and lawful visitors sustain slip and fall injuries, those property owners are liable for victims’ damages under California’s premises liability laws. Success with a premises liability claim requires proving that the property owner knew or reasonably should have known about the hazard in question yet failed to address it or warn the visitor about it before it caused the injury in question.
- Workplace accidents. If you were injured while working in Inglewood, you likely have grounds to file a workers’ compensation claim. California state law requires all employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. However, suppose your damages exceed the scope of compensation available from workers’ compensation. In that case, a personal injury attorney can help you explore additional avenues of recovery that may be open in your case.
- Medical malpractice. Unfortunately, medical negligence is a commonly cited cause of personal injuries in California and throughout the US. Suppose you or a loved one suffered harm because of a doctor or other medical provider failing to meet the standard of care you required for your medical situation. In that case, you have the right to pursue a medical malpractice claim to recover your losses.
- Interpersonal violence. Violent crimes like assault, armed robbery, and sexual battery are physically damaging and psychologically traumatizing victims. If any violent crime has victimized you in Inglewood, you have the right to pursue compensation for your damages through a civil claim. In addition, if the person responsible for the crime is arrested, they will face criminal prosecution, and the judge handling their case may require restitution to you as part of their sentence.
These are just a few examples of how a personal injury could occur in the Inglewood, CA, area. When these incidents happen, victims and their families must know their rights and legal options for recovering from their damages. The right attorney can make a tremendous impact on the outcome of any personal injury claim in Inglewood, CA.
Why Should I Hire an Inglewood Personal Injury Attorney?
It is technically possible for a personal injury victim to file a civil claim and successfully obtain compensation for damages without an attorney. However, this is not a prudent choice for most personal injury victims due to the wide margin for error that comes with self-representation and the average person’s likelihood of overlooking crucial aspects of their claim, potentially resulting in settlement for much less than the victim rightfully deserves.
When you hire an experienced Inglewood, CA, personal injury attorney to represent you, you can focus on your recovery with peace of mind as your legal team handles case proceedings on your behalf. You can rely on your attorney to guide you through the preliminary stages of your case, completing court filings and providing ongoing support as your case unfolds.
If you are hesitant to hire a personal injury attorney due to the potential cost of your legal fees, keep in mind the fact that the right attorney is likely to secure far more compensation for your damages than you could on your own, easily offsetting the total cost of your legal fees. Additionally, most personal injury attorneys recognize that the average person cannot afford expensive legal counsel out of pocket and offer contingency fee billing to make legal representation more accessible. With a contingency fee, you pay your attorney a percentage of your case award, but only if you win, and you won’t owe any upfront fees during your case.
The attorneys at McLachlan Law, APC, have years of experience guiding clients throughout southern California through all types of personal injury claims. We know the Inglewood area well and the various risks visitors and residents face daily. If you believe another party bears responsibility for the personal injury you suffered in Inglewood, we can assist with your recovery. Contact McLachlan Law, APC, today to schedule a call or visit with an Inglewood personal injury lawyer and learn more about the legal services we can provide.